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March 17, 2026 Election Results

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Obituaries 7-9-2025: Harold Merkle

News Progress Posted on July 9, 2025 by webmasterJuly 8, 2025

Harold Merkle

Harold L. Merkle, 74, of Lovington, passed away 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at his home.

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Posted in Obituaries

Obituaries 7-9-2025: Hazel Fraker

News Progress Posted on July 9, 2025 by webmasterJuly 8, 2025

Hazel Fraker

Hazel Fraker, 91, of Sullivan, passed away at 2:52 p.m. Monday, July 7, 2025 at Memorial Medical Center, Springfield.

Arrangements are incomplete at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan.

Posted in Obituaries

A Look Back…7-9-2025

News Progress Posted on July 9, 2025 by webmasterJuly 8, 2025

2015

2015’s “Miss Moultrie-Douglas” royalty included Jr. Miss Mo-Do Kali Pierce of Tuscola, Little Miss Mo-Do Paislee Lorenzen of Newman, and Miss Mo-Do Gabrielle Uphoff of Sullivan.

Amy Monroe of Bethany received her Grand Champion award from Hunter Dyer, Moultrie-Douglas Jr. Leader President. 

Some of the 4th of July activity winners were: Watermelon eating contest - Ages 0-4 - 1st place Caysen Dyer, Sullivan; 2nd place Carsen Ragsdale, Sullivan; 3rd place Easton Wickline, Sullivan. Ages 5-7 - 1st place Marshall Robinson, Sullivan; 2nd place Carigon Cole, Sullivan; 3rd place Angelina Lee, Decatur. Ages 8-10 - 1st places Maddy Probus, Sullivan; Emily Miller, Sullivan; Ryder Lucas, Decatur; Arty Grant, Decatur; 2nd places Gracelyn Matheson, Sullivan; Blaise Walker, Iowa; 3rd places McKenna Phelps, Sullivan; Addison Hicks, North Carolina; Evan Epley, Texas; Maddie Mudd, Decatur.

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Posted in News Briefs

Assistance with school supplies

News Progress Posted on July 9, 2025 by webmasterJuly 8, 2025


•July 9, 2025•

The Moultrie County Outreach - CEFS - is offering school supply assistance to those in need. If your family could use a little extra support getting ready for the new school year, they are there to help. The deadline to apply is July 31st, and the pick-up date is August 8th, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Moultrie County Outreach Office, located at 114 E Harrison Street in Sullivan.

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Posted in News

“Relatives Raising Children” program

News Progress Posted on July 9, 2025 by webmasterJuly 8, 2025

Mid-Illinois Senior Services helping caregivers


•July 9, 2025•

In Illinois, it’s estimated that over 263,890 children under 18 live in homes headed by a relative, with more than 71,000 grandparents caring for their grandchildren. A significant portion of families in Illinois involve grandparents or other relatives raising children, with some estimates suggesting that over 85,000 children in Illinois are being raised by kin with no parent present. Numerous studies and data collected estimate a long-term upward trend in grandparents taking on the role of primary caregiver for their grandchildren in Illinois, with numbers increasing dramatically over the past 25 years. The reasons for this trend vary, but many have been linked to parental substance abuse, mental health issues, incarceration, and death. Many grandparents take on this role due to the challenges faced by their adult children, often needing to re-enter the workforce to support the added financial burden. 

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Posted in News

Addison Stollard named Shuman Memorial Scholarship winner

News Progress Posted on July 9, 2025 by webmasterJuly 8, 2025


•July 9, 2025•

Addison Stollard named Shuman Memorial Scholarship winner  Addison Stollard, of Sullivan, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Charles B. Shuman Memorial Scholarship sponsored by the Moultrie County Farm Bureau. Ms. Stollard is the daughter of Erik and Erica Stollard. She is a 2025 graduate of Sullivan High School and plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign this fall. Ms. Stollard plans to study agriculture with a concentration in agribusiness.

