Author Archives:

Arthur’s ‘Harvest to Home Fall Harvest Show’ delights

News Progress Posted on by


•October 15, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Friday, October 10th, in Arthur, the Amish Heritage Society hosted its annual ‘Harvest to Home Fall Harvest’ show. Among the many events: sorghum pressing, corn picking, shredding and shucking, threshing oats with horsepower, quarters in a haystack, field operations, and the noon whistle and ‘candy cannon’. Those in attendance were also able to partake of a petting zoo, buggy rides, a life-size Candyland game, balloon animals, horseshoeing, as well as blacksmithing demonstrations, and the children were especially fond of making their own rope. Demonstrated as well in the food tent was the making of apple butter from scratch (kettle to canned), grinding corn for cornmeal, and a bevy of delicious baked/prepared foods, including multiple fresh-made, kettle-cooked popcorn varieties to sample and for purchase. There was even a John Deere motorized ice cream maker, churning out delicious chocolate ice cream to pleased partakers. The weather was seasonably cool and enjoyable. The event elicited smiles, laughter, questions, and a sense of awe. Many came from non-local areas such as Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee specifically for the event.

Photos by DM Williamee

Read More

Recent Obituaries: Barbara Jean (Molzen) Trower

News Progress Posted on by

Barbara Jean (Molzen) Trower, 90, of Lovington, passed away on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Eberhardt Village in Arthur, Il. 

Graveside services will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Arthur Cemetery, Arthur, IL. As per Barbara’s request there will be no visitation. Memorials may be made to The Eberhardt Village Activity fund, St, Jude or Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.

Barbara was born on January 13, 1935, in Decatur, IL, the daughter of Ralph and Sarah Frances (Devine) Molzen, spending her youth growing up on the family farm in rural Lovington. She graduated from Arthur High School in 1952 and continued her education at Brown’s Business College in Decatur. Barbara had a diverse career, starting with the Mueller Company and retiring from Masterbrand in Arthur. Her biggest joy was spending time with her family; she would often joke that she spent half her life in school gyms or on football and soccer fields watching her children and grandchildren participate in various sports. She also enjoyed preparing large meals when most of her family would return for the holidays; the food was always plentiful and excellent. Always a sports fan, she watched the Illinois football and basketball teams whenever possible as well as football on Sundays.  During her later years she enjoyed doing crafts which she would proudly display in her apartment. She was a member of the Antioch Christian Church of Decatur.

Surviving are her sons, Jeff (Carolyn) of Lovington, Tim (Sandy) of Baraboo, WI, Phil (Gayla) of Beebe, AR; daughter, Pam Wood of Rock Hill, SC, sister, Phyllis Regalia of Ukiah, CA; brother, Roger Molzen of Sullivan IL.  She is also survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. 

She was proceeded by her parents, husbands, Robert Trower and Loren Phillips, and son, Mark. 

The family would like to extend sincere thanks to the Eberhardt Village staff for their friendship and excellent care during her years there and most importantly their compassion during her final months, allowing her to spend her final days in her apartment with grace and dignity. We would also like to express our appreciation to the hospice nurses from Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice for their kindness and excellent care and Dr. Ellington for years of excellent care.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Redskin football takes down Tri-County

News Progress Posted on by


•October 8, 2025•

Sullivan got back into the win column Friday night, soundly defeating the Tri-County Titans 47-6. In the first quarter, Owen Smith connected with James Feldkamp on a 14-yard pass to start off the scoring, and Aiden Dinger added a 16-yard rushing TD, and the Redskins never looked back. 

Sullivan kept up the onslaught in the second with Smith connecting with Logan Fleener on a 21-yard touchdown and Aceon Fryman for a 13-yard TD, sandwiched around his own rushing score. Smith ran for his second TD of the night in the third quarter on a 51-yard scamper, and in the fourth, Kolten Kirby punched one in from 4 yards out. Sullivan gave up the one scoring play through the air in the third. Dinger led the Redskins with 66 yards on the ground, and Smith balanced the attack out with 61 yards through the air. 

The win improves the Redskins to 5-1 on the season.

