•June 10, 2020•
Franklin College junior swimmer Brynna Sentel has been named the 2020 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference’s (HCAC) Female Athlete of the Year, announced by the league on Monday (Jun. 8) afternoon.
The Sullivan native becomes the second Franklin female athlete to earn the league’s top individual honor, joining 2015 winner Anna Murdock. Sentel earned the award after putting together a dominant season in the pool, qualifying for the NCAA National Championships and being named an NCAA All-American for the second straight year. Read More
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Emergency Call Number Changes
•June 10, 2020•
Starting July 1, 2020, the EMERGENCY number for Sullivan Fire & Ambulance, Bethany Fire & Ambulance, Lovington Fire & Ambulance, and Dora Fire Protection District is 911 for dispatching EMERGENCY calls.
If you dial the normal seven digit EMERGENCY number for your responding agency for Fire or Ambulance, Coles County 911 will answer, take your information, and dispatch the appropriate agency.
This is the same as dialing 911 for an emergency. Eventually, the seven digit numbers will be put out of service.
The purpose is to get residents use to dialing 911 for EMERGENCIES.
The complete changeover will not happen for at least 6 months, at which time it will be evaluated and a decision made as to when the seven digit numbers will be put out of service.
At that time a date will be published to notify the public as to when to use 911 only.
DCEO Grants Awarded to Minority-Owned Businesses and Incubators
•June 10, 2020•
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced that 32 minority-owned businesses and business incubators will receive a total of $11 million as part of the state’s Minority-Owned Business Capital and Infrastructure Program. These grants will equip minority-owned firms with resources to create jobs, build capacity, increase revenues, and revitalize properties in underserved communities.
Funding will reach businesses of all sizes and types, as well as community-based incubators working to help small and start-up businesses in diverse communities across the state. The development of new grant-funded projects is estimated to create hundreds of full-time and construction jobs for the surrounding community.
“At a time when businesses are facing significant setbacks due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Minority Capital Fund will help eliminate obstacles so minority-owned businesses can rebuild and continue supporting their communities,” said Governor Pritzker. “These small, family-owned businesses are the backbone of Illinois, and capital grants will unlock funding to help them expand, create new jobs, and drive positive economic change for their communities.” Read More
Green Gardens Estates is a Memory Care Community
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Sullivan city council members Mike Fowler and Peggy Hargis joined Mayor Richard Glazebrook on a tour of Green Gardens.
•June 10, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Green Gardens inaugural tour was conducted by Kathy Hawbaker, Director of Operations/Community Relations, and Christina Arnold, Executive Director, last Thursday.
Special guests for the tour of the memory care community in Sullivan included Mayor Richard Glazebrook; commissioners Mike Fowler and Peggy Hargis; city administrator Dan Flannell; co-owner Joe Keller; and Reid Molzen CEO and President of First Community Bank.
“We are so blessed to have this facility and that so many of the staff are local. Mayor Glazebrook commented following the tour. “We appreciate that the community has been so supportive,”
The red brick building was built by Doug Fultz Construction and features 12 private or semi-private apartments, a spacious living room with two fireplaces, large dining area, therapy room and a beauty salon. Read More
Obituaries 6-10-2020: Carolyn Molzen
Carolyn Molzen
Carolyn Joyce Molzen, 78, of Sullivan, formerly of Lovington, passed away at 5:20 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2020, in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Read More
Obituaries 6-10-2020: Michael Bell
Michael Bell
Michael Lewis Bell, 58, of Lovington, passed away at 6:29 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 2020, at his mother’s home in Lovington.
Private family graveside services will be held in Keller Cemetery in Lovington. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Read More
County Board Candidate Decides Not to Run Again
•June 10, 2020•
Moultrie County Board vice-chariman Kevin McReynolds has decided not to run for another term and has filed paperwork with the county clerk’s office to have his name removed from the November ballot.
