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Dash and Bash for St. Jude’s

News Progress Posted on by


•June 3, 2026•

On Friday, June 12th, and Saturday, June 13th, Sullivan’s 12th annual “Dash and Bash” events will be held at the Sullivan American Legion. With great food, live music, and family-friendly events, this promises to be a fun event for all. Better yet, all proceeds raised will be donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Last year, $32,338 was donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The calendar of events for this year’s event is as follows:

Friday, June 12th: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Raffle auction; 5:00 p.m.-Softball tournament, and at 6:00 p.m., the Duck Derby will be held at Wyman Lake, with cash prizes for the first three ducks to cross. Need not be present to win.

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Letter to the Editor

News Progress Posted on by


•June 3, 2026•

Dear Editor:

In agriculture, we often pride ourselves on resilience. Farmers work through long hours, rising costs, severe weather, uncertain markets, and other circumstances outside their control. But the pressures facing agriculture today are unlike anything we have seen in 40 years.

Across Illinois, farmers are navigating financial uncertainty and the mental strain that comes with an increasingly unpredictable industry. These challenges do not stay in the field or the barn. They follow farmers home, impacting stress levels, family relationships, and mental health.

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Arthur ‘Freedom Celebration’ parade: entries accepted

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•June 3, 2026•

Entries are now being accepted for the 2026 Arthur Freedom Celebration Parade, scheduled for Saturday, June 27th, in Arthur. Individuals, organizations, churches, businesses, clubs, and community groups interested in participating in the parade are asked to contact Stephanie Wierman at (217) 620-7460 to request an entry form.

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Iacobazzi state runner up after photo finish

News Progress Posted on by


•June 3, 2026•

by E. Scott England

Johnny Iacobazzi has had an amazing running career at Sullivan High School. The speedy senior has found his way to the podium in both solo events and relays at the state track meet. School records have been toppled. But this year he was chasing the 1600m state title. 

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MC Clerk Qualls: Notary fraud alert

News Progress Posted on by


•June 3, 2026•

Moultrie County Clerk Linda Qualls has implemented a Notary Fraud Alert for documents being recorded in her office. Notary Fraud happens when someone forges your signature, misuses your seal, or notarizes documents illegally, often without your knowledge. Notary fraud and other closely related identity scams are on the rise, with significant surges in mortgage, deed, and seller impersonation frauds. Fraudsters are increasingly using artificial intelligence to forge credentials and are hijacking legitimate notaries’ identities. 

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IL spring turkey hunters: harvest record 

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•June 3, 2026•

Illinois hunters harvested a preliminary record total of 20,821 wild turkeys during the 2026 spring turkey season, surpassing the previous record of 18,189 birds harvested in 2025. The top counties for turkey harvest during the 2026 season were Jefferson and Jo Daviess counties, tied with 646 birds harvested; followed by Marion, 530; Pike, 525; and Wayne, 464. This year, hunters purchased 94,704 permits compared to 89,580 last year. This year’s total included a record youth spring turkey season harvest of 2,326 birds compared to 2,099 birds in 2025. 

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SBD Summer Steam strong finish

News Progress Posted on by


•June 3, 2026•

Screenshot

The Sullivan Blue Dolphins kicked off their long course season in Terre Haute at the 2026 Summer Steam Meet with a strong performance. The SBD earned a second-place team finish and crowned four high-point swimmers: Tinley Eads in the 10 and under division, Addy Hendry in the 13–14 division, Nathan Rafferty in the Boys 15 and over division, and Cadence Schmohe in the Girls 15 and over division. The Blue Dolphins now turn their focus to the Capitol City Classic in Springfield as they continue their summer season.

Sullivan Street Machine car show

News Progress Posted on by


•June 3, 2026•

by DM Williamee 

On the afternoon of Saturday, May 23rd, the Sullivan Street Machine Association held its season-opener car show on the Square in Sullivan, whetting auto enthusiasts’ appetites as car show season begins for 2026. While early on it looked as if it might rain, the weather cooperated, and it was not only dry but perfectly temperate, with a nice breeze. Local enthusiasts and club members converged on the square to show off a wide variety of street machines, including classic cars, muscle cars, trucks, golf carts, and anything else proud owners brought down to be admired, whether classic or current. The sun might not have been shining, but the autos on the square were.

Their next events will be the St. Jude’s ‘Dash and Bash’ car show at Wyman Park in Sullivan on Saturday, June 13th, with registration at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 to 1:30 p.m. the car show itself, and awards presented at 2:30 p.m. The event following the ‘Dash and Bash’ will be “Cruise Night on the Square’ on Saturday, September 5th, on Sullivan’s Square. All makes, models, and years will be welcome, and dash plaques will be available for the first 100 registrants. There will also be free popcorn provided by Boy Scout Troop 39, live music by Shovelhead, and door prizes awarded at 6:00 p.m. For more information, call (217) 728-7848 or (217) 273-8487, or visit Facebook at www.facebook.com/SullivanSMA.

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ALAH HS construction prep moves forward

News Progress Posted on by


•June 3, 2026•

by Ariana R. Cherry

Construction preparations continue to move quickly at Arthur CUSD #305 as district officials prepare for a summer filled with moving, demolition, and building activity, while also recognizing student accomplishments and community support during the May 20th school board meeting. Superintendent Shannon Cheek told board members construction efforts continue moving in a positive direction, with major project milestones approaching over the next several weeks. “As of right now, pretty positive, pretty positive,” Cheek noted.

One of the next major steps will begin on Tuesday, May 26th, when asbestos removal work starts in portions of the building, including areas around the chorus, band, and weight room spaces, along with additional smaller areas. Cheek said the district’s goal is to continue transitioning spaces as work progresses. Demolition activities are expected to begin on June 8th, with fencing around portions of the building also scheduled to be installed in early June.

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