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Energy Assistance Funds Still Available

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•March 8, 2017•

The C.E.F.S Economic Opportunity Corporation’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) still has energy assistance funding available for winter utility assistance. Any household that has applied as of September 1, 2016 or after would not be eligible to apply again, unless they are being disconnected from their utility service. LIHEAP provides one-time grants to help income eligible households pay for their winter utility expenses.

C.E.F.S. began taking LIHEAP applications last September for the current program year 2017. To date in Moultrie county energy benefits totaling $124,583.00 have been approved for 283 households. The average payment per household was $440. Additionally, in Moultrie county 29 households received $10,618.00 in emergency reconnection assistance. The average reconnection assistance payment was $366. Read More

An Empty Seat at The Little Theatre

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Memorial for Guy Little Jr. is 11:00 a.m. March 25 at the First Christian Church of Sullivan.

•March 8, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

When The Little Theatre on the Square opened its season Friday, founder Guy Little’s seat on the front row was empty except for a rose.

Guy Little Jr, the founder the The Little Theatre on the Square in 1957 passed away earlier in the day. He was 82.

On opening night Little Theatre Executive Director John Stephens announced the 60th anniversary season will be dedicated to Little. The show  must go on.

And in spite of the fact that Guy was not seated on the front row as usual, handing out notes to crew and cast, the curtain went up on the Square in Sullivan although Guy has gone on to a grander stage.

The city of Sullivan remained a supporter of the Little Theatre of the Square, and the Theatre has in return put the city on the map.

Mayor Ann Short explained that Guy Little actually put Sullivan on the world map.  Read More

Sparrows Take Plunge

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Photo furnished
Sparrows Take Plunge
Members of Sparrows of Lovington participated in the annual Polar Plunge in Lake Decatur for Special Olympics. Taking the plunge March 4 were Allison Miller, Jessica Mercer and Andrea Miller.

Hands Producing Good Works from the Heart in Honduras

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Photo by Joe Pound
In the little village in Honduras every one comes to the church where volunteers work to provide medical treatment for families like the one above. Volunteers from the Sullivan mission helped with Vacation Bible School which was attended by more than 300 children. Regular classes are conducted for students in the church pavilion built during an earlier mission trip.

•March 8, 2017•

By Jose Libra
for the News Progress

For the eighth year in a row, 17 members of Hearts and Hands for Honduras  traveled to a remote community in the northeast part of Honduras, near the large town of Tacoa.

The mission team from Sullivan First United Methodist Church (FUMC) included members from area churches and communities who brought support and healing medical services to residents of nearby La Ceibita. The small, struggling community’s local Methodist church building was the clinic’s location.

These semi-annual treks consist of a medical mission effort in February (just completed) and a trip with a construction focus in July.

Last July a group helped local church members build a 20x20 ft. covered pavilion in the front yard of the church, which is now used as a classroom.  Read More

Security Wall Recommended for States Attorney’s Office

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•March 8, 2017•

A wall with a security window and magnetic entry door for the state’s attorneys was approved for installation by the Moultrie County Board building and grounds committee March 1.

Building and grounds manager Rick Matthews reported the measure to provide increased security to the Moultrie County State’s Attorney Jeremy Richey’s office could be accomplished for about $1000.

Matthews noted an eternal bid of $5906 for constructing the security window and wall let him take another look at the project.

By utilizing used security glass with a built in speaker, Matthews told the committee he could build the wall with occasional assistance from the state’s attorney for $958.19. Read More

Titus Opera House-Sullivan’s Musical Past

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Photo furnished
Performers at the Titus Opera House.

•March 8, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Long before Guy Little, Jr. had a vision for The Little Theatre on the Square, Sullivan enjoyed a storied musical past with the Titus Opera House.

It was Sullivan’s cultural center from 1871 to 1910.

Joseph Titus moved to Sullivan with his wife, Louise, and their talented daughter, Winifred. Mrs. Titus sang and played piano, sharing that love of music with the community.

Mr. and Mrs. Titus became patrons of the arts and built the opera house in 1871 for $30,000. Located on the northeast corner of the square where Dunscomb’s Furniture later resided, people began to come. Read More

IDNR Biodiversity Field Trip Grants Include SES

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•March 8, 2017•

The Sullivan Elementary School first grade has received an $840 IDNR grant for a field trip to Ballard Nature Center in Altamont.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Wayne Rosenthal announced the awarding of more than $98,000 in donated funds from the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program. More than 8,300 students will visit Illinois state parks, museums and other natural resources sites this year to learn about nature and conservation, thanks to grant funding through the 102 field trip grants.

“We are pleased to support learning outside the classroom with these grants. This program allows students to visit locations throughout the state to see first hand what they’ve been learning about in the classroom,” said Director Rosenthal. “Our future conservation leaders need the opportunity to experience Illinois’ natural resources in person.”  Read More

Obituaries 3-8-2017: Bill LaCost

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Bill LaCost

William “Bill” Everett LaCost, 91, of Bethany, passed away February 26, 2017 in Beaumont, Tex.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday March 11, in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany. Visitation will be held an hour before the service at the funeral home in Bethany.  Read More

Longaberger Binga Time at WHS

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Photo furnished
Longaberger Binga Time at WHS
The Windsor class of 2018 will host a Longaberger Binga Fundraiser at 6 p.m. April 1 at Windsor High School. Doors will open at 5:00 pm.
Tickets are on sale now; see a senior class member for tickets, or call Elizabeth Robison at 459-2636.
Tickets will be available at the door. All of the baskets will be filled with goodies. Refreshments, 50/50, and raffle items will also be for sale.
WHS Class of 2018 students pictured: Top left to right: Mikayla Haddock, Morgan Lesko, Caitlin Welsh, and Kasey Bean.

Trustee Donates to Senior Center

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Photo submitted
Trustee Tyler Graven donates his annual township trustee salary of $500 to the Mid-Illinois Senior Center. Kathi Shackles accepts donation for the Center.

•March 8, 2017•

On Thursday, March 2, Tyler Graven, Sullivan Township Trustee, presented the Mid-Illinois Senior Center with a $500 donation - his salary for the year. Graven said, “I made the decision to return my salary to the taxpayers, specifically to four charities in Sullivan. The first one I thought of was the Senior Center because of all the services they provide to seniors.”

In addition to presenting the check Tyler spent some time in the center answering questions about his job and the work of the township. He explained that the trustees are basically auditors and make sure all the bills are paid. He said they would like to get more road work done, and this may be possible because of the money saved by the mild winter. He stressed that the township does not overtax but sometimes underspends, and currently the township is in very good shape fiscally.

Someone suggested that, perhaps, Graven should be in Springfield to drain the swamp there and put their fiscal house in order.