Tips for driving safely during planting season
Driving tips are critical for farmers and all drivers
•April 30, 2025•
by Angie Hogan
The spring planting season has arrived. As farmers approach the 2025 crop season, drivers across rural communities are reminded of their role in making 2025 a safe and successful year in American agriculture. Large agricultural machinery, rural roadways, and unpredictable spring weather can create dangerous driving conditions. Staying alert and respectful can help prevent accidents and keep everyone safe this season.
More farm equipment on the road: Spring planting brings early mornings, long days, and an increased number of slow-moving vehicles on the road. While these machines are essential to help farmers produce America’s food supply, they often travel at speeds under 25 mph. Additionally, modern farm equipment may span across lanes and require wide turns into fields and driveways. Awareness and patience among all drivers are key to avoiding dangerous situations.
Read MoreMoultrie Amateur Radio Klub hosts “Hamfest”
•April 30, 2025•
by Ellen Ferrera
On April 26th, members of the Moultrie Amateur Radio Klub (MARK) held the first of two annual “Hamfests” at the American Legion Hall. Approximately 75 ham radio enthusiasts from all over Central Illinois gathered to sell, buy, or trade all manner of ham radio equipment, electronics, tools, and all related to ham radio. It was part flea market, part swap meet.
Shane Ramos, President of the Klub, said, “Besides the swapping and trading, we also administer the test here for those seeking to get their ham radio license.” He added, “Our next Hamfest will be in the Fall, and they are always open to the public.”
The Moultrie Klub has been in existence for more than 60 years and meets on the third Monday of each month at the Honey Bee restaurant in Mattoon. Dinner is at 5:00 p.m. with the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Visitors and those interested in joining the Klub are always welcome.
Read MoreSobering pre-prom event impacts students
Recreation of a distracted/impaired driving accident at SHS
•April 30, 2025•
by Kenny Graven
On Thursday, April 24th at 10:30 a.m. in the Sullivan High School parking lot, students witnessed a dramatic and emotional demonstration with the goal of highlighting the dangers and consequences of drinking and distracted driving.
In a coordinated effort, the Sullivan Fire and Police Departments, the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office, Moultrie County Coroner Lynn Reed, and McMullin-Young Funeral Home staged a realistic mock car accident. This powerful event was designed to show students the real-life consequences of impaired and distracted driving.
Read MoreEgg hunt a big hit
ALAH District looking to update phone system, cameras
Custodian night crew needed
•April 23, 2025•
by Ariana R Cherry
Superintendent Shannon Cheek announced that the school district was in need of a custodian night crew at the most recent school board meeting held on Wednesday, April 16. “We have open positions in each building, and we need those positions filled as we are trying to have a full custodian crew. We have zero applicants at the moment. If it doesn’t come to fruition by next year, we will have to reach out to a few other companies,” he said.
Read MoreSullivan Fire Protection District hiring
A career that is different every day; in service to others
•April 23, 2025•
by Denise Williamee
If you are looking for a new career or just starting on your career path, consider joining the Sullivan Fire Department, located in Sullivan, Illinois. It’s a stable, service-driven career path, with earnings that can support a family; each workday will be different, and you will have an opportunity to give back to the community. The starting salary for EMT Basic is $49,787.00, and EMT Paramedic certified at $56,872.00, with an additional $1,000.00 for Basic Operations Firefighter certification, and a generous benefits package.
Despite the stereotype of firefighters only running into burning buildings, or saving kittens from trees, you will meet people on what could be the worst day of their life, and have an opportunity to mitigate that by making that day better through service and directing them to resources they may not have been aware of. As a paramedic, you will also be responsible for not just life-saving heroics, but important services such as patient transfers and other less publicized duties. The Sullivan Fire Department averages 16 to 17 hundred call-outs per year. Stereotypes aside, it’s an exciting and interesting career that many have found rewarding on multiple levels. Shifts are 24 hours on, 48 hours off, leaving plenty of time for family and other interests.
Read MoreEaster Donation
Findlay road repairs this Summer
•April 23, 2025•
by Sharon Barricklow
The long awaited resurfacing of the Findlay road east of Findlay is expected to be done this summer after a bid letting for the project later this month.
Shelby County Highway Engineer Michael Tappendorf told the Shelby County Board last week that construction is expected to take six to eight weeks. He said he hoped businesses along the road would only be minimally inconvenienced but acknowledged the work is being done during the busy tourist season for Lake Shelbyville.
“Unfortunately asphalt has to be laid at a certain temperature,” he said.
Read MoreSullivan School District
New HS delays while students continue to impress
•April 23, 2025•
by DM Williamee
The Sullivan School Board met on April 14th at 6:30 p.m. After a call to order, no citizen non-agenda items were to be addressed, and the meeting moved to NHS/NEHS news. Brooklyn Booker, NEHS Sgt. at Arms, reported that Juniors and Seniors are reviewing contests, including essay writing and art pieces, to get an NEHS cord for graduation. They are currently in the process of changing over to their new officers, beginning tomorrow, with ballots open for a week. They are also looking forward to their pen pal meetup on Wednesday, April 30th. Annual English trivia event coming up, involving every student in the High School, which is structured thematically, with a snack party reward. Speaking as the NHS president, Ms. Booker shared the Blessed teachers for April. Two school beautification events have been held, but clean-up has been hampered by the weather. On May 8th, the “Breakfast of Champions” will be held. NHS is also in the process of changing officers. Additionally, NHS donated monies to assist the tornado-damaged school in Neoga and for the North Carolina school that suffered catastrophic flooding earlier this year, SHS made school bracelets in their school colors and personalized bags for every student and teacher of the high school, filled with goodies. SHS received a surprise envelope filled with over a hundred thank you cards and a banner. Two students reported that they were both national qualifiers and state winners for their record book areas.
Read MoreLocal women team up for new children’s book, “A Cat Named Mary
•April 23, 2025•
In 1978, Sandy Brix was a math teacher at Sullivan Junior High School. One of her students was Carla Moon. At the time neither one would imagine that almost five decades later the two would be writing a book together.
“That’s almost as interesting as our book is,” smiles Carla Moon Stirrett. “We’ve been friends for as long as I can remember. After Sandy quit teaching, she became the office manager at her husband’s veterinary clinic. And I also worked with her there for over 25 years.”
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