Joyce Heffner
Joyce Louise (Robinson) Hefner, 79, went to be with our Lord on February 25, 2019 in Autumn Leaves Assisted Living in Flower Mound, Texas.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2019 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in French Cemetery in Allenville. Read More
•February 27 2019•
By Evelyn Burtcheard
NP Guest Columnist
Ever notice how little kids all have imaginary friends or super powerful human ones?
Many years later a member of my married family told me he had a bear for a friend when he was little, and they ate bananas together; however, he was the one who got sick. One thing they all have in common is the friend is always a constant companion.
An extra place must be set at the table, a spot on a chair or a sofa is saved. Danny would put the vegetables he did not like on “Juney’s” plate. I haven’t the foggiest idea where the name Juney came from, but a special friend needs a special name I guess. At any rate when the vegetables didn’t disappear from Juney’s plate, Danny had to eat them. I noticed there was never a problem with pies, cakes or any dessert.
Now with Donny the story was unusual. His friend was a living breathing hero for one summer named Don Beatty. Of course, when you have a “real” friend, you call them by their last name as Donny was so fond of telling me. The best ones have just one name, Superman, Batman and of course Beatty. Read More
Photo furnished
Redskin Spirit Store offers apparel now.
•February 27 2019•
This past quarter the Sullivan High School Entrepreneurship II class has been working with the administration on a new project.
Sullivan High School will now have its own gift shop, The Redskin Spirit Store. The store will be set up in the office where items may be purchased from the secretary, Nikki Cloyd, during regular office hours 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on days when school is in session.
During the introductory phase, there will be four apparel items offered including long sleeve t-shirts, short sleeve t-shirts, crew neck sweatshirts and hooded sweatshirts all with Redskin logos.
New shipments will mean that there will be different styles and products available for purchase. All the proceeds will go back to the store to purchase new merchandise and keep the learning experience going for next year’s entrepreneurship students.
The Redskin Spirit Store is open for the community to ensure that everyone has a place to purchase Redskin apparel and, eventually, other spirit merchandise.
•February 27 2019•
The Windsor FFA Chapter is hosting their annual banquet and labor auction at 6:30 p.m. March 15 in the old gym of the Windsor High School.
RSVP with Emily Perry at 217-459-2636 or to perrye@windsorcusd.org.
•February 20, 2019•
Students from Sullivan High School and Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond High School attended the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Section 15 Leadership Conference February 12 in Charleston. FCCLA members from eight area schools made up the nearly 115 participants in the day-long event.
The theme for the meeting was “Explore the Unexplored.” SHS members in attendance were Morgan Moll, Alexis Britton, Natalie Voyles and advisor Heather Hinton. Attending from ALAH High School were Katelyn Ahrendt, Keegan Ashenfelter, Kassidy Bissey, Adriana Burton, Kathryn Cohan, Hunter Carson, Ryli Kauffman, Jessica Renfro, Erin Schrock Meredith Schrock, Addison Tinkle, Kelly Toto, Mikayla Williams, Kara Yoder and Ginger Voegel, adviser. Read More
•February 20, 2019•
Aspen Creek Memory Support Residences is holding an open house 2-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22 and 23.
Everyone is invited to visit .
Aspen Creek is located at 411 N. West Street in Sullivan. Call 217-728-2092 for more information.
•February 20, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
At the Sullivan City Council meeting Commissioner Mike Kirk explained the city was in need of a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) System update.
It is a monitoring system for the city’s generators. The old one was installed about 18 years ago and it won’t operate on the newer computer systems. Kirk also mentioned that there wasn’t any security on the older system which leaves it open to possible security attacks.
A new system would cost around $150,000 and have the ability to be monitored on other devices such as a tablet and be compatible with the upcoming NextGrid system that Sullivan is in the process of installing.
The commissioner said cost for the new system is mostly for the software, maintenance and warranty which also includes five years of upgrades. It is 80% eligible for TIF funding which could provide a third the costs. The city council voted approved Kirk’s request and look into TIF funding options.
Lee Beckman from Milano and Grunloh spoke with the council about the plans to upgrade the city’s water treatment plant. He estimated that it would cost the city about $8.5 million for a new plant and encouraged the city to apply for a grant through Rural Development to help fund the project. There were a variety of factors that would calculate the amount of grant money that Sullivan would be eligible for. Some of those factors included percentage of poverty, population and employment. The city voted that they would move forward to receive the preliminary report to see the possible amount that they could be eligible for through Rural Development Grant.
Mayor Short spoke briefly about the city’s plans to put up “Looking for Lincoln” signage. It is a historical project that points to places that Lincoln worked, traveled and lived during his 30 years in Illinois. The signs cover about 42 different counties within the state. Short informed the council that one sign will be placed at the court-house and the other in the city’s park.
Photo by Jason Brown
Addison Graham swims in the 200-yard medley relay race during the Champaign Centennial Sectional Saturday.
•February 20, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
The Sullivan coop boys’ swim team placed eighth with 53 points in the IHSA Sectional meet at Centennial High School Saturday, and one Redskin advanced to the state meet.
Senior Brodie Goss qualified for state in the 100-yard breaststroke with a first-place finish and a time of 59.96 16.
“Brodie is a senior USA regional and state qualifier who is now an IHSA 100 breaststroke state participant,” said coach Nichole Hendry. “He’s worked endlessly toward this accomplishment and has earned respect from teammates and coaches alike.” Read More
Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Monday, February 25 - Chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, whole grain wheat (1), apricots
Tuesday, February 26 - Shepherd’s pie w/veggies, creamy cole slaw, dinner roll, warm fruit crisp
Wednesday, February 27 - Pork chop sandwich, buttered baby baker potatoes, Mexi corn, bun, fruit juice
Thursday, February 28 - Beefy vegetable & lentil soup, sliced pears, peanut butter cup, crackers, oatmeal raisin cookie
Friday, March 1 - Mushroom crusted chicken breast, potato casserole, venetian blend vegetables, dinner roll, fresh fruit
•February 20, 2019•
By Mike Brothers
Sullivan students wishing to graduate early have a few more requirements following the February school board meeting.
Supt. Ted Walk explained the grade point averages and most requirements for graduation at the end of the seventh semester remain the same.
The new guidelines seek more information on why the students want to graduate early. G.P.A. of 3.0 at the end of the sixth semester and a 95% or better attendance rate are required.
Applications made by June 15 prior to the senior year must now include a five-page summary of future goals and career aspirations and four letters of reference. Read More