“My time on the board has been enjoyable,” McReynolds, who has served the county since 2002 said. “Personally it would be nice to take some time off and let someone serve.”
McReynolds explained Republican party chairman Dave McCabe indicated other potential candidates were interested in running to maintain a full slate of candidates for the November election.
“Historically I believe the Republicans and Democrats have worked well together on the board,” he continued. “I appreciate all the support and I know there are good candidates wanting to serve.”
Recent Obituaries: John Sharp
John Sharp
John William Sharp, 88, passed away on June 9th, 2020 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 2020, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan, IL. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the services Saturday at the funeral home. Burial will be Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan, with Military Rites by the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Please wear a face mask and practice social distancing for the services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Central Christian Church in Seymour, IN.
If you asked a hundred people who John William Sharp was, they’d all give you a different story. He was a husband. A father. An avid Cardinal baseball fan. A lover of sports and Illini Basketball. A grandfather. A professional Fisherman. The tallest man in the world. A leader. But, no matter what version of the story you’d hear, it seemed as though he was all of the above.
John was born February 17th 1932 in Bruce, IL. to his parents Charles and Leola (Waite) Sharp. From a young age, John was involved in many activities and was a very active in the community. He could often be found playing basketball and baseball and with competitive, yet kind hearted determination. He graduated from Sullivan high school and was a Veteran of the United States Air Force. He was married to, Carolyn Shedelbower King on November 6th, 1971 in Tolono, IL.
He worked as a sales manager for Midway Supplies in Seymour, IN, while also taking on many leadership roles in different communities. John coached many little league and travelling teams in Tolono, IL and Seymour, IN. and played a major role in creating the Village of Tolono’s park district. He had a God-given ability to communicate with everyone, young and old. He also served as the Commander and Vice Commander of the American Legion. John donated many hours to service projects and charities including the Christmas Miracle Project and President and past President of the Sertoma (SERvice to mankind) in Seymour, IN.
He is survived by his wife Carolyn Sharp and his children, Tammy Beaird (Ron Beaird), Timothy Sharp (Adrian Kok), Tracy Wilson (James Wilson) and Trudy Godsell (Michael Godsell) along with his step children Robbie King (Julie Zike) and Connie Downey and Lisa King. John was the proud grandfather of 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
John is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Leola Sharp.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
Recent Obituaries: Charles Hess
Charles Hess
Charles Robert “Chuck” Hess, 70, of Sullivan, passed away 2:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at his home in Sullivan.
Private family services will be held at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the Lincolnland Hospice: 1004 Health Center Dr, Mattoon, IL 61938.
Chuck was born January 1, 1950, in Decatur, the son of T. Robert and Lida (Shell) Hess. He married Patty Stark on August 3, 1990 in Sullivan; she survives. He was a member of the St. Columcille Catholic Church in Sullivan. He loved his grandchildren and fishing. Chuck was proud to serve the citizens of Moultrie County as a Deputy Sheriff.
Chuck is survived by his mother, Lida of Sullivan; wife, Patty of Sullivan; sons, Blake (Diana) Murray of Decatur, Nick (Haley) Hess of Sullivan and Keath (Brandie) Murray of Winfield; daughter, Amanda Hess of St. Louis, MO; grandchildren, Avery, Reagan, Peyton, Wesley, Nolan, Esther, Jordan and Kamri; brother, Jim Hess of Sullivan; sister, Susan Wood of Sullivan.
Chuck was preceded in death by his father.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
Carolyn Joyce Molzen
Carolyn Joyce Molzen
Carolyn Joyce Molzen, 78, of Sullivan, formerly of Lovington, passed away at 5:20 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2020 in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.
Private family services will be Wednesday, June 10, 2020 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Larry Bricker officiating. Burial will be in the Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials are suggested to the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society, P. O. Box 588, Sullivan, IL 61951 or to the Douglas Hart Nature Center, 2204 DeWitt Avenue East, Mattoon, IL 61938. Online condolences may be sent to the family atreedfuneralhome.net.