Sullivan City Council Welcomes New Member

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•May 3, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

A possible new online payment option (Payment Service Network) offer to the residents of Sullivan was discussed at the most recent council meeting. This new online option would have paperless billing and send email notifications to customers when their utility bill is due or late. Treasurer Sarah Golden advised that the city processed 3,000 bills per month. Going paperless would cut back on work for the clerks, and it would automate payments for the customers. In addition to saving paper, this could also save the city money on postage. The city would also be able to accept credit cards with the new payment option. The city would pay any additional credit card fees. Council members discussed this possible option and stated they would research it more before a decision was made to move forward.  Read More

Sullivan Unit #300 School Board Reorganizes

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Reorganized Sullivan Unit #300 School Board (seated from left) Vice-president Ann Wheeler, President Jeff White, Secretary Norm Wood, Erik Stollard; (back row) Tyson Grooms, Zak Horn, and Steve Poland.

•May 3, 2017•

Sullivan Community Unit #300 school board reorganized with Jeff White as president while four newly elected members took seats.

The previous school board approved minutes of the last meeting and verified election results before Supt. Brad Tuttle was appointed president pro tempore with Becky Batman as interim secretary until offices were filled.

Vote totals were verified prior to new board members taking their seats. Ann Wheeler won a two year term with 1234 votes. Zak Horn - 1402; Tyson Grooms -1197; Erik Stollard - 954 were all elected to four-year terms.  Read More

Sullivan Volunteer Receives Governor’s Service Award

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Governor’s Volunteer Service Award Winner Genny Sutton.

•May 3, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

On Thursday. April 27 at the Senior Center, 99 year old Genevieve “Genny” Sutton was surrounded by adoring family and legions of friends as she received the prestigious 2017 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award from Norma Piper. Sutton was one of six recipients in the Senior Awardees category and was selected from over 200 nominees statewide.

Piper, RSVP coordinator for Moultrie County, had nominated Sutton and traveled to Springfield to accept the award on Sutton’s behalf. While there, she was in the same elevator as one of the judges who told her, “When I read Genny’s biography, I knew she had to win.”

For more than 70 years Sutton has devoted 20-30 hours a month volunteering in Sullivan. Known for founding and coaching a women’s softball league as well as bowling leagues - they are the two activities she enjoyed the most. She was voted Bowler of the Year and elected to the Sullivan Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame and in her spare time also played in a kitchen band. Read More

OVHS Prom Royalty

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OVHS Prom Royalty
The 2017 Okaw Valley Prom Court (front) King Ty Nichols, Queen Jessica Robinson, (back) Sydney Hagerman, Brendon Lane, Madison Uhlrich, Seth Yeakel, Kailyn Boyer and Taylor Coleman.

Legacy of Leadership Scholar

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Legacy of Leadership Scholar
Christy Allen of Arthur was named the 2017 IAA Foundation Legacy of Leadership Scholar. Allen is the daughter of Dave and Cathy Allen and is entering her junior year at the University of Illinois, studying agriculture communications. Allen was selected for this honor for her leadership qualities and well-rounded academic experience. She will receive a $7,500 scholarship.

OVHS Band Performs

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OVHS Band Performs
Okaw Valley High School band performs “The Marches of John Williams,” “Come Sail Away,” and “Hadrian’s Wall” at Okaw Valley High School Thursday, April 27.

OVHS Job Shadow Program Honored

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OVHS Job Shadow Program Honored
Okaw Valley’s Job Shadow Class had their recognition breakfast Friday, April 28 at Tailwinds in Findlay. Students presented mentors with certificates and talked about their experiences and future plans. The following students participated in the program this year: Evan Blakey - DMH Sports Enhancement Center, Kailyn Boyer - Merle Norman and Babich Skin Care
Kristy Burford - Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development, Elaina Crawford - Graham Veterinary Clinic, Moranda Matheson - Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois, Maddie Perrine - Good Shepherd Hospital , Jessica Robinson - Arthur Veterinary Clinic, Makayle Rozanski - Jesek Family Dental and Vita Center for Women, Madison Uhlrich - News Progress, Kayla Wheeler - Good Shepherd Hospital . The Job Shadow class is taught by Bonnie Scott. The photo includes job shadow students and their mentors.

Main Street Gets a Makeover in Findlay

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Ty Phillips and Lathen Hoyer pitch in to clean up Main Street in Findlay.

•April 26, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Spring is in the air and that usually means spring cleaning, but the Shelby County Economic Development Agency has upped the ante and taken to the streets with its ambitious new program “Main Street Makeover”.

In partnership with Shelby County Partners, the program coordinates volunteers and businesses to work together in giving towns, cities and villages in Shelby County the tender, loving care of a good sprucing up - beginning with main streets.

Jody McCormick, the Findlay coordinator, organized more than 40 middle and high school volunteers into teams with supervisors at the Community Center April 21. She held up pictures of the buildings selected for a makeover and described the tasks to be done - sanding and scraping old paint, scrubbing concrete, washing windows, painting, and cleaning up the community gardens. In the corner of the room were the tools of the day: paint brushes, rollers, sanders, scrapers, paint pans and liners, buckets, drop cloths, ladders and buckets of paint - all donated by local residents and businesses.

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Sunset Planting

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Photo by RR Best
Sunset Planting
Moultrie County farmers have taken advantage of warm soil and good weather to continue planting well past sunset allowing the growing season to begin.