Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Changes To Relatives Raising Children

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Kim Adamson is pictured.

•September 12, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

With 500,000 children under the age of 18 in Illinois currently living with a relative guardianship requirements have shifted.
Previously, the majority of these children were living with grandparents, but the burden of care has shifted more to other relatives as grandparents age or are unable to care for the children.
“Because of this shift the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) changed to the new title of Relatives Raising Children (RRC),” Kim Adamson, Caregiver Advisor and Relatives Raising Children Director for the program, said. “And the change has been somewhat confusing to our clients.
“We need to let them know it is the same program with same services,” she continued. “Only these services are now available to any relative who is raising another relative’s child.” Read More

Democrat Open House

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Democrat Open House
The Moultrie County Democratic Party has a new election headquarters at 16 W. Harrison Street in Sullivan.
Central Committee Chair Tim Singer and local candidates are holding an Open House 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27. Visitors are invited to check out the headquarters, meet candidates and pick up literature, yard signs and bumper stickers.
Moultrie County Democrats are holding the annual spaghetti dinner at the Sullivan American Legion beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14. Speakers include Illinois treasurer Michael Frerichs.

Habitat Care-A-Vanners Ready For 30th County Build

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Habitat Ground Breaking
From left: the Rev. Don Lusk of Southern Baptist Church, David Conklin, Pat Conklin, Stacey Uphoff, Gary Smith and Bob Gillespie break ground for the Conklins’ new Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity home in Sullivan.

•September 5, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity volunteers, recently arrived Care-A-Vanners, Habitat board members and Pat Conklin and her family gathered with clergy September 2 to break ground for the 30th home build in Moultrie County.
The house under construction at 621 Eden St. in Habitat subdivision donated by Hydro-Gear will be the new home for Conklin and her son David who works at the Habitat ReStore. David is also on the Alpha Bears Special Olympics team, and 25 of his teammates will be volunteering to help build the home.
The groundbreaking took place at the Eden Street home site at 3 p.m. with Gary Smith, president of Moultrie County Habitat, offering the greeting and introductions. The Rev. Don Lusk of Southern Baptist Church gave the invocation and the scripture reading with litany. Read More

SCED Has New Location; Markets City Properties

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development offices are now located at the corner of Jefferson and Washington streets in Sullivan. Above Moultrie County Board Chairman Dave McCabe stopped by the new location to visit Executive Director Laurrie Minor. The new office entrance is on Washington Street.

•September 5, 2018•

Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development is operating in new offices at 101 W. Jefferson St. and is kicking off Spark, a community based initiative for future planning.
For Executive Director Laurrie Minor juggling economic planning initiatives while working on the next community festival, Oktoberfest, is all in a day’s work.
Sullivan Spark, with direction from the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western University, includes local citizen volunteers to help create a long-range plan for the community.
Minor recently completed Professional Community and Economic Developer certification through Western and is one of 600 certified in the country. The national accreditation connects Sullivan to materials designed for rural community development.
One opportunity SCED is focused on is marketing land for development south of Sullivan on Route 32. Minor emphasized the 18 plus acres of city owned property is located in a new TIF 4 District, intact until 2040.
The city of Sullivan is prepared to offer incentives to developers for the project with major utilities already located at the site.
“The property is on the Lake Shelbyville corridor and would be a great location for a hotel,” Minor said, noting the marketing plan presented to the city council will target light industrial, lawn and garden, outdoor adventure stores and possibly a variety store such as Tractor Supply Company.
On the tourism front SCED and the Lake Shelbyville Corp of Engineers partnered at a trade show in Chicago that produced results in a few weeks. Read More

The SMS HUB-Where Innovation meets Collaboration

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan Community Education Foundation members Nancy Schaljo and Laura Elder toured the new HUB Innovation and Collaboration Center with SMS principal Nathan Ogle last week. The middle school received a grant from the Foundation to help fund the remodeling of the original high school library into a state of the art collaborative center for students and teachers.

