Author Archives:

Pizza Fundraiser for Food Pantry

News Progress Posted on by

•June 5, 2019•

The Bethany Food Pantry is inviting supporters to enjoy pizza Monday, June 10 at Monical’s Pizza in Sullivan and help support the pantry.
The “Community Day” celebration at Monical’s gives supporters a chance to give back to the community through the Bethany Food Pantry.
Go to www.monicalspizza.com, click fundraising, then Community Day calendar. Then print the flier and dine.
By dining on Monday, June 10 Monical’s will donate 20% of the check to Bethany Food Pantry. For more information call Vicki Osman at 217-620-8274.

ALAH Transportation Deficit Requires Fund Transfer

News Progress Posted on by

•June 5, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Eagle Scout Benjamin Matheny wants to create a wall in the high school that will feature past high school students who are veterans.
He presented his Eagle Scout project idea to the ALAH School Board.
Matheny intends to list names and photos of those who served from the past five years. The wall will have a magnetic background to which photos will attach. The cost is estimated at around $4,000 and will be paid for through donations.
Superintendent Kenny Schwengel reported that the current balance of all funds are $5,100,153.73. The district received a transportation payment of $134,000. Three for this year were received as well as one from last year, and the district may receive one in July. The school district also received $80,000 in personal replacement tax money.
The amended 2019 budget was presented to the board. Schwengel noted that there is a deficit in transportation funds and that money may have to be moved from the education fund to make up for it. “The district still isn’t receiving the transportation funds that it should,” noted Schwengel. The first budget hearing is scheduled June 19 prior to the board meeting.
Only two bids were received to repair the roof of the high school. One bid was from Top Quality Roofing at $229,800, and the other was from Industrial Services at $239,400. Top Quality was awarded the low bid. Read More

Farmer’s Market On the Square

News Progress Posted on by

•June 5, 2019•

Sullivan Farmer’s Market is open from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays.
Farmer’s Market is located on the square in Sullivan and runs through August 19.
Meet local farmers and producers and sample some of the fresh food the region has to offer.
Find Sullivan Illinois Farmer’s Market on FaceBook. Now accepting EBT cards.
Sponsored by Sullivan Illinois Chamber and Economic Development.

Remember When? 6-5-2019

News Progress Posted on by

25 Years Ago This Week

Charley LeCrone, son of Larry and Reta LeCrone, is valedictorian, and Wes Baumgartner, son of Lyle and Judy Baumgartner, is salutatorian for the SHS graduating class of 1994. Both students will be attending the University of Illinois in the fall. LeCrone will major in animal sciences and agronomy, and Baumgartner will major in animal sciences.
Winners of the three categories in the Little Stars Photo Contest held in conjunction with the Festival of Stars have received $25 gift certificates from the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce. Brianna Baker and her cat was the winning photo in the Me and My Pet category. Erik Selby Scott, awaiting Santa Claus, was chosen as the winner of the Cutest Photo. In the Funniest photo, a photo of Britny Marie Phelps was the winner.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard “Ike” Boyd of Lovington have announced the engagement of their daughter, Julie Renee, to David Lynn Kinert, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mervin Kinert of Decatur. A July 2 wedding is planned.
John and Barb Neuhauser of rural Findlay are the parents of a daughter born May 26 in Coles County. She has been named Paige Leigh and is the couple’s first child. Read More

First Mid Bank & Trust Receives Award

News Progress Posted on by

Mid Bank & Trust was named the Central/Southern Illinois Community Lender of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Illinois District Office for the sixth consecutive year. This award is presented to the community bank with the best overall performance record for lending to small businesses in central and southern Illinois in 2018. Read More

St. Jude Dash & Bash

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by R.R. Best
St. Jude Dash & Bash
The fifth annual St. Jude’s Dash & Bash was held at the Sullivan American Legion last weekend. Above kids enjoyed demo derby action in the afternoon with loads of events and entertainment enjoyed by St. Jude supporters from May 31 to June 1.

ALAH High School Grads Ready to Change the World

News Progress Posted on by

•June 5, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

On a very warm spring Friday evening May 24, the ALAH gym was packed to the brim with family, friends, teachers and school staff all ready to bid adieu to another graduating class.
This year it was 78 excited seniors from the class of 2019 ready to turn their tassels. As “Pomp and Circumstance” from the ALAH High School band filled the air, relieved and happy students began filing down the aisle two by two, while a few teardrops fell from parents’ eyes, and cameras flashed. It would be “another one for the books.”
Before the ceremony began, as tradition, all stood in honor of the flag for the “Star Spangled Banner.” Afterward valedictorian Makenna Green took the podium to open with her welcome speech mentioning that it “seemed like just yesterday that our parents kissed our cheeks as we went to kindergarten, and it seemed just like yesterday that they dropped us off for our freshman year as we were all afraid to meet the kids from the other schools.” Afterward, four graduating seniors from the ALAH chorus sang a beautiful rendition of John Denver’s “Country Roads” as their farewell. Read More

Sullivan City Council Greeted by Public

News Progress Posted on by

•June 5, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

The new Sullivan City Council was greeted with public participation at their second session May 28 with a variety of items discussed. After mayor Richard Glazebrook called the meeting to order, the first 20 minutes were filled with questions from the public and suggestions for the Council to improve transparency.
Land acquisition discussion in closed session was raised concerning the Titus Trust, hiring the former city clerk as consultant and retiree health benefits were all aired during public comments.
City administrator Dan Flannell explained that Busey Bank of Decatur controlled decisions concerning the Titus Trust which includes Titus Manor at Wyman Park and 900 acres of farmland. He noted potential land acquisitions have been discussed by commissioners during closed session in the past.
Mayor Glazebrook assured the audience in the Elizabeth Titus Library meeting room that any action by the council would be made in public session. Read More

Illinois House Sends Marijuana Legalization to Gov. Pritzker

News Progress Posted on by

Legal retail sales could begin Jan. 1, 2020

•June 5, 2019•
By Peter Hancock
Capitol News Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House on Friday passed a bill legalizing adult recreational marijuana in the state.
The 66-to-47 vote sends House Bill 1438 to Gov. J.B. Pritzker who campaigned in 2018 on a platform that included legalizing marijuana. The Senate approved the bill on Wednesday, 38-17.
“The state of Illinois just made history, legalizing adult-use cannabis with the most equity-centric approach in the nation,” Pritzker said in a statement released after the vote. “This will have a transformational impact on our state, creating opportunity in the communities that need it most and giving so many a second chance. In the interest of equity and criminal justice reform, I look forward to signing this monumental legislation.”
Friday’s vote, however, came after a marathon debate that lasted nearly four hours, leaving lawmakers with less than 10 hours to complete the rest of their business for the session. That forced leaders to announce the House would continue meeting Saturday and Sunday.
With passage of the marijuana bill, Illinois is poised to become the 10th state in the nation to legalize its use by adults for recreational purposes. But it would be the first to do so by a comprehensive statute enacted by the legislature rather than through a ballot initiative.
Vermont legalized marijuana through legislation in 2018, but that law covered only personal use and cultivation. It did not include retail sales. Read More