Category Archives: Top Stories

Computer Networks Combined for Tracking, Security Measures

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Council also hears update on Sullivan fireworks

by Joash Tiarks
Reporting in Sullivan

The city council Monday moved forward with combining computer networks across the city of Sullivan’s departments.

As a follow up on the discussion and recommendation made by the council at the Feb. 24 meeting, the city is moving forward to have QNS combine the computer networks of the different departments into one that can be monitored, tracked, and protected as a unit.

Previously each department had a network unto themselves, with each computer having access as soon as it was turned on. This not only exposed the city’s digital resources to potential unauthorized access but also made it impossible for the city to keep track of its resources and to monitor unauthorized activity. Moving forward, each employee will have their own personal access passcode, both for their own safety and to track web activity. Network administrators will then be able to solve problems quickly and specifically, as well as impose a web filter and block access to any unnecessary websites by department. Read More

Education Foundation Awards Over $50,000 in Grants at Annual Dinner

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More than 230 years commitment to district also honored

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

In the 20 years that the Sullivan Community Education Foundation has been awarding grant money to local organizations and groups, this year saw close to, if not the largest, payout.

A total of $56,226.85 was awarded at last Thursday’s teacher appreciation dinner to various groups for education related projects. Of that amount, more than $10,000 were donated.

“The approximate $10,000 of donations were toward specific grant areas per the donors,” explained SCEF treasurer and former Sullivan superintendent Terry Pearcy. “The SCEF does receive other donations and memorials in order to give grants annually.  In addition, the SCEF has fundraising projects such as an annual ‘Technology Raffle’ that raises funds through sponsorship and ticket sales prior to the prize drawing which occurs at the SHS homecoming football game.”

Photo by Keith Stewart Pictured are this year’s Sullivan school district employees who were honored at last Thursday’s teacher appreciation dinner for their longstanding careers in Sullivan. Pictured from left to right are Becky Lawson, Anne McGhghy, Janet McFarland, Clarice Singer, Leslie Auten, Sara Boyer, Christine Grohler, Karen Harpster, and Don Typer. Not pictured are Chris Sides and Elaine Daniels.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured are this year’s Sullivan school district employees who were honored at last Thursday’s teacher appreciation dinner for their longstanding careers in Sullivan. Pictured from left to right are Becky Lawson, Anne McGhghy, Janet McFarland, Clarice Singer, Leslie Auten, Sara Boyer, Christine Grohler, Karen Harpster, and Don Typer. Not pictured are Chris Sides and Elaine Daniels.

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Eagle Creek Contract Terminated by BMDD

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Photo by Keith Stewart Eagle Creek Resort’s fate is once again up in the air after BMDD Resorts, the vendor who was awarded the bid to renovate the resort in 2010, officially packed up earlier this week and walked away from the project after what they cite as a frustrating relationship with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Eagle Creek Resort’s fate is once again up in the air after BMDD Resorts, the vendor who was awarded the bid to renovate the resort in 2010, officially packed up earlier this week and walked away from the project after what they cite as a frustrating relationship with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Agreement to effectively dissolve March 15

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

The vendor that IDNR chose in 2010 to renovate and ultimately reopen Eagle Creek Resort has issued the state agency a notice of termination effective later this week.

The contract that BMDD Resorts and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources entered into in July 2010 will be terminated effective March 15, according to Dennis Ballinger, CEO of BMDD Resorts out of Decatur.

“We’ve tried not to make this a public issue, but finally, it had to,” said Ballinger in a phone interview Tuesday evening. Read More

Sullivan Restricts Garbage Contracts to One Year Max

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Photo by Keith Stewart An Advanced Disposal garbage truck is seen in the parking lot of McDonald’s Tuesday afternoon in Sullivan.

Photo by Keith Stewart
An Advanced Disposal garbage truck is seen in the parking lot of McDonald’s Tuesday afternoon in Sullivan.

Ties contract term to license term

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

At their second meeting last month, the Sullivan city council approved an ordinance, amending a section on garbage regulations meant to curb the length of contracts with which collectors could provide customers.

Ordinance 14-4, which passed unanimously at the February 24 meeting, simply ties the length of any contract garbage collectors issue customers with the term of their license they receive from the city. Since garbage collection licenses enjoy a one year shelf-life before expiring each May, contracts with customers are now stipulated to the same one year time-frame. Read More

Moved Back Into Moultrie

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MAPTestHigh-voltage transmission line approved to run through county

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

The future location of a high-voltage transmission line has been moved back into Moultrie County after a hearing last Thursday.

