Author Archives:

Redskins Battle Bulldogs at CIC Tournament

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by RR Best
Jarod Merryman fights through a double team with St. Teresa in the first round of the Central Illinois Conference tournament Jan 28.

•February 1, 2017•

The Sullivan boys’ basketball team dropped two games in the Central Illinois Conference tournament games and a non-conference game against Charleston this past week.

Monday, Jan 23 in the CIC tournament, Central A&M incrementally expanded its lead against the Redskins.

CAM took a 6-point lead into the second quarter and a 24-17 into halftime.

The Raiders tacked on six more to the lead in the third quarter and eventually won 50-37.

Bryce Farris and Queintan Britton each scored nine points, and Josh Stutzman followed with eight.

Farris also recorded 11 rebounds and four steals.

In the first game of the CIC tournament, Sullivan lost to No. 1 seeded St. Teresa 45-27.

The Redskins trailed 16-12 at halftime before the Bulldogs pulled away in the second half. Josh Stutzman led Sullivan with 10 points. Read More

Understanding Illinois: Can Illinois Put The Bounce Back In Our Step?

News Progress Posted on by

•February 1, 2017•

By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

I decided to “get outta’ Dodge” for a couple of weeks. I have landed in Thomasville, Georgia (pop. 19,000), just north of the Florida panhandle.

Each morning I have coffee out front of a shop in the upscale, 1880s-vintage downtown. I have been struck by the smiling, friendly and upbeat nature of folks here.

I swear they have a lively bounce in their step as they head out to start their day. Why so, I wondered?

I visited with Tom Hill, a native and the retired curator of the city’s history museum. Read More

Remember When? 2-1-2017

News Progress Posted on by

25 Years Ago This Week

Feb 3, 1992

George Risley of Sullivan took advantage of springlike weather playing a round of golf at the Sullivan Country Club in 60 degree weather.

Moultrie County crime decreased from 1990 to 1991 MCSD Sgt. Rieck Kendall reported. Burglaries fell from 51 to 33 in 1991 with Kendall noting the arrest of three groups operating burglary rings in Moultrie and Macon counties were a major reason for that decline.

Bethany’s Andi Smith contributed points, steals and rebounds to propel the Fillies to a 59-35 win over Blue Mound at the Meridian Tournament.

Corey Richardson had eight assists and a big three pointer in the fourth during Sullivan’s loss to St. Teresa. Read More

Grit & Glory – Traversing the Panama Canal

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Joe Pound
At the Farewell Panama party the Sullivan Eleven lined up with the rest of the tour group and with four native women dressed in Pollera, native dress of the culture. The elaborate dresses take up to a year to make and are adorned with thousands of dollars in jewelry.

•February 1, 2017•

By Jose Libra
for the News Progress

Along with about a dozen friends from Sullivan, we just returned from five warm, sunny days touring this remarkable civil engineering project and its environs in the Republic of Panama.

The preplanned trip was organized and led by Road Scholar guides, beginning with our landing in the skyscraper crowded Panama City, the capital of the country.

Led by Don Schmidgall of Sullivan our group benefited from his energy and attention to detail, making the trip easy and fascinating. Highlights included history of the canal, size and scope of this project, traversing by ship the entire canal, perfect weather in the 90’s, our two tour guides, the new bridge over the Canal being built at Colon, riding high in the top cabin of the tour boat, the railroad trip back to Panama City from Colon, wonderful breeze along the canal trip, the rainforest, delicious food and the farewell dinner and dancers.

Our local tour guides from Road Scholar were “Archie” and “Rey”, both Panamanian citizens. Both of them were a joy and taught us a great deal about the history and reality of this central part of Panama. Read More

Lovington Public Library February News

News Progress Posted on by

•February 1, 2017•

Crazy 8s is a cool over-the-top after school club that’s designed to get kids excited about math. Beginning March 8, each Friday from 3:45-4:45 p.m. kids will get to build stuff, run and jump, be Ninjas and make new friends. This program is for children in grades third-fifh.

“Wee Readers Story Time” is held 10:45-11:15 a.m. Thursday mornings. Preschoolers two years and older enjoy a story, arts and crafts, song and dance, learning games and more. Themes are Feb. 2: “Valentine’s Day”; Feb. 9: No storytime; Feb.. 16: “Presidents”; Feb. 23: “Penguins”.

Learn to design games with Minecraft’s Alex and Steve 3:45-4:45 p.m. Feb. 3. Participants will program animals and other Minecraft characters in their own version of Minecraft using an easy drag-and-drop system. This program is for second grade through adult code learners. Feel free to bring your own laptop, tablet or smartphone if you do not want to have to code with a partner.

