Nelson Swinford opened his new gas station on S. Hamilton Street in Sullivan in 1950. It was located where the parking lot is now for the Habitat Restore. 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.
•November 3, 2021•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator
In our area the harvest season continues with those long hours and irregular mealtimes for farm families. Extension Educator Mary Liz Wright wrote this article about feeding those out in the fields safely. Mary Liz says: for generations, families have packed food into their cars to share a meal with those working in the field. We must remember that just as we need to fuel and tune up the equipment, the same thing is true for our bodies. We want to make sure we are giving our bodies what they need---no junk in our gas tanks—this time of year we need the high-octane supercharged stuff!
Here are a few tips to help you keep your family well-fed in this hectic season:
· Food safety
· Bring hand sanitizer and baby wipes for pre-meal hand “washing” Read More
•November 3, 2021•
By Capital News Illinois
Illinois lawmakers gave final approval in the early hours of Friday morning to a new congressional redistricting plan that divides the state into 17 districts, one fewer than it currently has due to its loss of population since the 2010 U.S. Census.
It was the fourth draft plan that legislative Democrats had proposed over the previous two weeks, and it was introduced to the public after 7 p.m.
Like earlier versions, it collapses two southern Illinois districts into a single district while carving up much of downstate Illinois into a number of oddly-shaped districts that put cities as far apart as East St. Louis and Champaign into one district, with Bloomington and Rockford linked in another.
“This will be the most gerrymandered map in the country,” Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, said during floor debate. “And this process will be used as the poster child for why politicians should never be allowed to draw their own maps.” Read More
•November 3, 2021•
Okaw Valley Community Unit School District invites all Veterans and their family members to a Veterans Day program at Okaw Valley High School in Bethany on Thursday, November 11th. A breakfast will be provided to all who attend beginning at 8:15am in the cafeteria and a short assembly will follow at 9:15am. The assembly will feature the Okaw Valley School District band and chorus students, and keynote speaker.
The students and staff at Okaw Valley thank all Veterans for their acts of courage and devotion to the ideals that have served to guide our nation. They would be honored if you could join them to pay tribute to all the brave men and women who have admirably served our country.
If you will be able to attend, please call 665-3232 for a reservation.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Dr. Marvin Miller, Treasurer and Past President of America In Bloom (second from right), cuts the ribbon for the Downtown Garden with (from left to right) John Stephens, Executive Director of The Little Theatre On The Square, Junior Miss Sullivan Wren Wall, Executive Director of Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development and far right Mayor Richard Glazebrook.
•November 3, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
A dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting were held Wednesday, October 27, at the pavilion on the square in Sullivan. Laurrie Minor, Executive Director of Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development, Dr. Marvin Miller, Treasurer and Past President of America In Bloom, John Stephens, Executive Director of The Little Theatre On The Square, Mayor Richard Glazebrook and Junior Miss Sullivan Wren Wall were all part of the ribbon cutting. Read More
•November 3, 2021•
Sullivan Volleyball
The Sullivan Volleyball team won its first match in the Class 2A Tolono Unity Regional but was defeated in the second match to end its’ season.
The Redskins knocked off Paris Monday, Oct. 25 in three sets.
Sullivan won the first set, 25-16, but Paris battled back to win the second set 25-20.
The Redskins won the third set 25-20 and advanced to the next regional match against host Tolono Unity.
For Sullivan, Skyla Palmer recorded nine kills and four blocks, and Landry Hall had five kills and served five aces.
Kyley Dyer finished with four blocks, 21 assists and 12 digs.
Cassidy Short and Sydni Waidelich totaled 17 and 15 digs, respectively. Read More
Photo by R.R. Best
Safe Trick or Treat
Safe trick or treat returned to Sullivan this Halloween after not being held last year due to the pandemic. Enjoying the festivities were Molly Reeder Foust and her children Auggie and Beatrice.
•November 3, 2021•
State Representative Brad Halbrook invites residents in the Findlay area to meet him on November 8th at the Findlay Community Building to discuss state issues and concerns. Rep. Halbrook’s Traveling Office Hours bring his office to communities throughout the district to better assist those who want to discuss issues face to face with him and his staff. Read More
Bill Watkins
•November 3, 2021•
Highway Church of Christ in Sullivan is having a fall gospel meeting from November 7-10 at the church. The guest speaker will be Bill Watkins of the Crieve Hall Church in Nashville, Tennessee.
Watkins was born in Georgia and raised in Tennessee. He is the son of a gospel preacher, James Watkins, and both he and his brother Alan are preachers. He married Beverly in 1972. They have five children. Read More
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday, November 1, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan, Memorials may be made to the Moultrie County Illinois PAWs; 10 Leisure Acres, Sullivan, IL 61951
Sharon was born August 26, 1942, in Champaign; the daughter of Clifford C. and Pearl (Bruder) Reynolds. She married Leroy W. Houser on March 29, 1969, in Urbana; he preceded her in death on August 6, 2007. Sharon worked at General Electric as a Quality Assurance Manager for 35 years. She loved her pets, watching the birds and sitting by her pond. Sharon also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and watching their sports games.
She is survived by her sons, Donald Wayne “Butch” (Melisa) Bennett, Jr. of Villa Grove and Michael F. (Mindy) Houser of Mattoon; daughters, Paula Ann (John Daily) Marlow of Sullivan, Kelly L. (Kevin) Conour of Lovington and Lisa K. Todd of Sullivan; sister, Dorothy Fitzsimmons of Villa Grove; grandchildren, Chris Bennett, Jeremy Bennett, Jaimie Moore, Mindia Clodfelder, Stacy Hill, Shelly Moore, Leroy “Jacob” Todd, Tyler Todd, Bradlee Todd, Fletcher Houser and Esme Houser. She is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 1 brother, 4 sisters, son-in-law, Leslie Todd, granddaughter, Taleana and great-grandson, Dakota.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com