Moultrie Amateur Radio Klub Celebrates Field Day

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photo by Ellen Ferrera.
Shane Ramos, VP of MARK, demonstrates a locator antenna used to find rogue operators. The Moultrie Amateur Radio Klub held a Field Day event on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25 at Wyman Park in Sullivan.

•June 28, 2023•
by Ellen Ferrera

On Saturday, June 24, members of the Moultrie Amateur Radio Klub (MARK) met at the Boy Scout cabin in Wyman Park to celebrate the annual Field Day with some 2.5 million ham radio operators around the world.
Since 1933, Field Day has been celebrated by amateur radio operators and clubs in the U.S. and around the world. The primary purpose of the Field Day is to practice and demonstrate emergency procedures and share information on new technologies, but each club determines their own activities.
Mike Morris, President of MARK, has been a ham operator for many years. He said, “It is an opportunity to combine a hobby with public service. We work closely with the weather bureaus to help issue warnings to remote areas or where communications have been damaged.”
The Moultrie Klub has been in existence for more than 60 years and meets the third Monday of each month at the Honey Bee restaurant in Mattoon. Dinner is at 5 p.m. with the meeting at 6 p.m. Visitors and those interested in joining the Klub are always welcomed. Read More

Knee High by the Fourth of July

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Photo by R.R. Best
Knee High by the Fourth of July
Courtyard Estates residents Harry Woolen, June Miller, Nadene Cochran, Bev Devore and Keith Richardson show that the corn has gotten more than knee high by the 4th of July.

“Wild Weather” with JC Fultz

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photo by Crystal Reed
“Wild Weather” with JC Fultz
Marrowbone Public Library continued their summer reading program schedule on Friday, June 16 with a presentation from Bethany resident JC Fultz. During his program he talked about what requirements a storm must meet to be considered a severe thunderstorm, what the difference between a funnel cloud and a tornado are, lighting and tornado safety, storm safety and flooding. Fultz shared that Illinois averages around 54 tornadoes a year.

Bennett’s Lemonade Stand

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photo by Crystal Reed
Bennett’s Lemonade Stand
Harlan Bennett, 9, of Sullivan, has decided to set up a lemonade stand in front of his house every Friday this summer, weather permitting. You can find his stand on East Blackwood Street in Sullivan.

Heartland Mini Hoofs Visit Senior Center

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photo by Crystal Reed
Heartland Mini Hoofs Visit Senior Center
The Heartland Mini Hoofs visited the Mid-Illinois Senior Services and Community Center on Thursday, June 15. Heartland Mini Hoofs, a non for profit organization, has a mini equine visitation therapy program. They operate solely on donations. Pictured are Reva Martin and Carolyn Doss spending time with Oliver during the organization’s visit.

Moultrie Co. Board Approves Moultrie County Comprehensive Plan

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•June 21, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

The Moultrie County Board approved the 2023 Moultrie County Comprehensive Plan and the Moultrie County Hazard Mitigation Plan during their monthly meeting. County Board member Aaron Wilhelm requested that if there are those on the board who have not read it, to do so since there is informative and helpful information in it. Kelly Lockhart from Coles County Regional Planning Commission was in attendance to answer any questions the board had.
Wilhelm asked what the purpose of the plan is. Lockhart said the goal is to determine land use, especially future land use, and transportation. He noted that if they want to apply for a grant, it needs to be in the comprehensive plans of a community, and it has to be updated every five years. He added they are in the process of updating Cumberland County’s plan now, and the city of Sullivan recently hired them as well. Read More

Flag Day Ceremony Held at Sullivan American Legion 2023

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photos by Crystal Reed
Flag Day Ceremony Held at Sullivan American Legion
The Sullivan American Legion Post 68 and Boy Scout Troop 39 conducted a flag retirement ceremony on Wednesday, June 14 which was Flag Day. There was a short ceremony and then worn out flags were respectfully retired.

Memorial Fishing Derby Held at Wood Lake to Remember Big Jim

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photo submitted by Jim Wandmacher, AMBUCS secretary
A memorial plaque for Jim Bales was put up at the Inaugural “Big Jim” Fishing Derby at the Woods Lake handicap accessible fishing pier. The plaque was mounted by his son Scott and grandson Brock.

•June 21, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

This past Saturday at Wood Lake in Sullivan was a day not only for fishing and fun for local children but also a time to remember AmBuCs member Jim Bales. The inaugural Big Jim’s Memorial Fishing Derby was held at the ADA/wheelchair access fishing pier at Wood Lake. Bales was a lifetime Sullivan resident who taught in the Sullivan School District and was a member of Sullivan AmBuCs. Read More

Moultrie County Counseling Center to Mark 50th Anniversary

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Moultrie County Counseling Center will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary with an open house on Wednesday, June 28 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at 12 West Harrison Street in Sullivan.

•June 21, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

Moultrie County Counseling Center is getting ready to celebrate 50 years of service to the community. They will have a 50th Anniversary Open House 3-5 p.m., Wednesday, June 28 at 12 W. Harrison in Sullivan.
Moultrie County Counseling was founded June 28, 1973 as a non-profit corporation that provides mental health services to clients. Their professionals offer direct treatment, consultation, education and referral service to Moultrie County residents, organizations and agencies. Over the years they have had a few different locations including at the Fields Wright Medical Center.
They moved to their current site in 2006. Read More

City Council Discusses City Hall Project, Authorizes Rural Development Loan

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•June 14, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

The Sullivan City Council held a regular meeting Monday, June 12.
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood shared an update on the city hall project. She gave a timeline of the project and the different locations they had explored. The former city hall was demolished in February of this year.
The first bid opening came in way over budget so council members went back to the drawing board. Sherwood noted that on May 23 she received a text message from Mayor Mike Mossman asking her to stop the further development of the building project . Sherwood said she respects the council’s decision, and they should definitely discuss it.
Mossman said before they can sign off on it, they need to know what has gone on with the project prior to the current council. Commissioner Doug Shook indicated he would like a chance to look at the plans for the building before he would be prepared to make a decision. He said he was concerned about ADA access. Read More