Photo by R. R. Best
Cameron Sharp drives the lane against Neoga Saturday.
OV vs. Neoga
SHS Illinois State Scholars
Photo furnished
SHS Illinois State Scholars
Congratulations to this year’s Illinois State Scholars: Gary Herschberger, Aiden Short, Shyanne Hunter, Adalee Nichols, and Kaitlyn White. This is a tremendous honor that requires hard work, intelligence, and dedication. Illinois State Scholars are chosen through a formula that is based off of SAT scores and class rank.
Wyman Park Splash Pad Gains Local Funding Support
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Summer Fun in Sullivan could be centered around a Splash Pad at Wyman Park. Becky Ogle is leading the SPARK effort to fund the project.
•January 22, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress
Hot summer days dashing around the lawn sprinkler seem meager when compared to the possible summer fun from a Splash Park.
When we were young without air conditioning on scorching days Dad would cut loose the cooling waters into the circular and arc sprinklers that graced our lawn.
For the next hour my sister joined me and neighborhood kids and even the dogs and birds would frolic like shrieking sprites running through the sprinklers, hosing each other and jumping about in the puddles that accumulated in the grass. This was our water wonderland.
The water world of today is a growing number of splash pads or splash parks with an array of colorful sprinklers, showers, bubbling pads, geysers, soakers, sprays and all manner of fanciful structures for aquatic play. Children are drawn to them like moths to a flame.
Such a splash park is envisioned by the Parks and Recreation Committee of Sullivan SPARK for installation in Wyman Park.
Becky Ogle and her family moved here four years ago from Paris, IL where that city started with a $250,000 splash park and has added to it over the years. It is now one of the largest splash parks in the area. Read More
County Contributes to SCED, Continues Hiring Freeze
•January 22, 2020•
Fields Tax Questions
By Mike Brothers
A county hiring freeze didn’t hinder the Moultrie County Board from giving $50,000 to the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development at the January 16 meeting.
SCED Director Laurrie Minor explained the county’s $50,000 contribution goes exclusively toward tourism promotion of the county.
She reported this will be the third year attending the Recreation and RV Show in Rosemont and visitors return to tell about their experiences in the area.
Jon Summers Corp of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville participates with SCED at the Rosemont show and reported increases in campers this past season during a recent budget committee meeting.
County Board Chairman Dave McCabe recommended this third annual $50,000 contribution to SCED explaining the first year the county saw a 14.44 percent sales tax boost. In the second year sales tax income was down .06 percent.
Prior to the vote board member Neil Bryan asked Minor for more information concerning surrounding counties contributions to promote tourism. Read More
New Website in Operation for ALAH School District
•January 22, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for The News Progress
Atwood-Hammond Junior High Social Studies teacher, Angie Hollingsworth announced her future retirement at the opening of the ALAH School Board meeting, scheduled for the 2023-2024 school year.
Hollingsworth has been in Atwood-Hammond for the past 26 years and overall has been teaching for 30.
“We appreciate what you’ve done for the district and the students. I’m very grateful for all you’ve done for the district and our students...You will be missed for sure, but I am glad we get to have you for four more years,” said Superintendent, Shannon Cheek.
“She is a great asset at the junior high,” stated Atwood-Hammond Principal, Kristin Nall. “She’s made so many relationships with the families there and bridged the gap with home and school. And she helped transition me in my position. You will be extremely missed, ” she added. Read More
A Moving Tribute to the American Spirit Presented to Sullivan School Board
•January 22, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for The News Progress
Sullivan High School student, Blake Thompson presented his winning Voice of Democracy speech at the Sullivan Community Unit 300 Dist. board meeting. Thompson competed and won the district competition and will be presenting his speech at the state competition in Springfield in February.
SES teacher Jennifer Hobbs coordinated the event, and SHS English teacher Becky Lawson was his sponsoring teacher.
“His speech on what makes America great is a moving tribute to the American spirit,” commented Sullivan High School Principal Daniel Allen.
The board discussed the changes to the district’s Course Description Book for the 2020-2021 school year, which were approved.
The Sullivan Elementary School building is over 20 years old and the floor tile has been starting to show some wear and will need replaced. Read More
Feast of the Epiphany
Photo furnished
Feast of the Epiphany
On Saturday, January 4 Saint Columcille parishioners were blessed with a visit from the Magi (from left to right: Ron Auer, Rob Farabaugh, and Duane Deters)!
Catholics bless their home on the Feast of the Epiphany by marking above the doorway with blessed chalk and pray for God’s blessing during the coming year. An Epiphany Party was enjoyed by all in the Parish Center.
SHS Agriculture Teacher is National Teacher of the Year Finalist
Photo by Mike Brothers
SHS Agriculuture teacher honored at Jan. 9 assembly: left to right: Rod Stoll of Farm Credit IL, SHS Principal Daniel Allen, honoree Don Lockwood., State FFA Treasurer Emma Freebairn, State FFA President Gage Miller, and Shawnda Vega with Nationwide Sponsor Relations
•January 15, 2020•
Sullivan High School principal Daniel Allen opened the school assembly January 9 with an apology for gathering the student body under false pretenses.
In an unprecedented move students were called to an assembly for a reason which had been kept secret for days.
The secret was out at 2:30 p.m. Thursday and SHS Agriculture Teacher and FFA sponsor Don Lockwood was the reason.
Lockwood is a national finalist for the 2019-2020 Ag Educator of the Year honor through Nationwide’s Golden Owl Award.
As a finalist, Lockwood was presented with a $500 cash prize and plaque in front of fellow teachers and students. Read More
Two Decades of Service for Sullivan Dove Coordinator
Photo furnished
Warrior sisters in fighting domestic violence. From left: Tammy Wilcox, Executive Director of Dove, retiring Sullivan coordinator Mary Hughes, and Teri Ducy Domestic Violence Director.
Mary Hughes Retires
•January 15, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress
As Dove, Inc. prepares to celebrate a 50th anniversary this year Mary Hughes will be ending her 20-year career as Coordinator of Dove Services in Sullivan.
A retirement reception for Hughes was held Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in Sullivan.
“It has been such an honor and privilege to work with Dove. They do advocacy above anything I have ever seen” Hughes said of her two decades of service. “There has been such love, support, trust and freedom to allow me to do my best work.”
Hughes grew up in Decatur. Her father was an electrician and worked on electric towers, but took the family every summer to visit most of the national parks.
Her mother loved military events and parades so she got to see the Rose Bowl parade and a ship christening. Read More
Not Spending Titus Money
•January 15, 2020•
By Mike Brothers
Sullivan City Council approved a 12 month moratorium on spending the Titus proceeds at the 6:00 p.m. January 13 meeting held at Elizabeth Titus Library.
Mayor Richard Glazebrook recommended the moratorium on spending the $10,971,883.00 from sale of the 928.1 acre Winifred Titus-Sentel Trust farm in November.
Prior to the vote Commissioner Mike Fowler ask if the city shouldn’t wait until they receive the money from the sale before deciding not to spend it.
“This way we won’t be hit up with all these spending ideas,” Mayor Glazebrook explained, noting passing the 12 month moratorium would give the Council a chance to review the city’s needs. Read More