Author Archives:

Guest speaker scheduled for the Geneology Circle on June 11

News Progress Posted on by

•June 5, 2024•

The Geneology Circle will be held at the Moultrie County History Center, History Center, 1303 S. Hamilton, Sullivan, on June 11th from 6:30-8 p.m. The guest speakers will be the Daughters of Union Vetetans of the Civil War 1861-1865. This organization is for women of direct lineage from Civil War veterans to keep the memory of their ancestral fathers who served, honor their loyalty and sacrifices and keep alive the history of those who participated in the struggle to preserve the Union.   

Call 217-728-4085 to register.

SMS Class 3A State Medalists 2024

News Progress Posted on by

Photos furnished
SMS Class 3A State Medalists
(Left to Right) First Row - Addie Patterson, Tenley Campbell, Emma Drake, Lyla Wright, Elin Watkins, Wren Wall, Karson Robinson, Natalie Stinson, Second Row - Aceon Fryman, Karson Ragsdale, Colt Wilson, Collin Shain, Nixon Dundee, Taevyn Dixon, Third Row- Easton Wickline, Asher Hendry, Payton Schum, Avery Renfro, Grace Crothers, Piper Conlin, Emma McCain, Anissa Herschberger. Not Pictured: Bryson Hill.
Julia Moody - All Conference 3200 and 1600M, Kelsie Hodge - All Conference 4 x 200, Devon Richardson - All Conference 4 x 200, Kharli Kelly - All Conference 4 x 200 , Mya Dyer - All Conference 4 x 200 
Shanice Brant - GRIT Award, Mae Dawkins - Co-Captain, Devon Richardson - Co-Captain, Julia Moody- Lady Redskin Award 
Riane Bear - IHSA Sportmanship Award & Class A 8th place high jump Medal (41st medal for SHS Track since 2010).

Sullivan High School 2024 valedictorian, salutatorian

News Progress Posted on by

Luke Waelde

Kiley Dyer

•June 5, 2024•

Sullivan High School’s valedictorian was Kiley Dyer and salutatorian was Luke Waelde of the graduating class of 2024. Kiley will be attending the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis, majoring in pharmacy and playing both basketball and volleyball.  In high school, she played basketball and volleyball for four years and ran track for three years. She was named 1st team all-conference in basketball and honorable mention all-conference in volleyball her senior year. She was also involved in Spanish Club, Student Council, NHS, and NEHS. Luke will be attending Eastern Illinois University and will be majoring in Finance. In high school, he participated in track all four years, cross country for 3 years, and basketball for 1 year. Luke was also a member of the Tech Club, Student Council, Spanish Club, NEHS, and NHS. Additionally he does a great deal of volunteer work with Ambucs.

Lake Land College to host Laker Visit Day

News Progress Posted on by

•June 5, 2024•

Lake Land College will host Laker Visit Day on Thursday, June 13 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Luther Student Center. The event is designed for prospective students to learn about Lake Land College and how the Laker Advantage can guide them on the path to success. Read More

Remembering Who We Are………….11

News Progress Posted on by

Bison Bison…Buffalo’s Real Name 

•June 5, 2024•

by Janet Roney

As my grandmother unfolded the dark hairy blanket trimmed in red and black she had pulled down from the shelf in her cedar closet, bits and tufts of loose hair swirled in the sunlight coming through her window.  

“Take a good look at it,” she said. “Someday soon, robes like this may be all that’s left of buffalo. Your great uncle Clem sent me this from Oklahoma Territory back in the 1890s.”    

I don’t know what happened to that old buffalo robe, but we all do know what happened to the vast herds of American bison, a.k.a. buffalo, out west. Their slaughter and near extermination from the Great Plains west of the Mississippi is a sad chapter in American history.   Read More

Sullivan High School honor roll spring 2024

News Progress Posted on by

•June 5, 2024•

Straight A honor students: 

Seniors: Jaiden Beckwith, Brett H. Bushue, Paige M. Conner, Kyle T. Corkill, Rebekah A. Cullen, Daniel J. Downs, Kiley A. Dyer, Ernest E. England, Ruby J. Heagen, Isabella R. Harden, Gracee L. Helton, Dominic Kersey, Ryan A. Lawyer, Hayden O. Moody, Konnor W. Randol, Hannah L. Righter, Tessa J. Seeley, Alexia D. Tull and Luke J. Waelde.

Juniors: Brooklyn B. Booker, Addison A. Brush, Olivia L. Cordes, Hannah N. Creek, Isabel M. Donovan, Shaelyn A. Ellis, Madison N. Flexser, Lola L. Shonkwiler, Sarina E. Voegel and Tabitha A. Webb.

Sophomores: Emily G. Crosier, Mae J. Dawkins, Logan I. Fleener, Johnathan C. Iacobazzi, Wilma Plank, Madilyn R. Shonkwiler, Jnai N. Webb, Kolton J. Wiley. Read More

Girls track banquet awards

News Progress Posted on by

Photos furnished
Girls track banquet awards
SHS Girls Track held their end of year banquet Monday, May 20 at the VFW and the following awards were presented. 
Julia Moody - All Conference 3200 and 1600M, Kelsie Hodge - All Conference 4 x 200, Devon Richardson - All Conference 4 x 200, Kharli Kelly - All Conference 4 x 200 , Mya Dyer - All Conference 4 x 200 
Shanice Brant - GRIT Award, Mae Dawkins - Co-Captain, Devon Richardson - Co-Captain, Julia Moody- Lady Redskin Award 
Riane Bear - IHSA Sportmanship Award & Class A 8th place high jump Medal (41st medal for SHS Track since 2010).

JuneFest in Lovington

News Progress Posted on by

•June 5, 2024•

The Village of Lovington will hold their JuneFest event on June 8 at Thomas L. Conn Park from 4-7 p.m. Free kids entertainment will be provided including a bounce house, face painting, obstacle house, dry slide, rock wall, extreme air and nichols power wheel derby and races. The Lovington Community Club will hold its annual Fish Fry starting at 4:30 p.m. in the pavillion. Cost is $10 for adults, $4 children five and up, $2 children four and under. As always, Veterans eat free. From 6 to 9 p.m. there will also be several food trucks on the grounds of the Lovington Grade School, a DJ and at dusk fireworks will take place.

Lehman takes team player to new level

News Progress Posted on by

•June 5, 2024•

by E. Scott England 

Lehman (center) listens to Coach John Bertetto during the pole vault prelims.

It was a cool Saturday evening in April when students and families gathered by Wyman Lake’s pier to take pictures before prom officially kicked off at 8:00pm. Having spent nearly twenty minutes taking pictures of all varieties, four track relay teammates came together for a photo. Seniors Easton England, Owen Hussong, Hayden Moody, along with sophomore Johnny Iacobazzi stood smiling as the 4x800m relay team. 

After several pictures were taken, a voice from the side said, “Now let’s get one with the number one alternate.” It was Rhett “Cowboy” Lehman. As he took his place in the middle of the four, he said, “I’m always ready at a moment’s notice.” Lehman’s mom, Erica Lehman, turned to the other parents and said, “It’s true. He is always ready.” With his signature cowboy hat, Lehman grinned at the cameras with his four other teammates. Read More