News Progress

•January 22, 2025•

Cheri Burcham
Extension Educator
University of Illinois Extension     

Winter is upon us and those longer hours of darkness coupled with the colder temperatures can make many people experience those “winter blues.” I am much more aware of the signs of mental health challenges having become a certified trainer for Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). I would highly recommend anyone to complete MHFA as the purpose is to help you recognize when someone is having difficulties and be able to respond in a helpful way. And it is very likely that you will need to be there for someone in that circumstance since according to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, one in five American adults is diagnosed with a mental illness each year and half of those disorders begin by age 14 and three quarters by age 24.  

There are many ways to try and prevent those winter blues from sneaking up on us and to maintain positive mental health. Here are just a few tips to get started:  

2015

The Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development is proudly announced the winners of the 2014 annual awards which will be presented at the SCED Annual Dinner. Larry Stenger was recognized as the 2014 Citizen of the Year. Ron White was honored with a lifetime achievement award. The Briarwood was honored as the Small Business of the Year. Petersen Healthcare was presented the 2014 Business of the Year Award. 

Sullivan Lady Redskins jumped forward in the Central Illinois Conference at 4-0 after taking on the St. Teresa Lady Bulldogs and winning 80-32. With a combination of Brittin Boyer, Emily Neuhauser, and Elissa Stewart, it became clear the SHS LadyRedskins are a tough team to beat.

•January 15, 2025•

Eastern Illinois University recently announced several award-winning students representing its College of Education for the Fall 2024 semester. Each award recipient has received the prestigious honor for demonstrating “exceptional scholarship, leadership, and dedication to serving individuals with disabilities.” The awardees include graduate and undergraduate students who have excelled both academically and in their communities. 

Among the recipients of EIU’s 2024 Special Education Recognition Award was Makenzie J. Ruppert, Senior at Sullivan High School.

2005

Sullivan schools won the “Red Apple” award - celebrating the area’s best and most cost-efficient school districts - for the third time in a row.

The Sullivan Lady Redskins defeated Clinton 38-35 with help from a 11-7 run in the fourth quarter. Kasey Hamilton was the only Lady Redskin to score in double digits with 14.

•January 8, 2025•

Baking sessions are a beloved family tradition in many households. But such sessions may not be as revered by family physicians, as baked goods are often prepared with ingredients, like sugar and butter, that aren’t necessarily sound additions to a person’s diet.

Though baked goods may never rival vegetables in nutritional value, there are ways for amateur bakers to make these beloved foods a little more healthy.

· Replace sugar with a fig puree. Figs are nutrition-rich fruits that serve as significant sources of calcium, potassium and iron. WebMD notes that figs also are excellent sources of fiber. Soaking eight ounces of figs in water can soften them before they’re pureed with between 1/4 to 1/3 cup of water. The resulting fig puree can serve as a sugar substitute.