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Ft. Armstrong, Rock Island Arsenal Have Defended Nation Since 1816

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•September 12, 2018•

By George Eaton

In summer 1814, skirmishes between the U.S. and British-backed warriors under the leadership of Black Hawk flared up and down river from Rock Island.
Since 1803 the U.S. had owned both banks of the Mississippi River. Lt. Zebulon Pike had reached the Rock Island in 1805 and immediately recognized its strategic and tactical importance. The Rock Island Rapids raced for 12 miles upriver. From Rock Island, the Army could control the entire Upper Mississippi River Valley by controlling the rapids.
Locally, the Sauk and Meskwaki, led by Black Hawk, opposed a disputed 1804 treaty that transferred over 50 million acres of land to the U.S. An Army post on the island could also keep an eye on Black Hawk and his followers.
The battles of 1814 confirmed to the Army that it needed a presence on Rock Island. In May 1816, Fort Armstrong was built on the downriver end of the island. The small Army contingent there was tasked to control the Upper Mississippi River Valley by monitoring the Rock Island Rapids; maintaining observation of assumed anti-American Sauk Indians in the area; maintaining peaceful relations between the local Native American tribes; and, later, providing security as settlers moved into the area. Read More

Honor Drive for River Helmuth

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•September 12, 2018•

The Sullivan Church of God, Sullivan American Legion and the American Red Cross will host an Honor Blood Drive for River Helmuth, daughter of Tony and Stephanie Helmuth of Sullivan. The drive will be at the Sullivan Legion Saturday September 15 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Stephanie recently described the last two years of their lives since the birth of their daughter River. “Over the last two years our family has been reminded of the importance of blood donation time and time again. At the age of two and one-half months our daughter River was put on life support. Her body was breaking down, and she was fighting hard. However, it was not until she received blood products and her first transfusion that she began to stabilize. She received four units of blood over three days. Then on April 25, 2016 at four months old she was in heart failure and was taken to the operating room for an open chest surgery to help stabilize her again. During this surgery blood product was again used and she was then given two more units over the next three days to help her little body fight. At 17 months she underwent her first full open heart surgery. During her heart repair several units of fresh whole blood were used while she was on a heart lung bypass machine to sustain her while they operated.
“It is during these past years that I realized I had not even donated in the last 10 years enough blood to even come close to what River needed in those 12 months. My child was being saved by other people’s generosity and giving. And I know without these blood drives we would have been lost.
“So in honor of River’s survival and strength and as a reminder to the importance of giving blood, we are holding our second annual honor blood drive. River is O+ which is a very much sought after blood. I am challenging all of our friends, family and community who match to give blood on Sept 15. I am asking and pleading with all eligible donors that you come and give blood.
“Maybe it has been 10 years? Maybe you are afraid? Maybe you have never given? Well, this is the time. I will be there, and I will hold your hand if you want. We will have lots of yummy food, some great giveaways, and I am working out a good prize too. And everyone will get a special River thank you if you come try to give blood.
“So mark it on the calendar, set up an appointment so we can have plenty of help on hand, and then show up and give life. I hope to see you all there.”
Blood drive coordinator Jeri Davis of Sullivan also knows the importance of receiving blood. During an illness some 18 years ago, she was given eight units of blood which saved her life. Being a blood drive coordinator is a passion for her and many of the people who come and assist with the drives and donate blood. Over her five years as drive coordinator, she has helped collect nearly 2,000 units of blood. This means the difference between life and death for nearly 6,000 people in need, as every unit collected can benefit more than three patients.
To make an appointment to donate, call Davis at 217-273-9456 or go to redcrossblood.org to make an appointment on your own. Donors must have a current ID with a photo on it. Donors are encouraged to use rapid pass at The Red Cross website to decrease their wait time at this drive. Walk-ins are more than welcome, but having an appointment will ensure proper staffing from Red Cross and decrease wait time.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Changes To Relatives Raising Children

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Photo furnished
Kim Adamson is pictured.

