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Oh Brother: The Right Person at the Right Time Made the Difference

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•September 25, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

There are miracles and there are miraculous events.
What happened to Kaye Webb of Sullivan last week may be a little of both.
Most everyone around knows Kaye for her talents with genealogy through her work with the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society.
Kaye is also one of the select readers of the Moultrie County News Progress who picks their newspaper at the office as soon as it comes off the press on Wednesday.
Circulation guru at the News Progress, Carolyn Collier has a constant stream of fresh newspaper visitors on Wednesday afternoon from about 1:00 p.m. when the paper comes off the press until closing time. Read More

ALAH Board Approves Budget, Discusses Apptegy Advantages

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•September 25, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond school board members learned more about, Apptegy during a regular meeting where the annual budget was approved.
A live meeting with one of its techs, Casey, via Google, revealed information about how the app could benefit the district.
The Apptegy tech demonstrated a live working app that the Arcola School District had in place.
Presently, Apptegy has 100,000 districts in the U.S using the app and an estimate of 128 school districts in Illinois. The main purpose of the app is to promote stories and events that are happening in the school district. Apptegy is designed to make it simple for parents and students to navigate all in one place, creating a much more streamlined appearance.
It will be free to download for anyone who has a smart phone or tablet device. Board members noted that there were already high school staff that are interested in integrating some students in with the app to start helping out with it and promoting events and various organizations. Read More

New High Peaks in Bethany has an Avalanche of Treats

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
First day treats at High Peaks.

•September 25, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress

A new and stylish bakery/ice ream parlor has opened in Bethany with delectables to please the most discriminating palate.
With flavored teas and coffees, salads and flat breads to enhance the menu, High Peaks is the perfect compliment to the new café at the opposite end of the block.
Co-owner, Anna Schwartz said, “Jeff Taylor, also a co-owner, bought the building and didn’t really know what he wanted to do with it. I am good at baking so we decided on a bakery, but we also wanted other items so it evolved.” Taylor, originally from Decatur, has lived in Bethany for 15 years and Anna is from Mt. Zion. Their love of the mountains and hiking in Colorado inspired the shop’s name High Peaks. Read More

Superintendent-Y Stuff: A Walk with Mr. Walk

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•September 25, 2019•
By Ted Walk,
Supt. Sullivan CUSD #300

Students at Sullivan High School have the opportunity to take a Child and Day Care Services course starting this fall. This course is designed for students to gain work experience in the field of early childhood education.
As part of this course, students are organizing a playgroup called Little Redskins Activity Program. While details are still being finalized, this playgroup will be open to students ages three to five and will provide an opportunity for our students to gain real-world experience while providing children with the chance to socialize with other children in a safe and fun environment. Read More

OVHS Selects Homecoming Royalty

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OVHS Selects Homecoming Royalty
Okaw Valley High School in Bethany hosted annual homecoming festivities with a “Small Town USA” theme last week.
The Homecoming King Ethan Bartimus and Queen Madalyne McPheeters coronation was at 7:45 p.m. Saturday in the Bethany gym.
Freshmen attendants were: Riley McPheeters and Carmine Brown; sophomore attendants Emma Bush and Kaeden Primmer; junior attendants Autumn Burns and Kobi Weaver.
The week included dress up days, float and hallway decorating, a “pack the place” volleyball game, plus the homecoming parade Friday afternoon.
Photo courtesy Jeni Yantis

Yellow Ribbon Sign

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Photo furnished
Yellow Ribbon Sign
Jessica Williamson, a senior at SHS this year completed 10 weeks of basic at Fort Leonard Wood, MO over the summer. Willliamson is with the 1- 58th Infantry Regiment and will complete her AIT after graduation May 2020. Jessica is an American Legion Junior Auxiliary member and Sullivan American Legion Post 68 Auxiliary sponsored her sign. Pictured during the sign presentation at Sullivan Post 68 were Junior Auxiliary members: (left to right) Ryann Kelley, Brooklynn Clark, Addison Daily, Jessica and Sydney Williamson.

Recent Obituaries: Bryan Selock

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Bryan Selock

Bryan Andy Selock passed away Saturday, September 14, 2019 at the age of 69 in Decatur after a long battle of cancer.
Bryan was born August 5, 1950, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the son of Samuel and Norma Jean (Pressey) Selock of Sullivan.
Surviving are her two brothers, Terry (LaDonna) Selock of Gypusm, Kansas, and Samuel (Carol) Selock of Kansas City, Missouri; three nephews; two nieces; and eight great nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his nephew, Brad Andrew Selock of Lansing, Kansas.

Andy will be truely missed by his family. We will miss his sense of humor and his ability to put a smile on our face.

Honoring Bryan Selock's wishes, cremation services have been provided by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelanfairlawn.com

SHS HC Parade

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•September 18, 2019•

The students of Sullivan High School are extending an invitation to join them in the annual homecoming parade.
The theme for the floats is decades, as each class float will have a different decade for their theme.
The parade steps off at 4 p.m. October 4.