City Council Reviews Levy and Discusses Pot Sale Options

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•November 6, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

Sullivan City Council met Oct. 28 continuing public discussion regarding recreational cannabis sales and reviewing tax levy options.
The ongoing discussion on cannabis concerns whether the city remains open to future sales and the resulting tax revenue or elects to opt out and receive no tax revenue or dispensaries.
City administrator Dan Flannell noted some issues concerning the state legalization have yet to be determined since Illinois is the only state to legalize sales with legislative rather than a referendum.
Comparing it to the days when the country came out of Prohibition, Flannell noted those currently distributing medical cannabis will receive priority when the law is enacted in January 2020. Read More

DMH Auxiliary Donates Funds

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DMH Auxiliary Donates Funds
Decatur Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, celebrating their 65 year anniversary, presented a $95,497.43 check to Drew Early, president and CEO of Decatur Memorial Hospital. “The check brought the auxiliary’s total donations to the hospital to more than $7.8 million, Paula Hall, DMH volunteer services manager, said. Funds were raised from sales in the DMH Thrift Shop, Gift Shop and other fundraisers, such as bus trips, jewelry shows, book fairs, and the annual craft show.“There were 25,720 hours worked by 200 volunteers this year in more than 30 areas,” said Hall. Money received from the auxiliary will be used to buy hospital equipment-and make improvements to the hospital.

Sullivan Ambucs Halloween Parade Moves Indoors

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Photo by Blu Brothers
The Sullivan school band played on during the annual Ambucs Halloween parade held in the Sullivan High School gymnasium Thursday, Oct. 31

•November 6, 2019•
By Hallow Wood
for the News Progress

This October 31st, 2019, Halloween, the Sullivan Ambucs held their annual Halloween Parade.
However, unlike previous years, it was held in the Sullivan High School gymnasium.  Approximately 225 people showed up to receive their King Size Candy Bar and a chance at one of the 10 cash prizes.
The evening started at 6:00pm as the Master of Ceremonies, Gerald Wood, took to the floor and explained the evening’s event.
The participants parade began at about 6:30 pm and those in costume walked counter clockwise around the gym floor three times as the Sullivan Marching Band played from the main stage.

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Sullivan School District Students Improve Math Skills

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•October 30, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

The 2018-2019 Audit for the Sullivan School District was approved at the last board meeting. The total of all funds for the September 2019 Treasurer’s report were $12,275,866.86. The balance of the Education fund was $4,786,211.95. Transportation fund was recorded at $1,490,691.26 and the Operations and Maintenance was $1,628,165.36.
The board discussed and approved the school improvement plan.
A collection of data was shared among board members showing results of the MAP test (Measures of Academic Progress).
The MAP test is a scientifically based growth measurement system that “informs” the teaching and learning process.
The average total percent of students in grades Kindergarten through fourth grade who were at or above reading level was about 69% in the fall of 2018. In the spring of 2019, that percentage increased to 71.6. In Mathematics, students in grades Kindergarten through grades four were at 67.4 percent in the fall of 2018. In the spring of 2019, the level rose to 75.2 percent.
The goals that the Sullivan Elementary School has set include: Read More

Rotary Plants at Wyman Park

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Members of the Sullivan Rotary Club donated nine trees which were planted in Wyman Park Oct. 24 and Sullivan Middle School students demonstrated there is more than one way to plant a tree.
Above Rotary members Gerry Wood, Dave Cole and Linda Huber (back left) and Kathleen Preissing Peace Corps Fellow/ AmeriCorps Volunteer for the City of Sullivan (right) observe the filling technique.
SMS Science teacher Micah Heddins explained that 380 middle school students were participating in one of three Service Days. Not only were they helping plant trees, students cleared trash from parks, helped the Corp of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville, as well at making fall crafts with residents at caregiving locations.
The Sullivan Parks and Recreation Dept. placed trees.. Rotary member Susan Rauch explained that a variety of trees were chosen including Japanese apples, tulip trees and red maples.[/s2If]

Cotton Wood Pavilion is Ready for Action

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Dedicating the Cotton Wood Pavilion were: Back from left: Lion Dave Reed, Lion Roger Tice, Lion Jesse Barker, Mayor Richard Glazebrook, for First Community Bank Reid Molzen; front Lion President Verna Tice, Cotton’s son Steve Wood, Lion Coach John Ruscin, Lion Lynn Elder, and David Daily of Moultrie County Redi Mix.

•October 30, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

It took a couple of years and a bit of fund-raising, but the Cotton Wood Pavilion on the square in Sullivan was recently dedicated.
What began with discussions to put a shelter on the lot at the south corner of Jefferson and Main streets grew to include a commemoration of longtime community advocate, abstractor and Lions Club member Ivan D. “Cotton” Wood.
Lions president Verna Tice explained that Cotton’s 50 years as a member gave the club members inspiration to participate in the pavilion project.
“Lions are known for helping people with sight and hearing issues,” Verna said, noting the Lions contribution to the pavilion is a nice way to honor his memory.
Verna’s husband Roger was a Lions Club member while Cotton was active.
“When I worked at the bank, I would drop by the abstract office, and Cotton would tell me the history of real estate ownership,” Tice recalled, noting Cotton recalled just about every land transaction in the county and could give ownership lineage in detail. Read More

Okaw Valley School District Holds Hearing on Bond Sale

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•October 30, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

On October 24 the Okaw Valley School District entertained public comment on the Board’s intent to issue $750,000 Working Cash Fund Bonds.
Hollis Dick of Bethany was the only person to make public comment. Mr. Dick complained that the public wasn’t given enough time to respond to the notice. He asked who the board attorney was and if he had been consulted about giving proper notice.
The Board assured Mr. Dick that they had worked with their attorney and that all public notices had been handled properly. Read More

ALAH Moves Forward with New Branding Tool and App

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District Transfers Ownership of Hammond Property

•October 30, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

Members of the ALAH School Board met at the Atwood Grade School on Wednesday, October 18 and took a tour through the building.
After the tour, the regular meeting of the board came to order.
The total of all funds for the district from the September 2019 Treasurer’s Report is $9,405,895.22. The Education fund is $5,124,767.45. Transportation funds are $544,818.58. Superintendent Shannon Cheek noted that all funds have been received for transportation and its budget is in good shape.
The ALAH Board voted to move forward with Apptegy. “Apptegy will allow us to increase our communication process with all stakeholders,” said Cheek in a separate interview. Read More

A Chance to Give a Little Change Can Mean a Lot

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Gerry Nolen gets ready to Round up as Sullivan IGA cashier Tony Feeler checks out.

•October 23, 2019•
By Turk Rounder
for The News Progress

Where else could giving so little mean so much?
It’s Round up time at Sullivan IGA from Nov. 3 to Nov. 9 giving every customer a chance to help buy turkeys for Moultrie County Food Pantry’s Thanksgiving.
“It’s amazing how quickly it adds up,” IGA manager Pat Stinson said of the eighth annual fund raising event for the food pantry.
“The most you can donate is 99 cents and even a penny makes a difference,” he continued, noting the week long event contributes some $1200 annually to the food pantry’s Thanksgiving meal giveaway. Read More