Author Archives:

Youth Scavenger Hunt Saturday in Sullivan

News Progress Posted on by

•July 29, 2015•

A youth scavenger hunt will be held at 9 a.m. this Saturday in Sullivan.

Organized by Jeri Davis, the hunt will be open to those ages 12 and under. An adult is asked to be present to supervise any child participating.

The hunt will officially begin after clues for the 15 or so treasurers’ whereabouts are posted at 9 a.m. on the Facebook page, “Sullivan Scavenger Hunts  -  Sullivan IL” .

Prizes will not be hidden inside businesses, but rather outside in the open in a square area consisting of Park Drive (north boundary), Water Street (south boundary), Worth Street (east boundary), and Pierce Street (west boundary).

Participants are asked to claim no more than one prize per child. Prizes will appear in the form of a white envelope. Inside, a phone number will be listed for the individual who donated the prize. Scavengers are asked to call the number to not only claim the prize but to also establish a meeting place and time for which to receive their prize.

Participants are asked to be respectful of property. Sullivan police have been made aware of Saturday’s scavenger hunt and will keep an eye out for scavengers.

If any prizes remain unclaimed as of noon Saturday, more clues on their whereabouts will be posted to the Facebook page.

Some of the prizes include a bicycle, movie certificates, and gift certificates to local restaurants as well as cash prizes.

For more information, visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/523416771143209/ or call Davis at 273-9456. If Saturday’s scavenger hunt is a success, Davis says a similar hunt may be organized for older children in the future.

Obituaries 7-29-2015: Pauline Briney

News Progress Posted on by

Pauline BrineyPauline Briney

Pauline Briney, 90, of Findlay passed away Saturday July 25, 2015 in Mason Point in Sullivan.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Findlay.  Pastor Mike Reynolds and Pastor Kerry Cox officiated. Burial was in Wright Cemetery near Findlay.

Read More

Green Mill Village Theatre Brings Santa to Arcola

News Progress Posted on by

•July 29, 2015•

The Green Mill Village Theatre in Arcola will be throwing a Christmas in July party Thursday, July 30. Guests will have a chance to come to the theatre to meet Santa and his reindeer before enjoying a 1 p.m. or 7 p.m. showing of “Half-Stitched The Musical.”

“We wanted to create a fun and unique event that would bring together people of all ages,” Koy Cook, Sales and Social Media Coordinator, said. “Christmas is such a festive time of year, and we really wanted to give a gift to the community for being so supportive of our new theatre with some amazing deals on tickets and a variety of activities for the kids.” Read More

Renewing Wood Lake

News Progress Posted on by

Upgrades come just as Lake Shelbyville is named top project in nation

Photo by Keith Stewart Volunteer members from the Sullivan AmBucs install decking at the new fishing pier at Wood Lake. The pier was completed as of this week. The volunteers will next construct a roof for the pier.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Volunteer members from the Sullivan AmBucs install decking at the new fishing pier at Wood Lake. The pier was completed as of this week. The volunteers will next construct a roof for the pier.

•July 29, 2015•

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

These days, the Lake Shelbyville area is glistening and not just because of the hot sunshine beaming down on the water.

Two weeks ago this Thursday the US Army Corp. of Engineers announced that Lake Shelbyville had taken this year’s top spot as the Natural Resources Management project of the year.

And as if any further proof was needed, that same day, a small group of volunteers was working on installing a handicapped accessible pier at Wood Lake, just a half mile north of the Bruce-Findlay road–one of several upgrades to the 30-acre lake that when finished looks to make it a unique destination, particularly for fishing.

The volunteers constructing the pier come by way of the Sullivan AmBucs, a local chapter of the national service organization that has come to be best known for, not only providing ‘AmTrykes’ for disabled children, but also constructing ramps to make homes and businesses accessible.

And that’s where the group has drawn much of their expertise with their latest project–building a 50’x20’ handicapped accessible pier at Wood Lake that when finished, will not only allow fishing more than 45’ feet in, but also at night with the aid of solar-powered lights and a roof overhead.

“It’s a real opportunity for AmBucs to do some real good, not only for Sullivan, but the Shelbyville area,” said Denny Hutchings, a member of the Sullivan AmBucs group. “To have a facility like that as close as it is to Sullivan, open to the public and that is a nice fishery, it could be a real boom to the area, and it’s a chance for AmBucs to have a little wider impact. Just a great opportunity.” Read More

C.E.F.S. Impacted by the State Budget Impasse

News Progress Posted on by

•July 29, 2015•

The State of Illinois budget not being enacted for fiscal year 2016 beginning July 1 has led C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation to make changes in their program delivery system to include reduction of client services, days of service, hours of operation and employment of personnel to provide the needed services to clients.

