Jon French
Jon D. French, of Forsyth, passed away peacefully in his home in the early morning hours of March 7, 2022. Read More
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Obituaries 3-16-2022: Kathryn Ferguson
Kathryn Ferguson
Kathryn E. ‘Kathy’ Ferguson, 80, of Decatur, passed away at 8:15 a.m., Monday, March 14, 2022, in Shelbyville Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. Read More
Moultrie Moment of the Week
When George Hardy died in the summer of 1972 his neighbors did what had been done for decades - they gathered at his farm north of Sullivan to help harvest the crops for his widow Pauline and their only son Dwaine who lived in Missouri. Neighbor helping neighbor. 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.
‘Headline-Speak’: What it is and Why we use it
•March 16 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
I’ve been drowning in emails about headlines lately so, today, I’ll try to shed some light on them.
The emails haven’t been about political slants, sensationalism or misspellings in headlines but rather how to interpret them.
As I’ve noted on a number of occasions, headlines are an art form. They’re not easy to do well, especially in one- or two-column spaces.
Tense
“Newspaper headlines state that a person dies, when the person died. It’s not an ongoing action, but finished, complete, done,” wrote reader Deborah Gaither. “Take the headline: ‘Colin Powell, exemplary general stained by Iraq claims, dies.’”
I’ve known since the days I unabashedly wore inch-wide leather ties to work that headlines are written in a form of present tense, but I don’t recall ever being asked why — or bothering to investigate. Read More
Remember When? 3-16-2022
25 Years Ago This Week
Sullivan students placed fourth in the Showstoppers National Show Choir Competition at Disney World in Florida, competing against schools up to ten times the size of SHS.
Don Lockwood, an agricultural and science teacher at Sullivan High School, was the 1997 Teacher of Excellence awarded by the Sullivan Community Education Foundation. His award included a plaque, certificate with excerpts from the nominators and a $1,000 grant to be used to purchase equipment or supplies for his classroom. Ten mini grants were awarded. Fourth grade teachers Dave VanDeursen, Rikki Ray, Laura Elder and Martha Sherer shared a $700 grant. Sherer also shared in a second mini grant with Title I teacher Mary Kay Gatchel in the amount of $350. Three middle school teachers also receive mini grants. Paul Stone chairman of the foundation was recognized for his service. He retired from the board that year. Read More
33rd Annual Prairieland Frontiersman Historic Arms and Craft Show
Photo by Crystal Reed
Prairieland Frontiersman Historic Arms and Craft Show
The Prairieland Frontiersman 33rd Annual Historic Arms and Craft Show was held on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12 at the Sullivan American Legion. Eddie and Mary Price from Hawesville, Kentucky were in attendance to sell books authored by Eddie. More photos are on page 7.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Dustin Rhodes of Dustin Rhodes Forge Works and Cheyenne Brown of CB’s Bone Works set up a booth with a variety of handcrafted knives for sale.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Special Recognition for 45 year member
During the Prairieland Frontiersman event at the Sullivan American Legion Keith Aeschleman of Metamora was presented with a plaque and lifetime membership to the group.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Weaving
Another person that had items for purchase at the Prairieland Frontiersman event was David Bell of Fairfield. He not only had items for purchase but was also weaving at his booth.
City Council discusses Net Metering and Interconnection Ordinance Amendments
•March 16 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Sullivan City Council held a regular meeting on Monday. Due to the absence of commissioners Chuck Woodworth and Doug Booker, some items under new or unfinished business were postponed until the next meeting.
Lee Beckman of Milano and Grunloh reported that for the water plant project, contract 1 is Grunloh Construction, contract 2 is All Service and contract 3 is Grunloh Building. Grunloh Construction was actually the lowest bidder. He was unable to look at the numbers in detail due to the bid opening being a short time before the special meeting.
The contracts were awarded during a special meeting on March 1. Preconstruction meeting for that project is on March 30. On the Bernius project, everything has been approved, and engineering was started. Read More
Moultrie County Board Sets Salaries for Elected Officials
•March 16 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Moultrie County Board set salaries for elected officials during their monthly meeting. A motion was approved to establish the Moultrie County Clerk starting salary (12/1/2022) set at $52,000 with an annual raise set for the second year (FY24) at 3%, third year (FY25) at 4% and the fourth year at 4% (FY26). The annual stipend is $6,500 per year.
The board also approved the Moultrie County Treasurer starting salary (12/1/2022) set at $58,527.04 with annual raises set for the second year (FY24) at $1,820, third year (FY25) at $1,820 and fourth year (FY26) at $1,820. The annual stipend is $6,500 per year. The salary for Moultrie County Sheriff was set at a starting salary of $78,000 with annual raises set for the second year at 4%, third year at 4% and fourth year at 4%. The annual stipend is set at $6,500 per year.
The board also approved a resolution establishing that Moultrie County Board members are to receive $75.00 per member associated meeting with a maximum of $75.00 per day allowed if any member attends more than one meeting in any given day, effective December 1, 2022. Read More
One Book, One Sullivan discussion 2022
Photo by Crystal Reed
One Book, One Sullivan discussion
One Book, One Sullivan held a community discussion on this year’s selection “The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise” by Dan Gemeinhart on Monday, March 7. Pictured above is One Book, One Sullivan leader Rikki Ray talking to attendees about the book.
Sullivan Schools Facility Needs Forum
•March 16 2022•
by Ellen Ferrera
NP Writer
The second meeting of the public forums on Sullivan school facility needs was held in the middle school gym 6:30-8 p.m., March 8.
The 80 attendees were again assigned to groups of 10 people at eight tables with school superintendent, Ted Walk, leading the meeting.
At the previous session a survey was taken, and there were 70 respondents to the 20 questions regarding needs in terms of importance. The top10 were ranked in order of importance as follows:
• additional classrooms for the elementary school
• replace the middle school
• increased energy efficiency
• larger new gym Read More