Calling all adults! Need a little relaxation and conversation? Join the Adult Coloring Club every Friday, from 3:45 - 4:45 pm. The library will provide coloring sheets and markers.  Read More

New Investment Program for Children and Adults with a Disability or Blindness

News Progress Posted on by

•February 1, 2017•

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced a groundbreaking partnership that brings together 14 states to encourage individuals to invest money on behalf of people with a disability or blindness without jeopardizing their federal disability benefits.

Illinois leads the National Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Alliance, the country’s largest multi-state agreement for these special investment tools that allow for tax-free investment growth when proceeds are spent on qualifying disability-related expenses. Today’s announcement culminates nearly two years of negotiations and additional states also can join the Illinois-led group.

“Every parent wants the best for their child,” Frerichs said. “With this program, we can ensure that families who have a loved one with a disability or blindness get the tools that they need to plan for their future.” Read More

Correction

News Progress Posted on by

•February 1, 2017•

In the January 25 issue of the News Progress an error was made in the page three story entitled Bethany Church Families. Pastor Tracy Siegman is the pastor of the First Christian Church of Bethany. She was incorrectly identified as the Presbyterian Church pastor. We apologize for the error.

Sullivan: Preschool Round Up 2017

News Progress Posted on by

•February 1, 2017•

If a child is between the ages of birth to five years old the Sullivan School District and Project H.E.L.P. (Helping Educate Little People) will offer free preschool screenings February 27 and 28.

Screenings are at First United Methodist Church, 210 West Jefferson in Sullivan. The free preschool screening is to see how a child is developing in the areas of concepts, motor, speech and language.

A vision and hearing screening is also provided. The free developmental screening lasts about one hour. Call Sullivan Elementary School at 728-2321 for an appointment or more information.

Sullivan Middle School First Semester Honor Roll

News Progress Posted on by

•February 1, 2017•

Straight As

Eighth Grade: Cooper J. Browne, Reagan A. Crouse, Cody M. Crowe, Arabella Y. Dudley, Haylee J. Faulkner, Keelie M. Fleener, Coen J. Foster, Jerralee R. Goad, Alexa R. Hauser, Brett D. Johnson, Hailey D. Jones, Anna E. Mathias, Avery C. McGregor, Emma M. Moran, Mallory A. Nichols, Ian M. Plank, Darien M. Ray, Andrew D. Rogers, Emily B. Simpson, Carley R. Towle, Zoe M. Walton, Emily E. White, Nicholas C. Wilson.

Seventh Grade: Oliver S. Adamson, Logan J. Anderson, Logan A. Annetts, Camden J. Dwyer, Raimi N. Gardner, Connor A. Golden, Lilly R. Graham, Nathan N. Green, Kathryn L. Honchell, Maddison D. Hopper, Abigail L. Kirkwood, Joann B. Mathias, Morgan E. Moll, Sammantha K. Montague, Madelyn M. Neville, Aastha V. Patel, Alyssa J. Shriver, Caprice N. Smith, Jerold J. Standerfer, Aaron M. Stutzman, Alyssa M. Thompson, Natalie N. Turnbaugh, Ryan A. Villalobos, Morgan E. Wallace, Devon A. Winings; Read More

Menus 2-1-2017

News Progress Posted on by

Sullivan Pre-School Breakfast
Monday, Feb. 6 - English muffins, apple juice, milk.
Tuesday, Feb. 7 - Strawberries & bananas, Ritz crackers, milk.
Wednesday, Feb. 8 - Toast, apple juice, milk.
Thursday, Feb. 9  - Coffee cake, apple juice, milk.
Friday, Feb. 10 - French toast, apple juice, milk.

Sullivan Pre-School Lunch
Monday, Feb. 6 - McRibs, peas, Mandarin oranges, bread & butter, milk.
Tuesday, Feb. 7 - Grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, crackers, apple slices, milk.
Wednesday, Feb. 8 - Goulash, green beans, pears, garlic bread, milk.
Thursday, Feb. 9  - Corn dogs, tater tots, peaches, milk.
Friday, Feb. 10 - Pizza, lettuce salad, mixed fruit, milk.

Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Monday, Feb. 6 - Cabbage rolls, mashed potatoes, Italian green beans, whole grain wheat, pineapple tidbits.
Tuesday, Feb. 7 - Chicken pot pie w/vegetables, mixed lettuce salad w/dressing, biscuits, warm cinnamon apples.
Wednesday, Feb. 8 - Chili mac w/beans, carrots, Texas toast, warm peach crisp.
Thursday, Feb. 9  -Pork chop in gravy, mashed potatoes, winter mix vegetables, Texas toast, frosted pumpkin bar.
Friday, Feb. 10 - Ham or cheese salad, potato soup, creamy coleslaw, whole grain wheat, crackers, fruit salad.