Photo by Keith Stewart
Back to School at LGS
Kindergartener Kade Ballinger stands next to his mother Melissa Nichols, who is seen holding her son Jace while school librarian Karen Smith-Cox gives directions last Wednesday, which marked the first day of school for ALAH CUSD 305.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Cruise night on the Square
A 35 year tradition comes to the square in Sullivan at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5. Cruisers from the Sullivan Street Machine Association such as Joe Scribner’s 1969 Plymouth GTX (right) and Rick Montague’s 1970 AMX will be leading the way. Far left is Joann Pratt’s 1966 Mustang, a potential cruiser. Cars, trucks, motorcycles and antique rides are welcome with a cash prize awarded most active cruiser. Shovelhead will provide live music. The AmBucs of Sullivan sponsored the event which first came to the square 10 years ago. Free popcorn from the Sullivan Boy Scouts and entertainment for the kids as well as more than $600 in door prizes will be given away. A trophy for spectator’s choice is awarded and a chance for everyone to see some cool rides cruising the streets of Sullivan.
25 years ago this week
Former University of Illinois basketball standout Kendall Gill signed autographs Saturday at The Depot in Sullivan. Chad Andrews of Decatur was one of the fans who stood in line for over an hour to see Gil. Andrews, the grandson of Mary Carnine and the great-grandson of Edith Shadow, both of Sullivan, brought a basketball program for the future NBA player to sign.
Amanda Bruce began the first step of her primary education Monday when she registered for kindergarten at Lovington Grade School with the assistance of her mother Cindy.
While most students spend the summer away from their studies, Sullivan High School junior Denise Elder furthered hers as a delegate to a national 4-H program in the nation’s capital. A member of the Moultrie County Clover Kids 4-H Group, Elder was among 88 state and 4,000 national 4-H’ers ages 15-19, who attended Citizenship Washington D.C. Focus July 14-21 to learn about the rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens.
The photograph of a Moultrie County youngster illustrates an article in the September issue of Good Housekeeping which went on newsstands this week. Bailey Elliott, daughter of David and Patty Kay Elliott of Lovington, was captured on film by her mother as she smelled a bouquet of flowers. The photo was entered in a contest sponsored by the magazine and was selected as one of 25 winners throughout the nation. Read More
Tentative budget also approved
•August 26, 2015•
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
Between July and August, the Sullivan school board approved both a teacher’s union contract and a tentative budget for fiscal year 2016.
At their July 13 meeting, the board presented what is the first budget of the new fiscal year, which began July 1. Known as the tentative budget, it tries to predict not only what expenses the district will incur over the next year but also the much more tricky area of revenue at a time when state funding for K-12 education continues to be unreliable.
The budget does show the district spending more than $400,000 than it estimates bringing in, but Superintendent Brad Tuttle reported to the board that not only do tentative budgets usually contain contingencies that may later be taken out, but that this budget, in particular, is better than other tentative budgets in the past.
“Obviously this is a work in progress,” said Tuttle. “As you work a tentative budget, you have a lot of contingencies and a lot of things throughout that. This one in particular is better than what we’ve had in a while. It is showing a deficit…[but] “at this point I feel it’s in a lot better shape than what we have been in the past at this point.”
A look back at the FY15 tentative budget does support Tuttle’s comments. In particular, that budget estimated deficit spending of $464,213 compared to this year’s tentative budget, which anticipates $417,786. The estimated fund balance across the four major operating funds is also estimated to improve by more than $71,000 thanks, also, to more than $107,000 less in anticipated expenses. Read More
cut with scholar story and pic
C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation recently awarded educational scholarships at their 2015 Annual Board of Directors meeting. Pictured (L-R): Vickie Bowers, board member, Alana Bernardi and Arlene Aschermann, board member.
•August 26, 2015•
A scholarship winner from Moultrie County was recognized at the recent annual C.E.F.S. Board of Directors meeting. Scholarship recipient, Alana Bernardi, received a certificate of recognition and a monetary award to pursue educational training.
C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation, Board of Directors recently awarded $8,000 in educational scholarships to three individuals who are pursuing post-secondary education. The educational scholarships were made available through funding provided by the Community Services Block Grant Program from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Bernardi of Arthur is currently enrolled at Lake Land College in Mattoon and is pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Accounting. Bernardi previously owned her own business which in how she became interested in this field. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
Sixty-two people from Sullivan and surrounding communities gathered at the Mid-Illinois Senior Services for lunch Friday, Aug. 21 in observation of National Senior Citizens Day. On this day in 1988 President Ronald Reagan made the official declaration. Mason Point provided lunch for the group celebration. Above Executive Director Deb Groendal is served her meal by Darin Wall, Karen Rodgers, Leeann Stickles and Angie Clawson.
•August 26, 2015•
Seniors from Mid-Il Senior Services in Sullivan observed National Senior Citizens Day Friday, August 21 with a meal.
The luncheon served by Mason Point to 62 area seniors commemorated the 27 year recognizing senior citizens nationwide.
Mid Illinois Senior Services is the local SHIP site for Medicare, insurance counseling, advice for choosing skilled care facilities, as well as caregiver support for seniors and grandparents raising grandchildren.
Executive director Deb Groendal noted in addition to the meal provided by Mason Point those attending on Friday enjoyed Bible study in the morning and card games as afternoon entertainment.
