•March 21 2018•

Sullivan native Kevin Gaither won the Democratic nomination for the 15th U.S. Congressional District defeating Carol Spoerer of Mahomet with 62% of the vote, 32,990 to 20,178.

In Moultrie County Gaither received 76% to Spoerer’s 24% for a 508 to 161 margin.

Republican incumbent John Shimkus received 1,770 votes in Moultrie County.

The Moultrie County treasurer’s race, created by the retirement of Marci Thompson had competition on both tickets.

Diane K. Waggoner won the Democratic nomination for treasurer 533 to 185 over Pam Wittkowski. Read More

•March 7, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

The design won architectural awards when it opened in 1964, but the Sullivan Civic Center has had a tortured history of repairs and renovations.

IGW Architects Riley Glerum and Rick Krall of Urbana presented an assessment of the center’s condition and possible solutions for the Sullivan City Council to consider during a special meeting Thursday, March 1 at Elizabeth Titus Library.

City administrator Dan Flannell first dispelled rumors about the civic center to the room filled with 50 citizens.

“In spite of rumors and FaceBook posts you may have heard or seen,” Flannell began, “there is absolutely no plan to close the Civic Center. The Civic Center will remain open well into the future.”

The question that remained at the end of the session is just how much is the community of Sullivan willing to pay in order to keep the facility or one like it opened? Read More

Photo by R.R. Best
Sullivan Fire Prevention Coordinator Kaleb Randol.

•February 21, 2018•

Fire safety improved for Sullivan Fire Protection District homeowners with the “Sound the Alarm, Save a Life” free smoke/fire detector program.

Kidde Smoke Alarm Co. is introducing the new 10 year life smoke/fire detectors through the American Red Cross in a nationwide introductory giveaway program.

Homeowners within the Sullivan Fire Protection District qualify for up to three smoke detectors installed by members of the fire department.

Firefighter/paramedic Kaleb Randol is department education coordinator and kicked the free smoke detector program off on the Sullivan Fire Dist. FaceBook page Monday, Feb. 19.

“This is a very big deal for a department our size to be able to offer free smoke detectors to homeowners,” Randol said, noting installation is included and said the new technology detectors are a $20 value.

“All the homeowner must do is drop by the fire department or call and get an appointment time set. The application process is very easy,” he continued.

He went on to point out the new long-life lithium powered smoke detector is sealed and guaranteed for 10 years, representing a big change from replacing nine volt batteries twice a year in conventional smoke detectors. Read More

•February 7, 2018•

Okaw Valley High School’s success with U.S. Corp of Engineers cooperative at Lake Shelbyville has the school district looking at breaking new ground.

The Okaw Valley Community School district approved plans Jan. 18 to move forward with a new 5000 sq. ft. agricultural building and facility including 1500 ft of classroom, 2000 sq. ft. animal handling facility and 1500 ft. animal housing structure.

The idea for this university style interactive agriculture facility came with a challenge to expand the coop concept from Supt. Kent Stauder to agriculture teacher and Corp coop coordinator Wes Wise.

“We hope to continue to offer experiences to Okaw Valley students that are not found at any other district, and we will continue to pave the way for career and technical education for students as they enter the workforce,” Stauder said of his reason to push the ag teacher for a grand idea. Read More

Photo by R.R. Best
Megan Thompson is applauded by the child in her lap and supported by the crowd who surrounded her during the Sullivan Hoop Shoot.

•January 24, 2018•

By Jason Brown
for the News Progress

In 2014, former Sullivan resident Megan (Buxton) Thompson was watching an NFL game with her husband in mid-October during breast cancer awareness month. Players and coaches wore pink and she kidded about checking to make sure she didn’t have a lump.

She had been recently experiencing pain in her left chest so she jokingly performed a self-exam and found a lump.

“Within two weeks, I was diagnosed with (Stage 3b) breast cancer,” she said. “We don’t have any family history of cancer, and I don’t have the BRCA gene. My chances of getting breast cancer at 27 years old with no family history or genetic mutations was less than two percent.”

She decided no matter what the diagnosis, with the help of family, friends and faith, she was going to fight.

She went through a mastectomy, six months of chemo, six and a half weeks of radiation, and started on hormonal therapy. Read More