Author Archives:

Sullivan Unit #300 School Board Reorganizes

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
Reorganized Sullivan Unit #300 School Board (seated from left) Vice-president Ann Wheeler, President Jeff White, Secretary Norm Wood, Erik Stollard; (back row) Tyson Grooms, Zak Horn, and Steve Poland.

•May 3, 2017•

Sullivan Community Unit #300 school board reorganized with Jeff White as president while four newly elected members took seats.

The previous school board approved minutes of the last meeting and verified election results before Supt. Brad Tuttle was appointed president pro tempore with Becky Batman as interim secretary until offices were filled.

Vote totals were verified prior to new board members taking their seats. Ann Wheeler won a two year term with 1234 votes. Zak Horn - 1402; Tyson Grooms -1197; Erik Stollard - 954 were all elected to four-year terms.  Read More

Sullivan City Council Welcomes New Member

News Progress Posted on by

•May 3, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

A possible new online payment option (Payment Service Network) offer to the residents of Sullivan was discussed at the most recent council meeting. This new online option would have paperless billing and send email notifications to customers when their utility bill is due or late. Treasurer Sarah Golden advised that the city processed 3,000 bills per month. Going paperless would cut back on work for the clerks, and it would automate payments for the customers. In addition to saving paper, this could also save the city money on postage. The city would also be able to accept credit cards with the new payment option. The city would pay any additional credit card fees. Council members discussed this possible option and stated they would research it more before a decision was made to move forward.  Read More

Sullivan Softball Team Holds Off Neoga

News Progress Posted on by

•May 3, 2017•

The Sullivan softball team held off Neoga 7-6 at home Thursday but lost to Charleston away Monday.

Against Neoga, Sullivan scored two runs in the first inning, two in the third and two in the fourth to take a 6-0 lead.

The Redskins tacked on an important run in the fourth to extend the lead to seven.

Neoga bounced back with three runs in the sixth inning and three runs in the seventh inning but could not complete the comeback.

Sullivan totaled 12 hits. Read More

Red Cross Blood Drive

News Progress Posted on by

•May 3, 2017•

The American Red Cross and  Sullivan Legion Post 68 will host a blood drive  noon-6 p.m. Tuesday, May 9 at the American Legion.

Blood supplies are at a critical low level right now so every donation is important.

For every unit donated a possible three people can be helped. Those coming in and donating (or attempt to donate) will receive a chance for one of three $1000 gift cards.

Walk-ins are welcome, but having an appointment ensures proper Red Cross staffing and decreases wait time.

Call Jeri Davis at 273 9456 for an appointment or go to redcrossblood.org to make an appointment.

Sullivan Volunteer Receives Governor’s Service Award

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Governor’s Volunteer Service Award Winner Genny Sutton.

•May 3, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

On Thursday. April 27 at the Senior Center, 99 year old Genevieve “Genny” Sutton was surrounded by adoring family and legions of friends as she received the prestigious 2017 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award from Norma Piper. Sutton was one of six recipients in the Senior Awardees category and was selected from over 200 nominees statewide.

Piper, RSVP coordinator for Moultrie County, had nominated Sutton and traveled to Springfield to accept the award on Sutton’s behalf. While there, she was in the same elevator as one of the judges who told her, “When I read Genny’s biography, I knew she had to win.”

For more than 70 years Sutton has devoted 20-30 hours a month volunteering in Sullivan. Known for founding and coaching a women’s softball league as well as bowling leagues - they are the two activities she enjoyed the most. She was voted Bowler of the Year and elected to the Sullivan Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame and in her spare time also played in a kitchen band. Read More

OVHS Prom Royalty

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
OVHS Prom Royalty
The 2017 Okaw Valley Prom Court (front) King Ty Nichols, Queen Jessica Robinson, (back) Sydney Hagerman, Brendon Lane, Madison Uhlrich, Seth Yeakel, Kailyn Boyer and Taylor Coleman.

Times are Changing for Joyce Edmonds

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Joyce Edmonds is pictured.

•May 3, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

The lobby of the First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust was filled with well-wishers bidding farewell to Joyce Edmonds as she begins her retirement after nearly 33 years of service.

It was Friday, April 28, her last day, and the credenza in her Sullivan office was covered with cards, floral bouquet and gift baskets. I overheard her say to one friend, “Now, no more tears; I’ve cried enough today.”

Edmonds is a hometown girl, born in Sullivan and attended Sullivan High School. She then enrolled in Lake Land College and began working at the bank July 9, 1984. Throughout all the years, she has taken numerous training courses to keep up with the rapid changes in the banking world, and it’s time to move on.

“This will be time with family and friends plus the opportunity to travel,” she began. “I have two daughters and two granddogs , kitties and some guinea pigs we call “furballs” to look after. Then there are nearly 40 years of housework that needs to be done.” Read More

NCA Month for C.E.F.S.

News Progress Posted on by

•May 3, 2017•

C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation is celebrating 52 years of service in Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Shelby, Moultrie, Christian, and Montgomery counties. C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation is celebrating Community Action Month in May.

That is dedicated to recognizing the success of the national Community Action Agency network that fights poverty across the United States. This month, C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation engage in programs and events that showcase anti-poverty work in local communities.

“Community Action Month is a wonderful time to honor and celebrate the impact Community Action has in the lives of families and communities across the country,” stated Paul White, Chief Executive Officer. White further stated, “Agencies are successful every day in helping families achieve economic security. Given that the needs of each family and community are unique, Community Action is able to use a range of resources and programs to meet local needs in creative and impactful ways.”

White continued, “This past year, our agency has served nearly 16,000 people in the seven-county service area and empowered them to attain self-sufficiency. This year our Head Start 0-5 Program served 501 children and 488 families by providing a comprehensive educational development program to enhance children’s cognitive and social development. Our agency Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Program’s job training program served 206 adults with those adults after training entering employment at a rate of 90.24%. Our Meals on Wheels Program of C.E.F.S. served nearly 84,000 hot and nutritious congregate and home delivered meals to seniors over 60 years of age. Our Central Illinois Public Transportation Program provided a total of 127,466 trips to people in need of transportation in the service area. The Community Services Block Grant Program sponsored by C.E.F.S. provided post-secondary educational scholarship opportunities to income-eligible individuals and provides direct client assistance to help people transition from needing temporary assistance to having economic security and helping working families make ends meet. Our work changes lives and strengthens our entire community.”

Farley Honored for Student Research at EIU

News Progress Posted on by

Submitted Photo
Pictured is award winner Christina Farley with Dr. Kristin Brown, chairwoman of the Library Advisory Board, and Dr. Allen Lanham, dean of library services.

•May 3, 2017•

The Library Advisory Board of Booth Library at Eastern Illinois University recently honored a Sullivan student as a winner of the 2017 Award for Excellence in Student Research and Creativity.

Christina Farley, a senior majoring in music education, was honored for her research project, “Body Consciousness: The Effects of Posture on Musicians’ Performance Anxiety.” Farley is a 2012 graduate of Sullivan High School and the daughter of Roger and Amanda Farley.

She was honored at a reception April 12.

The Booth Library Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creativity program promotes and recognizes excellence in student research. The program encourages students to enhance their studies by utilizing the wealth of information available at Booth Library and other research venues. Read More