•February 8, 2023•
Southern Illinois University Carbondale strengthened its commitment to students in central Illinois on Wednesday, Feb. 1 with an agreement to bring the expertise of a doctoral research university to qualified community college students by providing the option to earn their bachelor’s degrees remotely and at a lower cost in 10 academic programs.
SIU Chancellor Austin A. Lane and Lake Land College President Josh Bullock signed an agreement for the Saluki Step Ahead program. Established in 2021, the program enables students who graduate with an associate degree from partnering community colleges to complete their SIU bachelor’s degrees online in accounting, business administration, criminology and criminal justice, early childhood, elementary education, health care management, history, nursing (RN to BSN), psychology and radiologic sciences. Read More
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Tiaras and Ties
•February 8, 2023•
Sullivan Dance Studio is hosting “Tiaras & Ties” on Saturday, February 18 from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at Building 1225. This is an event recommended for princesses age 3 & up accompanied by their special guy. A new VIP Experience has been added this year with appetizers, catered dinner, princess tiara, VIP dessert, early entry seating and more. The VIP experience doors open at 4:45 p.m. and general admission doors open at 5:45. Dancing, photographer, craft, refreshments and the playground are part of this event. Funds raised help benefit the Sullivan Dance Studio Competition Team Booster Club. Register online at www.sullivan5678.com/tiaras-ties. Contact the dance studio for more information and questions—217-728-9111.
Menu 2-8-2023
Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Feb. 13 - Ham and Beans, Copper Carrots, Fruit, Cornbread
Feb. 14 - Chicken Parmesan, Green Beans, Yellow Squash, Romaine Salad, Spaghetti
Feb. 15 - Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Zucchini & Tomatoes, Three Bean Salad, Bread
Feb. 16 - Steak Bites over Noodles, Hot Greens, Basil Carrots, Fruit
Feb. 17 - Salmon Burger, Baked Beans, Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad, Fruit Crisp, Bun
2022 Moultrie County Final Multiplier Announced
•February 8, 2023•
Moultrie County has been issued a final property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to David Harris, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue.
The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier”, is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g. school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts). If there were no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result.
Under a law passed in 1975, property in Illinois should be assessed at one-third (1/3) of its market value. Farm property is assessed differently, with farm homesites and dwellings subject to regular assessing and equalization procedures, but with farmland assessed at one-third of its agriculture economic value. Farmland is not subject to the state equalization factor. Read More
Moultrie Moment of the Week
Pictured is Mr. Joel Schrock who operated the Okaw Valley Sorghum Mill with his son. It was located about 5 miles south of Arthur. The mill operated by steam and they produced about 2000 gal. of sorghum each season from their 3 acre field + from other people’s crops. It was sold in canned gallon or 1/2 gallon buckets. The year that this photo was taken is unknown. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.
Remember When? 2-8-2023
25 Years Ago This Week
The Sullivan City Council advanced $67,983 in TIF funds to the Sullivan School Dist. That amount represented the cumulative bond revenue loss to the district for 1993 through 1996. The city received this “extra” money from the implementation of a tax rate to pay the Sullivan Elementary School bonds.
After going more than a month without a victory, the Bethany Mustangs bounced back to win three of four games. They defeated Findlay for the second time in a week 62-47 in non-conference action. The team had a tough home loss to Beecher City earlier in that week. Read More
Photos by Crystal Reed
Demolition of Old City Building Begins
The demolition of the old city building began on Monday, February 6. A new city building will be built on the same spot in the near future. The building had indoor air quality and structural issues including 5,400 square feet of asbestos floor tile, holes and missing brick and mortar in structural foundation walls intended to hold multiple vaults, extensive mold growth in the HVAC system that serviced personnel workspaces and recommendations to utilize hazmat suits when accessing the second floor. Asbestos abatement was done before demolition began on the building.
Sullivan School District Spelling Bee
Photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan School District Spelling Bee
The Sullivan School District Spelling Bee was held on Tuesday, January 31 in the Sullivan High School Commons. There were 36 speller from third grade to eighth grade that competed. There are six finalists and two alternates for the next step in the process the Moultrie County Spelling Bee which will be held on Thursday, February 16 at The Little Theatre On The Square. The top six were Caleigh Dyer, eighth grade; Chester Ray, sixth grade; Koda Polley, fifth grade; Scarlett Perrott, fourth grade; Tenley Stollard, sixth grade and Bear Bryant, sixth grade. The two alternates are Mary Crist, eighth grade and Alex Fultz, seventh grade.
Lynch Named to Dean’s List
•February 8, 2023•
Grace Lynch, of Sullivan, has been named to the dean’s list in the University of Notre Dame’s First Year of Studies for outstanding scholarship during the Fall 2022 semester. Students who achieve dean’s honors at Notre Dame represent the top 30 percent of students in their college.
Recent Obituaries: T. G. Redfern
T. G. Redfern
T. G. Redfern, 54, of Lovington passed away Sunday, January 29, 2023 in Wisconsin.
Celebration of Life services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Mel Workman officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Saturday. Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Mr. Redfern was born June 3, 1968 at Decatur, Illinois, the son of Theron E. and Cheryl Davis Redfern. T. G. farmed with Dawson Farms for 35 years with 25 of those years being the farm manager. He also had done custom baling with his father. T. G. was a member of the Lovington American Legion and the Illinois Farm Bureau. T. G. married Dawn Ferguson on March 21, 2009 at Lovington.
Survivors include his wife Dawn; children McKenzie (Javon) Brown of Lovington and Janette (Collin) Budd of Decatur; mother Cheryl Redfern of Lovington; sisters Trisha (Mark) VonLanken of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Kelly Bolt (Fiancé Bob Alexander) of Clinton; numerous nieces and nephews; his tractor and combine buddy Maddox Reedy and his fur baby Mr. Cooper.
He was preceded in death by his father and brother David.
T. G. had a close relationship with all of the Dawson Farms family. For T.G. the summertime was for spending time boating on Lake Shelbyville. In the wintertime was snowmobiling in Wisconsin. T. G. was a natural born leader but especially experienced when it came to planning outings with family and friends. Anyone could always depend on T.G. to help them with anything they would need. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.