Sullivan Council Looks into Civic Center’s Non-resident Rates

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•April 25, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

The membership rates at the Sullivan Civic Center was one of the topics of discussion during the most recent Sullivan City Council meeting.

While the rates were slightly adjusted four to five years ago, they had not been significantly changed.

A rule for residents and non-residents was put into action back in 1998 which assigned those with the zip-code 61951 as residents and those without as “non-residents.” This rule determined membership fees. Read More

Earth Day Collectors

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Earth Day Collectors
On Friday, April 20 about 240 Sullivan Middle School students got a chance for a hands on Earth Day experience. Principal Nathan Ogle explained the students cleared Wyman Park, Tabor Park and school grounds of litter, debris and sticks to help the city when mowing season begins. Helped by a hearty staff of Middle School teachers the group worked from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and collected 238.14 pounds of garbage. Pictured above are some of the students involved in the Earth Day collection effort. Earth Day began in 1970 as an environmental awareness day where schools all over the nation participated in litter collection and environmental activities. In the 1980s Earth Day became international and is the largest non-secular holiday observed in the world.

OV Students Participate in Fish Study

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Photo submitted
OV Students Participate in Fish Study
OVHS students participated in a fish study conducted on Lake Shelbyville. Illinois Department of Natural Resource Fisheries Biologist Mike Mounce led the study. The students netted fish and conducted various tests while recording the data. The goal of the study was to look at  the population of  the different fish species with a primary focus on muskie. Pictured are Cody Drake, Dalton McGill, and Garrett Tippit with big bass.

Windsor Prom Court

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Windsor Prom Court
Windsor High School Prom will be held May 5 at Mason Point in Sullivan. The theme for the evening will be “Under the Sea.” Coronation will be at 7:30 p.m., and the dance will be from 8-11p.m. Prom Court pictured back row: Dalton Armes, Gage Sattler, and Gavin Bennett. Front row: Kasey Bean, Mackenzee Hooten, and Morgan Lesko.

County Board Learns Dangers of Lyme Disease, Lowers Salaries for New Office Holders, Approves Increases for Sheriff/County Clerk

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•April 18, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

Lyme Disease is a worldwide pandemic where a poppy seed sized tick can change your life forever.

That is the message Karen Allen and her husband Pastor Gail Allen of Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bethany presented Moultrie County board members April 12.

She explained the disease she and her family members have contracted creates devastating health problems when not diagnosed quickly.

The proclamation declaring May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month was presented to the board by Allen, who noted when detected early the auto immune disease can be treated effectively with antibiotics.

The proclamation was passed unanimously by president Dave McCabe and members Neil Bryan, Arlene Aschermann, Todd Maxedon, Billy Voyles, Kevin McReynolds, Gary Smith and Mike Barringer. Read More

A Chance to Lend a Helping Hand and Feel Good Doing It

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Amy Rickelman and Amy Conlin are working to provide the Nohren family, who lost everything in a 2017 fire, this home, but volunteers are needed.

•April 18, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

Everyone feels good when they are helping someone in need.

It is that good feeling Kristen Conlin and Amy Rickelman are starting to get with the Nohren project.

Joined by partner Andy Pistorius in Fireside Investments, the two hope to turn their normal house flipping operation into something good for Matt, Nikki, Hayden and Whitney Nohren.

In October 2017 the Nohren’s lost everything in a fire that destroyed their Sullivan home.

Since then, the First Apostolic Church has offered the church parsonage as temporary residence for the family, but it will take a lot more to get the family back on their feet again. Read More

Musicians Wanted For Sullivan Community Band

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Band leader Shaun Schaefers

•April 18, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Have you longed for the thrill of playing again in your high school or college band?

Well, oil up that slide trombone and bang out some buzz rolls on the drum because a community band is being organized, and all musicians aged 14 and up are invited to join.

Shaun Schaefers, Sullivan High School band director, has received a major grant from the Sullivan Community Education Foundation to help create a community band. “In even the smallest towns where I’ve taught there has been a community band,” Schaefers began.  “Sullivan has been supportive of the arts so I was surprised there wasn’t one here. It is something I would really love to do”. Read More

City of Sullivan Approves New Subdivision

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Map overlay courtesy Kirk Real Estate
Burdick Subdivision offers nine lots ranging from one acre to three acres southeast of Sullivan.

•April 18, 2018•

With the final plat approval by the city of Sullivan Darin Burdick is opening a new residential subdivision in the southeast section of the city.

“I wasn’t really looking to start a subdivision,” Burdick, local farmer and apartment owner said, “but the city has a need, and they have been really good to work with me.”

Of the 99 acres Burdick owns, the nine lots he is offering are at least one acre each and will have complete city utilities.

The property is staked and subdivided with Kirk Real Estate the handling agent for Burdick who is asking $35,000 per lot.

“Those building will have convenants similar to most subdivisions,” Burdick said, noting he realizes being five miles from the lake may attract people with boats so he has made provisions for up to 1500 sq. ft. outbuildings for boat storage. Read More

OV Dairy Judging Team Wins Section Contest

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OV Dairy Judging Team Wins Section Contest
OVHS FFA dairy judging team: Kailynn Bobbett, Sadie Zimmerman, Garrett Tippit, Sophie Zimmerman, and Sidney Zimmerman. The OV FFA dairy judging team competed in the Section Dairy Competition in Clinton. As a team they came home with a first place finish. Individually results were as follows, Garrett Tippit (1st), Kailyn Bobbett (2nd), and Sadie Zimmerman (5th). FFA member Ethan Macklin traveled to Monticello to participate in the District 4 Public Speaking Competition.

Circuit Clerk Candidate 

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Christa Helmuth

•April 18, 2018•

Christa Helmuth of Sullivan is seeking the Republican nomination for the remaining two years as Moultrie County Circuit Clerk.

The election in November will determine who completes the remaining two years of Circuit Clerk Cindy Braden’s term. Braden has accepted a position with the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts in Springfield.

Helmuth noted her past experiences working within the Moultrie County Circuit Clerk’s office inspired her to make a change for the citizens of Moultrie County.

“The circuit clerk’s office can be a very intimidating process for most citizens,” Helmuth said. “Customers will be greeted with a smile and helped with the process to the best of our ability without giving legal advice.”  Read More