•August 17, 2022•
The C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation, as administrator of the Home Energy Assistance Program in Christian, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie, and Shelby counties, is pleased to announce that funds are available to assist income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane and electric bills and furnace assistance.
The program will begin September 1, 2022, for all income-eligible households. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through May 31, 2023. There will be no priority groups this program year. Households in need are encouraged to apply.
Households must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level to receive a benefit from the LIHEAP Program. The 30-day income guidelines for LIHEAP are based on Federal Poverty Guidelines, State Median Income and the number of persons living in the household. The income guidelines are as follows: 1-$2,265, 2-$3,052, 3-$3,838, 4-$4,625. Income limits for households with 5 members and more can be found at www.cefseoc.org. Read More
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Remembering Krista Lewin: a Friend and Mentor
Photo by Scott Lockwood
Former News-Progress Sports Editor Scott Lockwood (left) and former News-Progress Managing Editor Krista Lewin (right) share a moment in the spotlight at Legends Day at the 2019 Indianapolis 500. Lewin, 52, passed away after a brief illness on August 6.
•August 17, 2022•
By Scott Lockwood
Special to the News-Progress
Back in the fall of 2008, I was longing for an opportunity to show what I could do as a full-time sportswriter.
After putting in applications all over the country, I was digging a hole to install a new irrigation system at my job near the beach when my phone rang with a 217 area code. It was a welcome break from the searing Sarasota, Florida heat.
On the other end of the call was a warm, jovial personality that was drawn to some of the auto-racing related stories that I had sent in as samples for what I was hoping for a new career path. Read More
Moultrie Moment of the Week
This photo was taken at a 4th of July parade in 2001 showing the rivalry between Cadwell and Chesterville softball teams. 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.
I’m Your Vehicle, Baby
•August 17, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
From the opening explosion by the horn section and Berwyn’s own Jim Peterik growling behind the microphone, you knew The Ides of March’s “Vehicle” was going to be a hit.
I did, and I was just shy of my eighth birthday when it started getting radio play in March 1970.
That song, like the friendly stranger in the black sedan who sings it, takes you anywhere you want to go. At my tender age, I read it as a cautionary tale. This was probably about the time my parents were warning me to stay away from creepy dudes in cars offering me candy.
I didn’t know a metaphor from a hole in the ground back then. Read More
Remember When? 8-17-2022
25 Years Ago This Week
State Rep. Julie Curry and State Sen. Penny Severns received a briefing on the construction project to shore up Bethany’s collapsing streets. Deteriorating storm sewers had led to the collapse of portions of street in Bethany in the recent years at one point creating a hole as big as a car. A $1.5 million infrastructure project was planned to renovate storm sewers and streets in Bethany.
Carrell Barrett, owner of Barrett Appliance, was retiring after 33 years in business. Read More
Painting Parking Spaces 2022
Photo by Crystal Reed
Painting Parking Spaces
The tradition of painting parking spaces in the Sullivan High School back parking lot continued on Wednesday, August 10. Pictured is Elizabeth Owens (right) and her mother Deb (left) painting her parking space.
2022 Two Story Outhouse Festival
Photo by Crystal Reed
Childrens Activities
Annalyn Clawson enjoyed going down the inflatable slide in the children’s area at the Two Story Outhouse Festival.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Showing Off Cars
This Jeep Sahara was in the festival spirit displaying a roll of toilet paper on its antenna during the car show at the Two Story Outhouse Festival in Gays.
Photo by Crystal Reed
A 1970 Plymouth Cuda owned by Gary and Jackie Huddlestun was on display during the car show at the Two Story Outhouse Festival.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Car Show Trophies
This year’s trophies for the car show at the Two Story Outhouse Festival were made out of car parts. In addition to the car show, the festival included food and craft vendors, live music and a children’s area with pony rides and inflatables.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Outhouse Replica
A two story outhouse replica was paraded down the street on the back of a bicycle during the Johnny Loo Small Engine Parade at the Gays Two Story Outhouse Festival.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Small Engine Parade
The Outhouse Festival Committee led the Johnny Loo Small Engine Parade Saturday in Gays.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Live Music
Jake Schumacher and the Workin’ Class Heroes were one of the bands that played under a tent in Gays during the Two Story Outhouse Festival. Other bands that played were Katzmandu and Danny Shelton and the Bird Dogs
Photo by Crystal Reed
Windsor FFA Serves Breakfast
Members of the Windsor FFA served breakfast and sold spaces for Bessie Bingo during the Gays Two Story Outhouse Festival on Saturday, August 13. Members are Robbie McDaniel, Rylan Rincker, Hannah Gossard, Kloey McDaniel, Claire Sims, Rhett Rincker and advisor Hallie Horsman.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Little Miss Mattoon
2021 Little Miss Mattoon Saylor Morgan rode in a wagon behind a lawnmower during the small engine parade at the Two Story Outhouse Festival. More photos are on page 8.
ARPA Fund Applications Available
•August 17, 2022•
Moultrie County, along with counties and municipalities all over the country, is a recipient of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Moultrie County to date has received approximately $2.8 million from the US Treasury. The Moultrie County board assembled a bi-partisan ad hoc committee made up of members representing the villages and towns around the county. Read More
County Board Approves Fencing and Concrete Repairs
•August 17, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Moultrie County Board met on Thursday, August 11, and approved two motions in regard to fencing around courthouse electric service and concrete repairs. Chairman Billy Voyles reported there are electric panels open around the outside of the courthouse, and they want to protect any children who may be playing on the lawn at any point. A chain link fence will be installed. The approved motion was for $3,400 for fencing around the electric service.
The second motion approved was $13,450 in concrete repairs. Voyles said there are substantial repairs that need to be made to concrete outside the courthouse. Discussed but not on the agenda was the possibility of purchasing generators for the courthouse and animal control.
Rick Matthews, head of maintenance, told Voyles that Bob Lane offered to donate his time to install the generator at animal control. They were told they could apply for ARPA funds to pay for these generators. Read More
Baby Talk Car Seat Safety Checks
Photo by Crystal Reed
Baby Talk Car Seat Safety Checks
Katrina Farris, Director of Early Childhood for Mattoon School District, speaks with Abby Elzy during a car seat safety check held in the parking lot of the First United Methodist Church last week in Sullivan. Farris and other Baby Talk representatives as well as a representative from the Moultrie County Health Department checked the installation of car seats and also had informational pamphlets regarding seat belts, booster seats and rear facing seats.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Cardboard Box Night
Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library and Moultrie County Baby Talk hosted Cardboard Box Night at the library on Tuesday, August 9. Pictured are Jack and Lisa Bertetto creating a fire breathing dragon using cardboard boxes.