News Progress

•March 18, 2026•

by Sharon Barricklow

Water issues continued to be on the agenda for the Sullivan City Council at their March 9 meeting, with how to find it and how to pay for it on the City Council’s mind.

Council member Chuck Woodworth, who oversees the water department, said a test well dug at the city’s well field had yielded good results. The city is waiting for approval of the water quality before moving any further ahead. And, Woodworth said, the drought that has caused the water shortage could be easing.

“They’ve downgraded the drought from extreme to severe,” Woodworth said. “I guess that’s good news.” 

•March 18, 2026•

The Divas of Deliciousness are hard at work again, preparing custom-ordered and delightfully delicious confectionery Easter Eggs, as they have done for over twenty years. Funds raised from the sales of these delights is donated by the church to several local groups, including DOVE, CEFS food pantry, Sullivan’s Habitat for Humanity, the Sullivan Area Ministerial Association, Mary’s Weekend Food Bags, Kali’s Closet (high school), and overdue lunch accounts (high school), as well as the Cunningham Children’s Home in Urbana and Lessie Bates Neighborhood House in East St. Louis. The hard work of the hands that prepare these confectionaries benefit locals twice; first, in savoring the delicious confectioneries, and secondly, by providing vital financial support to local causes that give back to the local community, as well as adjacent programs. 

•March 18, 2026•

by DM Williamee

New Medicaid rules arising from the hotly debated, often criticized H.R. 1 (the 2025 federal budget reconciliation law) require that beginning January 1st, 2027, the majority of adults aged 19 to 64 who receive Medicaid also work or participate in ‘community engagement activities’ such as paid work, volunteering with a non-profit, enrollment in higher education or trade schools, and approved forms of training for at least 80 hours per month to maintain coverage. 

•March 18, 2026•

by DM Williamee

On Monday, March 9th, the Sullivan School District held its monthly regular meeting. All were present, except Mr. Grooms.

NHS/NEHS highlights: Maddie Shonkwiler presented and shared that in the last month, they signed and delivered letters and treats to staff for school staff appreciation days. They will have their club photo for the yearbook on Thursday, March 12th, with all members expected to wear their club shirts. She shared ongoing efforts for school clean up, indoors as well as on the property. At their last meeting, members made sure they had worked enough events to gain their board’s approval on decision day, explaining that every member has to work at least one minor event. Event examples shared were a concession shift, one to two school beautification days, and the annual pork chop dinner, as well as ‘Breakfast of Champions’, wrapping gifts when adopting a family, working the SCEF teacher appreciation dinner, or hiding Easter eggs. The monies raised this year will go to Post Pom.