Sullivan City Council Greeted by Public

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•June 5, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

The new Sullivan City Council was greeted with public participation at their second session May 28 with a variety of items discussed. After mayor Richard Glazebrook called the meeting to order, the first 20 minutes were filled with questions from the public and suggestions for the Council to improve transparency.
Land acquisition discussion in closed session was raised concerning the Titus Trust, hiring the former city clerk as consultant and retiree health benefits were all aired during public comments.
City administrator Dan Flannell explained that Busey Bank of Decatur controlled decisions concerning the Titus Trust which includes Titus Manor at Wyman Park and 900 acres of farmland. He noted potential land acquisitions have been discussed by commissioners during closed session in the past.
Mayor Glazebrook assured the audience in the Elizabeth Titus Library meeting room that any action by the council would be made in public session. Read More

ALAH High School Grads Ready to Change the World

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

On a very warm spring Friday evening May 24, the ALAH gym was packed to the brim with family, friends, teachers and school staff all ready to bid adieu to another graduating class.
This year it was 78 excited seniors from the class of 2019 ready to turn their tassels. As “Pomp and Circumstance” from the ALAH High School band filled the air, relieved and happy students began filing down the aisle two by two, while a few teardrops fell from parents’ eyes, and cameras flashed. It would be “another one for the books.”
Before the ceremony began, as tradition, all stood in honor of the flag for the “Star Spangled Banner.” Afterward valedictorian Makenna Green took the podium to open with her welcome speech mentioning that it “seemed like just yesterday that our parents kissed our cheeks as we went to kindergarten, and it seemed just like yesterday that they dropped us off for our freshman year as we were all afraid to meet the kids from the other schools.” Afterward, four graduating seniors from the ALAH chorus sang a beautiful rendition of John Denver’s “Country Roads” as their farewell. Read More

WHS Class of 2019

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Photo by R.R. Best
WHS Class of 2019
The Windsor High School commencement was held Friday, May 24 with Supt. Erik Van Holveln presenting the 26 seniors. Class president Beau Bennett welcomed a capacity crowd to the WHS gymnasium for the 7:00 p.m. ceremony. Valedictorians are Logan Greuel, Lauren Hendershot and Maranda Tarvin. Carson Cole presented the class history. Bennett, Cole, Greuel, Hendershot, Liam David Horenstine, Rachel Ann Miller, Payton Christopher Nichols, Logan Curtis Stremming and Tarvin are National Honor Society members. Junior attendants were Ava Bennett and Hannah Reed.

Sullivan School Board Approves Students’ Trip to Spain

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•May 29, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Sullivan School Board approved a trip to Spain for Spanish Class students.
Students from Patricia King’s Spanish class approached the Sullivan School Board requesting permission to take a trip to Spain during the Spanish Holy Week (April 2020). A few of the Spanish class students presented well-prepared speeches explaining the trip to the board members.
The trip would cost $3,165 which would include boarding, dining and souvenir purchases. Students also told the board they would come up with ways to raise money for the trip.
They would like to bring the Spanish culture back to the United States and also be able to apply what they have learned in class. The board unanimously approved the trip, noting that the students would be responsible for the cost of the trip.
Sullivan Elementary School principal Daniel Allen reported that the students had their annual SEA track meet May 9 and this was the first year that the kindergarten students got to participate. The money made from concessions was put towards the SEA Scholarship which is awarded to a student pursuing education. Read More

Memorial Day Services 2019

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Drone photo by R. R. Best
Memorial Day Services
Memorial Day services remembering those who died for the United States were held at Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan at 8:00 a.m. Monday. Sullivan American Legion Post 68 honor guard (left) gathered for the traditional 21 gun salute while Boy Scout Troop #39 marches in. The Honor Guard led the Memorial Day march from the Sullivan square to Greenhill Cemetery for a formal service. The Honor Guard also conducted Memorial services at the Vetrerans Memorial at Wyman Park and at Moultrie County Memorial Park.

End of Act One for OVHS Class of 2019 Graduates

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Okaw Valley High School honor students from left valedictorians Bella Benning and Kailynn Bobbett. Salutatorian Madison Vogel.

•May 29, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

To the traditional strains of Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance”, 41 Okaw Valley High School students entered the gym for their graduation ceremony Sunday, May 26.
For some it may be their last time in this gym and with each other.
The building was filled to capacity for this 80th graduation festivity. The podium was festooned with a large bouquet of the class flower(rose) in the class color of lemon yellow. Each of the young girls carried a large yellow rose as well.
The ceremony began with the Pledge of Allegiance which was led by one of the valedictorians, Bella Benning. This was followed by a welcome by school principal Matt Shoaff who also gave special recognition to all veterans in the audience this Memorial Day. School board members and all the teachers were introduced.
Kent Stauder, Superintendent of Schools, presented the inductees to the Volunteer Wall of Fame and also the Alumni Wall of Fame award to Robert Disney, Jr. Disney was traveling to the event from Colorado when his truck broke down. Read More

Best of OVHS Class

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Best of OVHS Class
Kailynn Bobbett and Bella Benning were recognized on Saturday at the Best of the Class Event. WCIA 3 has recognized area high school seniors through this unique community project since 1983. This long running program honors students who have achieved academic excellence by featuring them in a series of television announcements. Bobbett and Benning are co-valedictorians at Okaw Valley High School.

Graduation Reflects on the Good Old Days at SHS

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Valedictorian Spencer Johnson

•May 22, 2019•
Sullivan High School held the 141st commencement exercises Sunday in weather that was as unpredictable as the 66 seniors’ futures.
Intermittent storms forced the 2:30 p.m. graduation into a packed high school gymnasium where principal Erik Young presented his final high school class to the board of education.
Young will start the 2019-20 school year as superintendent of Ridgeview CUSD #19, near his hometown of Fairbury. Young has been high school principal for the past six years, previously serving as middle school and high school assistant principal the prior four years.
Valedictorian Spencer Johnson’s opening remarks included being thankful he could count on his fingers, and his legs would stand up for him.
He went on to point out the lessons learned in high school were preparation for those graduating to live their own lives out in the world.
“Do your own thing, don’t just survive,” Spencer encouraged his classmates.
Class salutatorian Broderick Goss reeled off favorite quotes noting, “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.” Read More

Sparrows Silver

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Photo by Darian Hays
Sparrows Silver
Cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors and more gathered on a sunny Saturday in Lovington to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sparrows Unlimited, Inc. Saturday was filled with sunshine and kids playing on the inflatable playground. By Sunday afternoon storms and wind blew through the village, taking hundred year old trees down and limiting access to Route 133. A combined volunteer effort led to a four hour storm clean up May 19.

Bridge, Liquor and Taxes Occupy Moultrie County Board Session

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•May 22, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

The Moultrie County Board approved a liquor license for Fairway Family Restaurant, funded a bridge replacement and learned when tax bills are due.
A Class B liquor license ($750) was approved for Panther Property 58 located at Fairways Family Restaurant at the Sullivan Country Club. The annual Special Events liquor license ($100) was granted The Little Theatre on the Square for May 17-18 at the Great Pumpkin Patch Back 40 Market.
Road and Bridge Committee chair Kevin McReynolds moved to approve $150,000 in Special Bridge Funds to aid Sullivan Road District replace the bridge at TR145, CR1125N. The motion was approved unanimously. Read More