•April 6, 2022•
As the fiscal agent to LWIA 23, Lake Land College has been awarded $98,480 for the Apprenticeship Expansion Grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The grant funds will be used to hire an apprenticeship navigator for all of Economic Development Region 7. Apprenticeship navigators are an essential component to the apprenticeship Illinois framework as they work directly with businesses to cultivate and launch new US Department of Labor-registered apprenticeships. Read More
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COVID-19’s Effects on Your Dental Health
•April 6, 2022•
Cheri Burcham
Extension Educator
University of Illinois Extension
This article has been written by Danny Vogwill, a student in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences at UIUC. Danny says: The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted our world, ushering in an age of Work from Home, vaccination protocols, social distancing, and countless other ways in our daily lives, but what if I told you that your dental health was also at risk during the pandemic! Read More
Anna Fender Earns Award for Leadership, Service
•April 6, 2022•
Ohio Wesleyan University senior Anna Fender is one of 10 students statewide being honored with a 2022 Charles J. Ping Student Service Award in recognition of her “outstanding leadership and contributions to community service or service-learning.”
Fender of Sullivan, also is one of two 2022 Ping Award recipients selected to receive $250 Legacy Award mini-grants to be contributed to her charity of choice. The honors are bestowed annually by the Ohio Campus Compact, a nonprofit consortium of 40 colleges and universities working to strengthen the overall capacity of the schools “to educate students for civic and social responsibility and to improve community life.” Read More
HSHS Illinois Division offering Nursing Scholarships
•April 6, 2022•
Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) Illinois Division recently announced a scholarship opportunity for students pursuing a career in nursing. The HSHS Scholars program is open to qualifying students attending an accredited nursing program. Students can earn up to $20,000 of funding for educational expenses. In addition to financial help, recipients will have a job upon graduating and passing boards in an HSHS Illinois Division hospital. Read More
Moultrie Moment of the Week

This 1975 photo was taken on Harrison St. in Sullivan looking west towards the square. 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.
Time/Date/Place Makes Most Things Clearer
•April 6, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
In newspapers, we generally adhere to the order of time/date/place.
At least in my early days we did. Part of the reason for that was to be consistent, especially in long lists of events. And it’s partly because the most important thing to know is WHEN something is happening, because it could be the best dang band to come to the area, but if it already happened you don’t want to necessarily get your hopes up.
Newspapering is all about timeliness.
As a young editor, I had a mnemonic for this for reporters who couldn’t seem to remember: Take Down Pants.
Check that. I didn’t come up with it, but I sure ran with it. Read More
Remember When? 4-6-2022
25 Years Ago This Week
The Lovington Village Board welcomed two new trustees. Lester Mechling and Jake Kamm joined the board. They won election that month along with incumbent Harold White, who wasn’t present at that meeting. Mechling and Kamm replaced trustee Ralph Zancha, who chose not to seek re-election after a dozen years on the board and trustee Steve Fleming, who was narrowly defeated in his race against Lovington Village Board President Gary Smith. Read More
Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity Surprises Newest Homeowner

Photo by Crystal Reed
Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity Surprises Newest Homeowner
On Thursday, March 31, Moultrie County Habitat For Humanity Board members, staff at Lovington Grade School and the newest homeowners family gathered in a classroom to reveal the surprise to Jennifer Franklin. The expected start of construction will be Monday, August 29 with projected completion of Friday, October 7. The house will be built on the corner of N. Allen Street in Lovington. The organization will be reaching out to the community with more information on the build and family. They will be asking for volunteers to help with this year’s build and monetary and supply donations. Pictured are front row: Jennifer and Abbie Franklin and Sandy Sanders. Back row: Gary Smith, Cheryl Thomas, Maddox Franklin, Gene Meuller and Howard Sanders.
Spores ‘N More Mushroom Competition
•April 6, 2022•
Spores ‘N More will be returning to Windsor on Saturday, April 23 from 11 am to 2 pm. As part of the festival there will be a mushroom competition with awards for biggest and smallest morel mushrooms until April 23. Measurements will include height and circumference around the thickest girth. Height+Circumference=Total Score. Mushrooms with uncut roots will be disqualified. Mushrooms must be morels found in the state of Illinois. Check in station is Lake Shelbyville Project Office, 1989 State Highway, Route 16 in Shelbyville. Hours are Monday-Friday 8 am-4:30 pm, weekends by appointment. Call (217)774-3951 ext 2 for more information. Winner must be present at the announcement on April 23 at 1 pm at the Spores ‘N More soup lunch at the American Legion Hall.
April 18 Filing Deadline
•April 6, 2022•
The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding taxpayers that the upcoming deadline for filing 2021 state individual income tax returns is Monday, April 18, 2022.
“We encourage those who have not yet filed to do so soon. Filing electronically with direct deposit will ensure the fastest processing and issuance of any refunds,” said IDOR Director David Harris. “Taxpayers may file their electronic returns for free by using a registered MyTax Illinois account but may also file electronically with a tax preparer or third-party software.”
To aid in IDOR’s anti-fraud efforts, taxpayers filing their IL-1040’s through MyTax Illinois, must use a registered MyTax Illinois account. If they do not have a registered account, they may create one by choosing “sign up” in the login box at MyTax Illinois and follow the instructions. The ID number will be mailed to them within 10 days after being requested. While IDOR strongly encourages electronic filing, taxpayers can always file a paper return if they choose. Read More