•September 12, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

With 500,000 children under the age of 18 in Illinois currently living with a relative guardianship requirements have shifted.
Previously, the majority of these children were living with grandparents, but the burden of care has shifted more to other relatives as grandparents age or are unable to care for the children.
“Because of this shift the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) changed to the new title of Relatives Raising Children (RRC),” Kim Adamson, Caregiver Advisor and Relatives Raising Children Director for the program, said. “And the change has been somewhat confusing to our clients.
“We need to let them know it is the same program with same services,” she continued. “Only these services are now available to any relative who is raising another relative’s child.” Read More

Understanding Illinois: Where Have All The Teachers Gone?

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•September 12, 2018•

By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

The agriculture teacher at my local high school recently up and left, days before the school year started, heading for greener pastures in the private sector, leaving the school district in the lurch. He’s not alone.
School leaders in low-paying rural districts as well as in the good-paying but challenging Chicago public schools are scrambling to fill teacher vacancies. Many will do with marginal staff, substitutes, online and distance learning (over internet) course offerings. Not fair to the students.
When I was a boy post-WWII, talented women were steered into teaching, because they had few other career choices than nursing and secretarial work. Not today. They go to law and medical school, where they now outnumber men, and are beseeched to go into computers and the sciences, where their numbers are still low.
Today, teachers and parents often steer youngsters away from teaching. In this space a couple of years ago, I reported on responses, from a group of excellent teachers I know, to the question: Would you recommend teaching as a career?
Most said No, even though they mostly found their teaching careers rewarding. The lament I heard most often was that of “the pressure to teach to the standardized tests.” It takes the zest out of teaching, the teachers said. Read More

Democrat Supper Friday

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•September 12, 2018•

The Moultrie County Democratic Spaghetti Supper begins at 5:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 at Sullivan American Legion Post 68.
Beginning at 6:00 p.m. are speakers including former U. S Representative Glenn Poshard, State Treasurer Michael Frerichs, candidate for U.S. 15th Congressional District Kevin Gaither, Ramona Sullivan and Chad Beckett, candidates for 6th Circuit Judge.

Menus 9-12-2018

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Senior Peace Meal

For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

Monday, September 17 - Chicken sandwich, scalloped corn, red cabbage w/sour sauce, bun, applesauce
Tuesday, September 18 - Salmon boat, macaroni and cheese w/peas, midair blend veggies, whole grain wheat, pineapple
Wednesday, September 19 - Taco salad w/meat, cheese and beans, lettuce, tomato, sour ream and taco sauce, cantaloupe, taco chips, pudding
Thursday, September 20 - Turkey salad w/grapes on lettuce leaf, creamy potato soup, crackers, gelatin salad w/1/2 cup fruit
Friday, September 21 - Pork chop in gravy, mashed potatoes, breaded tomatoes, whole grain wheat, fruit salad

Hats Off to Warrensburg Latham Energy Level

News Progress Posted on by

•September 12, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports

The Sullivan-Okaw Valley football team fell behind early and could not recover in its 40-0 loss to Warrensburg-Latham Friday night at Victory Field.
“We didn’t play to our ability in any aspect of the game,” said coach Jeff Myers. “Hats off to Warrensburg-Latham. They came out with a much higher energy level and sense of urgency than we did. We took a big step back in terms of our effort from the previous two weeks.” Read More

No Kids Left in the Cold Mission Continues

News Progress Posted on by

•September 12, 2018•

A child should not have to suffer through the winter without a warm coat, hat, and mittens to wear. That is the problem that Margie Pondo, Jeri Davis, and Jamie Miller are working to solve in this area.
These women formed a mission in collaboration with Sullivan Church of God two years ago called No Kids Left in the Cold after seeing a need for many of the children in this area. Many children do not have anything warm to wear throughout the winter months and to and from school.
Last year they collected and handed out more than 200 coats and accessories to local children and adults without cost to any child’s parent or guardian. Read More

Democrat Open House

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Democrat Open House
The Moultrie County Democratic Party has a new election headquarters at 16 W. Harrison Street in Sullivan.
Central Committee Chair Tim Singer and local candidates are holding an Open House 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27. Visitors are invited to check out the headquarters, meet candidates and pick up literature, yard signs and bumper stickers.
Moultrie County Democrats are holding the annual spaghetti dinner at the Sullivan American Legion beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14. Speakers include Illinois treasurer Michael Frerichs.