American Legion Post 68, the community, pays respects to service members

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Photo by DM Williamee

•May 28, 2025•

Photo by DM Williamee
Photo by R.R. Best

A Memorial Day observance ceremony was held in Sullivan early this past Monday morning at Greenhill Cemetery and at the American Legion Post. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday, dedicated to honoring U.S. Military Personnel who have died in service to their country. Over 1.8 million Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nation to date. At both services, prayers were said, three volleys were fired in memory of the deceased, the mournful “Taps” was played, and Mayor Mike Mossman spoke to those in attendance. Afterwards, the community gathered at the American Legion Post Hall for a hearty breakfast and additional ceremonies. Local youth’s “Poppy Posters” were on display at the Hall, with many winners, numerous honorable mentions, and beautiful work by all for the Legion-sponsored contest.

SES Preschool carnival a hit

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On Thursday, May 15th SES and PTO sponsored a Preschool Carnival that included lunch, face painting, bounce houses, snow cone truck, playground activities, and games set up by sponsoring attendees. Pictured is Jasper Rhodes, age 5, who actively enjoyed everything on offer, including chasing bubbles.

SSD CUSD #300 Board meeting

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End of year scramble while looking to the bright future

•May 21, 2025•

by DM Williamee

Per the minutes and reports of the Sullivan School District’s May 12th school board meeting, it has been an industrious and joyous ending to another successful year for the Sullivan School District. The amount of hard work and excellence put in by teachers, students, families, volunteers, organizations, and staff, as exemplified by the programs and achievements highlighted, reflects a community that cares and puts students first. After the caps are tossed, prom nights end, and children race towards summer, the work begins again for the next year, the new and progressing students, and the infrastructure that holds it all together.

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Cassie Yoder and Cass Concepts win top honors

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2024 Decatur Regional Chamber Awards

Cass Concepts Management Team Left-Right: Rylan Doran, Andrea McGee, Cassie Yoder, and Amber Girard

•May 21, 2025•

The 2024 Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce Awards, held Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the Country Club of Decatur, was a night to celebrate the individuals, businesses, and organizations that fuel progress and purpose in the region. Among the evening’s most celebrated honorees was Cassie J. Yoder, founder and owner of Cass Concepts: Marketing, Media and Events, who was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year. Her agency, celebrating its 20th year, was also named Small Business of the Year.

“To even be finalists alongside legacy businesses like Brinkoetter Realtors and Staley Credit Union was an honor,” said Yoder. “These organizations have served our community for decades, and it means so much to be recognized in such an inspiring company.”

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Through Their Eyes

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SHS Students receive Holocaust writing awards

(Left to right) SHS art teacher Lisa Bertetto; SHS senior Madison Flexser receiving her Best in Show award; Rebecca Lawson, contest director; Sarayu Papi Reddy of Next Generation School in Champaign receiving her Best in Show award with her mother Shasikala Papisetty

•May 21, 2025•

Five Sullivan High School students recently received awards as a part of the annual Through Their Eyes: A Holocaust Art and Writing Contest sponsored by the Holocaust Education Center of the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation.

Senior Madison Flexser tied for Best in Show for all art entries and took first place in the high school junior and senior painting and drawing division with her piece entitled “The Silent Tears from History.” Flexser’s Creator’s Statement explained her piece: “My piece is inspired by the story of Dorotka Goldstein born February 1st, 1932, in Warsaw Poland. She was saved by a German as her and her sister were sent to the gas chambers because they thought she had beautiful eyes. Her sister waved goodbye to her, so she wouldn’t go after her. Dorotka is obviously a very strong woman who survived the Holocaust.” 

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Lovington’s “Farmer’s Market”: Event created to bring community together

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•May 14, 2025•

by DM Williamee

The Lovington Farmer’s Market began on May 8th, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., 130 W State Street, in Lovington.

The brainchild of lifetime Lovington resident Lisa Kamm, who was inspired after attending local Mapping Group meetings. From those meetings, Lisa was driven to create an event that would benefit the Lovington community, and thus the Farmers Market was born: a free place for vendors (no charge, but bring your own tables, signage, displays, etc.) to set up and offer their wares, and a place for the community to purchase those items.

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Utility rate increase approved by City Council

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•May 14, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

Public utility costs will be going up for Sullivan residents after the City Council passed several rate increases at their meeting Monday night. 

The council approved a four and one half percent increase in electrical rates on the recommendation of Commissioner Mike Kirk who said wholesale electric rates continued to rise. 

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Mosquitoes: health concerns and prevention tips

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Enjoy the outdoors and reduce your risk of mosquito-related health concerns

by Angela Hogan

More Than an Annoyance: Spring marks the return of warmer weather and the chance to spend more time outdoors. It also marks the return of mosquitoes and the health concerns that can affect individuals and animals. The presence of mosquitoes is more than an annoyance. Mosquitoes are carriers of several diseases. Their bites can threaten the public’s health, especially during peak mosquito season.

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SES receives book vending machine

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HICF donates machine, students reap rewards

by DM Williamee

On Tuesday, May 6th, the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation (HICF) unveiled a book vending machine at Sullivan Elementary School at 8:00 am. Each year, the HICF funds the book vending machines. This year, Sullivan is one of the schools fortunate to receive one. On hand from HICG were Kaitlyn Farrar and Chastity Casey. Rev. Grant Wade serves as the Moultrie County advisor for HICF and has worked on this project with Leslie Guyot (school principal) and Leah Fleming (school librarian). 

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Sullivan siblings’ passion for journalism

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Photo by Sonya Best

The “Bests” of writing, photography, and community

by DM Williamee

Siblings Kathy and Bob Best, both Sullivan locals, were recently interviewed by Vanessa Ferguson in NPR Illinois’ “Community Voices” segment. Both have worked in multiple journalistic roles throughout their careers; editor, writer, publication owner, and photographer (to name a few), with Kathy having won (with her team, as she strongly emphasizes) the Pulitzer Prize twice (and recently nominated for the third!), in both the small-town and big-city journalism arenas.

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