Photo courtesy Ann Dickens:
Cleaner Earth
One family celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of Earth Day by picking up trash along four miles of country roads south west of Sullivan. This is the second year the Dickens family marked the day this way and you can see how much trash we found. The youngest collector was 13, and the oldest was 88. Started to raise environmental awareness in 1970, Earth Day remains an inspiration for helping make the place we live better.
•April 29, 2020•
Ricky G. Derby, 26, of Sullivan appeared in Moultrie County Circuit Court by videoconference on armed robbery charges.
During the April 20 preliminary hearing Derby and public defender Steve Jones were at the Moultrie County jail with Judge Hugh Finson and States Attorney Tracy Weaver participating via GoToMeeting videoconferencing system.
Derby entered a plea of not guilty and probable cause was found.
A jury trial is set to commence August 3, 2020.
Bethany Chief of Police Chris Nichols issued a press release about the investigation and subsequent arrest.
On the evening of October 18, 2018 at approximately 7:39pm, the Bethany Police Department and the Moultrie Co. Sheriff’s Department responded to the Casey’s General Store in Bethany for a report of an Armed Robbery. Upon arrival, officers and deputies searched the immediate area but were unable to locate the suspect.
The Bethany Police Department began an immediate investigation into the incident. During the course of this lengthy investigation, police were able to identify a suspect, Ricky G. Derby (26) of Sullivan, IL.
A warrant was issued on April 02, 2020 for Derby, charging him with the Armed Robbery. Derby was taken into custody in Jacksonville, Illinois and transported back to the Moultrie Co. jail.
Assisting Bethany PD on this case was Moultrie Co. Sheriffs Department, Sullivan Police Department and Illinois State Police.
All Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
25 Years Ago This Week
The vocal and piano students of Deborah Seelhoefer will present a spring concert at the First Christian Church in Sullivan.
Performing are Julie Bolin, Robby Randall, Mindy Griffith, Michelle Grohmann, Daniel Helmuth, Micah Ray, Brittany Cobb and Scott Light. Selections vary from classical to jazz including a medley from Guys and Dolls.
Tom Highland’s Industrial Arts classroom at Sullivan High School is fiber optically connected to cable and multimedia students are preparing to launch their own cable channel.Chad Ashinhurst is cameraman while Kurtis Tull takes on editing chores in the class control room.
The Fish Wrap concept came about in 1995. Editor Dan Hagen reported on an unusual reaction from students at the University of South Carolina to the original Fish Wrapper story. Read More
Genevieve Sutton
Genevieve “Genny” (Kidwell) Sutton, 102, of Sullivan, passed away 1:47 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2020, at Courtyard Estates, Sullivan.
Private family services will be held at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church of Sullivan, Mid-Illinois Senior Services in Sullivan, Courtyard Estates Activity Fund, or to the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society. Read More
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Alli Harbarger delivers cupcakes to Norma and Tom Standerfer at Mason Point.
•April 29, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
When the going gets tough the tough get going and that was certainly true last Friday when several hundred seniors and nursing home residents were remembered in unique and thoughtful ways.
Friday morning Activity Director, Alli Harbarger, donned a whimsical unicorn costume and, with other staff, delivered cupcakes to all the Mason Point residents.
“It was such a surprise and the costume was so cute,” said Ruth Beals.
Norma and Bill Standerfer were equally surprised and enjoyed the diversion from their month-long confinement. Read More
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Food Donations Delivered
Donations received at the Sullivan Senior Center went to good use on Friday. Kathi Garvey, Executive Director Mid-Illinois Senior Center in Sullivan, staff and volunteers delivered nearly 100 pantry boxes full of food to senior citizens throughout Sullivan. “We received many donations of money so we purchased items at cost from IGA,” Garvey began. “The Moultrie County Food Pantry donated other items to make up the boxes. We are so grateful to Pat Stinson at IGA and Lisa White from the food pantry for their generous donations.” Included in each box were eggs, milk, cheese, deli meats, bread, canned goods, boxed dinners, TP, paper towels, cans of tuna, cereal, peanut butter and much more.
