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CONSOLIDATED ELECTION RESULTS FOR 4/1/2025
Results will be updated as they come in.

Category Archives: Top Stories

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Sullivan Superintendent Reflects on School Report Card Results for District

News Progress Posted on December 6, 2023 by webmasterDecember 6, 2023

•December 6, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

The Illinois State Board of Education recently released report cards for districts in the state, rating districts on a variety of categories from socioeconomic status and attendance rates to truancy and proficiency in math, science and other subjects.

Sullivan Superintendent Ted Walk stated that the report cards are an important piece of what is going on in a district, but the more important part is what is done in classrooms each day. He also noted that standardized testing reflects a one-day test. Overall he said he is pleased with this year’s results. Read More

Posted in Top Stories

One Book One Sullivan Reveals This Book Choice During Assembly

News Progress Posted on November 29, 2023 by webmasterNovember 29, 2023

photo by Crystal Reed
One Book, One Sullivan chose the 2023-2024 book and announced it during an assembly on Tuesday, November 21. Members of OBOS are Wes Allen, Madeline Anderson, Madeline Atteberry, Violet Cohan, Isabelle Donovan, Emma Drake, Alex Fultz, Aubrey Fultz, Kent Lehman, Clara Miller, Scarlett Perrott, Avery Renfro, Daisy Richardson, Ronin Woods, Emery Wade, Gideon Walk and Rikki Ray.

•November 29, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

One Book, One Sullivan is excited to present City Spies by James Ponti as the 2023-2024 book choice. Sullivan Middle School students worked diligently to choose the book which would best match interests of middle school through adult readers.

According to the author’s website, www.jamesponti.com, Sarah Martinez is a hacker facing years in juvenile detention, until she meets Mother, a spy who gets her out of jail and into MI6, British Secret Intelligence. Operating out of a castle in Scotland, the City Spies are five kids from around the world who’ve fallen through the cracks only to form a family like no other. When they’re not at the local boarding school, they’re mastering spy skills such as sleight of hand, breaking and entering, covert observation, and explosives. In order that they can go places in the world of espionage where adults can’t. Read More

Posted in Top Stories

Former Sullivan Man to Make Boxing History December 5

News Progress Posted on November 22, 2023 by webmasterNovember 22, 2023

photo furnished
Scot England, 59, formerly of Sullivan, will earn the title of oldest professional welterweight boxer in the world when he steps into the boxing ring in Nashville on December 5.

•November 22, 2023•

Hendersonville, Tennessee’s Scot England will earn a unique title when he steps into the boxing ring in Nashville on December 5th. The soon-to-be 59-year-old will become the oldest professional welterweight boxer in the world.

“My boxing dream began four decades ago when I became friends with my hero, Muhammad Ali,” says England. “The first time I walked into Ali’s living room, he asked, ‘Are you a boxer?’ I said, ‘No, Champ. I’m not tough enough for that.’ But now, almost 40 years later, I am tough enough.”

There are currently about 400 pro welterweight boxers in the U.S. and 2, 000 worldwide. Of those, official boxing rankings put Scot England as the number one oldest in the world.

“The oldest welterweight was 51 years old. But I’ll have about 8 years on him,” says England. “My opponent is just 28, so he’s about three decades younger than I am.”

For the past two years, England has been training with Army veteran Eric Draper, who has won over 20 professional fights. Draper says he respects England’s effort to gain his first victory. “Every day, somebody is telling somebody what they can’t do,” Draper says. “But Scot is proving that this can be done. I love to see an older guy like him in the ring, slugging it out with us young guys.” Read More

Posted in Top Stories

2023 Veterans Day Art and Writing Contest Winners Announced

News Progress Posted on November 15, 2023 by webmasterNovember 15, 2023

photo furnished
SES student winners from left to right: Becky Lawson, contest director; Aidan Coil; Abagail Todd; Ruth Keown, vice president of Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit #68.

•November 15, 2023•

The Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit #68 recently presented awards to several Sullivan students who competed in their 2023 Veterans Day Art and Writing Contest.

Junior Taylar Mercer won the 11th and 12th grade art division with her piece entitled “A Proud Veteran.” Her drawing combines two images of John James. According to her creator’s statement that, “He was an African-American World War II veteran who was denied an officer position for 76 years due to his race. After 36 years of retirement, he was recognized and rewarded his officer bars. He wore them with pride.”

Judges were particularly impressed by Mercer’s creativity in combining images of a young and older James in his uniform. One half of her drawing is based on a photo of him when he was younger and was denied becoming an officer because of his race. The other half is based on an image of him after he retired and was finally promoted. Read More

Posted in Top Stories

Sullivan School District Breaks Ground for New High School

News Progress Posted on November 8, 2023 by webmasterNovember 8, 2023

photo by Crystal Reed
In attendance for the ground breaking of the new Sullivan High School were (in no order): Sullivan Mayor Mike Mossman, Moultrie County Board Chairman Bill Voyles and Vice Chairman Marsha Kirby, Executive Director of the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Laurrie Minor, Friends of Sullivan Athletics and Academics Representative Amanda Glazebrook, Judy England, Clayton Quick and Evan Sudkamp with Grunloh Construction, Architect Ben Dockter with Graham and Hyde Architects, Board of Education members Jeff White, Josh Green and Zak Horn, Sullivan High School Principal Dan Allen, Director of Buildings and Grounds Kevin Landrus and Sullivan School District Superintendent Ted Walk.

