Photo by RR Best
Halloween Parade
The Hills family is seen here with their little Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, which earned them one of the seven top finishes at the AmBuCs Halloween Parade last Thursday. Due to the rain, the parade was moved inside to the Sullivan High School gymnasium. To see more photos from the parade, visit our Facebook page.
Earn performance award for 12th year
by Jake Dilley
Reporting in Sullivan
Sullivan Schools have gone above and beyond to receive the SchoolSearch 2013 Bright Star Award for the 12th time in the last 13 years.
This year, Sullivan joined 90 other Illinois school districts (out of 866 districts) in receiving the Bright Star Award, which looks at districts whose students’ academic performance ranks in the upper one third of Illinois school districts but whose expenditure per pupil ranks in the lower one-fourth of Illinois school districts for the previous school year. Read More
As the Affordable Care Act enrollment period began Oct. 1, Sarah Bush Lincoln has several in-person counselors available to answer questions and enroll individuals into health insurance plans. Read More
Submitted
Youth Charity Horse Show
Hayden Baker and her horse Pocos Conversation recently competed in the 2013 Youth Charity Horse Show held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Baker and Pocos Conversation placed first in the Hunter on the Flat 11-13 years class, first in 4-H, FFA, Pony Club Hunter on the Flat 13 and under class, seventh place in Western Pleasure 11-13 years class, 4-H, FFA and Pony Club Western Pleasure 13 and under class and Parent-Child Western Pleasure class. She is the daughter of Carl Baker of Bethany, Wendy Brookens and husband Steve of Taylorville, and the granddaughter of Earl and Pam Baker and Jim and Barb Weeden of Pana.
Photo by Keith Stewart
Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford was the Sullivan Rotary Group’s special guest last month. Rutherford spoke at the group’s meeting held at TNT and fielded several questions about Illinois’ current fiscal environment .
Common Core Standards a big part of plans
by Derek Pope
Bethany Reporter
On October 31 the state of Illinois will release its school report cards statewide—critical evaluations that reflect a district’s success or failure at bringing students to state standards of knowledge in a variety of areas. On the verge of this, Okaw Valley made the focus of its October school board meeting improving academics at each of its schools. The monthly-released “school improvement plans” were highlighted by principals at each level who were eager to put forth their strategies for better educating students in congruity with state expectations. Read More
Second annual food pantry fundraiser hopes for success
by Christina Whitford
Sullivan Reporter
Imagine having to make the agonizing decision each month of how to provide food, utilities or medication for your family. For some families this scenario is often times all too familiar. But beginning the first full week in November, the IGA Round-Up, now in its second year, hopes to once again counteract this dilemma.
According to a recent study by Feeding America, 13.18 percent of residents of Moultrie County are food insecure, which means more than 1,800 of your neighbors may have to miss a meal or may struggle to provide a meal. But to counter that, many area people, businesses and organizations have come together to give back and insure that those in our community can provide these basic needs of life for their families. Read More
by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter
The Sullivan City Council heard from Andy Kieser of Fehr-Graham Engineering regarding the water treatment plant bidding process during Monday night’s meeting.
With there being a 45 day time frame from first publishing notice of the project for bid to the bid opening date, the council agreed to have Fehr-Graham publish the project and set a bid opening date for 1:30 p.m. Friday December 20. Read More
Photo by RR Best
Sullivan High School named Maggie Plank and Adam Davis as their 2013 homecoming Queen and King at the SOV football game Friday, October 11.
Sale of school farm and potential bonds to help in funding construction
by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Lovington Reporter
The AL school board began their meeting October 9 on a positive note when they officially secured funding to begin construction on the new preschool/junior high addition at the Arthur elementary school building.
Currently, the junior high and preschool are housed at the high school. Moving the students to a new addition will allow additional room for high school students who will be coming from Atwood in the 2014-2015 school year. Read More