•March 6, 2024•
North Dean, a Sullivan High School sophomore, recently received word that the entry they submitted to the 2023 Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of the Wonder/Sense of the Wild Contest tied for first place in the “Essay with a Photograph” division. They worked with retired SHS English teacher Becky Lawson on an essay called “Resilient Beauty” and submitted it with a photo that they took of wildflowers, the topic of their essay. Read More
photo by Crystal Reed
Sorting Through Lego Bricks
Case Cesar (left) and Dessa Johnson (right) sort through bins of Lego bricks gathering materials for their Lego creations. Bins were sorted by color to make it easier for participants to select bricks for their creations.
photo furnished
Catholic Charities Food Boxes
Catholic Charities food boxes were delivered and distributed at the Lovington Ambulance building on Thursday, February 22. Pictured are volunteers loading boxes into vehicles.
photo by Crystal Reed
Singers and Singers Jr. Host Spaghetti Dinner and Showcase
The Sullivan Singers and Singers Jr. hosted a spaghetti dinner and show choir showcase on Saturday, February 24. Both groups presented their 2024 competition shows in the Sullivan High School gym. Pictured is Sullivan Singers performing.
•February 28, 2024•
by Crystal Reed
The Sullivan City Council approved two items related to the Cedar Dale Subdivision during the Monday, February 26 meeting at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library. One item was the approval of a project authorization with Milano and Grunloh for the preparation of plans, specs and IEPA permits for the subdivision sewer extension and the other was awarding a quote for directional boring for the subdivision. Read More
•February 28, 2024•
by Crystal Reed
Hi, my name is Crystal Reed and I have been the Writer for the Moultrie County News Progress since late July 2020. I have recently decided to resign my position at the publication and my last day will be Friday, March 1. When I made this decision, I weighed my options and did a lot of thinking about what I should ultimately do. In the 3 years and 7 months or so that I have served in this role, I have met many people and learned so much about the communities in Moultrie County.
However let’s back up and go back to 2020 for a minute. Some people are not aware of the circumstances of how I ended up in Sullivan and at the News Progress. Shortly after the State of Illinois was shut down in 2020, I was furloughed from my employer in Effingham. I can’t express to you how difficult that was for me, it was the first time since I got out of college that I was unemployed for longer than a few months or so. Read More
photo by Crystal Reed
Drive Your Tractor To School Day
Sullivan FFA members with a few of the tractors that were driven to school on Thursday, February 22. To celebrate FFA week Sullivan FFA had dress up days including Camo Day, American Day, PJ Day, Blue and Gold and Red vs. Green. Students could also pay an amount to wear a hat to school for a day or the whole week.
photo by Crystal Reed
The Smallest Tractor
Pictured is the smallest tractor that was brought for Sullivan High School FFA’s Drive Your Tractor to School Day.
photo by Crystal Reed
Petting the Animals
Bella Purcell (left) pets a rabbit that Lexi Mashaw (right) is holding.
photo by Crystal Reed
Okaw Valley FFA Petting Zoo
As part of their FFA Week activities the OV FFA had a petting zoo on Wednesday, February 21. Students from OVES were able to come over and see a rabbit, goats, a horse, piglets and a calf that had been born on Monday, February 19 around 9 pm. Pictured is Bo Neal (left) brushing a horse while Gracie Plummer holds the animal still.
•February 28, 2024•
by Ariana R. Cherry
The ALAH School district continues to focus on the needs of its facilities. There are some places on the roof of the AHGS that have significant leaks. Superintendent Shannon Cheek had noted at January’s Board of Education meeting that he wanted to get ahead of things before they became a problem. At the meeting on February 21, the Board of Education approved Cheek to go ahead and solicit bids for roof work to be completed for summer 2024. The cost estimated could be anywhere from $200,000 to $240,000. The Lovington Grade School is also in need of pavement work, in which the board also approved Cheek to solicit bids. The estimate of cost for that is $410,000. Principal Andrew Peralta and his students at the Arthur Grade School are beginning to get excited for restroom repairs as some of the classrooms have already begun their plans for moving class until the renovations have been completed. Read More
photo furnished
A concept drawing of what the splash pad project will look like after it is built.
•February 28, 2024•
by Crystal Reed
The City of Sullivan was recently notified that they received another Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the State of Illinois. According to a press release from the State of Illinois, nearly $55 million in state grants are being awarded for 111 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities. The grants also want the recipients to make sure that the facilities they develop are accessible.
The first OSLAD project total is $763,000. It is considered a matching grant and the city contributes 50% of that amount through mileage and man hours. “I am aware that the park is not an income generating department,” City Commissioner Abbey Sherwood said “that’s why it’s important to find other resources like grants.” Read More
photo by Crystal Reed
Moultrie County Republicans Hold Lincoln Day Brunch
The Moultrie County Republican held their Lincoln Day brunch on Saturday, February 17. The event was attended by current local officials and board members as well as those running for office in the upcoming primary on March 19. Those that addressed the crowd included both candidates for State Rep in the 107th district: Marsha Webb and Brad Halbrook, State Senator for the 54th District Steve McClure, State Representative for District 101 Chris Miller, Lynn Reed, coroner running for re-election, Tracy Weaver, State’s Attorney running for re-election, Christa Helmuth, Circuit Clerk running for re-election and current county board member Travis Phelps. Pictured are Moultrie County Republicans with State Rep Brad Halbrook and State Representative Chris Miller.