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Sullivan Residents Find Box of Family Memories in Old Barn, Return Them to Decatur Resident

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Siobhan and Austin Hunter of Sullivan recently found a box of family photos and memorabilia in a barn and returned them to Wayne Carter of Decatur. The Hunters were able to find Carter through a Facebook post that featured some of the photos and newspaper clippings in the box.

•June 2, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Siobhan and Austin Hunter of Sullivan were cleaning out her grandfather’s barn and found a cardboard box with a protective fabric cover sitting in the loft area. Siobhan said they opened the box and didn’t recognize any of the photos or newspaper clippings.
A few of the items inside included a picture of a soldier and a document tube that held a purple heart certificate for Wayne Loeb. The couple went to the Sullivan VFW and Moultrie County Historical Society to see whether anyone had information that could help them discover whether there were any relatives still around to whom they could return the box of photos, newspaper clippings and other family memorabilia.
The document tube had a Sullivan address on it so they tried to see if they could find a lead that way. The Hunters made the decision to make a post on Facebook to see if someone recognized the name Wayne Loeb or any of the photos in the box. “Through Facebook and continued efforts, we found the person to give the box back to,” Austin said.
That person happened to be Wayne Carter of Decatur. Carter said that when he saw the post, he initially thought that he had been hacked. Some of the items in the box are from the mid to late 30’s. Read More

Sullivan First United Methodist Church Celebrates 175 Years

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•June 2, 2021•
by Janet Roney
NP Guest Writer

Rev. Peter Cartwright”, the famous frontier Methodist evangelist, delivered a rousing sermon at Sullivan First United Methodist Church Sunday, May 23, to mark the congregation’s 175th anniversary. Portrayed by the Rev. Dr. Joel Catlin, he challenged the large congregation and the three ministers present: Bishop Frank J. Beard of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, and Pastors Mike and Beth Fender of the Sullivan church to win more souls for Christ as he did at frontier camp meetings. Read More

Factors That Can Increase Your Risk Of Skin Damage From The Sun

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•June 2, 2021•
Summer is a great time to get outside and soak up some sun. Weekend afternoons spent on the water, lounging at the beach or working in the backyard are part and parcel of many people’s summers. making June, July and August some of the most relaxing, enjoyable months of the year.
Skin damage may be the furthest thing from many people’s minds when they’re planning to spend summer afternoons outdoors. However, the American Cancer Society notes that no one is immune from the damage that can be caused by ultraviolet rays from the sun. That includes people with naturally darker skin. According to the ACS, people with light skin are much more likely to suffer from skin damage caused by the sun’s UV rays, and such individuals also are at greater risk for skin cancer. But darker-skinned individuals of all ethnic backgrounds also can suffer from UV-related skin damage. Read More

Remember When? 6-2-2021

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25 Years Ago This Week

Valedictorians and salutatorians at the three area high schools were announced. The Sullivan High School valedictorian was Ericka Ozee and salutatorian Brianne Bolin. Lovington High School co-valedictorians were Wes Bolsen and Cassie Jackson. Bethany’s valedictorian was Teri Zimmer and the salutatorian was Jamie Banning.
Retired Lake Land College Agriculture Dept. Chair Tom Reedy of Lovington was presented with the 1996 Lake Land College Distinguished Service Award. A committee of college employees and board of trustees made the selection based on Reedy’s support and contributions to the college. Read More

Placing Flags at Greenhill Cemetery

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Placing Flags at Greenhill Cemetery
Several FFA members and their advisor joined members of the Sullivan American Legion Post #68 and other volunteers last Friday to put out flags for Memorial Day at Greenhill Cemetery. Pictured are Mike Daily, Kent Buxton, Mike Keown, Tony Feeler, Mark Conlin, Mike Black, Bob Ingram, Bob Sims, George Selby, Dee Ann Daily, Mac Bond, Becky Lawson, Reagan Sims, John Voyles, Beau Fleming, Matthew Wesselman, and Willow Krumwiede. Not pictured is Mallory Batman.

4-H Grant

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Photo Submitted 4-H Grant Farm Credit Illinois recently awarded a community grant in the amount of $500 to the Moultrie County Shining Stars 4-H Club. The club chose to donate a bench to Sullivan Elementary School Playground. Club members and parents helped pick out the bench, including the style and color. 2020-2021 Club President Sarina Voegel contacted SES Principal, Leslie Guyot to ask about the need for a bench and then contacted her again to tell her the 4-H club had been awarded the grant. The Moultrie County Shining Stars were one of more than 40 4-H Clubs and FFA Chapters in Illinois who received one of these grants. More than $30,000 in grant funds has been awarded to clubs and chapters in the last decade making tangible contributions in their communities by implementing improvement projects.

Blood Drive

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Blood Drive
Agri-Fab Inc. hosted a community blood drive on Wednesday, May 26 in the Agri-Fab meeting room. 22 units of blood were collected which will potentially help up to 66 people. There were also four first time donors. Their next blood drive will be July 22. Pictured is Doug Moore donating blood during the drive.

Recent Obituaries: Linda A. Wiley

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Linda A. Wiley

Linda A. Wiley, 76, of Bethany passed away 10:49 p.m. Thursday, May 27, 2021, at Mason Point, Sullivan.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service, Tuesday at the funeral home in Sullivan. The family requests casual attire. Face masks are suggested and please practice social distancing for the services. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, rural Bethany. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
Linda was born February 16, 1945, in Bethany; the daughter of Alven E. and Anna (Thomas) Lillico. She married Jerry L. Wiley on September 6, 1967 in Moultrie County; he preceded her in death on January 30, 1993. Linda was a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church, rural Bethany. She was a registered nurse and received her Oncology Certification. Linda enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She is survived by her daughter, Rhonda M. Mosser of Bethany; grandchildren, Joshua Betts of Bethany, Adrienne Betts of Charleston, J.B. Mosser of Bethany and Mason Betts of Charleston; great-grandchildren, Roman Betts, Korbin Betts and Amiyah Pope.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 2 sisters and 1 brother.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Moultrie County Man Sentenced to Prison

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•May 26, 2021•
Christopher J. Landess, 52, of Arthur has been sentenced to imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections. At a hearing on May 10, Judge Jeremy Richey accepted a plea in which Landess pled guilty to the offenses of Ct. I: Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, Class 2 Felony, 20-CF-18 and Ct. III: Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, Class 2 Felony, 20-CF-18.
Landess was sentenced to four years in Moultrie County which will be served consecutively to Champaign County case 20-CF-823 for which he was sentenced to 30 years IDOC on April 28, 2020 for the offense of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child, a Class X felony. Read More

Sullivan Townwide Rummage Sales

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•May 26, 2021•

The Sullivan Townwide Rummage Sales will be Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5. Signup is free. No changes will be made once the form is turned in and there is a 25 word limit. Rummage listing will be published in the June 2 edition of the News Progress. This is brought to you free by our sponsors CFH Insurance Agency, Sullivan IGA, Country Financial Representative Elizabeth Houser, Jackson Family of Dealerships and First Community Bank of Moultrie County.