ALAH Board of Education votes no to referendum, Yes to tax levy

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•January 1, 2025•

by Ariana R Cherry

The December meeting of the ALAH Board of Education was marked by a continued discussion on the referendum that had recently failed to pass. Community member Jeremy Hale voiced his disappointment at the outcome, emphasizing the community’s division and the urgent need to prioritize the children’s education and future. 

“I am here to help, and I want success for us,” Hale began. “I’ve heard a lot of good and bad things here about this school. I am disappointed that not everyone is on the same page in this community. I don’t feel that everyone is putting our kids first,” he continued. I feel good about the growth of the referendum from both the first and second time. I feel there are still potential yes votes out there about the referendum and those who still haven’t been informed enough yet,” Hale went on. “We should all be on the same page when it comes to our kids. We shouldn’t be focusing on the building. All the other towns (Tuscola, Sullivan, etc) - they are all moving forward. We are stagnant…and keeping our kids stagnant. We’ve got to improve, rebuild, and we have to make it better for our kids and our future,” he concluded. 

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Sullivan City Council annex property, Changes meeting dates

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•January 1, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Sullivan City Council wrapped up their 2024 meeting schedule Thursday night by approving annexing some property and revising some city codes. 

The council opened the meeting with a public hearing on a plan to annex Windmill Legacy Farms, south of the city on South Hamilton Street west side of the road.  During the hearing, Mayor Mike Mossman was asked if there are current plans to develop the five plus acre property. 

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Okaw Valley teacher sentenced to five years

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•December 25, 2024•

by Sharon Barricklow

A 45 year old former Okaw Valley school teacher was sentenced to a total of five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on December 12 after pleading guilty to Grooming, a Class 4 Felony, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, a Class 2 Felony. 

Jason R. Engler of Shelbyville was a teacher and junior high cross country coach at the time of his arrest. He was sentenced in Moultrie County Court and still faces charges in Shelby County. Investigators said Engler sent pornographic pictures of himself to victims and a journal investigators entered into evidence showed he planned to take one student to his native Ohio and “make her his wife”. 

Lake Shelbyville Christmas Tree Recycling Program

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•December 25, 2024•

Don’t let your Christmas tree go to waste this year after the holidays. Extend your tree’s life by donating it for Fish Habitat Improvement Day at Lake Shelbyville. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance and Illinois Department of Natural Resources will place the discarded trees into Lake Shelbyville to enhance the fisheries for years to come. 

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Ham for the Holidays

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Photo by Megan Russell
Ham for the holidays Just like Thanksgiving, there is a special meal most have during Christmas consisting of sweet ham and many other furnishings. In reminder of what the holidays actually mean, giving back to the CEFS Moultrie County Outreach center with a generous donation of hams. The truck and supporting trailer of ham arrived in front of the Outreach center last Thursday. Delivering the donation ham, pictured from left to right, was Shawn Eccles, Seth Cobb and Blake Eller.

Third graders spread holiday cheer

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•December 25, 2024•

The Sullivan Elementary 3rd graders put on a special performance on the morning of Thursday, December 19th at the Mid-Illinois Senior Services center, singing Christmas songs, reading poems and wishing for gifts from Santa for all to see. 

The estimated 80 students filed into their lines and began their performance with seasonal favorites like Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Deck the Halls.   

“Dear Santa Claus, it’s me again and I’m here to remind you I’m here and have a list of gift this year,” recited all the students, “A stack of comic books, a dozen apple pies, a box of chocolate brownies and an elephant that flies!”  

The program continued with groups standing to perform speaking parts thanking the audience for watching and wishing for gifts from Santa in between songs and poems.

Christmas wishes

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Photo Photo courtesy of the Lovington American Legion
Auxiliary Christmas wishes
The Lovington American Legion played host to Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch Sunday to visit with children. Over 40 kids visited, gave their Christmas wishes, receive a snack and choose a toy.

Keep the wreath red by practicing fire safety during the holiday season

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•December 18, 2024•

Submitted by the 
Bethany Fire Protection District

Bethany Fire Protection District is raising awareness about fire decoration safety during the holiday season by participating in “Keep the Wreath Red” program. The wreath is hanging above the entrance to the fire station to remind residents to keep fire safety a priority during the holidays, especially when decorating. The red bulbs are changed out for white if the department responds to a fire caused by holiday decorations. The Keep the Wreath Red campaign began in 1954 in Naperville and adopted by the Illinois Fire Chief Association in 1980. Bethany Fire Protection District has participated in this program for many years.

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Food pantry fundraiser

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Last Friday was pick-up day for the 13th annual hand dipped chocolate fundraiser for the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Friends of the Moultrie County Food Pantry sent out order forms to past fundraiser customers and made extra forms available for new customers and the Flesor’s Candy Kitchen in Tuscola donated 20% of sales from those orders. The candy was delivered to Cathrine’s Gallery Gifts and More in Sullivan so those who ordered could come pick up their sweet treats.