•November 8, 2023•

Sullivan School District broke ground for the new high school last Friday afternoon. Superintendent Ted Walk reflected on the past noting that the Sullivan Township High School opened over 100 years ago in 1916. It served students in the Sullivan community for over 105 years. Students served initially included high school students but the building hosted middle and even elementary students during its time. “The community should be incredibly proud of the efforts and decisions made by the staff and leadership of Sullivan Schools over this time to keep this three-story structure, built initially without electricity, operational for such an amazing stretch,” he said.  Read More

Posted in Top Stories

Local Family Grows Atlantic Giant Pumpkins

News Progress Posted on November 1, 2023 by webmasterNovember 1, 2023

photo furnished
Tyson, Cash, Harper and Stephanie Naylor with one of their Atlantic giant pumpkins that they have grown since 2008. This type of pumpkin can tip the scales at over 1,000 lbs depending on the plant.

•November 1, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Tis the season for pumpkins, pumpkin pie and all things pumpkin spice. However, one local family grows pumpkins not to eat but for fun. Tyson, Steph, Cash and Harper Naylor of Sullivan are a family that grows Atlantic giant pumpkins. These are no ordinary squash.

Tyson said each plant is about 30x30 feet and is around 900 square feet total. They grow two plants which grow one pumpkin per plant. At its peak, this type of pumpkin can grow 30-50+ pounds a day. Read More

Posted in Top Stories

98-year-old Sullivan Resident Set to Retire 

News Progress Posted on October 25, 2023 by webmasterOctober 25, 2023

photo by Crystal Reed
Paul “Short” Craig, 98, of Sullivan is planning to retire on his 99th birthday after working for almost 46 years at Atchison Electric.

•October 25, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Paul “Short” Craig of Sullivan is 98 years old, and he finally plans to retire from Atchison Electric on his birthday which is November 25. He was born in Shelby County, and his family moved to Sullivan when he was four years old. Growing up during the Great Depression, he remembers he and his eight siblings having doing without because their father didn’t make much money.

Craig remembers attending Julian School for eight years and noted he is the last person alive who attended the school. He only attended high school for two years due to the war and is the only one left of the class of 1944. He was unable to join the service because he was unable to pass the physical. Read More

Posted in Top Stories

Annular Solar Eclipse Briefly Visible Locally Due to Cloudy Conditions

News Progress Posted on October 18, 2023 by webmasterOctober 18, 2023

photo by Crystal Reed
Visitors to Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library look through special viewing glasses to observe the annular solar eclipse Saturday. The eclipse was viewable briefly in between clouds passing in front it.

•October 18, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

On Saturday, October 14, the annular solar eclipse crossed North, Central and South America. It was visible in parts of the United States, Mexico and many countries in South and Central America. According to science.nasa.gov, the solar eclipse began in Oregon at 9:13 am PDT and ended in Texas at 12:03 pm CDT. 

A annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth while it is at its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover the star. According to science. nasa.gov this eclipse is often referred to as a “ring of fire”. Because the Sun is never completely covered, those observing must where proper eye protection at all time while watching an annular eclipse.  Read More

Posted in Top Stories

Harvest to Home Event Held at IAHC

News Progress Posted on October 11, 2023 by webmasterOctober 11, 2023

photo by Crystal Reed
Horse power is used to press sorghum at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center this past Saturday.

•October 11, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center hosted their Harvest to Home event this past weekend. The purpose of the show is to teach attendees how crops were grown and harvested during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

One of the highlights of Friday’s activities according to Levi Yoder was that corn was harvested and shelled then ground into cornmeal. The cornmeal was then made into cornbread. That same day they stripped sorghum and pressed it and cooked it. By the middle of the afternoon those visiting the event could eat hot sorghum on cornbread. Read More

Posted in Top Stories

Sullivan Alumna and Daughter Hold Book Signing at Library

News Progress Posted on October 4, 2023 by webmasterOctober 4, 2023

photo by Crystal Reed
Shoni Anderson and her mother Becky Clayton-Anderson with their book Warrior Princess at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library on Wednesday, September 27. There was a book signing for their book that afternoon at the library.

•October 4, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Shoni Anderson is a warrior princess, a nickname that she got from family members during her fight with leukemia. She was diagnosed with leukemia February 1, 2021, and on June 7 of this year she rang the bell symbolizing that she was in remission. Shoni had two parties in honor of being in remission, one at the hospital and one at home on July 3 where those in attendance brought toys donated to the children at the hospital. Read More

Posted in Top Stories

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Sign collision at Agri-Fab



News Progress


Photo submitted

In the late afternoon of Saturday, May 31st, there was a single-vehicle accident, with the vehicle making contact with the Sullivan Agri-Fab factory signage located at the factory frontage on Hamilton Street. Per Sullivan Police Department’s Chief of Police, Andrew Pistorius, the airbag was deployed in the incident, and the driver refused medical treatment. No further information is available at this time.


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