OV Elementary Students Focus on Kindness

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Okaw Valley Elementary School celebrated National Bullying Prevention Month and Red Ribbon Week

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Okaw Valley Elementary School students Choose to Be Nice.


•November 20, 2019•
Through the application of their new SEL curriculum, Choose to Be Nice, OVES teachers concentrate on one character trait a month teaching students they have a choice on how to act and react.
Throughout the month of October, students and staff focused on their monthly word, KINDNESS.
In conjunction with Red Ribbon week, the last week of October, students also learned to be a buddy not a bully.
Students realized being kind is a choice they can make every day. Classroom lessons can be applied across the school curricula and locations, at home and in the community. Read More

Sullivan School Board Learns About Students’ Community Activities

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•November 20, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for The News Progress

The Sullivan School Board’s most recent meeting was Monday, November 11, 2019. The bills were accepted as presented. The balance from the Treasurer’s report was $11,977,818.84. The Education Fund is at $335,169.88.
Board members adopted a resolution for the Superintendent to begin preparing a tentative budget for the 2020-2021 school year so that it can be presented to the Board of Education on July 13, 2020. Afterward, it will be placed for public inspection on July 14, 2020 for at least 30 days. There will be a budget hearing at the following September meeting before its final adoption.
The board also discussed the district’s revenues to support expenses for a projected tentative 2019 Tax Levy payable 2020. The final levy will be obtained and approved at the regular December 2019 board meeting. Read More

Sullivan Community Comes Together Once Again

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Once again, the Sullivan community comes together to show their support for a family that has suffered a tragic loss. Long time Sullivan residents, Bill and Jackie Protz were traveling home with granddaughter, Jenna and her best friend, Holly, after watching the Vandalia football team in the state playoffs when tragedy struck. A pickup driven by a 17 year old boy crossed over the center line and hit the Protz’s vehicle head on, killing all four of them. Randy Protz, formerly of Sullivan and Principal at Vandalia schools, is the son of Bill and Jackie and the father of Jenna. A prayer vigil is being held at 4:00 pm this afternoon in Vandalia. The Illinois State Police are still investigating the accident. The driver of the truck was air lifted to an area trauma center with life threatening injuries.

Sullivan Planning Session Draws People Planning Projects

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•November 13, 2019•

By Mike Brothers

With the public sale of Winifred Titus Sentel farmland promising a cash windfall for the city of Sullivan a variety of groups offered to help the city spend it.
During the special meeting held for the purpose of a study session regarding strategic planning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, November 5 the city council heard proposals from the public and learned that conditions at city hall and the Civic Center are priorities.
Following the public portion of the meeting, city administrator Dan Flannell reported the recently purchased Titus home is being evaluated for possible office space. He explained architects have warned the cost to convert the home into office space could be twice the cost to build new.
Treasurer Sarah Golden reported that conditions at city hall have not improved, and the recent addition of an IT person is crowding space to aggravate the situation. Read More

Food Pantry Chocolate Fundraiser Offers Sweet Chance to Help

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Flesor’s Candy Kitchen crew is working day and night getting special gifts ready for the pre Thanksgiving Flesor’s Candy Sale in Sullivan to benefit the Moultrie County Food Pantry.

•November 13, 2019•
By Cara Melapple
for the News Progress

Flesor’s Candy Kitchen hand dipped Chocolate Fund Raiser returns to Cathrine’s Gallery in Sullivan for the eighth year Saturday, Nov. 23 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
“This year the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is tight,” Devon Flesor said, explaining Christmas orders can be placed during the fundraising event for the Moultrie County Food Pantry in Sullivan.
The Tuscola candy kitchen is celebrating its 15th anniversary, offering more of their hand made gifts for Moultrie County visitors. Everyone at the candy kitchen is putting in a special effort for the 15th anniversary of sisters Devon and Anne reopening the candy kitchen started by their grandfather Gus in 1901. Read More

SHS Careers Class Honors Veterans 100th Anniversary

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Veterans representing all branches of the military gathered at Sullivan High School for the annual Careers English Class sponsored Veterans Day observation

•November 13, 2019•

The Sullivan High School Career English Class Veterans Day assembly featured Navy Lieutenant Andrew Sparrow and presentation of the Charter Member Project to the American Legion.
Lt. Junior Grade Sparrow just returned home from the Middle East and noted in 2005 he was among the students assembled for Veterans Day. His 18 months serving the Navy in the Middle East changed his perspective.
Sparrow explained the courage of the veterans seated before him was not only displayed on the battlefields, but also by the support of the mothers, fathers, grandfathers, grandmothers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters at home.
“We are thankful to those who made the ultimate sacrifices by putting everyone before themselves,” Sparrow emphasized.
Some 100 students of Rebecca Lawson, Cami Badman and Marsha Kirby volunteered to find information on 79 charter members of the American Legion Post 68 for their 100th anniversary. Read More

Taking the Road Less Traveled Requires Determination

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Oh Brother!

•November 13, 2019•

By Mike Brothers

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference
That is the closing stanza of Robert Frost’s “Road Less Traveled” and one of my favorite poems.
After a journey my brother Jeff and I took in southern Illinois recently, Frost’s poem became my reality.
Frost’s choice of the road less traveled in his poem brings some speculation that the author may have some regrets about his choices in life.
Our choice began by taking a forest path less traveled during an October rain.
I was born in Saline county, the gateway to the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois.
Growing up with 250,000 acres of national forest to play in got to me. Read More

Oktoberfest Chili Cook-Off Winners

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Oktoberfest Chili Cook-Off Winners
Judges Choice Winners: 1st Place - H & R Block - Monica Deters, 1st Runner Up - Mason Point - Darin Wall, 2nd Runner Up - Thompson Family Vending - Jesse & Julia Thompson
People’s Choice Winner: Radio Shack - Ryan and Meghan Whitten

Passing the Torch: New Leaders for Troop 39

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Passing the Torch: New Leaders for Troop 39
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Pictured are Jacob Bettinger and Eric Bettinger.
Scouts BSA (Boy Scout) Troop 39 of Sullivan is under new leadership.
Eric Bettinger has replaced Jeff White as Scoutmaster and Jason Fleming has assumed the role of Assistant Scoutmaster.
Bettinger and Fleming have been involved in the Scouting program in Sullivan for many years—Bettinger having served as Cubmaster and Den Leader and Fleming as Den Leader.
White will continue to remain involved, serving as Troop Committee Chairman and former leaders Gerry and Beth Wood continue to serve as committee members providing support for the troop.

Senior Services Friend

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Senior Services Friend
Local author Ed Dixon presents Kathi Garvey, Director, Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc., in Sullivan a $2.00 donation. It is the from the first sale of his newly published children’s book titled, “Gunner’s Best Friend Willard.” The book is for sale now on Amazon and Dixon is graciously donating $2.00 from every book sale to Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc./Moultrie County Senior Center in Sullivan. If anyone is interested in purchasing a copy of the book, please call 217-728-8521.