Photos by Ariana Cherry
Arthur Freedom Celebration 2025
Grievance aired at Unit #305 school board meeting
•July 2, 2025•
by Ariana R Cherry
A large crowd of unit teachers filled the room at the regular meeting of the Arthur CUSD #305 school board on Wednesday, June 18 in the high school cafeteria. During public comment, Heather Strack, a Special Education teacher, approached the board with grievances regarding Superintendent Shannon Cheek. She opened her speech. “I am passionate about my job. We work hard for the kids, and we are here for the kids.”
Heather then began to tell her story, mapping it out as a timeline. “In August 2021, Shannon Cheek assigned Mrs. Amy Hooten and me to split the job of a third special education teacher. There were other options, but he felt two veteran special education teachers with 40+ years of experience were the best option. We were both given $6,000 per semester. Amy and I were compensated $24,000; a first-year teacher at the time would have been paid $42,000. Our hard work, 55+ meetings that school year, out of the classroom and instruction two periods a week, saved the district $18,000. Two special education teachers helped the district and were completely undercompensated, and no thank you for stepping up,” she passionately stated.
Strack continued, “Fast forward two years, August 2023. You (Superintendent Cheek) entered my classroom at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 30th, and closed the door. You proceeded to tell me that I was placed incorrectly on the salary schedule, and I would have to take a reduction in pay because I was being overpaid?” she stated questioningly. Heather informed the crowd that she had not been placed inappropriately on the salary schedule seven years prior. This unprofessional abuse of power and intimidation violated multiple federal and state laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (42 USC and 7000e), workplace discrimination, hostile environment, and the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/2-102), gender-based intimidation, Illinois State Officials and Employees Ethics Act (5 ILCS 430)- misuse of position, and Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/10-22.4 & 10-21.4)- improper discipline or compensation decisions.”
Read MoreUtility concerns on Sullivan council agenda
•July 2, 2025•
by Sharon Barricklow
Hot weather placed a strain on Sullivan City Utilities, commissioners learned at the Sullivan City Council meeting Monday night. Commissioner Mike Kirk said Ameren, the city’s energy supplier, had notified the city that they would be having planned outages, forcing the city to use its own electrical generating plant. Ordinarily, the city purchases power from Ameren. The outages are expected during overnight hours. “I’m afraid that’s going to be happening, happening and happening,” Kirk said. Mayor Mike Mossman said the city’s electrical plant staff had done a good job of preparing for the hot weather. “We need to say thanks to the electrical department. They’re doing a great job,” Mossman said.
Read MoreMoultrie County man arrested on charges of child pornography
Moultrie County Board member; Special Prosecutor assigned
•July 2, 2025•
by DM Williamee
On Thursday, June 26, 2025, Scott L. Buxton, 58, of Bethany, was charged in Moultrie County for Possession of Child Pornography. Illinois State Police (ISP) received a CyberTip related to suspicious internet activity linked to a Gmail account. Upon further investigation, ISP connected the Gmail email account and associated IP address to Buxton. Within online accounts, multiple images depicting child pornography were discovered. ISP learned that Buxton and Tyler Scott, age 26, formerly of Dalton City, engaged in communications that included requests for and transmission of images and videos containing child pornography. Investigation by ISP is ongoing. Tyler Scott was arrested by ISP on June 25, 2025, for offenses including Child Pornography and Grooming. He is being held in custody after a detention hearing conducted on June 26, 2025. He next appeared in court on June 30, 2025, for a preliminary hearing. Due to a conflict of interest arising from Mr. Buxton serving on the Moultrie County Board, the Moultrie County State’s Attorney’s Office recused itself. Jesse Danley, Coles County State’s Attorney, was appointed as a Special Prosecutor to oversee the prosecution of Buxton.
Read MoreETML hosts MC Ag: “This Little Piggy Went to the Library”
Summer Reading Fun with a Farming Twist
•July 2, 2025•
by Linda Henry
On Wednesday the 18th the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library hosted the Moultrie County “Agriculture in the Classroom” Literacy Coordinator, Linda Henry, who provided a fun as well as educational workshop to a group of very excited children about pigs, bringing a small piglet with her which the children were allowed to pet and hold. With summer reading programs in full swing across Moultrie County, last week brought an extra special visitor to two local libraries — a piglet named Rosie!
Mrs. Henry, with Moultrie County Ag in the Classroom, visited the Marrowbone Public Library in Bethany and the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library in Sullivan, delivering an engaging and educational program that delighted young readers. As part of the program, children learned about life on a pig farm through a lively storytime, complete with a real piglet for students to observe up close.
Read MoreKnee High by the 4th of July
Bethany Celebration does not disappoint
Great turnout despite record heat and humidity
•June 25, 2025•
This year’s “Bethany Celebration” on Friday the 20th and Saturday the 21st offered something for everyone of all ages. On Friday, after Opening Ceremonies, there was a “Touch a Truck” event, “Kids Craft Corner”, a Sullivan Dance Studio Showcase, and “Tot Rod Pulls”. Later, the Battle Creek Band entertained on the main stage, and the “Brushville Band” entertained in the beer tent.
Read MoreSullivan Splash Pad reopens
Many people, especially children, have been wondering when the Splash Pad at Wyman Park would reopen this summer. To everyone’s delight, it reopened on Friday the 20th, to the delight of many. This summer, the Splash Pad will be operating on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The splash pad will only be open on weekends during these hours, so plan your visit accordingly.
Afternoon storms hit some harder than others
The June 18th thunderstorm that descended on Sullivan, with wind speeds of up to 65 MPH, caused more than just a few small, fallen branches and debris or tipped trash cans, as reflected by this photo of a local Sullivan residence.
Sullivan High School construction update
•June 25, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Progress is continuing on the new Sullivan High School building. As this two-year construction project wraps up, the following projects are in process, per Dr. Walk:
The new flooring material is in despite a few delivery delays. Flooring for the second-floor classrooms is nearing completion. Once finished, work will begin on the cabinetry for the science lab classrooms.
The exterior windows are almost completely installed. There is still an unfinished window space on the second floor of the gymnasium, which is being used to deliver materials to the interior of the building.
The classroom portion of the new building is anticipated to wrap up by the end of July, with classrooms ready for use at the start of the school year. This is the most critical step, as it allows the 6th-grade students and staff to move back into the Sullivan Middle School Building, relocate the four teachers from the media center to classrooms, and eliminate the sharing of classrooms by a number of high school teachers.
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