According to Paul White, CEO, “The current budget uncertainty and impasse at the state level has led C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation to reduce client services effective July 1 and to lay off employees, change days of service and reduce hours of operation in the field offices effective August 3.

White added that, “Due to C.E.F.S. not having state contracts or state funding in place for some of our key human service programs, the agency has had to make decisions that impact the level of service for our clients at our local outreach field offices.”

On July 1, C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation stopped all direct client services in the following grants: the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the Emergency Solutions Grant, the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program, the Homeless Prevention Program, and the Emergency and Transitional Housing Program. These unfunded state funded programs will not provide direct client services until the state budget is approved and contracts are issued to C.E.F.S. The client impact has been no direct services to 2,115 low-income individuals which represents 955 vulnerable households not receiving needed assistance.  Read More

Obituaries 7-29-2015: Bud Ozee

News Progress Posted on by

Ozee, GordonBud Ozee

Funeral services for Gordon Dwain “Bud” Ozee, 73, a resident of Mason Point in Sullivan, were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial was in Marrowbone Township Cemetery in Bethany.

He passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, July 22, 2015, after a long illness.

Read More

Edward Jones Adds Financial Advisor

News Progress Posted on by

•July 29, 2015•

Jamie Shoot

Jamie Shoot

Edward Jones Financial Advisor George Levi announced today that a second financial advisor, Jamie Shoot, has joined his office in Sullivan as of July 7.

“I am really looking forward to working with George,” said Jamie. “I’ll have all the advantages of working with an experienced investment professional while getting to know local investors. This will be a tremendous opportunity to increase my investment knowledge and hone my customer service skills.”

“I’m very impressed with Jamie, and I’m sure our clients will be, too,” added Levi. “Edward Jones prides itself on providing the best service possible to those investors who choose to do business with us. Jamie will help provide the high level of service investors in Moultrie County have come to expect from us as well as extend our services to new investors.” Read More

Simple and in Abundance

News Progress Posted on by
Photo by Keith Stewart Pictured is Brandi Novak, the owner of the newly opened primative/antique store Simpler Thymes, located at 110 E Harrison next door to the Sullivan Bakery.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured is Brandi Novak, the owner of the newly opened primative/antique store Simpler Thymes, located at 110 E Harrison next door to the Sullivan Bakery.

New antique store opens in Sullivan

•July 29, 2015•

By Nick Fiala
Reporting in Sullivan

It is often said that every success story starts with a dream. In this case, it is a dream and an enormous collection of beautifully-aged odds and ends that Brandi Novak is using to start her own antique store, Simpler Thymes, located on Harrison Street, just east of the Little Theatre.

“I taught second-grade here.” said Novak, who is a former sales director and held her grand opening for the store over this last weekend. “I really enjoy the town; I think it’s a great area [and] they’re really doing a lot with it. New business is coming in, and that was a big factor in my decision to open here.”

A love for auctions and sales led Novak to start her own collections and open booths in places such as B&J Antiques and Copper Eagle in Charleston. But she said this opening, arranged since June, is an opportunity for her to realize a long-time goal and combine it with a deep personal interest.

“I’ve always been interested in being self-employed.” Novak said. “It still can be flexible when I need it to be...I’ve had antique booths for about seven years [and] I thought ‘it’s now or never’.”  Read More

Sheri Randall Benefit August 1

News Progress Posted on by

Sheri_Randall_obitProceeds to go to Randall’s family and son

•July 29, 2015•

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

An all-day benefit is set for this coming Saturday in Sullivan that will also, in many ways, serve to celebrate the life of Sheri Randall, who died tragically earlier this year.

The benefit will be held at the Sullivan VFW with doors opening at 11 a.m. when a children’s festival will commence outside including carnival games, a dunk tank, and a DJ.

At noon, a lunch will be served at $5 a plate.

A long list of entertainment will then begin at 3:15 p.m. with solo acoustic act Josh Holland. A live auction will run from 4:30-6 p.m.

Entertainment will continue until midnight and feature acts including Wesley Davis, Van Waylon, LTH, Darkness Inside, Grays Divide, and War Nerve.

A silent auction will run throughout most of the day. Read More

Obituaries 7-29-2015: Janet Freadhoff

News Progress Posted on by

Janet freadhoffJanet Freadhoff

Janet D. Freadhoff, 67, of Sullivan, formerly of Fairbury, passed away at 11:15 p.m. Saturday July 25, 2015 in Mason Point in Sullivan.

According to her wishes there will be no visitation or funeral services. Arrangements are by Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan.

Read More