Photo by RR Best
Holiday Concert
Sullivan Middle School was the scene of the holiday concert held this past weekend. Mr. Jeff Thomas and Mr. Brock Freece coordinated the school wide musical event played to a capacity crowd. Above Thomas leads: (left to right) Molly Dendy, Natalee Hunter, and Rylee Roehrs sing a special holiday tune.
•December 14, 2016•
By Mike Brothers
School funding approved by the state before the election has yet to produce results in Sullivan.
Superintendent Brad Tuttle explained Sullivan Unit #300 has not yet received a categorical payment from the state.
“If the state makes one payment instead of the three it committed to, it is going to hurt the district,” Tuttle said, noting the September voucher is still pending comptroller payment.
“It is unfortunate our state is inconsistent to the point we can’t count on it,” he continued, noting the consequence could be a loss of $500,000 in state aid.
The school board adopted a .40537 levy in an attempt to raise an additional $209,130 in local taxes. Read More
•December 14, 2016•
Moultrie County Public Health and Safety committee learned the County Health Dept. survived state funding shortages last year by tightening their belts.
Moultrie County Health Dept. executive director Angie Hogan pointed out last year state budget crisis proved a challenge financially for county’s health service agency.
“Last year state budget grants stalled,” Hogan said of the major revenue short fall. “We had one nurse resign, and although it made it harder on our already limited staff, we didn’t replace her.”
That was the formula for the health dept. making it through the fiscal year $17,000 in the black. Read More
Photo by RR Best
Holiday Music Program
The Sullivan Middle School choir performed in holiday concert Dec 10 before a capacity crowd in the middle school gymnasium. Music director Jeff Thomas and band director Brock Freece prepared the program.
Photo furnished
November Students
Nicholas Hutchinson, son of Jim Hutchinson, and Kyhe Wheeler, son of Chris and Kelly Wheeler, are November Students of the Month at Windsor Jr./Sr. High School. Hutchinson, a senior, is involved in basketball, baseball, student council,WYSE, physics club, and pep club. He plans to attend Lake Land College to study biology and play baseball. Wheeler is an eighth grader and participates in basketball, FFA, and team quest.
•December 14, 2016•
Moultrie County Board Budget and Finance Committee met December 12, recommending Christmas bonuses for county employees.
Budget and finance chairman Ron White proposed that full time employees receive $500 net bonuses with part-time employee amounts pro-rated. The bonuses, approved unanimously by committee members, were increased from $200 net bonus the previous year. Read More
•December 14, 2016•
Moultrie County Building and Grounds committee was updated on some communication needs and interior building restoration.
Rick Matthews reported that the judge’s office was continuing to finance restoration of the courthouse columns to the natural original oak finish, and that project should be completed before Judge Flannell retires in January.
Matthews reported phone service issues had plagued the courthouse, and he had been looking into possible upgrades that could include voice activated internet, utilizing fiber optics for the phone service. Read More
Photo by Darian Hays Sparrows Wrap Sparrows volunteers gathered to wrap gifts for the nearly 200 families helped by the Lovington based volunteer organization this holiday season. Above Andrea Miller cuts the paper for her next gift wrapping.
Photo furnished
Texas Hold’em Winner
“Cool Hand” Luke Dorsey won the Bethany American Legion Post 507 poker tournament held on Dec 10. Dorsey is the first two-time winner of the 11th annual event. He bested a field of 63 players and 98 total entries to secure the victory. The annual Texas Hold’em tournament benefits the scholarship program for students of Okaw Valley High School.
Photo by RR Best
Old-Fashioned Christmas
Sullivan’s Old Fashioned Christmas downtown on December 9th was blessed with a snap of cold weather to make the horse drawn carriage rides to participating Chamber businesses more of a holiday treat. Above the Hardy reindeer get a snack before amused bystanders. Strolling carolers, late shopping and a visit with Santa topped off the annual event on the square in Sullivan.