Sullivan Schools Enjoy Utility Savings Following HVAC Improvements

News Progress Posted on by

10¢ Meal Increase

•June 28, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Sullivan Community Unit #300 school board members received good news about facility savings at the regular meeting June 12.

Director of maintenance Kevin Landrus gave an assessment of the HVAC replacement project for Sullivan elementary, middle school and high school.

“With the present trend the three buildings are saving 20 percent in utility costs,” Landrus began. He explained the new HVAC systems will need a full year before net savings are realized. The school district saved $4100 in May over the previous year which was under the old HVAC systems.

He went on to emphasize the new HVAC systems have improved the comfort levels in the classrooms which is of greater benefit to the learning environment for students. Read More

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight Hosts Sullivan Veterans

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
Floyd Dugan Sr. displays one of 70 letters he received at Mail Call during his recent Land of Lincoln Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

•June 28, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Floyd Dugan Sr. was one among five World War II veterans taking the Land of Lincoln Honor flight out of Springfield last Tuesday morning.

Dugan was joined by family and friends in Springfield where 68 veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam were treated to a long day of flying to Washington, D.C. to visit veterans’ memorials and tour the National Air and Space Museum.

Gordon Wood and William Zoetvelt, both Sullivan men who served during the Korean era, were also on the flight.

Each veteran’s trip is free with a guardian traveling with them to make sure all goes smoothly. Dugan was accompanied by son-in-law Wayne Claytor.

Claytor had taken the trip as guardian with his father four years earlier and shared some insight. Read More

Making Honey in Okaw Valley

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Making Honey in Okaw Valley
Okaw Valley High School graduate JT Bland poses with one of three OV bee colonies set up around the area. OV students will monitor the colonies during the summer months and into the fall.

Bethany Celebration Offered Everyone a Good Time, Real Family Fun

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Participants perform in the Bethany Celebration talent show over the weekend.

•June 28, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Let it never be said that Bethany doesn’t know how to throw a party. This year’s annual Celebration had something for everyone in the family and then some.

The two-day festival on Friday and Saturday June 23 and 24 was sponsored by the village of Bethany.

“A small committee of volunteers puts the entire program together, hires the vendors, musicians, petting zoos, cars and all other attractions,” Sam Scott explained. Read More

Sullivan Summer Park Kids Create

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Sullivan Summer Park Kids Create
Several members of the Sullivan Area Arts (SAarts) group arrived with 221 wooden blocks for the Sullivan Park Recreation Summer program kids to paint June 22. This was a goal for past several years and things worked out with SAarts this year to get everything together and make it happen. The blocks were marked with the different colors, and the children painted the blocks without knowing what the final picture would be. While they were away to lunch SAarts members assembled and nailed the blocks together to form a finished mosaic. The finished piece of public art will be displayed in Wyman Park.

Healthcom 5K Run Benefits Senior Center

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Healthcom 5K Run Benefits Senior Center
Mayra Grijalva(r) from Healthcom in Sullivan presents a check for $2,000 to Kathi Shackels, executive director of Mid-Illinois Senior Services. All proceeds from the recent Healthcom 5K run were donated to Senior Services.

Our Town Sullivan Celebration Brings People Uptown

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Alex Menke
Kylie Burke gets her face painted as part of the fun.

•June 21, 2017•

By Alex Menke
for the News Progress

Local residents of all ages came to Sullivan’s town square from 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 16 for a celebration of community.

The festival was created by Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development agency with WCIA-TV’s Our Town segment showcasing Sullivan. Chamber director Laurrie Minor explained how it all began. “Channel 3 called and said they wanted to cover Sullivan for an ‘Our Town’ program, and we threw a festival together and made it happen.”

She expressed her delight at the success of the event. “It became bigger than what we anticipated and more successful.”  Read More

School Board Approves Budget

News Progress Posted on by

•June 21, 2017•

In his final budget hearing as superintendent of Sullivan schools Brad Tuttle reminded the board that the state’s budget problems continue to cause problems in education.

“In spite of the state still lagging on categorical payments plus $216,000 in tax collection delayed until next year, the district is in good shape overall,” Tuttle told the board as he recapped funds that are challenged with the lack of state funds. Read More

Old Water Tower Comes Down in July; Health Coverages Discussed

News Progress Posted on by

•June 21, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Sullivan City Council discussed and agreed to waive the bidding requirements for the demolition of the old water tower off Jackson Street.

Other contractors were invited to bid, but there was no interest shown the city council learned at the June 12 meeting held at Elizabeth Titus Library.

Iseler Demolition, based out of Romeo, Mich. is scheduled to arrive the week of July 12 for the demolition. All the buildings and businesses in the surrounding area will be tarped to protect them from debris.  Read More

Junefest Fireworks for Lovington

News Progress Posted on by

File photo
Junefest Fireworks for Lovington
The village of Lovington combined the annual Fish Fry at Tom Conn Park with the annual fireworks display from Central States Fireworks of Athens Friday, June 16 and the crowds came out. The annual Lovington Junefest started at 4:30 p.m. selling out of fish before the fireworks went on display at the old football field.