“Deb is a real expert on insurance matters,” Kay McCoy said of the director, noting her knowledge has helped many of those attending Mid-Illinois Senior Services unravel the complications from insurance coverage for senior citizens.
President Ronald Reagan’s declaration from 1988 designating the observation is printed below.
Throughout our history, older people have achieved much for our families, our communities, and our country. That remains true today, and gives us ample reason this year to reserve a special day in honor of the senior citizens who mean so much to our land. Read More
Photo by RR Best
Illinois National Guard from around the state gathered for logistics training with 550 gathering for exercises at the Sulllivan Middle School and Civic Center on August 15.
•August 26, 2015•
By Nick Fiala
Reporting from Sullivan
For the first time since before 2007, a special training session hosted 550 members of the Illinois National Guard battalion at the Sullivan Middle School and Civic Center Saturday, August 15.
“We’re a logistics battalion,” explained Captain April Hawes. “So we’re supporting other units with fuel and water and food...and medical support…It’s usually just one unit drilling together.”
Over the years, the battalion has not narrowed down such an inclusive schedule. But the opportunity finally came this year, with a date set for last Saturday.
The special training day is a unique opportunity to further develop a wide variety of skills and relationships within the battalion that can prepare them for whatever field experience is in their future.
“Everything that we’re doing today has a direct tie to our actual logistical mission in supporting somebody else,” said Lieutenant Joel Jessup.
“But it’s been built into a competitive game-style environment. It’s an opportunity for everybody to come together who haven’t been together for seven to eight years. They get to know people they may not interact with everyday and build professional relationships. Now they can go talk directly to their counterparts, whom they didn’t know last night.” Read More
The Moultrie County Retired Teachers Association held their third meeting of the year today, Aug. 5, 2015.
At the meeting, Stepheny McMahon, Director of Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development, spoke about the “No Job Left Behind” program which is creating ties between local high school students and area businesses in an attempt to prepare students for the workplace and develop prospective employees for those businesses. Pictured are Denny Hutchings, President of MCRTA; Stepheny McMahon; and Linda McCabe, Vice-President of MCRTA.
The Moultrie County Retired Teachers Association also presented Teacher Grants to nine Okaw Valley teachers/administrators to use in purchasing items for use in the classroom in the 2015/2016 school year. Pictured are four of the grant recipients: Doug McCausland, Okaw Valley Elementary Principal; Jena Atchison, Okaw Valley Counselor; Beth Sawyer, 2nd Grade Teacher; and Gayla Jackson, 1st Grade Teacher
Photo Courtesy of the News•Progress Archives
Pictured are six members of the 1983 Blue Dolphins Swim team which qualified for the Junior Olympics that March. Those who qualified were, clockwise from the top, Heather Highland, Darren Powell, Brad Voltz, now current Blue Dolphins Head Coach Jason Drury, Trenton Guyot, and Justin Dunscomb.
Civic Center changes over time
•August 19, 2015•
By Joash Tiarks
Reporting in Sullivan
It is no small feat for a couple to live in harmony through a 50 year union; for it to remain a joyful partnership; to be a benefit to friends and to the community surrounding them.
On the 19th of this month, the Sullivan Civic Center celebrates 50 years of service to the community.
On the 18th of September the Sullivan Blue Dolphins swim team will also celebrate their 50th year.
As one mother put it “you can’t have a swim team without a pool!” And it was for this very reason, teaching kids to swim, that the Civic Center was first envisioned.
In the spring of 1961, the Sullivan Business and Professional Women’s Club collected names asking the city to set aside $150,000 for construction which the community approved by April 1962.
A Federal grant under the Housing and Home Finance Agency provided $250,000 for the project and construction began a year later. Sullivan Civic Center hosted 525 swimmers on opening day, August 16, 1965 and and more than 1000 people attended the dedication.
When Charles Smith, 24, was hired as director an agreement was reached with the school district to allow the students to receive swimming lessons. The first competitive swim team was formed with Doug Shimp as coach of about 20 swimmers.
By March the next year the center hosted seven teams from surrounding counties. Included in the 200 swimmers, was a 1964 Olympic swimmer Lynn Alsup of Bloomington.
From the beginning Sullivan demonstrated its support; giving the team a free pass for practice and competitions.
When the doors reopened in 1974, after roof repairs, director Steve Ludwig reorganized the swim team as the Blue Dolphins. Read More
•August 19, 2015•
By Nick Fiala
Reporting in Sullivan
With a law-enforcement career spanning more than 30 years, Sullivan police chief John Love has handled several missing person cases. He indicated time is something that can be either the biggest help or hinderance in such a case, depending on how it is handled.
“Please, please call us immediately,” Chief Love urged. “Don’t take the chance.”
The chief stressed the need to recognize how precious time is when a child, for example, goes missing.
“We’ve had numerous incidents where we are called, and the first thing I do when I get there is say ‘Well, how long has the child been gone?’” he said. “I have had situations where children come home with stuff, almost like gifts...and when asked where they got it, they say a person gave it to them, but they didn’t know who the person was...My fear is that...someone [could] abduct a child and have an hour-and-a-half long start on us...I don’t want to scare anybody, but...It could happen here.”
Chief Love knows the fear of being too late to secure a loved one’s location. He shared a story of how an ordinary day shopping with his daughter became one he won’t forget.
Read More