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State Fire Marshal Encourages Emergency Plans

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•April 12, 2017•

The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is encouraging all Illinois households to take steps to prepare themselves in the case of a home fire incident. The Office of the State Fire Marshal recommends having a working smoke alarm and a specific plan for your family in case of emergency.

“Planning and prevention are essential to saving lives in a fire incident,” says Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. “Because of the speed with which fire becomes uncontrollable, families should practice their response plan in advance and be prepared to implement it.”

Illinois law requires every household to have smoke alarms within 15 feet of every bedroom and to have at least one on each floor of the home. Read More

Down by the Riverside with IAHCE

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•April 12, 2017•

Moultrie and Douglas Home and Community Education members Marilyn Dufford of Sullivan and Josephine Marner of Arthur attended the 92nd Annual Illinois Association for Home and Community Education Conference at the Embassy Suites East Peoria Hotel and Riverfront Conference Center March 14-16.

Through the years trends and needs have changed. First known as Home Bureau Federation, then Homemakers Extension Association, today it is Home and Community Education.

The goal is to educate members of homes and the community.  Read More

Voters Reject Penny Sales Tax for Schools

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•April 12, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Sullivan school district’s proposition to raise funds for facilities with a one percent sales tax failed in Moultrie County 1851 to 1309 during the April 4 election.

Sullivan’s sales tax rate remains at 6.75 percent as a result of the vote. The proposed one percent increase could have generated $977,252 for county schools, with $499,850 as the CUSD 300 share.

Coles, Douglas, Champaign, Piatt, Macon, Christian and Shelby counties previously approved the sales tax. Sales tax rates range from 9.00% to 7.25% in those counties.

Seven candidates were seeking four open seats in the Sullivan CUSD #300 school board race. Ann Wheeler was appointed to replace Scott Atchison who resigned and was running to complete his term. Sitting members Mary Ann Wiley, Amy Fultz and Roger Bragg chose not to run. Read More

Campground Openings at Lake Shelbyville

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•April 12, 2017•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has set the campground opening dates for 2017.

Forrest W. “Bo” Wood Area 5 is now open on a first come, first served basis.

Walleye group camp at Lone Point Recreation Area opened April 7. Restroom facilities may be utilized at the boat ramp; however, shower facilities are not available until the full campground opens. Campers may register and pay using the honor vault system at both facilities.

Campground Season Dates and Fees: Coon Creek Campground will be open May 4-October 9.

Forrest W. “Bo” Wood Campground open April 20-October 29. Read More

Obituaries 4-12-2017: Mary Flint

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Mary Flint

Mary Ellen Flint (Getz), 79, passed peacefully Tuesday April 4, 2017 in Sullivan Rehabilitation & Health Care Center in Sullivan surrounded by her family.

Services with a memorial celebration of life were held Monday, April 10 in Faith Lutheran Church in Sullivan, officiated by Pastor Paul McGhghy. Burial was today (Wednesday April 12) in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Annawan, Ill. Read More

Obituaries 4-12-2017: Doris Bowers

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Doris Bowers

Doris Roney Bowers, 88, of Decatur died peacefully April 8, 2017 in her home.

Funeral services were held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 11 in Brintlinger & Earl  Funeral Home in Decatur. Burial was in Keller Cemetery in Lovington.

Doris was born November 12, 1928 in Findlay, a daughter of Oscar and Vera  Morris Roney. She married Robert G. Bowers September 3, 1960 in Decatur, and  he preceded her in death October 9, 1999.  Read More

Obituaries 4-12-2017: Mae Hays

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Mae Hays

Mae Hays, 83, of Moweaqua died April 8, 2017 in Moweaqua Rehabilitation & Health Care.

Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Seitz Funeral Home in Moweaqua with visitation 5-7 p.m. today (Wednesday). Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Moweaqua. Read More

A Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Mr. Rogers science students learn how to make things float into the air.

•April 12, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

It’s a wonderful day in the neighborhood - that neighborhood being Mr. Troy Roger’s seventh grade science class as they prepare to launch an experiment on which they have been working.

In the school atrium a large clutch of colorful balloons awaits as part of the experiment. Upstairs in the classroom Rogers explains that the 16 students have been watching the animated film, “Up” in which a grumpy old man attaches a bazillion balloons to his house and floats off to adventures.

The students have been challenged to estimate how many balloons it takes to lift their small popsicle house off the ground.

He started this experiment five years ago. Helium is expensive for the balloons so they are especially grateful to Ellen Bernius of the Flower Pot for her generous helium filled balloon donation for this learning experience.

This is a class project- Rogers makes the assignment and the rules while the students work together to construct the popsicle house, make the calculations, organize the balloons, etc.  Read More

Sullivan Softball Team Tops St. Teresa

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•April 12, 2017•

The Sullivan softball team split a pair of games this week, defeating St. Teresa and losing to Meridian.

Sullivan won its first Central Illinois Conference game by defeating St. Teresa 18-3 Thursday.

Madison Wall pitched four innings for the win, giving up two hits. She struck out five. Read More

Doctor Recently Awarded Recognition

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•April 12, 2017•

Dr. Charles N. Wise, Ph.D. was recently awarded recognition for 50 years of membership in the Texas Speech Communication Association.

Wise is a grandson of the late Nate A. and Nona Mount Wise of Milam Township and the late Charles and Rosa Wicker of the Prairie Home Community (Bethany and Shelbyville).

He lives in Lockhart, Tex. with the award presented in Corpus Christi where he joined the TSCA in 1963.

In the 88 years of the association only four members have reached the 50 year plateau, with three living. Read More