James Parsley
James Edward Parsley, 89, of Sullivan, passed away at 3:37 a.m., Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Decatur Memorial Hospital. Read More
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Arthur’s Strawberry Jam Festival June 4 and 5
•June 2, 2021•
Roll out the strawberry red carpet in the Arthur area as it is the start of festival and fair season in the Heart of Illinois Amish Country on Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5.
What better way to celebrate late spring and early summer than with America’s favorite fruit, the strawberry, pony rides (Saturday only), a multitude of vendors and some great food all mixed together to create Arthur Amish Country’s Strawberry Jam. Read More
Memorial Day Services Held In Bethany and Sullivan
Photo by R.R. Best
Members of the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 march towards Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan prior to the Memorial Day service. This year’s speaker was Becky Lawson.
•June 2, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Memorial Day services were held in Bethany and Sullivan Monday morning. The Sullivan American Legion conducted ceremonies at Greenhill Cemetery and Moultrie County Cemetery; Bethany American Legion led ceremonies at Marrowbone Township Cemetery.
Sullivan American Legion and Boy Scout Troop 39 marched from the square to Greenhill Cemetery prior to Pastor Bob Vail leading in prayer and comments by Becky Lawson. Read More
OV Sports Briefs
•June 2, 2021•
Baseball
The Okaw Valley baseball team shut out Argenta-Oreana 12-0 to pick up another Lincoln Prairie Conference win Wednesday, May 26.
On the road against the Bombers, Okaw Valley scored eight runs in the first two innings to jump out early.
In the fifth inning, the Timberwolves plated four more runs to end the game at the end of the inning.
Okaw Valley pounded out 13 total hits.
Jacob McQuire recorded three hits, and Eli Hagerman and Kadan Miller each had two hits.
Hagerman batted in four runs, and Miller plated three.
Three Timberwolves combined for the shutout.
The win improved Okaw Valley’s overall record to 10-6. Read More
Obituaries 6-2-2021: Louetta Horath
Louetta Horath
Louetta Faye Horath, 86, of Sullivan, passed away at 2:35 a.m., Sunday, May 23, 2021, at Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938 is in charge of arrangements. Read More
Hometown Love
Photo Submitted
Hometown Love
Hometown Love based, out of Lovington, beautified two homes recently. The group planted flowers, mowed, power washed, mulched and did general yard cleanup. They have assisted a total of five residences in 2 months. Pictured is Cheryl Grove, Kelly Creek, Jamie Franklin and Stephanie Eccles.
Photo Submitted
Beautifying A Yard
Hometown Love volunteers Krista Hale (left) and Kelly Creek (right) work on a yard recently. Hometown Love takes applications on their Facebook page and at the First Community Bank of Moultrie County, Hardware State Bank Branch in Lovington. Houses are chosen for beautification based on the applications received. One day a month the group gathers volunteers to work on as many houses as they have volunteers for.
Tractor Cruise Returns
•June 2, 2021•
The Amish Country Tractor Cruise is set for Saturday, June 19 in Arthur. A 36-mile cruise will take riders on a picturesque drive through the Heart of Illinois Amish Country.
Registration for the cruise will begin at 6:00 a.m. at Yoder’s Kitchen, located on IL 133, and then departs at 8:30 a.m. A 10:00 a.m. rest stop will be at Wind Swept Farms west of Arthur and lunch will be served at Heritage Family Farms northeast of Arthur. The cruise is expected to return to Arthur by 2:30 p.m.
Each year, the cruise takes riders on a different route throughout Amish Country. Sponsors for this year’s cruise include Birkey’s, CHI, The Equity, Kuhns Equipment, Yoder’s Kitchen, and Yoder Seed Company.
Cruise Director, Jim Fleming expects a large gathering this year. “People are ready to get out and have something to do. So far, we have participants coming from Mississippi and West Virginia” says Fleming. The first cruise was held in 2010 and over the years has become one of the premier Tractor Cruises in the Midwest. The event is traditionally held on the Saturday preceding Father’s Day to encourage good family and Dad time. Many families plan activities around the cruise.
Extreme wet weather forced the cancellation in 2019 and the virus-related shutdowns cancelled the event in 2020. Funds raised from the cruise fund scholarships to agriculture students at ALAH High School.
For more information and to request a registration form, please contact Jim Fleming at 217-791-1026 or by email at fbjf1964@consolidated.net
Moultrie Moment of the Week
Pictured above is the Lake City grain elevator. The year that this photo was taken is unknown. 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.
ALAH School Board Approves Amended FY2021 Budget
Photo by Ariana Cherry
Newly hired Arthur Grade School Principal Andrew Peralta was introduced during the recent ALAH school board meeting.
•June 2, 2021•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer
Before the school board began their meeting Wednesday, two ALAH High School students, Wyatt Shonkwiler and Michaela Powell, shared a landscaping project for the high school greenhouse complete with slides showcasing their ideas and examples. Their hope is that this project will motivate students to use work skills outside of school and encourage them to learn working in smaller groups as well as make the greenhouse more pleasing to the public eye.
Working in the greenhouse will help high school students get the service hours they need as well. Some of the landscaping ideas include purchasing a new trellis, stepping stones, containers and plant pots. The students are looking for an estimate of anywhere from $961-$1,000 in donations, with most of the purchases being made at Home Depot.
“I think it’s really amazing how you’ve taken ownership, initiative and pride in your school. It’s really well done. I am proud of both of you,” said Superintendent Shannon Cheek. Read More
Obituaries 6-2-2021: Linda Wiley
Linda Wiley
Linda A. Wiley, 76, of Bethany passed away at 10:49 p.m., Thursday, May 27, 2021, at Mason Point in Sullivan. Read More