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Lovington School Celebrates Bicentennial

News Progress Posted on by

•November 21, 2018•

Lovington Elementary School celebrated Illinois Bicentennial recently by taking a trip back in time when Native Americans danced their stories.
Junior high social studies teacher Chris Davis and first grade teacher Vickie Newberry started working on the day long observance of the state’s 200th birthday in August, and on Friday, Nov. 9 it all came together.
Students learned of the early Native American culture, about the animals of Illinois from the Douglas Hart Nature Center of Mattoon, fur trading in pioneer life, bow making and topped off with a visit from Abraham Lincoln.
In the morning program Kaskaskia River Dancers Brandon Helm and Matt Clayton dressed in full Cherokee regalia explained that Native Americans told their stories through dance. Read More

SPD Increases Holiday Patrols

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•November 21, 2018•

The Sullivan Police Department and law enforcement throughout Illinois will be working around the clock through Thanksgiving and the remainder of the year to make certain travelers are buckled up and driving sober, Chief of Police Jim Waggoner announced Sullivan Police Department is joining the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and nearly 200 local police and sheriff’s departments to remind motorists to Click It or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.
Drivers and passengers can expect a ticket from Sullivan Police Department if they are spotted without a seat belt or with an unbuckled child in their vehicle. Additionally, motorists are being warned that driving after drinking or using drugs or other impairing substances will not be tolerated. Stepped-up patrols including seat belt enforcement zones and roadside safety checks will be seen throughout Sullivan and the state. Read More

Santa Letter Box is Up

News Progress Posted on by

•November 21, 2018•

The Moultrie County News Progress is offering a chance to send letters to Santa.
Santa’s North Pole drop box will be placed in front of the Monroe Street office this week.
Plans are to publish all letters in both The Fish Wrap and The News Progress on Wednesday, December 19 and Thursday, Dec. 20 to give Santa Claus time to figure out who has been naughty or nice.
Letters may also be sent to santa@newsprogress. com or by mailing to Santa Claus c/o News Progress 100 West Monroe St., Sullivan, 61951.
Letters should be received no later than Friday, December 14.

Seasonal Work Can Empower You

News Progress Posted on by

•November 21, 2018•

By Jack Myers
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist

Soon after school begins in the fall, many businesses begin advertising for seasonal workers. It’s a good way for people to make some extra income during the busy holiday season or ease back into working.
The diversity of jobs appeals to many people. Each year, companies also hire for seasonal work-from-home positions. These jobs include: customer service, sales, tech support, call center representatives, healthcare support, order taking/review, and more. Seasonal positions may help bridge employment gaps on your resume. They show proven experience and that you are ready, willing, and able to succeed. They also can help you to develop new or strengthen existing skills through training. Read More

Senior Center Honors Veterans At Luncheon

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Veterans recognized at Senior Center observance.

•November 21, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

The Senior Center ceiling was a sea of swag in patriotic colors of red, white and blue with the tables in matching tablecloths and place mats to welcome veterans to a complimentary lunch on Nov. 13. Each veteran and guest received a treat box filled with cookies and candies as well as a ticket for the drawing for a patriotic quilt.
Pre-luncheon entertainment was provided by Ellen Ferrera who performed piano arrangements of the theme songs for each of the armed forces including “The Navy Hymn” and “America the Beautiful”.
The luncheon was sponsored by Peace Meal and Reva Martin, Supervisor of the Peace Meal at the Senior Center, welcomed the veterans and their spouses. She remarked that, “we are so honored to be able to thank our veterans with this special meal and share this day with them.” Read More

