•April 3, 2019•
Moultrie County Pest Control received honorable mention in the Best of Readers Choice Award 2019 announced in the Decatur Herald and Review Sunday edition. Rob Young of Sullivan opened Moultrie County Pest Control and has been battling pests for 16 years this spring.
Kenneth Miner
Kenneth L. ‘Flash’ Miner, 71, of Lovington, passed away at 11:10 p.m. Sunday March 31, 2019 in his daughter’s residence in Sullivan.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Keller Cemetery in Lovington with Pastor Dave Dolan officiating. There will be no visitation. Arrangements are by Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. Read More
Pictured above is a photo thought to be Harve Rhodes Butcher shop in Bethany around 1910. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.
Courtney Morrison
Courtney Jill Morrison passed away March 21, 2019. She was born February 4, 1970, a dear daughter of TL Morrison and Gretchen Bailey Morrison (deceased). A native of Lovington, Illinois, Courtney graduated from St. Teresa High School in Decatur. She attended Eastern Illinois University obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and later obtained a second degree in Surgical Technology. Having been raised on her family farm, animals were always an important part of her life and became her passion. She shared this love with her father and brother showing cattle and sheep in her younger years. Volunteering at nonprofit animal shelters and traveling across the country with her many four-legged companions proved her commitment. They all possessed personalized names to match Courtney’s hilarious and witty personality. Courtney is survived by her father TL Morrison, brother Mick Morrison and sister Brisyn Ritchie (Randy Ritchie). She leaves behind three nephews, Heston Eveland, Logan Hupp, Jaxsyn Ritchie, and a niece Evyn Ritchie, all whom she adored. Many aunts, uncles and cousins loved Courtney dearly and will miss her greatly. Read More
Photo furnished
The Eckerts, Diane, Thomas and Paul display Yoko themed edibles.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Dominican Bound
Sullivan High School senior athlete Dalton Rogers signed a letter of intent March 27 to play baseball at Dominican University. Pictured are from left brother, Drew, mother Kari, Dalton and father Troy Rogers. Dominican is a Catholic University located in River Forest with an enrollment of 4000.
Photo furnished
Okaw Valley Elementary students who collected $25 or more to help exceed the school’s goal.
•April 3, 2019•
Okaw Valley Elementary students went way above and beyond their goal in collecting donations for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
OVES students set a goal of $750 in the Pennies for Patients program. Students brought in donations throughout the month of March and were also able to create online donation pages to collect from out of town friends and family.
“It is so important for our students to know that no matter the amount they were able to give, they have made a difference in someone’s life.” Guidance Counselor Paula Coffer said. Read More
•April 3, 2019•
On Friday, April 12 the annual Moultrie County Beacon Benefit Auction begins at 5:30 p.m.at the Otto Center, half mile south of Arthur.
Proceeds go to benefit the Moultrie County Beacon and needs of the clients. Auction items include new furniture, bicycles, toys and games, quilts, tools, wagon, storage building and various certificates.
In addition to the auction an evening meal is served from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with carryouts available. All day bake sale, soft pretzels and much more.
The Moultrie County Beacon is a non-profit agency providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness.
for more information contact David Kaufman at 217/543-2971 or Paul Cook at 217/620-0598.
•April 3, 2019•
Members of the Sullivan Area Ministerial Association are initiating satellite afternoon services at four local care facilities.
Area churches will begin conducting 30-minute worship services the first Sunday of each month in the afternoon. The services will begin Sunday, April 7.
Times and locations:
1:30 p.m. at Aspen Creek conducted by Elim Springs Church of Jesus Christ
2 p.m. at Courtyard Estates conducted by Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Bethany
2:30 p.m. at Eastview Terrace conducted by Elim Springs Church of Jesus Christ
2:30 p.m. at Sullivan Health Care and Rehabilitation conducted by First Christian Church, Sullivan
Family, friends and residents are welcome to attend any of the services at the homes and stay after to visit. All services will start promptly.
Come together to worship in prayer, scripture, a brief message and song, followed by more Christian fellowship with loved ones.
•April 3, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
At the Sullivan Community Education Foundation’s annual Staff Appreciation Dinner March 28 the group awarded some $16,000 in grants to 11 individuals and two organizations.
Held at the 1225 Building in Sullivan more that 170 people attended.
Sullivan Community Education Foundation Chair, Betty Jo Emel, welcomed the attendees and introduced the board of trustees as well as the superintendent of schools and the three school principals. Grant Wade gave the invocation.
The high school students were represented by both the jazz band which provided the entertainment and the National Honor Society members who assisted in serving the dinner.
Music director Shaun Shaefers conducted the jazz band during the buffet dinner which was catered by Griffith Catering.
Following dinner, the 2018 Major Grant recipients each gave a report of how their grants had been used throughout the previous year.
Wade awarded the 2019 Mini Grants as follows: Read More