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Posted in Top Stories

Parade royalty brave the heat and shine

News Progress Posted on July 9, 2025 by webmasterJuly 8, 2025

Photo by DM Williamee L-R : Back row: Julianne Steffens, Jr. Miss MoDo; Claire Meyer, Miss MoDo; Tabitha Webb, Miss Sullivan, Kinlee Agney, Jr. Miss Sullivan. Front Row: Oaklee Stenger, Little Miss Modo; Josslyn Brown, Little Miss Sullivan; Whitley Fryman, Young Miss Sullivan.
Posted in Standalone Photo

Findlay’s ‘Walleye Festival’ calendar of events

News Progress Posted on July 9, 2025 by webmasterJuly 8, 2025


•July 9, 2025•

The saying that “good things come in small packages” holds for Findlay’s annual Walleye Festival. Pure pride in one small town provides a weekend full of fun for all at this family-friendly event. The schedule of events is as follows:

On Friday, July 25th, the Festival opens at 4:00 p.m., with the Walleye tent opening with the Kids Zone opening as well at the Firehouse from 4:00 -8:00 p.m., and the American Legion Dinner held from 4:00 -8:00 p.m. From 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., the Fire Station Obstacle Course will be held at the Firehouse, and ‘Sound City Band’ will be performing on the main Stage from 6:30-9:00 p.m. From 8:00 to midnight, ‘Identity Crisis’ will be performing in the beer tent.

On Saturday, July 26th, Findlay Fire & Ambulance will have their B&G breakfast at the firehouse from 6:00-9:00 a.m., followed by the Parade line up at 8:30 at OVMS, with the Parade beginning at 10:00 a.m. This year’s theme is “Anchored in the Community.” At 9:00 a.m., the Car Show registration begins on Main Street, with the show beginning at noon, and awards handed out at 3:00 p.m. At 11:00 a.m., the festival switches into high gear with the following: Festival formally opens, Walleye tent opens at the firehouse, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. will be the American Legion Dinner, and from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., ‘Big Spike Hammer’ will be entertaining on the main stage. At 11:30, the Pedal Pull Registration opens at the grain elevators before the actual event at noon. Noon to 8:00 p.m., the Kids Zone opens at the firehouse, and at the Kids Zone, the Kids Photo Booth will be open from noon until 4:00 p.m. At 12:30 p.m., the Garden Tractor Pull registration opens behind the beer tent, with the Garden Tractor Pull beginning at 1:00 p.m. From 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the ‘Greg Bickers Band’ will be performing on the main stage, followed by ‘Billy Galt and the Blues Deacons’ from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. ‘Flight Fifty’ will be performing in the beer tent from 8:00 p.m. until midnight.

Posted in free news stories

Dalton City United Methodist Church VBS

News Progress Posted on July 9, 2025 by webmasterJuly 8, 2025


•July 9, 2025•

Vacation Bible School (VBS) will be held at the Dalton City United Methodist Church, located at 200 E Freeland Street on Saturday, July 12th, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All children aged 3-12 are welcome to attend. For more information, call (217) 874-2732.

Posted in free news stories

Bethany Police warn public

News Progress Posted on July 9, 2025 by webmasterJuly 8, 2025

Card skimmer found at Casey’s General Store


•July 9, 2025•

The Bethany Police Department is warning residents after a credit card skimming device was discovered on a gas pump at the Casey’s General Store located in Bethany. The device was located during a routine inspection on June 30. An investigation is now underway.

Skimming devices are designed to capture card data from customers who use the pump to pay for fuel. We are working to determine how long the device was active and whether any customer information was compromised.

“We want to alert our community to this potential threat and encourage everyone to take precautions when using card readers at fuel pumps. If you used your card at this Casey’s location recently, please monitor your bank accounts closely and report any suspicious activity.”

Tips to Protect Yourself from Skimmers: Inspect the card reader: If it appears loose, misaligned, or different from other pumps, do not use it. Choose well-lit pumps close to the storefront, which are more visible to staff and less likely to be tampered with. Use credit cards or contactless payment instead of debit cards when possible. Monitor bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges. Report suspicious findings to store staff or local law enforcement immediately.

Anyone who believes they may have been affected or has information about this case is urged to contact the Bethany Police Department.

Posted in free news stories

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Senior Expo a success



News Progress


Photo Submitted

On Friday, September 4th, Mid-Illinois Senior Services (MISS) was abuzz with activity and a good time was had by all during MISS’ yearly Senior Expo. Local businesses attended to provide helpful information to local seniors, and the staff of MISS was on hand to answer questions, sign people up for services (including Medicare Part ‘D’ enrollments which are fast approaching), as well as provide a free lunch. Many local businesses and individuals donated a wide variety of goods to be sold at the Expo, with all funds raised going directly back into the services MISS provides to local seniors and a much-needed roof repair.


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