Author Archives:

Chain Reaction

News Progress Posted on by
Photo by RR Best Chain reaction An Indiana couple was on their way home from Lake Shelbyville when the boat they were pulling went out of control; dragging the camper, the truck that was pulling it and the couple into a roadside ditch near the lake bridge on the Findlay Road. According to the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department when Jason Burdge went over the bridge pulling the camper and boat, the truck bounced and the chain reaction led to the boat careening into the ditch while pulling everything else along. No one was injured and damage was limited to the Burdge vehicles. The driver was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident in the Monday afternoon accident.

Photo by RR Best
An Indiana couple was on their way home from Lake Shelbyville when the boat they were pulling went out of control; dragging the camper, the truck that was pulling it and the couple into a roadside ditch near the lake bridge on the Findlay Road. According to the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department when Jason Burdge went over the bridge pulling the camper and boat, the truck bounced and the chain reaction led to the boat careening into the ditch while pulling everything else along. No one was injured and damage was limited to the Burdge vehicles. The driver was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident in the Monday afternoon accident.

Moultrie Moment of the Week

News Progress Posted on by
Moultrie Moment of the Week Pictured here are second semester students from the Sullivan High School Student Council. This photo was taken in 1927. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.

Moultrie Moment of the Week
Pictured here are second semester students from the Sullivan High School Student Council. This photo was taken in 1927. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.

Times are Changing for Secret Santa in Sullivan

News Progress Posted on by

•September 9, 2015•

With the closing of ShopKo Police Chief John Love explained shopping for children in need who are older than seven is a challenge.

“We try to shop locally, but we don’t have a way to buy clothes and boots for older kids,” Love said, noting that Dollar General in town has been great for children six to seven years old.

”We’re taking Secret Santa back to its roots,” he continued. “We will seek out those in need throughout the year and help the best way we can.”

For the past few years people receiving Secret Santa help around Christmas would start filing into the police department to sign up in September and October. He explained with the way Secret Santa has grown that has to change. Read More

Wildlife Park Goes to Rockome Gardens

News Progress Posted on by

•September 9, 2015•

A wildlife park rejected by Moultrie County in June found new life at the former Rockome Gardens site south of Arcola.

James Aikman’s dream of a drive through wildlife park, a walk through petting zoo and aviary got a second wind with a $506,794 loan from the city of Arcola to help get things rolling.

“The Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development is thrilled to hear that Aikman Wildlife Park will be located within our region and that the Rockome site will be repurposed,” said Stepheny McMahon of the Sullivan Chamber. “We wish the Aikman’s much success.” Read More

Remember When? 9-9-2015

News Progress Posted on by

Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years Ago This Week

Cameron Parrott and Susan Ozier of Moultrie County were each named a recipient of a CEFS Economic Opportunity Corp. Community Services Block Grant scholarship Aug. 2 at the agency’s annual board of directors meeting. Parrott is the son of Robert and Suzanne Parrott of Lovington and is attending Eastern Illinois University. Ozier is the daughter of Bobby and Linda Book of Bethany and is enrolled in the pre-law program at the University of Illinois.

With seven of ten letter winners returning, a little more hard work and a lot of dedication may prove to be an unbeatable combination for the Lady Redskins’ volleyball team. All seven of the letter winners were in starting positions at one time or another last season. Topping the list are third year varsity players Becky Clayton and Amanda Glazebrook.

For more than 20 years, Sharon Emel has served countless area residents food as a waitress in several Sullivan eating establishments, including her former restaurant, the Ham ’n’ Egg. A former employee of Hezzy’s, Little Richard’s and the former Red Fox, Sharon is popular among local residents—many who have dubbed her “the best waitress in town.” Popularity aside, Sharon said she loves waitressing, which is one of the reasons she is opening Sharon’s Family Restaurant in Sullivan this Saturday morning.

“It really feels good to win!” was the consensus of the Bethany Mustangs followng their 20-0 victory over the Lovington-Arthur football team Friday night in the season opener for both teams. “Hungry was the first word first year head coach Kris Wheeler used to describe the Mustangs and specifically the quarterback Burl Coclasure. Read More

A Little Trim Now Helps Keep the Lights on Later

News Progress Posted on by
NP Archives

News•Progress Archives

•September 2, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

“I love my trees so I understand why people get upset,” Mayor Ann Short said of recent tree trimming in the city. “But when there is a bad storm and trees take down power lines, everyone suffers.”