Sullivan Fast Stop rewards new drivers

News Progress Posted on by

Photo Submitted

On Thursday, September 25th, Cheryl Coddington, Manager of Sullivan’s Fast Stop, presented Sullivan High School Principal Mr. Allen with seventy-seven $10.00 gift cards and complimentary drink coupons to be awarded to students who successfully pass their Illinois driver’s license tests. This gift is intended to reward and recognize the diligence and perseverance of these students. This is Fast Stop’s first year rewarding new drivers.

SBL Hospice Binga raises $32,000

News Progress Posted on by

Since opening its doors in January 2024, Willow Breeze Hospice House has offered a beautiful home-like atmosphere where skilled nurses help make patients’ last days as comfortable as possible, while also offering amenities for their families. This year’s net proceeds of $32,000 from Hospice Binga support a Hospice House Endowment to help those with limited resources pay for their stay. Most insurances will cover hospice care, but not room and board.

Read More

Bethany Fire ‘Open House’ a blast

News Progress Posted on by


•October 8, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Saturday, October 4th Bethany Fire held an Open house at the Fire Station, scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., open to all. Just over an hour and a half into the event, duty called and a fire call came in, with firefighters at the station dispatched to respond. Scheduled for the open house were the following events: free hot dog lunch, bounce house, firehouse tour, truck and ambulance tour, ‘Smoke House’ tour, obstacle course, gear photobooth, fire extinguisher demonstration, and a turnout gear race. Before the call came in, many of the activities were in full swing and greatly enjoyed by those in attendance. Hot dogs all around for everyone, a fun and impressive timed obstacle course for the children in attendance that they could not get enough of, with many making multiple passes through.

Read More

Corn dogs: Are yours safe?

News Progress Posted on by


•October 8, 2025•

by DM Williamee

This week, Foster Farms is recalling a staggering 3.8 million pounds of chicken corn dog products (as well as turkey products) after wood was found in the batter, resulting in reported injuries. The chicken corn dog products were manufactured between July 30th, 2024, and August 4th, 2025, and sold under numerous brand names throughout the United States. Some of those brand names are ‘Chicken Corn Dogs’, ‘Batter Wrapped Chicken Frankfurters on a Stick’, and ‘Corn Dogs Chicken Franks Dipped in Honey Batter’. 

Read More

Fire Prevention Week

News Progress Posted on by


•October 8, 2025•

During Fire Prevention Week (October 5-11), the American Red Cross of Illinois reminds everyone of the dangers of home fires, which claim seven lives every day in the U.S. To help protect your household, test your smoke alarms each month and practice your escape plan until everyone can get out in less than two minutes.  

“Home fires can occur any time, any place,” said Kellie O’Connell, Chief Executive Officer for the Red Cross of Illinois. “The sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get out. This is critical because fire experts say you may have less than two minutes to escape a burning home before it’s too late.” 

Tips for creating your home fire escape plan and practicing your 2-minute drill:  

Read More

Life Chain prayer service held Sunday

News Progress Posted on by


•October 8, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Sunday, October 5th a peaceful, silent ‘Life Chain’ prayer demonstration was held in Sullivan at the intersection of Jackson and Hamilton streets. Per their literature: “A Life Chain is a prayer service.” And “As we join hundreds of thousands of fellow Americans and Canadians in prayer, let us trust wholly in our Lord and not in ourselves or our numbers.” The Prayer Chain is their standing in obedience to Chronicles 7:14. Some passerby’s honked as they passed through the intersection; some in support and some not as supportive, but those praying were not dissuaded and remained focused on their objective, staying focused on their objectives to be bold yet humble, remain in the spirit of Christian love, and acknowledging motorists with kindness.

Photo by DM Williamee

Get Covered Illinois website launched, questions linger

News Progress Posted on by


•October 8, 2025•

by DM Williamee

For those who currently utilize the Healthcare marketplace for their health, medical, and dental insurance needs, “Get Covered Illinois” (GCI) is the replacement for that program beginning in 2026. Enrollment begins November 1st. States and the federal government jointly pay for Medicaid, which offers free or nearly free health care coverage for roughly 80 million poor and disabled Americans, as well as children at a cost of $800 billion in 2023. “At a time when the federal government is announcing healthcare cuts, Illinois is investing in building a marketplace that aims to increase access to health coverage for our residents,” said Illinois Department of Insurance Director Anne Gillespie. The GCI website is live right now, though specific information can be difficult to find. https://getcovered.illinois.gov/.

Read More