Cynthia Wiseley
Cynthia M. Wiseley, 60, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 5:47 a.m., July 2, 2022, at her residence surrounded by her family in Mount Vernon. She was born June 11, 1962, in Dekalb, Illinois to Eugene Creek and Linda Breedlove. Cynthia married Steven Wiseley May 11, 1981, in Sullivan, Illinois. Read More
Doris Bartanen
Doris Ann Bartanen, loving wife of Ronald Dale Bartanen, went home to be with the Lord on July 1, 2022.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 6, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial was in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. Memorials may be made to Highway Church of Christ in Sullivan. Read More
•July 6, 2022•
Governor JB Pritzker signed SB3792 into law, amending the code of multiple acts and agencies to replace references to high school equivalency certificates to State of Illinois High School Diplomas. This change recognizes the equal value of a State of Illinois High School Diploma and will aid Illinois graduates in establishing reciprocity with educational requirements in other states.
“Graduates of Illinois schools should never have to start their post-secondary career or schooling at a disadvantage,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This legislation reflects the high standards to which we hold our high school students and protects graduates from unfair misconceptions, both in our state and in others.” Read More
•July 6, 2022•
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced both junior and open live shows at the Illinois State Fair will be cancelled for 2022 to protect from highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Illinois State Fair junior poultry exhibitors will continue to have an opportunity to receive recognition and premiums through a virtual poster competition. Rules and entry requirements will be available at www.illinoisstatefair.info. To allow time for junior poultry exhibitors to adapt to the new format the Illinois State Fair will extend the entry deadline to July 15, 2022. Read More
Pictured above is Hezzy’s in Sullivan around 1963. 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.
•July 6, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
Unless you are someone who feels the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut a decade ago was an elaborate hoax, you’ll probably accept what I’m about to tell you.
Reader Sue Budak wrote to tell me that “only” isn’t the only modifier that gets misplaced in sentences.
“Allegedly” gives it a run for its money.
She referred to a story about Golden State Warriors coach and dynastic Bull Steve Kerr’s reaction to the May 24 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
A passage reads: “State officials said at least 19 Robb Elementary School students and a teacher allegedly were killed by an 18-year-old gunman.”
“Unfortunately, there is nothing alleged about the death of these victims,” Budak wrote. “What is alleged is who committed the crime.”
Very astute, Sue.
Those 19 students and (now two) teachers indeed were killed. Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
U.S. News and World Report recognized Lake Shelbyville as one of the most popular places in Illinois. Lake Shelbyville was named to its list of 12 places to visit in Illinois.
The Lovington Village Board discussed hiring a secretary/bookkeeper to be available to the public during business hours at the village hall.
50 Years Ago This Week
The old water tower behind the Metallizing Co. plant on South Hamilton Street, a longtime landmark in Sullivan, was pulled down. It had not been in use for a number of years. Cables were attached to two legs of the tower about two-thirds of the way up and a winch truck supplied power to buckle the legs and bring the tower crashing to the ground.
Gayle Garmon was crowned as Miss Sullivan. First runner-up was Chris Foreman and Miss Congeniality was Mary Ann Webb.
Photos by Crystal Reed 4th of July Scenes from the 4th of July celebrations in Sullivan Monday. More photos are inside.
•July 6, 2022•
Moultrie County residents had the opportunity to exercise their right to vote last Tuesday, June 28. Residents cast their votes for county officials and congressional and state officials. The results that came out of this recent election are unofficial will not be finalized until Tuesday, July 12.
The unofficial results for County Clerk were recorded as Lisa Ozier 1,388 votes and Linda Qualls at 1,392 votes as of last Tuesday night. According to Jamie Helton, election deputy with the Moultrie County Clerk’s office, the results are not yet final because they must wait to allow for absentee ballots to come in the mail. She said that there are 4 ballots that were absentee that they are waiting to get back.
Stephanie Helmuth ran unopposed for the county treasurer’s seat. Also running unopposed for county sheriff was Gary Carroll.
More results were:
County Board
Aaron Wilhelm 1,501 10.59%
Marsha Kirby 1,353 9.54%
Julie R. Kinert 1,208 8.52%
Larry Wayne Stacy Jr. 782 5.52% Read More
Photo furnished
Bethany resident Denis Durham and his children Evan and Ellie hold copies of his recently published book “Elizabithia, The War Against Musical Tyranny and The Search For Lost Music Trees”.
•July 6, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Denis Durham of Bethany has published his first book. He stated that the story is an allegory of the family court system in the United States. The book contains musical elements and references to judges and attorneys.
It took Durham two years to write the book which was published in April. The characters in the book represent him and his two children, Ellie and Evan. In the book there is an imaginary land called Elizabithia, and there the characters learn about trees that have different music notes and musical references. He incorporated Okaw Valley schools into the story, and there is also a mention of an ancient library to learn what has happened to the trees. Read More