Author Archives:

Pears and Chocolate, an Unexpected Pairing

News Progress Posted on by

•November 8, 2023•

Opportunities to entertain or visit with family and friends abound during the holiday season. Dessert is always a big hit during festive occasions, and the following recipe for “Pear and Chocolate Frangipane Tart” melds many popular flavors. Frangipane is an almond-flavored cream. In this recipe from “Chocolate: Deliciously Indulgent Recipes for Chocolate Lovers” (Ryland, Peters & Small) by Maxine Clark, it is paired with decadent chocolate and sweet pears.

Pear and Chocolate 

Frangipane Tart Read More

Ambucs Halloween Parade 2023

News Progress Posted on by

photos by Crystal Reed

Ambucs Halloween Parade

The Sullivan Ambucs held their annual Halloween parade on the evening of Tuesday, October 31 on the square in Sullivan. Halloween parade winners were Shrek and Fiona-Rob and Michelle Young, Rainbow and Friends-Adah Ray-Allen, Lindsay Ray and John Paul Livergo, Spongebob and Friends- Maci Roggers, Wren Wall and Hannah Taylor, Skeleton Unicorn Inflatable-Charllttee Martin, The Loki Family-Zane, Kinsley, Beretta and Sam Black, The Chicken (Hey Hey from Moana)-Lydia Hayse, Lighted Elf-Hope Conner, Greek Goddess and God-Miriam and Simon Parri, Pirate-Koda Polley and Ghost Face from Scream-Trey Grimm.

Safe Trick or Treat On the Square 2023

News Progress Posted on by

photos by Crystal Reed Safe Trick or Treat On the Square The Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development sponsored the safe trick or treat held on Tuesday, October 31 in Sullivan. The event gave children the opportunity to show off their costumes and collect candy at various downtown businesses. More photos on page 9.

SBD Opens Short Course Season with Third Place Finish

News Progress Posted on by

•November 8, 2023•

by Jaime Perrott

The Sullivan Blue Dolphins opened their short course season with the OKtober Swimfest meet in Lockport, IL. SBD brought home a combined total of 350 points giving them an overall third place finish out of the eight teams competing The team was excited to be back in the pool, and we saw multiple heat wins and time drops from our swimmers.

The following were High Point Winners:

10 & Under boys

1st place Tyler Blickensderfer

2nd place Mack Pogue 

Open Girls 

1st place Emily Crosier

2nd place Cadence Schmohe 

Open Boys 

1st place Isaac Chambers

Iacobazzi Competes in State XC Finals; Strong Future Ahead

News Progress Posted on by

•November 8, 2023•

by E. Scott England

The IHSA Class 1A Cross Country State Finals were held last Saturday in Detweiller Park in Peoria. While much of the fanfare around the community was directed at the SOV Redskins football squad, the Sullivan Redskins Cross Country team was sending one of their own to compete against 256 other runners. Read More

Redskins Dealt Playoff Loss; End Season on a Positive Note with Bright Future

News Progress Posted on by

photo by Greg Floyd
Kyle Corkill (2) takes the shuttle pass from Cooper Christensen (7) as Aian Fryman seeks out a defender to block. Corkill would have one touchdown reception and a kick-off return for a touchdown in the game.

•November 8, 2023•

by E. Scott England

Saturday morning started early for the SOV Redskins. They gathered as a team before eight o’clock for a team breakfast. A little after eight they were boarding buses. By a quarter after eight they were making their way out of town with streets lined with fans cheering them on. Fire trucks extended their ladders to wave giant SOV Redskins flags.

After about a two hour bus ride, the team disembarked at Richland County high school in Olney, Illinois for a team walk through on the Tigers’ field. They had a light lunch before boarding again and making the final leg of their journey to Mt. Carmel, where they came face-to-face with one of the most intimidating stadiums in Illinois high school football: Riverview Stadium. Or as it is more commonly known, The Snake Pit. Read More

Birkey’s Apprenticeship Program Secures Over $200,000 Grant for Future Service Technicians 

News Progress Posted on by

•November 8, 2023•

Birkey’s Farm Store recently announced a grant awarded to Birkey’s CNH Service Technician Apprenticeship Program at Parkland College. The grant, supported by East Central Illinois Workforce Board with Champaign County Regional Planning Commission funding, will cover tuition and other additional costs for freshman students. 

Apprenticeship students, representatives of Birkey’s, ECI Workforce Board, RPC, and Parkland College gathered on Monday, October 30th for a celebratory luncheon at Parkland College.  Read More

Reed Seeking Reelection as Mo. Co. Coroner

News Progress Posted on by

•November 8, 2023•

Lynn Reed, of Sullivan, has announced his plans to seek re election as coroner of Moultrie County.

Lynn has been coroner of Moultrie County for 43 years. He has an excellent working relationship with all the other agencies involved in death investigations. He is a Board Certified Medicolegal Death Investigator (by written examination), is a Fellow of the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators and has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education for his position as coroner. Lynn has been a licensed funeral director for over 50 years and is co owner of Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. Read More

Illinois Extension Program Offers Online Gardening Training 

News Progress Posted on by

•November 8, 2023•

For 46 years, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners have measured success by gardens planted, insects identified, produce harvested, and the millions of hours volunteers have logged by helping others learn to grow.

Take your love of gardening to the next level in 2024 by joining one of our online training courses. Whether you’re interested in the Master Gardener certification process and continuing on to volunteer in your community, or you’re simply interested in bettering your gardening knowledge, Illinois Gardener Training is for you.

This year, there are two online training options – self-paced or hybrid with live sessions. Read More

Fire Damages Sullivan Park South Residence

News Progress Posted on by

•November 8, 2023•

The Sullivan Fire Protection District responded to a structure fire on the morning of November 4th at 9:59 am at 257 Sullivan Park South. Fire crews arrived on the scene at 10:04 and reported fire coming from the rear of the residence. Crews quickly deployed a handline and began attacking the fire. The fire was declared under control at 10:27. The occupant was home at the time of the incident and was able to evacuate. The occupant is receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. Read More