Knee High by the 4th of July
Bethany Celebration does not disappoint
Great turnout despite record heat and humidity
•June 25, 2025•
This year’s “Bethany Celebration” on Friday the 20th and Saturday the 21st offered something for everyone of all ages. On Friday, after Opening Ceremonies, there was a “Touch a Truck” event, “Kids Craft Corner”, a Sullivan Dance Studio Showcase, and “Tot Rod Pulls”. Later, the Battle Creek Band entertained on the main stage, and the “Brushville Band” entertained in the beer tent.
Read MoreSullivan Splash Pad reopens
Many people, especially children, have been wondering when the Splash Pad at Wyman Park would reopen this summer. To everyone’s delight, it reopened on Friday the 20th, to the delight of many. This summer, the Splash Pad will be operating on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The splash pad will only be open on weekends during these hours, so plan your visit accordingly.
Afternoon storms hit some harder than others
The June 18th thunderstorm that descended on Sullivan, with wind speeds of up to 65 MPH, caused more than just a few small, fallen branches and debris or tipped trash cans, as reflected by this photo of a local Sullivan residence.
Sullivan High School construction update
•June 25, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Progress is continuing on the new Sullivan High School building. As this two-year construction project wraps up, the following projects are in process, per Dr. Walk:
The new flooring material is in despite a few delivery delays. Flooring for the second-floor classrooms is nearing completion. Once finished, work will begin on the cabinetry for the science lab classrooms.
The exterior windows are almost completely installed. There is still an unfinished window space on the second floor of the gymnasium, which is being used to deliver materials to the interior of the building.
The classroom portion of the new building is anticipated to wrap up by the end of July, with classrooms ready for use at the start of the school year. This is the most critical step, as it allows the 6th-grade students and staff to move back into the Sullivan Middle School Building, relocate the four teachers from the media center to classrooms, and eliminate the sharing of classrooms by a number of high school teachers.
Read MoreHeartland Mini-Hoofs
Local Seniors enjoy equestrian visitors
•June 25, 2025•
by DM Williamee
On Tuesday, June 17th, Andra and Bill Ebert of Taylorville, who own “Heartland Mini-Hoofs,” brought their American Miniature horses to the Mid-Illinois Senior Services in Sullivan. Accompanying them were 14-year-old Jasper and 4-year-old Ollie. Andra advised the group they visit day cares, nursing homes, children’s hospitals, homes for the blind, and have an anti-bullying program that they take to schools, free of charge. Jasper has had well over 1,300 visits under his reins and is one of the top service horses in the country.
Read MoreNative Mike Keown selected as 4th of July Parade Grand Master
•June 25, 2025•
American Legion Post 68 has selected Sullivan Native and United States Military Veteran Mike Keown as this year’s 4th of July Parade Grand Master. Mr. Keown has been a member of the American Legion for 56 years, becoming a member in 1971 and becoming active in 1978, and began moving through the Chain of Command in 1980-1981, serving as Commander. Mr. Keown has served on the Honor Guard since 1978 and is active in funeral military rights for veterans. Mr. Keown has also headed the Fireworks fundraiser since 2014, began managing the American Legion’s scholarships in 2007, was elected to the board in 2013 and has served since that time, continuously, as a board member, and is also very active in multiple local community activities as well as his duties with the American Legion. Mr. Keown considers his most important work to be that of the rights of Military Veterans.
Read MoreScott State Bank 25th
•June 18, 2025•
On Thursday, June 12th, Scott State Bank in Sullivan celebrated its appreciation for their clients and customers, grateful for their patronage in the community for the past 25 years. Locals turned out en masse, enjoying a free lunch, beverages, and the sense of community shared at the event.
Air quality- a week of unhealthy conditions, concerns
•June 18, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Last week, many residents in Sullivan and surrounding communities noticed a marked decline in local air quality, raising health concerns for some area residents. The poor air quality can be attributed to several factors, such as increasing pollen counts, agricultural activities as the growing season moves into full swing, the increase in summer travel and resulting vehicle emissions, and smoke and ash from the Canadian Wildfires that made their way into the area. Other conditions, such as stagnant air and low wind speeds, contribute to the accumulation of particulate matter. When atmospheric conditions trap pollutants closer to the ground, residents experience an increase in unhealthy air quality.
Read MoreWater vessel Safety Exams; Ensuring watercraft safety is critical
•June 18, 2025•
Submitted
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will be performing Vessel Safety Checks at Lake Shelbyville Dam West over the 4th of July weekend. Vessel exams are currently scheduled from July 2nd through July 6th. An individual can also request specific times or days.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary checks all boats, personal watercraft (PWC), kayaks, canoes, and standing boards for federal, state, and local safety requirements. The examination is a voluntary examination, and boaters can refuse it at any time. In addition to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary doing the free, voluntary examinations, the U.S. Power Squadron (Americas Boating Club), a 501C3 organization, is authorized to do them as well. Both organizations actively teach boating safety courses along with the State Boating Law Administrator, in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Boats, personal watercraft (PWC), kayaks, canoes, and stand-up boards that pass the examination get a sticker reflecting that they have passed the examination.
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