•June 2, 2021•
Summer is a great time to get outside and soak up some sun. Weekend afternoons spent on the water, lounging at the beach or working in the backyard are part and parcel of many people’s summers. making June, July and August some of the most relaxing, enjoyable months of the year.
Skin damage may be the furthest thing from many people’s minds when they’re planning to spend summer afternoons outdoors. However, the American Cancer Society notes that no one is immune from the damage that can be caused by ultraviolet rays from the sun. That includes people with naturally darker skin. According to the ACS, people with light skin are much more likely to suffer from skin damage caused by the sun’s UV rays, and such individuals also are at greater risk for skin cancer. But darker-skinned individuals of all ethnic backgrounds also can suffer from UV-related skin damage. Read More
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Remember When? 6-2-2021
25 Years Ago This Week
Valedictorians and salutatorians at the three area high schools were announced. The Sullivan High School valedictorian was Ericka Ozee and salutatorian Brianne Bolin. Lovington High School co-valedictorians were Wes Bolsen and Cassie Jackson. Bethany’s valedictorian was Teri Zimmer and the salutatorian was Jamie Banning.
Retired Lake Land College Agriculture Dept. Chair Tom Reedy of Lovington was presented with the 1996 Lake Land College Distinguished Service Award. A committee of college employees and board of trustees made the selection based on Reedy’s support and contributions to the college. Read More
Placing Flags at Greenhill Cemetery

Photo Submitted
Placing Flags at Greenhill Cemetery
Several FFA members and their advisor joined members of the Sullivan American Legion Post #68 and other volunteers last Friday to put out flags for Memorial Day at Greenhill Cemetery. Pictured are Mike Daily, Kent Buxton, Mike Keown, Tony Feeler, Mark Conlin, Mike Black, Bob Ingram, Bob Sims, George Selby, Dee Ann Daily, Mac Bond, Becky Lawson, Reagan Sims, John Voyles, Beau Fleming, Matthew Wesselman, and Willow Krumwiede. Not pictured is Mallory Batman.
4-H Grant

Photo Submitted 4-H Grant Farm Credit Illinois recently awarded a community grant in the amount of $500 to the Moultrie County Shining Stars 4-H Club. The club chose to donate a bench to Sullivan Elementary School Playground. Club members and parents helped pick out the bench, including the style and color. 2020-2021 Club President Sarina Voegel contacted SES Principal, Leslie Guyot to ask about the need for a bench and then contacted her again to tell her the 4-H club had been awarded the grant. The Moultrie County Shining Stars were one of more than 40 4-H Clubs and FFA Chapters in Illinois who received one of these grants. More than $30,000 in grant funds has been awarded to clubs and chapters in the last decade making tangible contributions in their communities by implementing improvement projects.
Blood Drive

Photo by Crystal Reed
Blood Drive
Agri-Fab Inc. hosted a community blood drive on Wednesday, May 26 in the Agri-Fab meeting room. 22 units of blood were collected which will potentially help up to 66 people. There were also four first time donors. Their next blood drive will be July 22. Pictured is Doug Moore donating blood during the drive.
Recent Obituaries: Linda A. Wiley
Linda A. Wiley
Linda A. Wiley, 76, of Bethany passed away 10:49 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2021, at Mason Point, Sullivan.
Linda was born February 16, 1945, in Bethany; the daughter of Alven E. and Anna (Thomas) Lillico. She married Jerry L. Wiley on September 6, 1967 in Moultrie County; he preceded her in death on January 30, 1993. Linda was a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church, rural Bethany. She was a registered nurse and received her Oncology Certification. Linda enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her daughter, Rhonda M. Mosser of Bethany; grandchildren, Joshua Betts of Bethany, Adrienne Betts of Charleston, J.B. Mosser of Bethany and Mason Betts of Charleston; great-grandchildren, Roman Betts, Korbin Betts and Amiyah Pope.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 2 sisters and 1 brother.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
Moultrie County Man Sentenced to Prison

KODAK Digital Still Camera
•May 26, 2021•
Christopher J. Landess, 52, of Arthur has been sentenced to imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections. At a hearing on May 10, Judge Jeremy Richey accepted a plea in which Landess pled guilty to the offenses of Ct. I: Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, Class 2 Felony, 20-CF-18 and Ct. III: Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, Class 2 Felony, 20-CF-18.
Landess was sentenced to four years in Moultrie County which will be served consecutively to Champaign County case 20-CF-823 for which he was sentenced to 30 years IDOC on April 28, 2020 for the offense of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child, a Class X felony. Read More
Sullivan Townwide Rummage Sales
•May 26, 2021•
The Sullivan Townwide Rummage Sales will be Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5. Signup is free. No changes will be made once the form is turned in and there is a 25 word limit. Rummage listing will be published in the June 2 edition of the News Progress. This is brought to you free by our sponsors CFH Insurance Agency, Sullivan IGA, Country Financial Representative Elizabeth Houser, Jackson Family of Dealerships and First Community Bank of Moultrie County.
2021 Redskin Achievement Awards

Photo submitted
Pictured left to right: Paula Flannel, Ryan Villalobos, Charles Landers, Joann Mathias, Bill Standerfer
•May 26, 2021•
Recipients of the 2021 Redskin Achievement Award were announced Monday, May 10th, prior to “Decision Day” at the SHS gymnasium. Recipients of this year’s annual award are juniors Joann Mathias, daughter of Elizabeth and Michael Mathias, and Ryan Villalobos, son of Michelle Villalobos. Representing the Class of 1968, the originators of the Redskin Achievement Award, were Charles Landers, Paula Mossman, and Bill Standerfer. Read More
7th Annual St. Jude Dash & Bash Saturday, June 5
•May 26, 2021•
The 7th Annual St. Jude Dash & Bash is Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5 at the Sullivan American Legion. The event kicks off Friday night with a softball tournament.
Saturday starts off with a raffle auction, bake sale, the continuation of the softball tournament, 5K at 8 a.m., 1 mile fun run at 9 a.m. and a tot trot following the one mile. Read More