•September 5, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

Sullivan Middle School added fifth grade classes into the original Sullivan High School building which filled classrooms. Thanks to the generosity of the Sullivan Community Education Foundation the original high school library is now the HUB.
SMS Principal Nathan Ogle explained his request to transform the old library into a space for collaborative and creative use by students was filled beyond expectations. With the use of iPads and collaborative teaching between classes, students were exchanging ideas in the hallways and spare alcoves before while space was available in the previous high school library.
The remnants of the original computer lab line the walls of the old library, but the inside is updated with rearrangeable furniture that is both teacher and student friendly.
Thanks to a $12,000 grant from the Sullivan Community Education Foundation there is room and furniture for three classrooms that may be used for a variety of purposes. Read More

Cruise Night from Above

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Drone photo R.R. Best
Cruise Night from Above
Sullivan Street Machine Association’s 39th annual Cruise Night on the Sullivan square was held Saturday, Sept. 1 and was captured in this drone photo by R.R. Best. The event drew classic show cars and hot rods from the region with more than $1500 in door prizes given away. Young drivers 3-9 competed in a Power Wheels Demo Derby. Bounce houses and a dunk tank offered entertainment for the young with Shovelhead the featured musical act. Boy Scout Troop #39, AmBuC’s and Wood Real Estate Insurance were primary outside sponsors of Cruise Night.

Findlay Area Farmer Don Keown Honored With Tractor Cruise

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Findlay Area Farmer Don Keown Honored With Tractor Cruise
Findlay area farmer Don Keown died in April 2018 but his spirit was present during a tractor cruise held in his honor Sunday, August 26. Don’s son, David emphasized his dad loved driving his 1953 International Super M in area tractor rides, and this year the son drove one of dad’s antique collection along with 24 tractors from all over the area that gathered at Findlay School.
Antique tractors, 28 people and a support vehicle made the complete circuit.
The 38 mile journey began on back roads from Findlay to Bethany, down Wilborn Creek Road toward Camp Camfield and to lunch at the Sullivan V.F.W. then back to Findlay.
Don’s brother Larry also drove the 1953 Farmall Super M their father bought new. The ride went from Findlay past the Wright Cemetery where Don is buried and the family had gathered. David pointed out it was a good way to view the country and crops at 12 miles per hour; plus the funds raised went to the Okaw Valley FFA Alumni for future scholarships.

Gaither Faces Uphill Battle with Central Illinois Determination

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Photo by Mike Brothers
U.S. 15th Congressional District Democrat candidate Kevin Gaither attended a Bethany Town Hall meeting at Marrowbone Library, August 23. Some of those visiting were Moultrie County Democrat Central Committee Chair Stuart Wade, Treasurer candidate Diane Waggoner, Connie Dunscomb, 15th District candidate Gaither, Circuit Clerk Beth Pruitt, Margi Gaither and Jim Gaither.

•August 29, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

Kevin Gaither, Democrat candidate for the 15th U.S. Congressional District, hasn’t got much money, but he does have a vision for the future.
Gaither, a Sullivan High School graduate, shared that vision at a town hall meeting held in Bethany at the Marrowbone Library on August 23.
In a campaign echoing predecessor Glenn Poshard, Gaither won the primary nomination accepting personal donations, without the benefit of party, political action committee or lobbyist funds.
Last week during Democrat Day at the Illinois State Fair U.S.Senator Dick Durbin recognized Gaither and his struggle to win the 15th district. “It was a thrill to have our campaign recognized by Senator Durbin in his opening remarks,” Gaither remarked, noting party recognition was gratifying. Read More

Clubs Offer Fun at Elizabeth Titus Library

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•August 29, 2018•

By Arianna Cherry
for the News Progress

Although summer vacation has come to an end, Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library still has plenty in store for students in the upcoming fall.
The Sullivan library offers opportunities for supplemental learning that also includes a bit of fun too. These clubs and classes are geared toward a variety of age groups focusing on math, science and reading skills.
The Crazy 8’s Math Club started August 27 but is still accepting late registrations. It is an eight-week long program for students who are in grades K-5. Students in grades K-2 meet Mondays at 4 p.m. and grades 3-5 Tuesdays at 4 p.m.
A science club begins on October 22 and is for students in grades K-5. Depending on how many register for this program will depend on whether or not the students split up depending on their age group. Read More

Anonymous Donor Helps Fund Balance Classes At Senior Center

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•August 29, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Senior Center Executive Director, Kathi Garvey was worried that the popular Matter of Balance classes for seniors wouldn’t be held this year.
“We had the grant funds but no volunteers to teach the classes so we were in jeopardy of losing the grant,” Garvey said. “Fortunately, the volunteers came forward and now, thanks to an anonymous donor, we also have funds for those who can’t afford but need the classes.”
For those with concerns about falling, have fallen recently or have restricted activities because of falling concerns, these classes can help.
Classes begin Sept 18 and are held twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday for four weeks until Oct. 16. Each class is two hours from 9-11 a.m. at the Senior Center in Sullivan. Read More