Photo furnished
Fire Safety
Fireman Kaleb Randol with the Sullivan Fire Dept. visited the CEFS Head Start program recently to talk about fire safety.
Fire Safety
Measuring Lutein is an Eye Opening Experience
Dr. Anne Walk
•November 29, 2017•
By Erin Valentine
For the News Progress
A look into our eyes tells more than ever before.
If your diet consists of burgers and fries over kale and spinach, it is now visible to scientists studying the effects of the nutrient lutein. And a lack of lutein could catch up with us both physically and mentally, according to research from University of Illinois’ Body Composition and Nutritional Neuroscience Lab, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health.
Anne Walk is a postdoctoral research associate at the University. She and her husband Ted, Sullivan superintendent of schools, also own Dedicated Realty in Sullivan.
Walk is part of the research group discovering the effects of lutein, a nutrient found primarily in green, leafy vegetables such as kale, turnip greens, spinach and romaine lettuce, avocados, eggs and yellow carrots. Their findings have been featured in the November issue of Woman’s Day and online for Reader’s Digest and Men’s Health. The new information was first published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. Read More
Moultrie County Budget Approved
•November 29, 2017•
Moultrie County approved a 2018 budget with a $51,212 deficit while keeping local tax levies close to the previous budget.
Total general fund revenues were amended in the budget March 9, 2017 to reflect $4,791,902 with FY 2017 actual revenue anticipated at $5,199,820.66.
Budgeted appropriations include $153,867 ($146,414 -2016) for county clerk, $187,640 ($183,689 -2016) circuit clerk; $91,315 ($86,840-2016) treasurer,$202,305 ($151,024-2016) supervisor of assessments; $242,259 ($235,497-2016) state’s attorney; $1,304,752 (1,092,152-2016) sheriff; $30,000 ($29,755-2016) coroner. Read More
Okaw Valley Student Jury Returns Innocent Verdict for Car Thief
Photo by Mike Brothers
Moultrie County Courthouse became a classroom with students from Okaw Valley High School civics classes participating in a mock trial. Circuit Judge Bradford Rau presided over the case with Brad Ackers students filling all other roles in the courtroom.
•November 29, 2017•
An Okaw Valley high school jury decided the driver of a stolen car was doing a good deed rather than committing a crime as they returned a not guilty verdict during mock trial proceedings in Moultrie County Circuit Court Nov. 17.
OVHS social studies teacher Brad Ackers took his civics classes to the Moultrie County Courthouse Friday. The students participated in a mock trial over which sitting Moultrie County Circuit Judge Brad Rau presided.
“The simulation allowed our civic students to fill the roles in the courtroom ranging from court reporters, clerks, prosecutors and defense attorneys to defendants, witnesses, jurors and bailiff,” Akers said of the exercise. “This gives them a chance to experience trial procedures in the actual setting.”
That setting was complete with presiding Circuit Judge Rau on the bench. Rau not only guided the students through the court procedure but answered questions afterwards.
His comments were based on his background as prosecutor and public defender, explaining he had defended people who were guilty in the past and was able to get them released when prosecutors failed to present a solid case. Read More
Beat “Cabin Fever” at Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library
Escape Room Opens Daily
•November 29, 2017•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
The weather has gotten cooler, and you may be looking for activities to do indoors. You don’t have to look any further than your neighborhood library. Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library has some fun activities for you and your family during these cold winterlike days.
Keep in mind, if you need a little warming up, the library has free coffee everyday. Enjoy a couple cups of coffee, and then catch up on your emails and news of the day with their free WiFi. If you are feeling creative, don’t forget that they have their 3-D printer to create three dimensional objects. Read More
The Bitter Side of Sweet is the One Book
Photo by Mike Brothers
One Book One Sullivan announcement at a middle school assembly Nov. 21: Ryan Villalobos addresses the school along with One Book One Sullivan director Rikki Ray and committee members. Back row left to right: Clayton Schmohe and Sammantha Montague; front row left to right: Lane Richardson, Lilly Graham, Carlyn Fitzgerald, Elora Mast and high school media specialist Annie McClellan.
•November 29, 2017•
From five selections came one, and the reveal was made by One Book One Sullivan committee members to a Sullivan Middle School student assembly Nov. 21.
Members of the Sullivan Rotary Club, primary financial sponsors of the community reading program, attended to make a surprise announcement and present an award.
Rotary Club President Dan Fultz pointed out one person has remained dedicated to One Book, One Sullivan for the past 11 years, and that devotion has been instrumental in making the community reading program successful.
Fultz then announced that One Book, One Sullivan founding coordinator Rikki Ray was being honored by the Rotary Club for those years of devotion to duty and made the award presentation before the assembled middle school students. Read More
WHS Homecoming Royals
Photo furnished
WHS Homecoming Royals
Windsor High School will host a homecoming dance 8-11 p.m. December 9. The theme will be “To the Moon and Back,” and the coronation will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the high school. This year’s royalty are pictured (left to right) freshmen attendants Adilyn McCray and Sam Boyer, sophomore attendants Hannah Morlen and Brandon Milligan, junior attendants Maranda Tarvin and Emil Hartman, queen and king candidates Morgan Lesko, Dalton Armes, Mikayla Haddock, Gage Sattler, Kasey Bean, and Brad Farmer.
Rotary Planting Help
Photo by Mike Brothers
Rotary Planting Help
Sullivan Rotary Club donated 13 Sycamore and Tulip Poplar trees for homes in the Habitat for Humanity subdivision, and last week Scott Bales’ Sullivan Middle School fifth hour physical education class grabbed shovels to help with the planting. Keith Fryman, John Voyles, Zach Dalbey, Justin Gilbert and Dmitiri Tull got to relocate a Blue Spruce and replace it with a new Sycamore tree. The Sullivan Rotary tree planting program is made possible with the help of a $1500 grant from District Rotary.
Skyzone Math Exercise
Photo furnished
Skyzone Math Exercise
Okaw Valley’s tech math class took a field trip to Skyzone in Springfield recently. The students examined different math and science applications which included calorie burn, percent of increase of heart rate, volume of foam pit, number of foam squares , angle of incline for the crazy ladder, long jump, trampoline jump height and basketball free throw.
Sullivan Council donates $500 to Santa’s Workshop
Casey’s Drive Expansion Approved
By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress
Santa’s Workshop will celebrate its fifth year at the American Legion. It is not only a fund-raiser for Dove but an event for the entire community.
Mary Hughes of Dove approached the Sullivan City Council requesting a donation to assist in sponsoring the event for 2017. Last year Santa’s Workshop served about 300 children. Hughes stated that this event helps with tourism within Sullivan as children from nearby areas travel to Sullivan to participate in the event.
The council made a motion to donate $500 towards the cost of sponsoring Santa’s Workshop. It was approved.
Other items that were discussed or voted upon:
-Citizens are reminded to not blow their leaves into the road because they could easily fall into the gutters. Leaves are also not to be burned in the road.