Sullivan Summer Recreation Program Keeps Growing

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Photo by Brynna Sentel Sullivan Summer Park and Recreation program is filled will all kinds of activities to exercise the young bodies and minds who are participating this year. Above Kailen Scribner engages in one of the mind exercising games. Click the photo to see the photo page.

Photo by Brynna Sentel
Sullivan Summer Park and Recreation program is filled will all kinds of activities to exercise the young bodies and minds who are participating this year. Above Kailen Scribner engages in one of the mind exercising games. Click the photo to see the photo page.

•July 20, 2016•

By Brynna Sentel
For the News Progress

One hundred fifteen kids, numerous donations, and a little heart have let the summer park program flourish in Sullivan.

Jake and Melissa Haegen have worked hard to improve Sullivan’s park rec program. An over 50-year-old program has evolved from 30-40 kids to 115, from two supervisors to multiple teenage volunteers who have been through the program and from a quick lunch break to a provided food program.

The program grew so rapidly in the past few years that the Haegens had to specify the requirements to participate. This free program is available to kids who have attended kindergarten in Sullivan schools. Kids may come until they are up to 12 years of age. Read More

Lovington Selects Animal Control Officer, Purchases Police Vehicle

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Community Garden Grows

•July 20, 2016•

By Stu D. Baker
For the News Progress

During the June meeting of the Lovington village board a new animal control officer was appointed and a new police car purchased.

Lisa Clark was selected as animal control officer for the village at a $20 per hour rate. Clark was approved for a 30 day trial period.

A motion to purchase a 2017 Ford Explorer police vehicle from Wright Automotive for $26,310 was approved. Trustee Anklam noted the village received $11,000 from the Timm Foundation to add to the $15,000 budgeted for a new vehicle. The price includes the trade-in of the 2010 patrol car. An additional $2000 will convert the vehicle for police use. Read More

Independence Day Raffle Winner

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Photo by Mike Brothers Independence Day Raffle Winner The annual Sullivan Independence Day raffle was another great success for the Chamber and Economic Development. Above interim Sullivan Chamber Executive Director Laurrie Minor presents the 2016 Independence Day raffle drawing winner Mary Ann Wiley of Sullivan with a $5148 check.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Independence Day Raffle Winner
The annual Sullivan Independence Day raffle was another great success for the Chamber and Economic Development. Above interim Sullivan Chamber Executive Director Laurrie Minor presents the 2016 Independence Day raffle drawing winner Mary Ann Wiley of Sullivan with a $5148 check.

George Exhibition at Agri-Fab

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Photo furnished George Exhibition at Agri-Fab Vintage tools from the George Garden Tool exhibition held at Agri-Fab July 2 drew a big crowd, including some of the past employees and their families. Evan Dickens, who was part of the original crew, is pictured with one of the many power garden tools made in Sullivan from 1946 through the mid 1960s. He and his wife Dixie inspect a vintage walk behind George sickle mower along with his daughter, her husband and grandkids.

Photo furnished
George Exhibition at Agri-Fab
Vintage tools from the George Garden Tool exhibition held at Agri-Fab July 2 drew a big crowd, including some of the past employees and their families. Evan Dickens, who was part of the original crew, is pictured with one of the many power garden tools made in Sullivan from 1946 through the mid 1960s. He and his wife Dixie inspect a vintage walk behind George sickle mower along with his daughter, her husband and grandkids.

Coles-Moultrie Enhanced 911 Approved by State

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Land Line Locators Left

•July 13, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

Coles-Moultrie enhanced 911 system became the first emergency dispatch consolidation approved in Illinois.

Bernie Buttram told Moultrie County Board Public Health Safety and Welfare Committee members July 6 the process could move to the next step.

“This is indeed very good news, and I’m excited about moving forward,” committee chair Arlene Aschermann said of the approval.

The Coles-Moultrie Emergency Communications approval by the Illinois State Police administered program followed a state 911 board approval in Springfield last week.