Known as the Illinois Rivers Transmission Project, the $1.1 billion, 375 mile long, 345 kV transmission line, Ameren’s largest-ever transmission project, will span from near Quincy, Ill. and the Mississippi River all the way across the middle of the state to the Indiana border near Terre Haute. The project, which is the longest single transmission line project in state history, also represents four of six multi-value project here in Illinois that will allegedly strengthen the reliability of the power-grid within the Midcontinent Independent System Operation’s north and central regions, which is a regional transmission organization that serves all or parts of 11 states. Read More

Staying Fit as a Family

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Photo by Keith Stewart SHS student volunteer Cadisen Nuzzo helps Avery Florey balance on an exercise ball last Thursday during the third annual Family Fit Night.

Photo by Keith Stewart
SHS student volunteer Cadisen Nuzzo helps Avery Florey balance on an exercise ball last Thursday during the third annual Family Fit Night.

PTO organized event enjoys third year in promoting healthy living

by Christina Whitford
Sullivan Reporter

The obesity rate in children is an issue that is on the minds of many. In response, Sullivan Elementary School PTO found a way to promote both healthy living and families spending time together with a family event aimed at healthy activities.

“It’s a great opportunity for families to get out and burn off some cabin fever from the weather,” volunteer Jennifer Voegel said.

This was the third year for the Family Fit Night event at the school. A variety of organizations were on hand to teach students and their families about healthy activities they can enjoy.  Read More

Love–the Tie that Binds

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Photo by Keith Stewart Lucille Fultz recites her first place poem “Courtyard Baby” Friday.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Lucille Fultz recites her first place poem “Courtyard Baby” Friday.

Seniors come together for annual
V- Day Luncheon

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

It is said that love is the tie that binds relationships. At the Sixth Annual Senior Valentine’s Day Luncheon and Poetry Contest Friday, area seniors and citizens reflected on spouses, either living or past, parents, and family in an afternoon full of food, desserts, and poetry.

“We talked about any problems that we had. So if there was a misunderstanding, we solved it right then and there. That’s what made it possible,” said Wilma Wilhelm of her 65-year marriage with Gilbert Ray. “He passed away at 93 five years ago. He was the best one that I ever had,” she gushed. While it was clear that Wilhelm missed her spouse deeply, she did get to share the special event with her son Roger. He attested to the facts of his mother’s story simply by smiling and nodding as he sat by her side.  Read More

Home is Total Loss After Fire Thursday

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Photo by RR Best Firemen work to extinguish a fire located at a Bethany residence last Thursday afternoon. Wind gusts only fueled the fire more, which took responders nearly three hours to put out. The home has been ruled a total loss.

Photo by RR Best
Firemen work to extinguish a fire located at a Bethany residence last Thursday afternoon. Wind gusts only fueled the fire more, which took responders nearly three hours to put out. The home has been ruled a total loss.

Gusts only intensify flames

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

A home located on the Bethany-Moweaqua blacktop has been deemed a total loss after a fire last Thursday.

According to Bethany fire chief Jim McMahon, the home belonging to Dorotha E. Bennett caught fire last Thursday afternoon due to what the state fire marshall investigation concluded was a candle. Read More

Remembering George

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Submitted

Submitted

Former students still recall Casleton’s intrigue as teacher

by Christina Whitford
Sullivan Reporter

For many people, the late and former area teacher George Casleton is remembered for his dynamic teaching style, but few people are aware of the chance encounter that actually brought him to our community.

George Casleton was born in 1925 in the southern Illinois town of West Frankfort. He, along with his parents and two siblings, remained a part of this town throughout his adolescent years. While growing up, Casleton enjoyed banging on the drums and continued this passion for nine years as a member of the Ted Paschedag Band and Orchestra. After graduating from West Frankfort High School in 1943, Casleton went on to serve his country by joining the armed forces. Casleton was stationed in Italy during World War II and earned a Bronze Star.  Read More

Seniors Support Community Center Amid Rumors of Cuts

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Photo by RR Best Sondra Daily of Sullivan was just one of many area seniors to attend last Monday’s conversation on aging held at the First United Methodist Church in Sullivan. The meeting gave the public an opportunity to voice their opinions on services and potential cuts before the ECIAAA submits its budget later this year.

Photo by RR Best
Sondra Daily of Sullivan was just one of many area seniors to attend last Monday’s conversation on aging held at the First United Methodist Church in Sullivan. The meeting gave the public an opportunity to voice their opinions on services and potential cuts before the ECIAAA submits its budget later this year.

Still reproach over frozen meals

By Derek Pope
Reporting in Sullivan

Moultrie County senior citizens showed up en masse on January 13 at a meeting held by the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging at Sullivan’s First United Methodist Church. A crowd of more than 50 people attended the meeting—most of them there to voice their avid support of Sullivan’s Mid-Illinois Senior Services and Community Center and their disapproval of any measure that might cut funding to it or change its services. The meeting was one of a 16 part series of community forums put on by the state, aimed at collecting public input and opinion across Illinois. The purpose of the meetings, according to the Area Agency on Aging, is to help in their goal of “enhancing the quality of life for older Americans and their families by providing information about and access to a variety of services.”  Read More