•January 5, 2022•
New updates to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Vax Verify immunization portal now includes use of the SMART™ Health Card. The SMART™ Health Card allows users to download a QR code, which individuals can use to easily confirm a their COVID-19 vaccination status at businesses, events, and other locations. Vax Verify is an online system that allows Illinois residents 18 years and older to check their COVID-19 vaccination record. Vax Verify can be accessed at https://idphportal.illinois.gov. Read More
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VFW 6410 Announces Essay Contest Winners
Photo furnished
Second place winner of the Voice of Democracy essay contest Alexis Bartimus.
•January 5, 2022•
Photo furnished
Paul Bates, first place winner in the Voice of Democracy essay contest (left) and Avram Bates, first place winner in the Patriots Pen essay contest (right) with local author Jennifer Hobbs (center).
Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars hosts an essay contest for middle schoolers and high schoolers. The Patriots Pen contest for 6th-8th graders offers the opportunity to win up to $5000 in scholarships. This year’s VFW Post 6410’s first place winner is Avram Bates, a 7th grader from Sullivan Middle School.
The Voice of Democracy essay contest for 9th to 12th graders can win up to $30,000 in scholarships this year’s VFW Post 6410 second place winner is Alexis Bartimus, an 11th grader from Okaw Valley High School. The first place winner is Paul Bates, an 11th grader from Sullivan High School.
Avram and Paul’s essays will now go on to compete at the district level. Winners will be announced in January.
Lake Land College Nursing Program Donates to Local Programs
•January 5, 2022•
The Lake Land College Nursing program put together an assortment of items to donate to the Crisis Nursery of Effingham County and One Stop Community Christmas. Some of the items included diapers, wipes, snacks, clothes and art supplies.
“Our students and faculty are thrilled to help provide items that can assist these programs and the individuals who benefit from them,” Lake Land College Division Chair of Allied Health/Nursing Instructor Erin Swingler said. “Programs like these are a great value to the community, and we are very proud to offer our support to them.”
HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital also partnered with Lake Land College to donate the items. Read More
Obituaries 1-5-2021: Ronald Burgess
Ronald Burgess
Ronald S. “Ron” Burgess, 61, of Sullivan, passed away at 5:13 a.m., Monday, January 3, 2022, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur. Read More
Obituaries 1-5-2021: Myra Beechy
Myra Beechy
Myra Williams Beachy, 78 of Arcola, passed away at 4:50 a.m., Thursday, December 30, 2021, at the Linda White Hospice House in Evansville, Ind. Read More
Moultrie Moment of the Week
Pictured above is Dunn school in October 1929. Two children in front holding the slate are Dean and Peggy Jones. Middle row: 1,2. unknown 3: Victor Butt, 4, 5, 6, 7, unknown, Back row: 1 unknown, John Butt, 3 unknown 4. Helen Goodwin, teacher, 5. Russell Butt, 6 & 7 unknown. Other family names might be Marquis, Reedy, McDermott, Bone and Hunt. 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.
Remember When? 1-5-2021
25 Years Ago This Week
The lame duck Republican state legislature, in a last minute move, reshuffled the judicial deck and moved Moultrie County courts into a new district. The Appellate Court for Moultrie County was seated in Mount Vernon rather than Springfield.
Five potential buyers were interested in purchasing the Eagle Creek Resort on Lake Shelbyville.
Dora Township, outside Dalton City, was the fastest growing area in Moultrie County in recent years. Also jobs had grown in Moultrie County at a rate more than three times faster than the rate of growth in Illinois or the nation. Read More
Year End Review Continued from Last Week
•January 5, 2022•
June 2
Memorial Day services were held in Bethany and Sullivan. The Sullivan American Legion conducted ceremonies at Greenhill and Moultrie County Cemetery; Bethany American Legion led ceremonies at Marrowbone Township Cemetery. In Sullivan Pastor Bob Vail lead prayer and Becky Lawson spoke. At Marrowbone Township Cemetery, the Bethany American Legion held their ceremony at the Civil War monument. Chaplain Jack Scott led prayer and Pastor Marge Overlot spoke.
Sullivan residents Siobhan and Austin Hunter found a box of family memories when they cleaned out her grandfather’s barn. Through Facebook and other efforts they were able to find a person to return the box to. That person was Wayne Carter of Decatur. Read More
City Council meets, No New or Unfinished Business heard
•January 5, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Sullivan City Council met Tuesday, December 28, in the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library. There were only three commissioners present: Doug Booker, Chuck Woodworth and Mike Fowler. Commissioner Abbey Sherwood and Mayor Richard Glazebrook were absent.
Because there were only three commissioners in attendance no new or unfinished business was heard, and no votes were taken other than for the consent agenda and TIF claims.
Bill Burger asked the council whether the Sullivan Post Office is handicap accessible. He said he saw a man fall in front of the post office which is what brought the question to his mind. Read More
Sullivan Fire Chief Mike Piper Retires after 30 Years of Service
Photo by R.R. Best
Retiring Sullivan Fire Chief Mike Piper’s children present him with his Chief’s helmet that was retired during a ceremony held on December 31,2021 at the Sullivan Firehouse.
•January 5, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Sullivan Fire Chief Mike Piper was honored during a walk out ceremony at the Sullivan Firehouse Friday, December 31. Piper volunteered at the department for a year before joining on October 18, 1991.
“I was interested in it, and when I became a volunteer, I tested for an open position,” he said. Over the years he worked his way through the ranks, and in 2005 became chief when Jeff Waite retired. Through the years, Piper has seen a lot of changes including a building addition and a new roof.
One of the biggest changes he has seen is the amount of overturn of staff prior to 2005. Piper said that some saw the department as a first step to advance to careers at other departments. The biggest reason he cited was salary. There has not been a lot of turnover since 2005.
The most recent change was the purchase of the law office next door to the department which they leased out for a while and last year tore down to have additional parking. The department also has more multiple calls at once than they used to have. Read More