SPD Enforcement Results: Click it or Ticket

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•December 5, 2018•

The Sullivan Police Department Click it or Ticket additional traffic enforcement yielded 47 seat belt violations.
The extra detail conducted from Nov. 16-26 was aimed at reminding motorists to buckle up and not drive impaired, day or night, as part of the nationwide Click It or Ticket/Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement effort.
The Sullivan Police Department joined other state and local law enforcement agencies across Illinois to reduce highway deaths by issuing citations to unbuckled motorists and arresting impaired drivers. Read More

Decoration Team

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Decoration Team
It took 25 Sullivan Pre School students just a little while to add their personal Christmas decorations to the tree in the Moultrie County courthouse rotunda recently. The young Santa helpers also received a visit from Santa Claus and got a chance to tell him their Christmas Eve wishes.

Community Christmas Tree Joins Downtown Holiday Celebration

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Photo by Mike Brothers
The Sullivan Community Christmas Tree was placed on the Moultrie County courthouse lawn Dec. 4. Those attending were above from left: Rob Young, Breanna Barrix; from Buxton’s Garden Farm: Abby and Caynan Sherwood and Steve Buxton; SCED Executive Director Laurrie Minor and Josie Orris.

•December 5, 2018•

Sullivan High School student Breanna Barrix thought a community Christmas tree lighting would be a nice touch for the season but didn’t know how to get it done.
At 9:14 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4 Buxton’s Garden Farm delivered the community Christmas tree to the southeast corner of the courthouse.
“When she called me, I almost fell over,” Breanna’s cousin Rob Young said of any teenager caring about the community, so he got on board immediately.
“I have been watching Christmas specials, and community tree lightings bring people together in the spirit of the season,” Barrix explained.
Young began to make the Christmas tree a reality by going to Buxton’s Garden Farm. Buxton’s donated a tree to the cause, which is where Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development came in.
“We have wanted to have a Christmas tree on the square for the past several years, and when Breanna came up with the idea, we knew the time was right,” SCED Executive Director Laurrie Minor said, noting they appreciate permission to place the tree on the courthouse lawn.
The official Christmas tree lighting ceremony is 6:00 p.m. Friday, December 14 during Sullivan’s Old Fashioned Christmas Downtown Celebration. Bruder Tank made the tree stand; with The Thrift Boutique and Habitat ReStore donating lights for the community tree. SCED Director Minor encouraged the community to contribute decorations. Read More

Moultrie County Seats New Office Holders

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Moultrie County Seats New Office Holders
At 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3 recently elected Moultrie County officials were sworn into office in the main courtroom of the courthouse in Sullivan. Back row from left Moultrie County Board members: Arlene Aschermann, Tyler Graven, Bill Voyles, Todd Maxedon, Dave McCabe; President Lincoln (June 3, 1860) and Resident Moultrie County Circuit Judge Jeremy Richey, who administered the oath to new officers; front from left; Sheriff Chris Sims, Treasurer Stephanie Helmuth, Circuit Clerk Christa Helmuth, County Clerk Georgia England and State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver.

Jeremy Richey Sworn as Resident Judge

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Jeremy Richey Sworn as Resident Judge
Jeremy Richey was sworn in as Moultrie County resident judge for the sixth circuit during ceremonies at the Moultrie County Courthouse Thursday, Nov. 29.
Chief Judge of the Sixth Circuit the Honorable Richard L. Broch of Douglas County presided over a courtroom filled with family, friends and colleagues of the former State’s Attorney of Moultrie County. Judge Broch noted that in his new role Judge Richey must prepare each case keeping in mind that every case is the most important case to the person involved.
The Honorable Judge Hugh Finson of Piatt County administered Richey’s oath. After his swearing in, the Honorable Judge Richey thanked his family, and those attending the ceremony. A reception was held in Courtroom B for those attending. Above, Richey’s wife Cassie helps with his robe.

SES Delivers Pie in the Face

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SES Delivers Pie in the Face
The Sullivan Middle School and Sullivan Elementary School’s Day of Giving drive results have SES students winning, and the prize is a pie in the face for SMS principal Nathan Ogle by SES principal Dan Allen. Sullivan Elementary School collected a total of 904 items and $1010.37 through the tremendous effort of the students and the community.
Businesses that assisted are IGA, Ace Hardware, Sullivan Eyecare, Oakwood Apothecary, Cathrine’s and 5 West Coffee Lounge. Organizations that helped in the drive include First United Methodist Church and MOMS group, Vineyard Church, Lion’s Club, and Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority. All of the food collected and money donated went directly to the local food bank.
For more information on how to assist or donate contact Pastor Dave Dolan at 217-728-4200.

Sullivan Purchases New Water Meters, Discusses Residency On The Square

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•November 28, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

The Sullivan City Council discussed and voted to waive formal bidding for new water meter purchases. The old meters have moving parts and are seven to eight years old with a life expectancy of 10. A sensor is needed to update the current ones. A decision needed to be made whether to add the censors or to buy new water meters.
The new water meters without moving parts have a longer life expectancy—up to 20 years. After discussion, commissioners waived the formal bidding process and purchased new water meters from Midwest Badger for $232,300.
Laurrie Minor and Michelle Hauser of Sullivan Community & Economic Development spoke about concerns regarding some of the business space in the downtown square area. Currently, there are two personal “home residences” in the business district. One space, Hoodies Goodies, was a business prior to becoming a residence. Read More

With Alzheimer’s Disease Early Detection Matters

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•November 28, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

“Early detection matters! That is the most important phrase to remember when it comes to Alzheimer’s Disease.” Elizabeth Hagemann, Manager of Education and Outreach for the Alzheimer’s Association, Illinois chapter, stressed this point at the November 15 Caring Conversations Series dinner held at the Best Western Hotel Plus in Arcola.
Her presentation, “Forget Me Not: Conversations About the Stages of Dementia and Alzheimer’s” focused on many informative details about the disease and those who have already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. An estimated 5.7 million Americans are living with the disease and by the year 2050, the number is projected to rise to 14 million. Every 65 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s (http://www.alz.org). Read More

Appreciation Plaque

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Appreciation Plaque
Moultrie County Board Chairman presented outgoing Democrat county board member Gary Smith of Lovington with an Appreciation Plaque for his years of service. Smith was the only Democrat on the board which is all Republican following the November election.

One Book One Sullivan Presents: The Running Dream

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Sullivan Rotary Club donates the total operation costs for One Book One Sullivan, allowing everyone in the community to join the reading program directed by Sullivan Middle School students.

•November 28, 2018•

One Book One Sullivan is excited to present The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Drannen as the 2018-2019 book choice.
Sullivan Middle School students worked diligently to choose the book that would best match interests of middle school through adult readers.
According to Penguin Random House’s website, when Jessica is told she’ll never run again, she puts herself back together—and learns to dream bigger than ever before. The acclaimed author of Flipped delivers a powerful and healing story.
Jessica thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a car accident. She’s not comforted by the news that she’ll be able to walk with the help of a prosthetic leg. Who cares about walking when you live to run? Read More