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Anonymous Donor Helps Fund Balance Classes At Senior Center

News Progress Posted on by

•August 29, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Senior Center Executive Director, Kathi Garvey was worried that the popular Matter of Balance classes for seniors wouldn’t be held this year.
“We had the grant funds but no volunteers to teach the classes so we were in jeopardy of losing the grant,” Garvey said. “Fortunately, the volunteers came forward and now, thanks to an anonymous donor, we also have funds for those who can’t afford but need the classes.”
For those with concerns about falling, have fallen recently or have restricted activities because of falling concerns, these classes can help.
Classes begin Sept 18 and are held twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday for four weeks until Oct. 16. Each class is two hours from 9-11 a.m. at the Senior Center in Sullivan. Read More

Understanding Illinois: Neighboring State Rejects Illinois’ Children

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•August 29, 2018•

By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

Apparently unable to care for our own youth, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) recently tried to place some of its wards (wards of the state, meaning you and me) with Indiana state social service agencies. But the Hoosiers rejected our pleas: “Sorry, Illinois, but you’re a bad payment risk.”
ProPublica, a non-profit investigative news organization, reported recently that DCFS wards were languishing in Illinois mental health facilities much longer than necessary because DCFS had no place for them to be placed. Thus, the efforts to place wards in nearby Indiana facilities. A DCFS staffer noted that parents of institutionalized children will often refuse to take their children back, which creates an immediate need for placement.
Throughout my half-century of observing Illinois, DCFS has continually been on the front pages—for such as allegedly failing to prevent a child’s death by neglect, or for failing to take another child out of a home where an abusive, possibly violent boyfriend lurks in the background, just out of sight. Read More

Rest Area Wrecks Show Human Toll of Fatal Crashes

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•August 29, 2018•

To further drive home the message that the choices we make when traveling have life or death consequences, the Illinois Department of Transportation is displaying crashed vehicles at rest areas with a powerful reminder of the human toll that traffic deaths are having on our state.
“A fatal crash is much more than just a statistic. It means someone’s child, brother or sister, mother or father, friend, neighbor or co-worker won’t be coming home,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn. “Almost all of these crashes are avoidable. Seeing these destroyed vehicles at our rest areas makes a strong statement that each individual can make a difference.” Read More

Obituary 8-29-2018: Bernard Miller

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Bernard Miller

Bernard L. Miller, Sr., 73, of Strasburg, passed away at 7:25 p.m. Thursday, August 23, 2018 in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon.
Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 28 in French Cemetery in Allenville. McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan handled arrangements. Read More

Moultrie Moment of the Week

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Pictured above is Main St. in Dalton City looking east. The large two story building on the left was the Dalton City Bank. The date of the photo postcard is unknown but it is believed to be around 1915. 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.

WSS Wins Opener Over A&M

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•August 29, 2018•

The Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg volleyball team won its season opener against Central A&M last Thursday.
WSS won in straight sets, 25-19, 25-18.
Megan Schlechte led the Hatchets with 10 kills, and Calla Roney had six. Read More

Butterflies are Free

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Butterflies are Free
Zinnias are attracting butterflies in Ellen Ferrera’s Sullivan garden on warm sunny days, but as the days grow shorter so do the opportunities for these butterflies to be free.

ADM Cares Gives to SMS

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Photo furnished
ADM Cares Gives to SMS
ADM Cares recently awarded a $5,000.00 grant to Sullivan Middle School for STEM curriculum resources. Students will spend time working collaboratively to solve problems that involve science, technology, engineering and math. Pictured are SMS STEM recipients John Bertetto, Troy Rogers, Nicole Garrett and Micah Heddins with ADM representative and Sullivan School Board member Erik Stollard.