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Lovington Library News for June

News Progress Posted on by
June 10, 2015

Talking Books

Do you know someone that is unable to read books, due to poor eyesight? Did you know that they can go to their local library and sign-up for Talking Books? Call your library for more details.

Library on the Go EBooks

If you are a patron of Lovington Public Library, you can connect with Library on the Go Ebooks on your Kindle, Nook, etc. Call your library to see how to sign-up for Library on the Go at 873-4468.

Read to the Rhythm

The Lovington Public Library will be starting Summer Reading Registration on Monday June 8 for Preschool, Kindergarten-5th Grade, 6th-8th Grades and High School-Adults. After the patron registers at the library, they will receive a book log and they can start reading for prizes throughout the months of June and July. Read More

Allen Awarded $1,500 Scholarship

News Progress Posted on by
June 10, 2015

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond High School student Christy Allen has been awarded a $1,500 scholarship from America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders, a new program sponsored by the Monsanto Fund.
Allen, of Arthur, plans to study agricultural communications at the University of Illinois this fall.
“Christy’s involvement in FFA has led to her interest in ag,” said Wendy Leenerts, FFA advisor at the high school. “She has been a very successful member and has taken advantage of all of the opportunities the organization provides. She was an extremely dedicated reporter for our chapter for several years and was the first to create a newsletter. I think she will be very successful in ag business and communications.” Read More

Coon Awarded Scholarship

News Progress Posted on by
June 10, 2015

Zachary Coon has been awarded a scholarship by the Illinois Lumber and Material Dealers Association Foundation. Coon graduated from Sullivan High School in the spring of 2011 and attended Lake Land College to study building construction technology before transferring to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he is working towards his bachelor’s degree in construction management with a minor in business administration. Coon wishes to earn his master’s degree and join the management team of a large construction firm. Read More

County Board Okays Rauner’s Turnaround Agenda

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While a formality, board’s approval marks support for Governor’s reforms

June 10, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

At their regular meeting last month, the Moultrie county board unanimously approved Governor Bruce Rauner’s “Turnaround Agenda”, also known as the “Local Government Empowerment and Reform” resolution.
In what is only a show of support with no binding action, the nine-member board gave their approval of the call for reforms that the Illinois governor has been pushing now since he entered office, including those dealing with workers compensation, property tax freezes, term limits, prevailing wage, and empowerment zones or right-to-work areas where union membership and dues would be voluntary and that could be established by referendum or by a governing body’s ordinance or resolution. These zones have been labeled as anti-union by critics. Read More

Relay for Life Saturday

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The Moultrie County Relay for Life will be held this coming Saturday at Wyman Park in Sullivan.
The event will run from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and kickoff with the survivors lap.
More information may be found by clicking here.

Mobile Drivers License Unit at Sullivan Library June 18

News Progress Posted on by
June 10, 2015

Secretary of State Jesse White, in cooperation with the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library in Sulivan, is offering drivers a chance to renew their driver’s license or vehicle registration renewal sticker, obtain a duplicate or corrected license, or obtain an Illinois identification card. White’s mobile unit will be available at the Sullivan Library, located at 2 West Water in Sullivan, on June 18 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
“I am pleased to work with the Sullivan Library to bring my office’s services directly to the people,” said White. “This is another example of how my office continues to use technology as an ally to improve upon the delivery of services to Illinois residents.”
An applicant renewing a current Illinois driver’s license or identification card need only present a current valid driver’s license or identification card. If the applicant is applying for either a duplicate or corrected driver’s license or identification card the applicant must present two forms of identification. To find out what documents are considered acceptable identification, please call 217-782-7044 or visit the Illinois Secretary of States website by clicking here.

Obituaries 6-10-2015: Earl Heckler

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FlagForWebsiteEarl Heckler

Earl Warren Heckler, 81, of Tucson, Ariz., formerly of Bethany, died at 6:30 a.m. Monday, May 25, 2015, at Emeritus at Catalina Memory Care Home in Tucson.

Private graveside services will be held Thursday, June 11 in Marrowbone Township Cemetery in Bethany.

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A Look Back at Sullivan’s John Eden Who Ran For Governor In 1868

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Served Five Terms in Congress

June 10, 2015

By Tom Emery
Contributing Historian

Among the leading figures of Sullivan history is John R. Eden, who unsuccessfully ran for governor of Illinois in 1868. It was just one highlight in a long career in public service that included a total of five terms in the U.S. House.

From “John R. Eden 1826-1909 A Compendium of Materials” by R. Eden Martin. John Eden

From “John R. Eden 1826-1909 A Compendium of Materials” by R. Eden Martin.
John Eden

Eden was born in Bath County in east-central Kentucky Feb. 1, 1826 and moved with his family by prairie schooner to Rush County, east of Indianapolis, at age five. Young John worked on the farm and attended his first school in a cabin of round logs. The students sat on benches that had wooden pins for legs. The “desks” were actually puncheon boards mounted on pegs set in holes on the wall.
The window of the building was simply a space left by the removal of one log, stretching nearly the length of the wall. It had no glass, and greased paper was used in cold weather to keep out the elements. John, however, embraced his schooling and at age 18 became a teacher himself, for $20 a month and room and board. Read More

Burch Makes Dean’s List

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June 10, 2015

Sarah Burch, of rural Findlay, made the Dean’s List at Illinois State University in Bloomington for the 2015 spring semester. To be eligible for the honor a student must carry at least 12 hours of college credit with only the top 10 percent of ISU students qualifying. Read More

Running the Extra Mile for Childhood Cancer

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St. Jude Dash and Bash set for June 20

June 10, 2015

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

Each year thousands of children battle in the fight for their lives at St. Jude Research Hospital. In fact, according to their website, nearly 7,800 active patients are treated annually. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude so they can put their soul focus on recovery. But in order to provide that financial relief, hundreds if not thousands of people, set out to run.
Stephanie Helmuth is one of those who are serious about helping contribute to the fight of childhood cancer.
“Many of us runners are very passionate about St. Jude and without their help, we would not be able to do this event,” she said. Read More