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Moultrie County Dive Team Receives Donation

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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.

Bethany Man Finishes Rookie Racing Season

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•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

Illinois Amish Heritage Center Announces Herschberger-Miller Barn Raising Event for October

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•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

Phipps Named to Dean’s List

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•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).

MCHGS Program

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•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.

Correction

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•September 7, 2022•

The football article that ran in the Wednesday, August 31 issue of the News Progress was written by Natalee Hunter. Her byline was unintentionally left out on that article. We regret the error.

Recent Obituaries: Edwin Hunt

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Edwin Hunt
Edwin “Ed” Hunt, 91, of rural Sullivan, passed away 3:08 a.m. Tuesday, September 7, 2022, at Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 10, 2022, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service at the funeral home in Sullivan. Burial will be in Smyser Cemetery, rural Gays. Memorials may be made to the Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice: 1004 Health Center Drive, Suite 202

Mattoon, IL 61938.

Ed was born November 13, 1930, in rural Sullivan; the son of Howard and Evelyn (Gilbreath) Hunt. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Ed married Louise Weakley on May 20, 1961, in Windsor; she survives. He was a member of the Smyser Christian Church in rural Gays and the Sullivan American Legion Post #68.

He is survived by his wife, Louise of Sullivan; daughter, Debbie Clough of Mattoon; grandchildren, Matt (Tiffany) Hunt of Mattoon and Jesse Clough of Mattoon; sister, Iris Liesen of Brazil, IN. Ed is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Sullivan Varsity Sports Schedules

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•August 31, 2022•

Varsity Volleyball

September 1 7 pm @Altamont
September 6 7 pm vs. Teutopolis
September 12 7 pm vs. Arthur-Lovington
September 13 7 pm vs. Monticello
September 15 7 pm @ Clinton
September 17 @ St. Anthony Tournament
September 20 7 pm vs. Tuscola
September 22 7 pm @ Central A&M
September 24 @ Arcola
September 29 7 pm @ Shelbyville Read More

Okaw Valley Varsity Sports Schedules

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•August 31, 2022•
Boys Varsity Golf

September 6 4pm vs. Shelbyville
September 8 4 pm @ Sullivan
September 9 1 pm Shelby County Invitational
September 12 4 pm @ Arcola
September 13 4 pm vs. Sullivan and Meridian
September 15 4 pm @ Villa Grove
September 16 1 pm @ Mt. Zion Invitational
September 20 4 pm vs. Windsor Read More