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Sullivan Spark Enlists Citizen Based Planning

News Progress Posted on by

•August 22, 2018•

Sullivan Spark has enlisted the help of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University to take a proactive approach to planning for community and economic development with citizen based community planning.
The Sullivan Spark Community Planning program is a participant driven strategic visioning and planning process whereby local leaders and citizen volunteers create a long-range vision for the future of Sullivan and a plan of action for achieving it.
A series of five, three-hour sessions, involving a minimum of 25 community members will be held to discuss the questions:
• Where are we now?
• Where do we want to be?
• How are we going to get there?
• How do we make it happen?
• How do we make it happen and maintain the momentum? Read More

FCCLA Leadership Academy

News Progress Posted on by

•August 22, 2018•

Jessica Renfro, a senior at ALAH High School, recently attended FCCLA Leadership Academy in Springfield.
Renfro was one of approximately 40 Illinois FCCLA members from around the state in attendance. Some of the topics that were covered were Managing your Chapter, You Matter Mission, Community Service, and more.
She learned more about leadership with the movie “Hidden Figures” and is now putting her skills into use with her chapter. Renfro serves as an ALAH chapter officer and as Section 15 vice-president.

Whitfield School Eight Grades Taught by One Teacher

News Progress Posted on by

•August 22, 2018•

John W. Buckalew of Washington, D.C. sent this photograph that was taken in the fall of 1945. Buckalew attended the Whitfield Elementary school for six years. According to R. Eden Martin’s “The Whitley Point Record book” the photo was taken on the east side of the last school on that site. The school closed in the Spring of 1948, consolidating in the Windsor and Sullivan school districts.
Buckalew recalled the school building and entrance faced south and upon entering there were two cloak rooms on both sides of the entrance. Read More

SHS Varsity Golfers Third at Champaign

News Progress Posted on by

•August 22, 2018•

The SHS Varsity boys golf team finished 3rd at the John Macek Invitational at the orange course in Champaign. We shot a 325 as a team falling behind Charleston with a 297 and St. Anthony with a 319. Caden Ellis got 2nd place overall with a 3 under 69 for the day!
Scoring: Caden Ellis 69, Leighton Burcham 82, Drew Rogers 85, Leyton Ellis 89, Logan Westjohn 89, Tim Lawyer 100.

Obituary 8-22-2018: Joanna Cole

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Joanna Cole

Joanna Ruth Cole, 84, of Sullivan, passed away peacefully at 12:40 a.m. Thursday, August 16, 2018 at Mason Point in Sullivan.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 21 in First Christian Church in Sullivan. Burial was in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements. Read More

Scot England to MC Sullivan Alumni Association Banquet/Reunion

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•August 22, 2018•

Scot England, an accomplished book author, TV Anchor, radio and TV reporter and a friend to many country music stars will be returning to Sullivan this October 6th to act as Master of Ceremonies at the Sullivan Alumni Banquet/Reunion.
The occasion is the annual gathering of alumni of Sullivan High School and Scot will be at the podium to bring his experiences, wit and personality to the event.
Scot graduated from Sullivan High School in 1983 and went on to do in person interviews with more than 300 celebrities ranging from the entire cast of the Brady Bunch to Weird Al Yankovic and was one of the first ever to interview Garth Brooks.
He was also one of the last to interview movie legend Tony Curtis. Read More

Watchdog Training Offered at Eastern Illinois University

News Progress Posted on by

•August 22, 2018•

Better Government Association is hosting “Watchdog Training” at Eastern Illinois University in collaboration with EIU’s departments of journalism and political science.
Watchdog Training is from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17 at EIUs Buzzard Hall Auditiorium on Lincoln Ave. in Charleston.
The Better Government Association (BGA) and attorney Josh Burday will host a Watchdog Training where participants will be equipped with the tools they need to hold government accountable, including learning some of the tactics our reporters use in their investigative work.
“The BGA works everyday for transparency, efficiency, and accountability in government,” BGA CEO David Greising said. “Thanks to the engaged residents and professionals who participate in our Watchdog Trainings, we don’t do it alone.” Read More

You’ll Feel Like You’re on Vacation with How Easy This Is

News Progress Posted on by

•August 22, 2018•

By Gerald Tilley
Social Security District Manager in Decatur, IL

August might be the last of the months that people think of when we say “summer vacation,” but it’s by no means the least. People are still taking trips and hosting family while enjoying America’s beaches and national parks. Social Security might not be on the top of your to-do list when you’re on vacation, but we’ve made it so easy to do business with us online that you can connect with us pool-side or on the go.
We are constantly expanding our online services to give you freedom and control in how you wish to conduct business with us. Our online services help you plan for the future and keep you in control of your benefits. You can go online to: Read More

Understanding Illinois: Offenders Trying To Break Into This Prison

News Progress Posted on by

•August 22, 2018•

By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

I just came back to my home office after attending the first-ever graduation of Illinois prison inmates who earned—outside their razor-wire fence “home”—their skilled welding program certificates at a Black Hawk College career training center in Kewanee.
Less than a year ago, I wrote in this space about a new, unique prison in Illinois called the Kewanee Life Skills Re-entry Center. The idea here is to provide career and behavioral training to medium and high-risk offenders who are within one to four years of release.
Black Hawk College has a welding center a few blocks from the Life Skills Center. Why not have inmates take their training “outside,” at the center?
“No way, can’t be done,” the bureaucrats said, of course. State senator Chuck Weaver (R-Peoria) and nearby attorney and workforce development specialist Mike Massie said, “Phooey on you,” and the barriers to such were pushed aside.
The objective is, of course, to reduce the Illinois recidivism rate, one of the highest in the nation. Recidivism refers to those released from prison who are returned to incarceration within three years of release. In Illinois the rate has been about half, and for African-Americans it has been three in five! Read More

Sparrow’s Toy Run

News Progress Posted on by

•August 22, 2018•

Sparrow’s Toy Run begins with sign up at Rusty’s in LaPlace from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, September 22.
Sign up fee for this benefit for Lovington families is a toy.
Participate in the 50/50 Secret Word Scramble and have fun while helping a good cause.
All toys donated will benefit Lovington families with the final stop at Jerry’s East End in Lovington.
Sparrows of Lovington is a non-profit group providing philanthropic services throughout the area for the past 20 years.
For more information contact Pam Anklam at 217/201-0662.