“Thanks to the help from Kelly (Lockhart) and Kevin (McReynolds) from Coles County Regional Planning the mapping process is already underway,” Buttram said.

McReynolds explained the address enhancement utilizing aerial photos last updated in 2002 was a challenge. Read More

Sullivan Fourth of July Activity Winners

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•July 13, 2016•

Sullivan’s Wyman Park was buzzing with activity Monday, July 4 with turtle racing, watermelon eating contests and sack races.

Turtle race heat winners and grand champion: Race 1- Jonathon Nixon; race 2- Brea Farris; race 3- Karson Ragsdale; race 4- Payton Schum; race 5- Carson Nixon; race 6- Harper Havens; race 7- Riley Roehrs.

The grand champion turtle race winner was Payton Schum. The championship race included all heat race winners.

Watermelon Eating: (Age 0-4) first Payton Schum; second Kylie Wickline; third Koda Polley, all of Sullivan.

Ages 5-7-first Madison Highland, Monticello; second Stella Schum, Sullivan; third Emmerson Jiannoni, Sullivan.

Ages 8-10- first Maddie Probus, Sullivan; second Arty Grant, Decatur; third Emily Miller, Sullivan. Read More

Fireworks Donation

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Photo furnished Fireworks Donation Continuing its ongoing support of community projects the Sullivan Rotary Club presented American Legion Post #68 with $1000 for the Fourth of July fireworks display. Above Rotary president Craig Anderson presents a check to Mike Keown of the Sullivan American Legion.

Photo furnished
Fireworks Donation
Continuing its ongoing support of community projects the Sullivan Rotary Club presented American Legion Post #68 with $1000 for the Fourth of July fireworks display. Above Rotary president Craig Anderson presents a check to Mike Keown of the Sullivan American Legion.

Open House Honors McMahon

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Photo furnished Open House Honors McMahon An open house was held at Cathrine’s Gallery Gifts and More for outgoing Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development director Stepheny McMahon Friday, July 8. Pictured above with Mike Kirk, business owners, chamber directors, friends and family gathered to wish McMahon the best with her new career at First Mid Illinois Bank. Laurrie Minor is interim director.

Photo furnished
Open House Honors McMahon
An open house was held at Cathrine’s Gallery Gifts and More for outgoing Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development director Stepheny McMahon Friday, July 8. Pictured above with Mike Kirk, business owners, chamber directors, friends and family gathered to wish McMahon the best with her new career at First Mid Illinois Bank. Laurrie Minor is interim director.

Shooting Fireworks Packs a Bang Locally

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Photo by Darian Hays Hunter Kamm returned to Lovington with a mission. He not only designed but also shot the fireworks return for Central State Fireworks during the rescheduled event July 9.

Photo by Darian Hays
Hunter Kamm returned to Lovington with a mission. He not only designed but also shot the fireworks return for Central State Fireworks during the rescheduled event July 9.

•July 13, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

Hunter Kamm’s childhood love of fireworks turned into a full time job, designing shows for Bethany, Arthur, Sullivan and Lovington this Independence celebration season.

Kamm, who works for Central States Fireworks in Athens, is in the busiest of the fireworks season.

“I always dreamed about being able to design and shoot a display,” Kamm said, noting this year he was happy to lead the new Sullivan fireworks program.

At 19, the Lovington native is an assistant pyrotechnist, which allows him to design and set displays but not shoot. Fortunately, his father Jake is lead pyrotechnist with Hunter taking care of design and set up for the Sullivan show as well as others in the area.

Last weekend Hunter brought fireworks back to his hometown of Lovington in a big way.

Gene Clark created a series of ground fireworks displays that were the hallmark of the village fireworks for years. When Clark passed away eight years ago, Hunter began the process of restoring some of those displays and was able to bring “The Chief” back for the rescheduled July 9 Lovington fireworks show.

“He had some unique ground displays over the years, and my goal is to eventually get them restored and returned to service,” Kamm said of Clark’s memorial.

Lovington fireworks followed the spectacular show in Sullivan on July 4. Read More