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Spring cleaning tips and tricks

News Progress Posted on by


•April 8, 2026•

by DM Willaimee

Spring is a time of year when change is in the air. Trees are budding, plants are flowering, and homes laden with dark or heavy fabrics and clutter could use some lightening up. Winter was long, with spring comes mud, and many people find their moods lifted in clean and uncluttered spaces.

Spring is an excellent time to take inventory of your living space. By decluttering, cleaning, and organizing, you can create better home comfort as well as efficiency. Some people find the prospect of getting organized overwhelming, but it can be a cathartic effort that is rewarding. Here are some ideas that can help make your spring cleaning efforts less difficult and daunting.

Have a plan of attack with some bright-line objectives. Focus on areas that are not regularly cleaned-they likely require more attention, and more attention equates to more time. 

Assemble your cleaning supplies. Spring cleaning can be slowed down if you don’t have everything you need at hand. Basic items to have are an all-purpose cleaner, a concentrated cleaner, microfiber cloths, old newspaper, paper towels, rags, a mop, a vacuum, dusters, and a squeegee. Also, having degreasers, melamine foam ‘erasers’, scrub brushes, buckets, polishes, and other items on hand helps prevent a trip to the store before you move on to another task.

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Sullivan AMBUCS Amtrykes are available

News Progress Posted on by


•April 8, 2026•

Amtryke® is an adaptive tricycle designed for individuals who are unable to ride a two-wheel bicycle—whether due to physical, developmental, cognitive challenges, or numerous other reasons. These tricycles are typically custom-fitted to meet each rider’s unique needs. Amtrykes offer a safe, stable, and enjoyable way to experience the freedom of movement and the joy of riding. There are four styles: foot-powered, hand-and-foot-powered, hand-powered, and recumbent.

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It’s called the ‘net for a reason

News Progress Posted on by


•April 8, 2026•

Op Ed by DM Williamee

With the advent of dial-up in the everyday household, youth and adults alike were quickly obsessed with what this new ‘magic box’ was capable of. The cosmic excitement before this was when the graphics, player options, and newer stylized game controllers for video games like Halo and Grand Theft Auto became more pixelated. I, however, was the mean mom. Having used the internet in the workplace, I quickly became aware that now you could literally strike a few keys and click a mouse and have the world at your feet, whether via instant messaging (with people you had to trust were who they said they were), Ask Jeeves, or email. And that was the problem. 

My economics professor told my class that if something was either 100% free or too easy to obtain, we were likely either the bait or the end product. How true, so many years later in this AI age, that his words of advice have proven to be true. As the mean mom, I had a 30-30-30 rule in my home. 30 minutes reading, 30 minutes gameplay or television (pick one), and 30 minutes on the computer, placed in the dining room so I could keep an eye on who was doing what, and when. Reading was not optional. No reading, no magic box time. My teen and ‘tween daughters let me know how cruel and unfair I was frequently, loudly, and even argued that I was stunting their tech growth and education. I reminded them that an hour of interfacing with something non-human each day was my hard line. Take it or leave it, my house, my rules. They, of course, took it.

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59th Annual Shelby County Art Show

News Progress Posted on by


•April 8, 2026•

Aaron Cole and Sandy Brix will be demonstrating their art process in acrylics, oils, and watercolors at the Shelby County Art Show that is open to the public on Saturday, April 11 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 12 from noon to 5:00 p.m. at the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center. They are among others of interest one or both days that include Shirley Buescher with watercolors, Joni Shanks with acrylics, Bobbie Dimock with watercolor brush pens, Paul Dimock with watercolor pencils, Carol Kessler with oil paint sticks, Kathy Marshall with gel printing, Karen Cherry with colored pencils, Val Gaddis with antique machines, and Cecelia Hicks with antique sock machine.  

Also available for viewing will be a large exhibit of art creations by k-12 students and adults with ribbons attached from the Saturday morning judging. All will have been created within a year from last years show and within Shelby County and adjacent counties.

Illinois Extension supports adults: long-term health

News Progress Posted on by


•April 8, 2026•

 Illinois Ext supports adults: long-term health   Millions of adults in the United States live with chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension, often facing daily challenges that affect their health, mobility, and overall quality of life. Managing these conditions requires reliable information, practical tools, and ongoing support to help individuals make informed decisions and maintain long-term health. 

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Colorectal cancer: symptoms and the value of screening

News Progress Posted on by


•April 8, 2026•

by Angela Hogan

Administrator - Moultrie 

County Health Department

Colorectal cancer (CRC) isn’t a common topic of conversation for most adults. However, maybe it should be. Recent statistics from the National Institutes of Health indicate CRC is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States, and it ranks as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in adults younger than 50 years. Why?

CRC often begins without detectable symptoms. A person can feel healthy, have no obvious warning signs, and still have precancerous polyps or early cancer developing in the colon or rectum. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms are identified and an individual seeks medical attention, the cancerous lesions may have spread.

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Students invited to join healthcare panel discussion

News Progress Posted on by


•April 8, 2026•

High school and college students are invited to a Virtual Healthcare Careers Panel Discussion at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 16th, hosted by the Illinois Rural Health Association. Healthcare professionals will share firsthand what their job really entails, in easy-to-understand terms, and answer students’ questions. The purpose is to give students insight into these high-demand careers and the best paths to get there. 

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Lady Redskins capture first place at second home meet

News Progress Posted on by


•April 8, 2026•

by E. Scott England

It was supposed to be a quad meet last Tuesday, but the Tuscola Lady Warriors had a scheduling conflict and could not make it. St. Anthony and Cerro Gordo-Bement still came though to compete against the Lady Redskins track and field team. Sullivan took first place with a team score of 76 over the Lady Bulldogs (46) and CGB (42).

Julia Moody, who set the school record in the 3200m the previous week, re-broke her freshly set record with a time of 11:44.63. This was more than 20 seconds off her previous record. She also took first in the 1600m with a time of 5:53. 

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Compassionate alternative to foster care

News Progress Posted on by


•April 8, 2026•

by Kimberly Cullen

Safe Families for Children

Families are meant to be places of safety, refuge, stability, and care. Yet, many families face seasons of crisis—whether due to financial hardship, health challenges, or unexpected life circumstances—that can put that stability at risk. In those moments, the priority is clear: ensuring children are safe while also keeping family together. Many families are socially isolated and do not have a support system to walk them through their time of crisis. 

Foster care plays a vital and necessary role in protecting children when their safety is at risk. It provides immediate intervention in situations where children who are at risk for harm or have been harmed cannot remain at home. However, re-unification is an uphill battle that can extend over a period of years. This system also often involves separating children from their parents, which can be a difficult and emotional experience for everyone involved. Even when necessary, that separation can bring uncertainty and stress for children and families alike. 

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