Sullivan Makes Clean Sweep of City Streets

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•June 12, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

Sullivan is making a clean sweep of its streets in homage to the Cubs sweeping the Cardinals last weekend.
A new $218,672.15 Pelican three broom street sweeper was approved for purchase by Sullivan City Council at the June 10 meeting in Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library.
Street commissioner Peggy Hargis made the motion, explaining the 1992 street sweeper was beyond repair.
Mayor Richard Glazebrook noted several sweepers were tested, and the consensus of employees and staff was the broom sweeper would best serve the city’s needs.
Commissioners Abbey Sherwood, Mike Fowler and Chuck Woodworth joined Hargis and Glazebrook to unanimously approve the purchase.
Prior to accepting comments from the public Mayor Glazebrook established the procedure: questions should be addressed to the mayor first, then redirected as necessary. Read More

New Funding Formula; More MFT for County

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•June 12, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

The new state formula to generate revenue for road and bridge repairs could be a good thing for Moultrie County.
Proposed increased taxes at the gas pump have created speculation, but restricting the tax for road and bridge repair is a step toward improving the state’s infrastructure.
Motor Fuel Tax is collected by the state with a share distributed to local governments for use in annual road maintenance.
Moultrie County Highway engineer Jeff Birch explained the county’s share of MFT funds will double when the July 1, 2019 bill takes effect.
“Granted we won’t get all the funds at once, but doubling MFT funds gives the county a chance to develop future projects,” Birch said.
The one million Wilborn Creek Road project a few years ago utilized federal funds with local matching funds recycling the existing surface into a county highway that has withstood extensive boat as well as neighborhood traffic. Read More

Annual Cookout

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Annual Cookout
Sullivan Boy Scout Troop 39 members were performing their annual cooking chores on the Sullivan IGA parking lot to commemorate Sullivan Townwide Rummages held June 7 and 8. IGA and First Community Bank joined the News Progress sponsoring the annual event. Above Scout Max Harner watches over brats at the beginning of lunch Friday, June 7.

Art Sparked in the Parks

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Art Sparked in the Parks
by Wyman Tabor
for the News Progress
Art In Tabor Park is an ongoing outreach program of the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development Spark initiative.
It was held in conjunction with Music in the Park June 7 which began at 6:30 next door in Wyman Park
Molly (Reeder) Foust was the featured artist this month creating a pottery piece with her pottery wheel before the audience who also enjoyed background music from the community band.

Summer Readers (2)

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Summer Readers
The Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library summer reading kickoff was Friday, May 31. Librarian Laura Davison said some 200 children and adults enjoyed the morning filled with activities, treats and a wonderful introduction to summer reading in Sullivan.

Summer Readers

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Photos furnished
Summer Readers
The Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library summer reading kickoff was Friday, May 31. Librarian Laura Davison said some 200 children and adults enjoyed the morning filled with activities, treats and a wonderful introduction to summer reading in Sullivan.

Courageous Kids at SES

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Courageous Kids at SES
Asher Hendry of Sullivan makes his way across the slackline that was set up at Sullivan Elementary School May 28. More than 400 elementary school students participated in the opportunity to try walking across a slackline. The slackline was set up by Courageous Kids Climbing, who traveled from Idaho to conduct the event. Courageous Kids Climbing provides free opportunities for
children between the ages of three months and 103-years with special needs, physical or developmental, to experience the various forms of rock climbing at events held throughout the western United States. They also conduct slacklining events at elementary schools during their travels. The event was coordinated by Sullivan Elementary School fourth grade teacher Nichole Hendry, who also provided accommodations for the representative from Courageous Kids Climbing.

Green Garden Alzheimer’s Facility Breaks Ground in Sullivan

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Green Garden Alzheimer’s Center broke ground on West Street in Sullivan May 29. Pictured during the 1 p.m. groundbreaking were: Sullivan commissioners Abbey Sherwood and Mike Fowler, Dr. Fasil Bukhari of Sullivan Family Services and partner Joe Keller of Keller Trucking; commissioners Peggy Hargis and Chuck Woodworth along with Mayor Richard Glazebrook.

•June 5, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Dr. Fasil Bukhari of Sullivan Family Services and Joe Keller of Keller Trucking have formed a partnership to build a new Alzheimer’s facility in Sullivan.
Groundbreaking for the Green Garden Alzheimer’s Center on property adjacent to the Keller operation was 1:00 p.m. May 29 at the north end of West Street. Mayor Richard Glazebrook and city commissioner attended.
“Dr. Bukhari came up with the business plan, and I had some land available for development,” Keller said of the partnership. “We look on it as an investment in Sullivan which is known for its retirement facilities.”
“There is a population of aging baby boomers who will need residential homes tailored for them individually,” Dr. Bukhari said. Read More

ALAH Transportation Deficit Requires Fund Transfer

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•June 5, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Eagle Scout Benjamin Matheny wants to create a wall in the high school that will feature past high school students who are veterans.
He presented his Eagle Scout project idea to the ALAH School Board.
Matheny intends to list names and photos of those who served from the past five years. The wall will have a magnetic background to which photos will attach. The cost is estimated at around $4,000 and will be paid for through donations.
Superintendent Kenny Schwengel reported that the current balance of all funds are $5,100,153.73. The district received a transportation payment of $134,000. Three for this year were received as well as one from last year, and the district may receive one in July. The school district also received $80,000 in personal replacement tax money.
The amended 2019 budget was presented to the board. Schwengel noted that there is a deficit in transportation funds and that money may have to be moved from the education fund to make up for it. “The district still isn’t receiving the transportation funds that it should,” noted Schwengel. The first budget hearing is scheduled June 19 prior to the board meeting.
Only two bids were received to repair the roof of the high school. One bid was from Top Quality Roofing at $229,800, and the other was from Industrial Services at $239,400. Top Quality was awarded the low bid. Read More

St. Jude Dash & Bash

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Photo by R.R. Best
St. Jude Dash & Bash
The fifth annual St. Jude’s Dash & Bash was held at the Sullivan American Legion last weekend. Above kids enjoyed demo derby action in the afternoon with loads of events and entertainment enjoyed by St. Jude supporters from May 31 to June 1.