A message from Sullivan School Superintendent, Ted Walk, to parents, community, and staff:

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With the new development of confirmed COVID-19 cases in our region, Sullivan Schools will not have student attendance on Monday, March 16th. We understand the additional hardship this causes for our students, families, and community, and this was a difficult decision. Teachers and staff will have an Institute Day. Packets for continuity of learning will be emailed to all students and parents and also be available for pickup from 10am-6pm on Tuesday for those who would prefer a paper copy. Packets for SES students (and 3rd/4th grade iPads) can be picked up in the SES cafeteria, and packets for SMS/SHS … Read More

Recent Obituaries: William McLaughlin

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William McLaughlin William Dean “Bill” McLaughlin, 64, of Centralia passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at his home in Centralia. He was born on August 11, 1955 the son of Dr. Dean and Thelma (Bierman) McLaughlin in Sullivan, IL. Survivors include his loving siblings, David McLaughlin and wife Janet of Maryville, MO, Jean Kim and husband David of Carmel Valley, CA, Susan Selock and husband Dan of Goreville, IL, John McLaughlin of Centralia, Elizabeth Ann McLaughlin of Centralia; step-mother, Mary McLaughlin of Sullivan, IL; brother-in-law, Ted Dzierzynski of Astoria, NY; step-sisters, Cathy Norman, and Shawna Tatarchuk; step-brother, Brian Wakeland; and … Read More

Potluck at First Baptist Church

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•March 11, 2020• Reverend Mark Bjorbak will be installed as the new Pastor at First Baptist Church of Sullivan on Sunday, March 15 at 2:00 pm. The public is cordially invited to a potluck following the morning church service at 11:30 and also the reception following the installation. The potluck and reception will take place in the church’s Fellowship Hall. … Read More

Superintendent-Y Stuff: School Calendar Days

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•March 11, 2020• By Supt. Ted Walk Sullivan CUSD #300 There has been a lot of variation in dates of attendance for schools in Illinois over the years. Currently, a district is required to schedule 180 days, with an additional five days reserved as Emergency Days for instances when school has to be closed due to weather. Apart from a standard Pupil Attendance Day, schools may use some of these days for items such as Teachers Institutes, School Improvement, or Parent-Teacher Conferences. … Read More

EIU Announces Fall Dean’s List

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•March 11, 2020• Eastern Illinois University’s Fall 2019 Deans’ List recognizes undergraduates who excelled academically during the university’s 2019 fall semester. Students who achieved a GPA of 3.80 to 4.00 (on a 4.00 scale) while completing a minimum of 12 graded semester hours, excluding credit/no credit grades are named on the university Deans’ List. They include: … Read More

MCHG Society Meets Thursday, March 19

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•March 11, 2020• The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society will hold their monthly General Meeting, Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m. in the Heritage Center in Sullivan. The program for the evening will be “Fire Departments from the 1800’s” presented by Mr. Jeff Hendricks of Mt Zion, formerly of Sullivan. … Read More

Letter to the Editor: 3-11-2020

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To the editor — I want to congratulate Bob and Kathy Best on the sale of their family newspaper to Paddock Publications. The phrase “the end of an era” is overused, but it certainly applies here. No community can stay honest and strong without a local source of dedicated, professional journalism, and the Best family has provided that for Moultrie County since JFK was a new president. It wasn’t easy, but I never heard any of them complain. Dan Hagen … Read More

Splish, Splash, Toddlers are Having a Bash

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•March 11, 2020• By Ellen Ferrera for the News Progress The new Toddler Tuesday program at the Sullivan Civic Center is attracting moms and grandmothers with toddlers to the kiddie pool in growing numbers. On March 2 Suzy Crawford brought her grandson, Jack Grooms, to the pool and was chasing a red rubber ball in the water. “He is just loving it,” Crawford said. “This is such a great program for moms and grandmothers especially in winter. He will be ready for a nap after this workout!” Another grandmother, Janice McFarland, was in the pool with granddaughter, Loretta Bichel. … Read More

ALAH FFA Celebrates

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•March 11, 2020• The 7th annual Celebrate Agriculture Breakfast will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2020 in Atwood. The breakfast featuring scrambled eggs, biscuits, gravy, sausage, milk, juice, and coffee will be served from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at United Church of Atwood, located at 210 N. Main Street. This is a great opportunity for you to come out and support the FFA Chapter and celebrate agriculture. The breakfast is sponsored by the ALAH FFA Alumni Chapter. Donations are encouraged and accepted. Funds are used for scholarships for ALAH FFA Chapter members … Read More

Wild Bird Explored at One Book One Sullivan Forum

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•March 11, 2020• One Book, One Sullivan community discussion of Wild Bird is 6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12 at the Sullivan First United Methodist Church. Wild Bird takes readers on 14 year old Wren Clemmens’ journey at wilderness therapy camp in Utah. A troubled Wren had gone off the rails when the family moved and her attempts to find friends at a new school landed her into a life of drugs and anger at the world. Middle School OBO committee members Callie Standerfer and Ivan Moxley promoted different community reads this year, but both appreciate the issues faced by trying … Read More