ALAH School District moves forward with a Health Life Safety Study in partnership with BLDD

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Elementary students succeeding at reading goals

•January 22, 2025•

by Ariana R Cherry

Elementary principals in the ALAH School District District recently shared their updated progress in reading levels at the most recent school board meeting held Wednesday, January 15. 

Principal Chris Forman of Atwood Hammond Grade School expressed how proud he was of the students in his building for exceeding their reading goal with 64.87% of students reading at or above their grade level. Andrew Peralta, principal of the Arthur Grade School shared that 56% of his students are reading at or above their grade level while principal Marla Graham stated that 40% of her students are reading at or above their grade level compared to the 39% from last year. 

The board approved several donations from community organizations, including $2,000 from MCC Thrift Shop to both Atwood Hammond Grade School and Lovington Grade School for the Backpack Program. An additional $2,000 donation was received to help pay for lunch balances. The December 2024 bank statement was $2,678,922.47. The following balances were recorded: 

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Mundane January meeting for Sullivan School Board; Positive building updates

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Buster the Bus being introduced to SES students by transportation director Kevin Landrus.

•January 22, 2025•

by E. Scott England

The Sullivan CUSD #300 school board held its regularly scheduled meeting Monday, January 13th. All members were present. 

Per usual, the meeting started with updates from both NEHS and NHS. Both reports were abbreviated thanks to a shortened December month. NEHS is excited to start pen pal letters with elementary schools. This program begins this month and last through April. They will finish with an in person event where they get to meet their pen pals.

NHS continues to recognize teachers at all three buildings for their hard work. It was reported that Military Appreciation night had to be cancelled for this year. Both student groups joined forces to decorate and prepare for this event, but due to inclement weather, the event had to be postponed. Unfortunately, the remaining schedule of games does not allow it to be rescheduled this year.

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State Treasurer Frerichs returned $299 million in missing money in 2024

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•January 15, 2025•

The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office returned nearly $299 million in missing money during 2024, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced recently.

Illinois’ missing money program — also known as I-CASH — processed 331,032 claims last year. Preliminary numbers show that $260.6 million in cash and $38 million in securities were returned last year. The average amount of a claim was $902.

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Improve your health – Starting today!

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Prioritize your well-being with resolutions for a healthier and more fulfilling new year

•January 15, 2025•

by Angela Hogan 

A new year is an excellent time to start improving your health. Small changes can yield significant long-term benefits. Here are eight resolutions worth considering:

1. Eat more whole foods

Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean proteins are “nutrient-dense.” This means they are high in nutrients for the recommended serving size. Consuming whole foods can help keep you full and sustain energy. Start today:

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City Council holds Monday night meeting

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•January 15, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Sullivan City Council started the new year with a new meeting date after moving their regular meetings to the second and fourth Mondays of the month. 

The council worked quickly through an agenda largely with modifications to the Tax Increment Financing District resolutions, and held a closed to the public session to discuss employee negotiations.

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2024 in review continued from last week (1-1-2025)

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•January 8, 2025•

October

The Sullivan Blue Dolphins swim team, in collaboration with the Sullivan American Legion, had yet another successful annual Swimmers Supporting Soldiers event. The two groups teamed together with the Danville VA Hospital to get supplies and goods to local veterans who need it. This year the swim team collected over 1,200 items for the soldiers.

Mid-Illinois Senior Services and local sponsors Agri-fab and Hydro-Gear of Sullivan assisted in the return of the senior expo, a day long program which offers discounted prices or free options for services and goods to help the Moultrie County seniors and disabled community.

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Snowed in

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As residents were busy digging out their driveways earlier this week after the heavy snowfall and drifting from the weekend, Sullivan city employees were busy cleaning up the roads around town and on the square. Many businesses were closed Monday.

Resolve to make a difference in 2025 by becoming a Red Cross volunteer

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•January 8, 2025•

As the time for making New Year’s resolutions is here, the American Red Cross asks you resolve to make a difference and support your community by becoming a volunteer in 2025. 

“We’re seeing both the frequency and intensity of disasters increase across the country and the Red Cross is responding to nearly twice as many large disasters as we did a decade ago to help people. This uptick in responses means we need more volunteers. The need to help has never been greater,” said Catherine Rabenstine, Interim CEO of the Illinois Red Cross.

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Bethany Christmas light contest winners

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First place winner David Martin’s house, covered in multi-colored lights and inflatables decorating the front yard. Sealing the deal was a ground lit red and green ‘Merry Christmas’ sign in front of the light covered bushes.

•January 8, 2025•

Over the few weeks of December the Village of Bethany had a Christmas light contest with the residents, with winning prizes being utility credit. Through the days December 9th and the 25th, judges visited homes and ranked contestants lights, the results are in.  

First place: David Martin, $100 utility credit  

Second place: Sam Ozier, $50 utility credit  

Third place: Tyler Wagy, $50 utility credit  

Honorable mentions: Denise Orris, JC Fultz, Jim McMahan and Robert and Nicole Dick, $25 utility credit per family. 

2024 in Review

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•January 1, 2025•

January

The Moultrie County Childcare Committee announced the awarding of a substantial grant totaling $21,600 to Sullivan Preschool in acknowledgment of its exemplary commitment to providing exceptional childcare services in Moultrie County. This grant reflects the committee’s dedication to supporting and enhancing early childhood education within our community.

The Sullivan City Council agreed to helping the Sullivan Fire Department during their regular meeting on Monday, January 8.

The first item under new business was discussion and possible approval of a TIF agreement with the Sullivan Fire Protection District. The fire protection district has asked help to purchase a new truck. They asked for $40,000 a year for ten years out of TIF funds. Doug Shook said that fire trucks are important and that he would hate to lose a house in Cedar Dale or elsewhere. “If it can prevent one house fire I think it would be money well spent,” he said. The council agreed and approved the help.

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