•April 29, 20220•
SULLIVAN, IL, April 28, 2020 – The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) announces a fifth confirmed case of Coronavirus-2019. The patient is a female in her 30s who is currently quarantined at home. Public health officials are contacting and verifying all close contacts. To date, 85 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 75 tests were negative for coronavirus, and five are still pending.
Because this virus is becoming more widespread, the MCHD cautions all individuals to consider themselves at risk for exposure. The health department reminds everyone to stay at home as much as possible; cover coughs and sneezes; and continue to frequently wash their hands with warm water and soap. People who are ill, even those with mild symptoms, should take extra precautions to isolate themselves from others, stay in contact with their doctor and not leave home. In alignment with recent CDC recommendations, the health department is encouraging families who must make trips into the public to send only one person with a face mask. If at all possible, avoid taking children into the public. “It is extremely important for people to continue to abstain from gathering with anyone outside of your own household,” Angela Hogan, Moultrie County Health Department Administrator said. “Large gatherings increase the opportunity for the coronavirus to be transmitted to others. If travel outside of the home is unavoidable, wear a mask which covers your mouth and nose to reduce the likelihood of transmitting the virus.” Symptoms associated with COVID-19 include fever, fatigue, a dry cough, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or loss of smell or taste. Individuals should immediately seek medical attention if experiencing difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, confusion, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, or a bluish color in the lips or face. If an individual is ill with symptoms associated with coronavirus and needs medical or emergency care, they should notify their physician or emergency medical service providers of their symptoms prior to arrival. For more information on the Moultrie County Health Department’s news, events and services, please visit www.moultriehealth.org and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moultriecountyhealth.
Contact: Glenda Plunkett
Public Health Services Coordinator
Glenda@moultriehealth.org
217.728.4114
Lee York
Directed SHS Band
By Durward Kirby
for the News Progress
In early days of the Little Theatre on the Square publicist Lee York wrote stories about the shows and escorted the stars to interviews.
Andrew Lee York, Jr. (85) died of natural causes early April 17th at Mason Point in Sullivan, IL.
York came to Sullivan as junior and senior high band instructor. His talent was a natural for the young Little Theatre and soon became publicist.
During that time of consistently large growth attendance gains under theatre founder/mentor Guy S. Little Jr. York arranged interviews and escorted 65 major radio, TV and movie stars for radio, TV and newspaper to outlets in Decatur, Champaign and Springfield. The White House and even in the D.C. Capitol office of Everett Dirksen, at that time the Senate Majority Leader, York appeared on behalf of Little Theatre on the Square. Read More
•April 22, 2020•
Lake Land College students Suhyun Moon, Gimhae, South Korea and Chandler Smith, Charleston, submitted essays for consideration in the 2020 Illinois Community College Trustees Association’s Paul Simon Essay Contest.
The theme of the essay contest was “How My Community College Changed My Life,” and both Moon and Smith had some heartfelt words to share about their time at Lake Land College.
All students enrolled at ICCTA member colleges were eligible to participate in the contest at the local level, with one entry per college entered at the statewide competition each year. Read More
Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Monday, April 27 - Chicken and Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Green and Wax Beans w/Bacon and Onion, Whole Grain Wheat, Fresh Grapes
Tuesday, April 28 - Saucy Cabbage Rolls, Corn , Dinner Roll, Hawaiian Salad
Wednesday, April 29 - Shepherd’s Pie, Harvard Beets, Dinner Roll, Pears
Thursday, April 30 - Beef Pattie w/Mushroom Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, Dinner Roll, Cinnamon Chunky Applesauce
Friday, May 1 - Pulled Pork Sandwich, Macaroni and Cheese, Broccoli, Fruit Juice, Bun, Peaches