Remember When? 11-21-2018

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25 Years Ago This Week

Sullivan principal Dan Hoefler said he would have his hair cut off if the Redskins won the first round of playoffs. The team obliged, stepping up in the second half defeating Newton 15-8. Debbie Booker had the honor of taking the principal’s hair off while David Elder supervised. Sullivan fans got the Tomahawk Chop going in full force to root their team on during the game against Newton.
Sonny Golden was recognized by UPS recently for his 20 years of service to the company as a delivery driver.
The Mark Seeley family took first place in the carved pumpkin contest in Bethany. Les Martz came in second and Gene Underwood took third place. Jennifer Matheson won first place in the best- decorated pumpkin contest. Ruth Suddarth won second place while Lori Martz took third. In the Halloween Parade contest, Ginger, Brandy and Cory Barter took grand prize. Winners of the Cartoon character category were Cole Younger, first; Holly Schaffer, second; and Derek Robbins, third. Animals: Matthew McArthur, first; Chelsey Brewer, second; and Evan Smith and Ben Tipsword, third. Clowns: Nicholas Brewer, first and Taylor Richardson won second place. Samantha Ozier was the lone Hobo. Taylor Mauck paced first in the witch category and Tiffany Shamheart won second. In the Preschool group: Danielle Standerfer won first place, Melissa McArthur won second and Whitney Brewer won third place. Grade School: Crystal Bolen, first; Scott Standerfer, second and Derek Pope, third. Jr-Sr High School, Brandie McCorvie, first; Jarrod Gaither, second; and April Russell won third. Kathy Tipsword was the lone winner in the Adult category. Read More

SCED Taking Nominations

News Progress Posted on by

•November 21, 2018•

Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development is now accepting nominations for recipients of the 2018 Citizen of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Small Business of the Year and Business of the Year. Winners of the 2018 annual awards will be presented at the SCED Annual Dinner on Friday, January 25.
Each of the nominees should be standouts in our community of exceptional business and community members. Those who go above and beyond for the community and its residents. Once the nominations are received the SCED Board will vote upon those nominated based on the standout actions of the individual, club or business. All nominations need to be submitted to the SCED by December 15, 2018.
Those wishing to submit a business, club or individual as a community standout should do so by contacting the Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development office at 217-728-4223, via email director@sullivanchamber.com, in person at 101 E. Jefferson St. in Sullivan or in writing at PO Box 234, Sullivan IL 61951.

Letter to the Editor 11-21-2018

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To the Editor:

I read with interest the article in a recent issue of the News-Progress about the gangsters of Southern Illinois.
I was born in Fairfield, the home of the Shelton Brothers Gang, and my family had some personal experiences with the Sheltons and with ‘Black’ Charlie Harris, a onetime compatriot and later enemy of the Sheltons.
One day after school in October 1947, my father Jim Mauck met up with his friend Jim Zuber to go riding in a jeep owned by Zuber’s uncle, Carl Shelton. The very next day, Carl Shelton was ambushed and shot out of that very Jeep in the Pond Creek Bottoms east of Fairfield. Read More

OVJH Student Competes on the World Gymnastics Stage

News Progress Posted on by

•November 21, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

It is not often an Okaw Valley Junior High student gets to tell her friends that she’s jetting off to New York, North Carolina and Russia.
But that was the journey Reese Nichols just finished taking.
Nichols competed for the Team USA in the double mini trampoline event at the World Age Group Competition in Russia this past weekend including top athletes from each participating country.
She finished 10th in the world but missed advancing by two spots (3/10 of a point). Only the top eight moved on to the finals.
“She’s heartbroken and feels she could have done better,” said her father Chris Nichols, “but the competition was obviously elite.”
Chris stayed home while his wife, Bethany, made the trip with Reese to Russia, where Reese competed at 2:30 a.m. Read More

Six Redskins Earn All-Area Honors

News Progress Posted on by

•November 21, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Champaign News Gazette announced its 2018 All-Area boys’ golf teams last Thursday.
Six Redskins earned honors, including Sullivan boys’ coach Ben Richter.
Richter was named Champaign Area Coach of the Year.
“I am honored to be awarded the COTY,” said Ben Richter. “It was not something I was expecting, and I want to thank all of my golfers for working so hard to give us such an awesome season.”
The Richter led squad placed fifth with a score of 337 in Class 1A after winning sectional, regional and Little Okaw Valley Conference championships.
They also finished the regular season a perfect 21-0. Read More