Extra vigilance comes amid rash of ISP vehicle collisions
•April 10, 2019•
With National Distracted Driving Awareness Month starting today, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and more than 100 city and county law enforcement agencies are reminding drivers to put down their phones and focus on driving. In April, motorists will see increased patrols and enforcement zones across Illinois to ticket drivers using handheld devices.
“On any given day, you can glance into the next vehicle and see a driver texting, talking or scrolling through social media on their phone,” said Cynthia Watters, bureau chief of IDOT’s Safety Programs and Engineering. “If your attention is anywhere other than on the road, you’re driving distracted, and it can be deadly.”
Over the past decade, distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of vehicle crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, 3,166 people died in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2017. Read More
Electric Coop Youth Day
Photo furnished
Electric Coop Youth Day
Dozens of students from across the state visited the Capitol as part of the Illinois Electric and Telephone Cooperatives Youth Day. The annual event held on April 3 in Springfield focuses on encouraging tomorrow’s leaders to take an interest in state government. State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) welcomed a number of groups from the 55th Senate District to the Senate floor including students representing Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative.
Menus 4-3-2019
Sr. Peace Meal
Monday, April 8 - Salisbury beef pattie, mashed potatoes, broccoli, Texas toast, peaches
Tuesday, April 9 - Taco salad w/meat, lettuce, cheese, beans, tomatoes, and salsa, peaches, taco chips, pudding
Wednesday, April 10 - Chicken pot pie, creamy cole slaw, whole grain biscuits, warm chunky applesauce
Thursday, April 11 - Ham and beans, copper carrots, cornbread, gelatin w/fruit
Friday, April 12 - Roasted pork loin, frosted sweet potatoes, seasoned green beans, dinner roll, grapes
Aspen Creek Memory Care Grows to Meet Demand
•April 3, 2019•
Due to an urgent incline in the need for dementia care, Aspen Creek Memory Care has started an expansion push by adding additional suites and amenities to its home in Sullivan. The Sullivan area has been very supportive of Aspen Creek throughout its journey, and they are eager to grow their presence in the community. Through the support of the community and the friends and family of Aspen Creek, they have been able to provide the most home-like experience possible to those who seek compassion, understanding, happiness, and familiarity in a world where it is quickly fleeting. Read More
Spring Book Sale Planned at Booth Library
•April 3, 2019•
Booth Library at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston will host its Spring Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 10 outside the south entrance of the library. Read More
Superintendent-Y Stuff: A Walk with Mr. Walk
•April 3, 2019•
By Supt. Ted Walk,
Sullivan CUSD #300
At Sullivan Schools, we have a number of pre-kindergarten students who attend Project Help, which is a preschool program organized and ran by the Assistant Director of Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education.
It is a program that is funded largely through a Preschool-for-All Grant. For about the past decade, the district has leased a classroom off-site for students participating in this program.
This year, we were able to return the program to Sullivan Elementary School and were able to use grant funding to support an additional classroom, effectively doubling the number of pre-kindergarten students who can take advantage of this program.
While there are always complications when hosting a program that is operated largely by an outside organization, there have been tremendous benefits to having these classrooms on site. Read More
OVHS Work Day
Photo furnished
OVHS Work Day
OVHS students worked at Bo Wood helping prepare for the season. The students helped the Corps of Engineers complete necessary tasks to get the park ready to be opened. The partnership between Okaw and the Corps continues to give back to Lake Shelbyville and the surrounding communities.
Remember When? 4-3-2019
25 Years Ago This Week
Seven lettermen are among the eight juniors, seven sophomores and six freshmen who made up the 1994 Bethany Mustang baseball team. Commenting on his young team, Coach Dave Benning said he felt more confident with each practice. Mustangs making up the team are Wes Plummer, Deacon Patient, Rick Seeley, Kevin Bowser, Aaron Calhoun, Bliss Schwartz, Phil Ozier, Adam Gurchiek, Aaron Osman, Jon Ashley, Adam Yeager, Clay Brush, Scott Seeley, Shannon Pham, Eric Stollard, Shane Martin, Dan Webner, Rob Neathery Mike Smith and Derek Pickup.
Sullivan Middle School sixth grade held a Medieval Fair in the gym. Members of the community participated with teachers Angie Bendler and Joyce Shellabarger to coordinate the event. Nancy Burcham worked with Andrea VanOrmer, Kari Taylor, Kelly Moore, Jon Livergood, Amanda Scribner and Kara Herbert to make stained glass suncatchers. Other members of the community helping the students were Theresa Poland, woodworking, and Ruth Shasteen, calligraphy. Read More
Building 1225 Breathes New Life into Vacated Retail Space
Building 1225 Breathes New Life into Vacated Retail Space
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
1225 Ribbon Cutting
Ribbon cutting for 1225 Building drew a good crowd Sunday including Mayor Ann Short (center), Vineyard Church Pastor Jim Plank (on mayor’s left, blue shirt), Sullivan Chamber Economic Development Director Laurrie Miner (far right) and members of the Vineyard Church.
SES Gold Slip Winners
Photo furnished
SES Gold Slip Winners
Gold Slip winners at Sullivan Elementary School for the month of March. Jozelyn Meador noticed that some of her classmates left equipment on the blacktop after recess. Rather than just leaving it there, she quietly picked it all up to bring inside. Infinti Phillips saw another student spill a water bottle on the floor and volunteered to clean it up without being asked.
Addalyn Hendry is always helping others. When another student needed something, Addy selflessly gave that student hers. She is helpful not just in the classroom, but everywhere.
Emmersyn Jiannoni’s determination and hard work is very impressive. She has been a great role model.
Connor Ruge opens the door for Mrs. Crowe nearly everyday when she has a big load of trash to take out of the cafeteria. He has done this the entire school year.