This is a photo of the old Lovington Coal mine. 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.
•September 7, 2022•
by Sarah Hudson Pierce
NP Guest Writer
If Thomas Edison hadn’t been kicked out of school, after only three months in the first grade, and his mother taught him at home because his teacher said “he was addled and his mind wandered in class,” we might not have the light bulb today.
Thomas Edison was asked one time what he would have done if he hadn’t invented the light bulb and he replied “I would still be in there trying...”
Why is it that we often try to put everyone in the same mold? Why do we want to categorize what is important and what has value only with the grade placed on it by those in authority? Read More
Dear Editor:
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. As a volunteer advocate with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, I am calling on my members of Congress to pass legislation to prevent suicides and support crisis care. Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
Workers completed basic construction on a new handicapped accessible fishing pier on Wyman Park Lake. Guard rails would also be added. The pier was constructed on the site where a swimming pier existed many years ago.
Moultrie County was one step close to having a new animal control facility. Read More
•September 7, 2022•
The Sullivan Street Machine Association held Cruise Night on the Square in Sullivan on Saturday, September 3. There was live music and dash plaques for the first 100 registered. There was also a power wheels demo derby for ages 3 to 9. More photos are on page 10.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Moultrie County Dive Team Receives Donation
Members of the Moultrie County Dive Team met with the Harbor Light Yacht Club at the North End Bar and Grill in Sullivan on Friday, September 2 for a check presentation. The Harbor Light Yacht Club donated $4,500 to the dive team. According to Steve Taylor, who was the commodore of the yacht club, the group disbanded right before COVID. When the club was still active they raised money to make donations to various causes. Over the years the money raised just sat in the bank until the decision was made to donate the money to the Moultrie County Dive Team. Joash Tiarks, Commander of the Dive Team said the donation would be going towards purchasing a new boat for rescues. From left to right: Roger Farley, Amanda Farley, Joash Tiarks, Gina Koenig, former treasurer of the Harbor Light Yacht Club; Steve Taylor, former commander of the Harbor Light Yacht Club.
•September 7, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Eric Boomer of Bethany, known at the race track as E21, recently finished his rookie season of street stock car racing with a race at Jacksonville Speedway. His ranking before Friday’s race was fifth place in the Midwest Big Ten Street Stock standings, tenth place in points at Macon Speedway, eighth in points at Lincoln Speedway and 23rd in national points in DIRTcar Series. Before he started racing this year, he spent five-seven years racing go carts at Piatt County Speedway. Read More
•September 7, 2022•
The Herschberger-Miller barn, that was originally constructed three miles west of Arthur, Illinois in 1879, was dismantled by Firmitas, formerly Trillium Dell Timber Works, in spring of 2022. The intricate process raised massive media coverage in the region because the barn was not only being removed from its original site, but, the 143-year structure was tagged, labeled, dismantled piece by piece, and will be relocated, refurbished, and rebuilt at its new home, Illinois Amish Heritage Center (IAHC), located between Arcola and Arthur, on Illinois Route 133.
On Friday, September 23rd at 4 p.m., the IAHC will be hosting a public groundbreaking for site prep of this historical barn. The unique event will feature a horse drawn slip scraper for breaking the ground which was very common during the era of the original barn usage. Read More
•September 7, 2022•
Mason Phipps has been named to the summer dean’s list at Missouri State University. For undergraduate students, criteria include enrollment in at least six credit hours during the summer semester and at least a 3.50 GPA (on a 4.00 scale).
•September 7, 2022•
“The Nixon Sandwich And The Tonight Show Stories”. Stories about the day Richard Nixon spoke to thousands at Sullivan’s Buffalo Celebration during his Presidential campaign in 1960 will be presented by Steve Jenne on Thursday, Sept 15 at 7 p.m. at the Moultrie County History Center at 1303 Hamilton St., Sullivan. Jenne, of Springfield, formerly of Sullivan, was a Boy Scout acting as security during one of the biggest events in Sullivan’s history. He picked up Nixon’s half-eaten sandwich, took it home and put it in the freezer. Many years later, Jenne and the sandwich appeared on the “The Tonight Show” and “I Got a Secret” in New York, among other venues. “The Sandwich that Changed My Life”, a book by Scot England,well-known biographer to the stars and former Moultrie resident, will be available. The public is invited to attend and share memories about that big day.