•May 20, 2026•
Thanks to a generous grant from the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, students at Okaw Valley Elementary will soon have an exciting new way to celebrate positive behavior and academic success. Funding provided through the foundation made it possible for the school to purchase a book vending machine as well as 230 books. Best of all, the school will be able to keep the machine for years to come.
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•May 20, 2026•
The first in a series of Summer Workshops at Elizabeth Titus memorial library this summer will be “DIY Rain barrel” on July 7th at 6:00 p.m. Random participants will receive the demonstration rain barrel. This workshop is for those aged sixteen and over, and all of the materials will be included. Registration is required at https://sullivanil.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/rain-barrel-workshop. Contact the library with any questions at (217) 728-7221.
•May 20, 2026•
Allenville Christian Church will host a concert featuring Pam Fisher of Springfield, Illinois on June 13th at 6:00 p.m. at the Allenville Christian Church, located at 201 Allen Street in Allenville. Snacks and fellowship time will follow this family-friendly gospel series concert. A free Will offering will be taken. For more information, contact Pastor Bob Vail at (217) 254-3433.
•May 20, 2026•
The Moultrie County News Progress will be closed on Monday, May 25th, in observance of Memorial Day. All advertising and news items will need to be submitted no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Friday, the 22nd, for the next week’s publication.
Gary Wayne Newberry
Gary Wayne Newberry, 66, of Lovington, passed away 7:10 p.m. Thursday, May 14, 2026, at Willow Breeze Hospice House in Mattoon.
Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, 2026, in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to the Lovington First Church of God. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Gary was born on July 22, 1959, in Decatur; the son of Glenn E. and Joan R. (Randol) Newberry. He was an impressive artist and enjoyed doing art projects for many people. Gary loved collecting rocks and especially loved collecting arrow heads.
Gary is survived by his father, Glenn E. Newberry of Lovington; brothers, Keith (Rhonda) Newberry of Sullivan and Vernon Newberry of Lovington; nephews, Ryan Newberry and Nick Newberry; great-niece and great-nephews, Keegan, Leah and Jackson Newberry.
Gary was preceded in death by his mother, Joan.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
On Wednesday, May 6th, April Daily, Office Manager and Closer for Allied Capital, right, presented a $300 donation to Kathi Garvey of the Mid-Illinois Senior Center in response to a request from MISS for financial assistance for roof repairs. “Every quarter, Allied Captial donates $300 to a local non-profit,” shared April Daily.
•May 13, 2026•
Op-Ed by DM Williamee
I have written in one form or another most of my life. From poems and short stories in first grade on grocery bags, compositions in high school, keeping a journal, multiple forms of writing taught in college, legal writing, and writing for professional publications, I have always loved putting thoughts to paper. Writing for a newspaper was a pivot for me, but one I welcomed and continue to try to become more skilled at each day. I read voraciously, and while I do own a Kindle and spend a lot of time in front of screens, I, like many others, prefer having a book, magazine, or newspaper in my hand and on my shelves. Why scroll endlessly when you can turn real pages, smell the scent of paper, and pause to consider the content? In today’s busy world, any opportunity to slow down feels like a luxury.
In this digital age, many people suffer from information overload and the resultant stress. Is what is being read real news or fake news, and was it written by a human or artificial intelligence? With a newspaper, you can set these questions and stressors aside, put up one’s feet, sip one’s coffee, and experience your news more slowly and with a decided measure of confidence. Reading a newspaper is a tactile experience. The feel of the paper, the sound of turning pages, and the smell of ink on paper all create a sensory engagement that digital media can’t replace. The physical interaction can enhance comprehension and retention, and studies have shown that people can absorb more information from print than can from screens. With paper, you can get out your pen and scissors and highlight points, do puzzles, or save information in a way you can’t from a screen.
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Therapy student Kadence Sutter received a $1,000 scholarship from the Sullivan AMBUCS chapter. The scholarship was presented by committee chairman Dave Hudspath. The presentation took place at one of the two annual AMBUCS cookouts in the Kirby Foods parking lot on Saturday, May 9th. Kadence will be attending EIU next year after graduating from Lakeland College this year. She received one of three annual scholarships available from Sullivan AMBUCS for 3rd year through graduate students in the Therapy fields of study.
•May 13, 2026•
Moultrie‑Douglas 4‑H is gearing up to welcome young explorers to Cloverbud AgVenture Camp, a lively, hands‑on learning event designed especially for children ages 5–8. The camp will take place on Tuesday, June 23rd, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Arthur United Methodist Church, offering an afternoon packed with discovery, creativity, and farm‑themed fun. The camp will be led by Moultrie-Douglas Emerging Leaders 4-H Club members and 4-H staff, with the Illinois Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom curriculum being utilized.
The AgVenture Camp introduces youth to the exciting world of agriculture through movement‑based games, science activities, and interactive stations led by caring adults and teen 4‑H volunteers. Each station is designed to spark curiosity and help youth connect with nature in meaningful, age‑appropriate ways.
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•May 13, 2026•
A stroke can change a life in an instant. In the minutes after symptoms begin, quick action can help protect the brain, reduce long-term disability, and save a life, according to the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association. In rural communities, where EMS responses can be delayed and minutes matter, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms and seek treatment quickly.
On average, nearly 2 million brain cells die every minute a stroke goes untreated, making early recognition and treatment critical. During May, American Stroke Month, the Stroke Association is highlighting the importance of recognizing stroke warning signs and understanding how early treatment and prevention can make a meaningful difference when it matters most. Stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update[1], and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States. Each year, approximately 800,000 people in the U.S. experience a stroke. A stroke can happen to anyone, at any age.
Three things you can do to take action against stroke:
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