Author Archives:

We’re at ‘War’ with China, and We’re Losing

News Progress Posted on by

•August 28, 2019•
By Jim Nowlan
Capital News Service

For millennia, war was how you did economic development. Today, economic and technical dominance are how you do war, and right now we’re losing something akin to a modern “war” with China.
When I first arrived in Shanghai 15 years ago, to serve as a “foreign expert” (visiting professor) at Fudan University, one of China’s best, I took a stretch-the-legs Saturday morning stroll along a street outside my guest quarters.
I came upon a gaggle of little kids in neat uniforms, gathering outside what was obviously a school building.
Later I asked my host professor about this. “Oh, of course, our children all attend school every Saturday morning, until noon.”
Indeed, Chinese children not only attend school about 210 days each year (versus our 174 days), but for an hour longer each weekday than in the U.S. Read More

Fall Cruise on The Square

News Progress Posted on by

•August 28, 2019•

The Sullivan Street Machine Association’s Fall Cruise Night begins at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 on the square in Sullivan.
All cruisers are welcome with more than $1500 in prizes given away during the event. Live music by Shovelhead. Company sponsors are Wood Insurance and AmBucs.

Special City Council Session set for Titus Property Action

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
New Sullivan street sweeper has been put to good use over the summer.

•August 28, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

Sullivan City Council ended the regular meeting Aug. 26, in closed session to discuss Titus property pricing and potential acquisition of real estate. Action expected during a 6:00 p.m. special meeting Thursday, Aug. 29 at Elizabeth Titus Library.
Ted Walk and Laurrie Minor, representing Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development, suggested the city consider providing a 75% tax increment incentive to developers interested in the city’s 17 acres located in a TIF district south of the city.
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood reported sections of Tabor Park would be closed for rip rap operations and a moisture issue has developed inside the civic center. She noted the new utility metering systems are progressing and moved that the contract with former clerk Monte Johnson be extended for two months. All members present approved. Read More

Sullivan Volleyball Team Looks Forward to Season

News Progress Posted on by

•August 28, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

Sullivan volleyball personnel are hoping the third time is a charm.
In the spring, Sullivan hired Christy Molzen to return this season for her third stint as varsity volleyball coach.
Molzen coached Redskin’s volleyball from 1997-2003 and again in 2011, and she finished with an overall record of 138-117.
This season, though, might be her most challenging attempt.
Molzen replaced Jennifer Young, who combined for a 1-89 overall record during the last three seasons.
To reestablish Sullivan as a competitive team night in and night out, Molzen has returned to fundamentals and built from there.
“We have quite a few new players so we are working at becoming more confident with volleyball skills in general,” she said. “The goal is to get better as the season progresses.” Read More

Sullivan Girls’ Golf Builds on Experience

News Progress Posted on by

•August 28, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

Andy Wagner is looking forward to another positive year on the golf course for the Sullivan girls’ golf team.
Wagner returns two golfers from last year’s sectional qualifying team in Erin Wallace and Alyssa Shriver.
“Having some experience will be great for our program,” he said. There are three new to the game this year, and I’m really excited to see their continued improvements”
Sullivan kicked off its season at the Charleston Country Club in the Charleston Scramble last Monday. Read More

Moultrie Moment of the Week

News Progress Posted on by

The photo above is from a 1977 edition of the Bethany Echo showing the dedication of the Cora Hudson room at the library. 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.

Nothing Easy About Watching Easy Rider the First Time

News Progress Posted on by

•August 28, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

I was 16 years old when John Matthews took a gang of us to the drive in to see Easy Rider.
As he put on his parking lights and headed toward the back row of the Starlite driving his 1965 Chevelle we didn’t know what to expect from this movie.
Some of the elders at Fuzzie’s Cue and Grill told us we needed to see this movie with motorcycles so we were here.
Not only John and me, but four other people who made their way across the cemetery over the back fence of the drive in joined us.
Last Friday, Peter Fonda died at 79.
Back then he was better known as Wyatt at the helm of the Captain America chopper in a quest for freedom.
He and riding partner Billy, Dennis Hopper, having made a bunch of money from a drug sale, set off across America. Read More

Miss Sullivan Pageant

News Progress Posted on by

•August 28, 2019•
The 2019 Miss Sullivan Pageants will be held Sunday, September 22 at 1:00 p.m. in the Sullivan Elementary School gymnasium.
A Little Miss, Junior Miss, and Miss Sullivan will be crowned and represent the city of Sullivan over the next year and will compete in the Miss Moultrie-Douglas Pageants in July 2020. Read More

Alumni Banquet at Building 1225

News Progress Posted on by

•August 28, 2019•
By Ralph Kirk
for The News Progress

Over 3,000 Sullivan alumni from this area and all across the country have been invited to party at Building 1225 in Sullivan on October 5 to celebrate their Sullivan High School heritage.
Many of the class of 1959 will be celebrating their 60th graduation anniversary, and the class of 1969 will be saluted for their 50th.
There will be a catered dinner, music from the 60s (the class of 1969 is the final class from the 60s to graduate), awards presented and lots of reminiscing and visiting time. Janet Roney, a local historian and artist, will be the master of ceremonies. Read More

Free Renaissance Festival Tickets

News Progress Posted on by

•August 28, 2019•

The St. Louis Renaissance Festival at Rotary Park in Wentzville MO is open weekends Sept. 14 through Oct. 14 and readers of the News Progress can have Free season tickets.
The free 2019 Admission voucher to the 21st annual festival is available at the News Progress office 100 W. Monroe, Sullivan.
Claim one and enjoy a trip to the Renaissance!