News Progress

Collective bargaining agreement with the AEA passed

•July 23, 2025•

by Ariana R Cherry

Unrest continued at the Arthur School District #305 school board meeting on Wednesday, July 16th. Approximately thirty teachers were in attendance regarding the teachers’ contract. Sharon Chupp spoke first during the public comment section of the meeting. She felt she needed to share her story regarding Shawn Davison’s Letter to the Editor in the newspaper the prior week. Chupp said, “I have a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), and Shawn has been his one-on-one assistant for the last two years. When my child was ready for high school, I knew he was getting a new one-on-one. I was nervous, not knowing how that was going to go or what his last four years were going to look like. I have to say it has been the best thing ever. Shawn has gone out of his way to help Lance so many times, not that he had to, but because he wanted to.” She stated, “He asked if he could spend the last hour with him to help with his speech and other areas he needed help with, including his bathroom issues when no one else wanted to, and got him to where he knew the routine. On Christmas Eve, Shawn and his wife stopped by the house to give my child a Christmas gift because he wanted to.” And added, “My child has more confidence than ever before, talks so much more, and looks forward to going to school most days,” Chupp commented. “I would like to add, what would be a better way than to impact a whole classroom versus just one child?” she concluded.

•July 23, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Sullivan business outlook is very good, and hopes are high for additional restaurants, the City Council heard at their July 14 meeting. Sullivan Economic Development Director Laurrie Minor gave the council an updated report including new housing starts, business development, and economic development goals. “Right now our biggest goal is attracting more restaurants,” she said.

Minor brought along Lake Shelbyville Operations Manager Jon Summers, who praised the city’s initiatives for development. “I sit on a lot of boards and go to a lot of meetings,” Summers said. “Sometimes there is barely an agenda, but in Sullivan it’s several pages long and real work gets done.”

•July 16, 2025•

by DM Williamee

Despite a breakout drizzle, Gary Smith led other volunteers with Habitat for Humanity in a groundbreaking ceremony and on Sunday, July 13th. With a foundation laid and ready for building, those who gathered prayed, read scripture, a litany, and a benediction. The building caravan, consisting of 10 couples, has arrived and is eager to get started. Four local SHS students have participated to date, getting the floor joists installed.

Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in approximately 70 countries. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

•July 16, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

Joe Wallace is the newest member of the Moultrie County Board after Scott Buxton, 58 of Bethany, resigned his position last week.

Wallace, the former mayor of Dalton City, was selected to replace Buxton who resigned via his attorney.