In order to gain some control over the branches hanging over power lines the city is trying to be proactive and Short explained the existing crew in the electric dept. can’t keep up.

That led the city to contract with Nelson Tree Service, arborists that trim for Ameren, for the project.

Shannon Risley is in charge of the electric plant and making sure Sullivan residents can depend on their electric service.

On July 19, 2010 one of the worst storms to ever hit Sullivan brought that home with 21 poles downed as the result of falling limbs and wind, putting pressure on power lines.

“That week from Monday until most service was restored by Wednesday we worked 40 hours overtime in the sweltering heat,” Risley recalled. He explained the damage was beyond the ability of Sullivan’s six man crew to handle. Read More

A Good Day For a Walk in Wyman Park

News Progress Posted on by
Photo by Mike Brothers Walking in the park is the same today as it was 100 years ago except the lake is a little bigger and the trees are mature. Sisters Martina Emrick and Teresa Ingram are taking a morning stroll around the lake on Wyman Park’s 100th birthday.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Walking in the park is the same today as it was 100 years ago except the lake is a little bigger and the trees are mature. Sisters Martina Emrick and Teresa Ingram are taking a morning stroll around the lake on Wyman Park’s 100th birthday.

A century old gift to the city

•September 2, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

It’s a good day to take a walk in the park. And for the people of Sullivan Wyman Park is the best place to take that stroll.

On Sept 1, 2015 the 45 acre Wyman Park at the north edge of the city turned 100 years old.

It was the vision of German immigrant and shoemaker Albert Wyman, a frugal man who took five mile walks every day.

Local resident and Wyman historian Joe Pound got interested in the shoemaker’s life after he and wife Joan returned to Sullivan to retire.

“What intrigued me at first was how a man who came from Germany in his twenties ended up in Sullivan,” Joe said, noting wife Joan, who passed away in July, was his researcher who traced Wyman’s journey along with help from local historian Janet Roney.

Pound, who is also of German ancestry, discovered that Wyman came to Sullivan from Effingham County in 1870 with 65 cents in his pocket.

By the time he gifted the city of Sullivan with $33,000 to establish a park, he was worth more than a million dollars in present day currency value. Read More

A Different Chapter-Same Life

News Progress Posted on by

MikeBrothersOh Brother…

•September 2, 2015•

by Mike Brothers
NP Managing Editor

It seems like a hundred years ago when I sat down at the old Underwood manual typewriter at the Harrisburg Daily Register and cranked out my first story as a reporter.

Here I am some three decades later sitting down to a MacBook to crank out another story.

This is a different chapter of the same life.

A life where the road less traveled brought me out of southern Illinois to the great prairie to tend a batch of community newspapers for about 15 years.

Then I took a break from the newspaper business, learning during that time that the newspaper business hadn’t left me.

Once ink flows through a person’s veins they can never be the same.

There is something about the unpredictable nature of the news business that keeps it exciting. Read More

Opportunistic Redskins Defeat Hoopeston 56-3

News Progress Posted on by
Photo by RR Best

Photo by RR Best

•September 2, 2015•

By Matt Kracht
NP sports reporter

In their season opener Sullivan Okaw-Valley rushed out to a 42-0 halftime lead thanks in part to a strong defensive effort.

Ty Molzen was sharp in limited action hitting on four of seven passing for three touchdowns and 110 yards in the first half. Head coach Gerald Temples thought overall it was a good start to the season. “We got some details we need to work on, but our defense played hard. We did not tackle exceptionally well so we got to get that corrected, but for the first ball game they did a nice job.”

After forcing a quick three and out on Hoopeston’s opening possession, the Redskins offense took over on the Cornjerker 34 yard line. On the first play Molzen plowed around the right end for an 18 yard gain. The Redskins then flipped it outside to Alec Ballinger who found space taking it 18 yards for the score with 10:16 remaining in the first quarter. Ballinger, who has game changing speed, received a pancake block from Blake Stewart to open his alley. The score was the first of three touchdown catches by Ballinger who finished with 105 yards receiving on the night. Coach Temples was pleased with the quick strike aspect of the offense. “Alex Ballinger is a pretty talented young man. When he gets in some space, he can make things happen. He did a nice job; our kids did a nice job getting it there.” Read More