Photo furnished
Dawkins Receives First Place
Congratulations to Sylvia Dawkins, 10, of Sullivan who earned a first place finish on her floor pass this past weekend at the first tumbling meet of the season held at the Christian Oil Belt Camp in Flora.
•October 20, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Marsha Kirby had her first meeting as a county board member last Thursday. Kirby replaces Neil Bryan. She is currently serving the remainder of his term with the board.
Kirby is in her 15th year at Sullivan High School where she teaches US history. She is also the advisor for Student Council and co-sponsor of Future Educators. In the community she is involved in the Miss Sullivan pageants, Sullivan Singers booster club president and has been a volunteer cheer coach for JFL. Read More
•October 20, 2021•
Every city council or school board has issues large and small that impact the lives of the people it serves.
Should residents be allowed to have chickens within city limits?
Should the city-owned hospital be sold?
What programs should the school district cut to have a balanced budget?
How should students be allowed to dress in school?
Even matters that may seem trivial are important to someone. It is the duty of public officials on public bodies to give every matter serious consideration. And it is the duty of citizens to whom those matters are important to provide input. Read More
Michael Johnson
Michael Leslie Johnson, loving husband, father of two children and devoted grandfather, passed away at age 71 on Tuesday, October 12. Read More
Betty Selby
Betty J. Selby, 64, of Sullivan, passed away at 11:22 p.m., Saturday September 25, 2021, in Decatur Memorial Hospital. Read More
•October 20, 2021•
Smyser Christian Church is having Trunks for Treats on Saturday, October 30 from 5-8 pm at the church. There will be decorated trunks, candy, an obstacle course, bounce house, horse rides and food. The event is free. The church is located at 1521 Whitley Point Rd in Gays.
Pictured above is third grade Lowe School students 1978-1979. 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.
Photo by R.R. Best
Daniel Durston as Elvis and Monica Ricketts as Marilyn Monroe in “The King and Marilyn.”
•October 20, 2021•
by Ellen Ferrara
NP Writer
The Little Theatre opened the summer with three wildly successful outdoor concerts which were enthusiastically received by crowds longing for a chance to mingle and socialize after nearly two years of quarantine. The performers were grateful for the opportunity to once again share their wonderful talents with a live audience.
The stunning “The King and Marilyn” just closed October 17 with Daniel Durston in the role of Elvis and Monica Ricketts as Marilyn Monroe. The musical is based on the fantasy of what might have been if Elvis and Marilyn had developed a relationship after their only meeting on a Hollywood movie lot. Elvis fans were treated to all of his biggest hits.
“The King and Marilyn” will forever be tied to Sullivan because Durston conceived and wrote the musical while he was here performing as Elvis in “Million Dollar Quartet”. Who says Sullivan isn’t an inspiring town? Read More
•October 20, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Moultrie County Board adopted three recommendations of the Grievance Investigation Committee findings. The first is the board’s need to establish a type of human resources department to deal with issues existing in the courthouse and with county board members. Second is a standardized grievance form developed and utilized for non-union county employees with all employees trained on completion and distribution of such forms and third, allowing the county assessment office to form its own GIS work from employees within that department.
The board approved transferring $30,000 from Moultrie County reserves to the Moultrie County Health Dept. as per ongoing agreement. At the time the new health department building was constructed, there was an excess of TIF funds for the amount needed so the county used that to pay off the remaining balance on the jail. The county agreed to repay those funds to the health department over a period of years. Read More
•October 20, 2021•
The No Kids Left in the Cold Coat Giveaway in honor of Margie Pondo is now accepting donations of new and clean used coats as well as hats and gloves. The coat giveaway was started 7 year ago and Margie Pondo joined about three years ago. Last May, Margie passed away. Last year they gave away 300 new coats and they anticipate 400-500 coats to be given out this year. They carry up to size 20 coats for children. They are also accepting individual donations so that they can shop for coats. The coat giveaway will be on Thursday, October 28 from 1 pm to 8 pm at the Sullivan American Legion Post 68. They are also looking for volunteers to help the day of the event. To donate or for more information contact Jeri Davis at 217-859-2101.