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County Board Appoints Ethics Commission Members

News Progress Posted on by

•October 17, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

The County Board met on October 11 with all but Bill Voyles and Kevin MeReynolds present.
Chairman Dave McCabe advised the board of a letter from hired legal assistance regarding a possible breach of computer files. The matter is still under investigation, but they believe no files were compromised. The board will be advised as the investigation continues.
A motion was approved to appoint Sam Scott and Tim Henderson to the Ethics Commission of Moultrie County effective immediately. Hollie Atchison has withdrawn, and a replacement will be voted on at next meeting. Read More

Sullivan Volleyball Plays Broncos Senior Night

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by R.R. Best
Senior Zoe Ray bumps the ball against St. Teresa.

•October 17, 2018•

The Sullivan volleyball team could not pick up its first win of the season with losses to St. Teresa Thursday and Cerro Gordo on Senior Night Monday.
Thursday, Oct. 11, the Redskins lost a Central Illinois Conference match against St. Teresa in straight sets, 25-8, 25-6.
In a non-conference game Monday night, Cerro Gordo played spoiler to Sullivan’s Senior Night by defeating the Redskins 25-14, 25-22.
Sullivan honored four seniors including Zoe Ray, Esther Miller, Ally Elzy and Jessica Voyles.
For results from the Windsor-Stewardson/Strasburg, see the WSS article.
This loss puts Sullivan’s record at 0-29 and 0-6 in conference play.
Sullivan is scheduled as the No. 11 seed in the Pana Regional next week.
The Redskins are set to play No. 8 seeded Vandalia at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22.

Three Win Week for Okaw Valley Volleyball Team

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•October 17, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley finished the week 2-0 in Little Okaw Valley Conference Northwest division action with wins over LSA and Sangamon Valley and defeated Meridian Monday night in Moweaqua.
Thursday, Oct. 11, OV defeated LSA in straight sets, 25-18, 25-11.
Kate Jeffers recorded nine kills, one ace, four blocks and two digs.
Paige Coleman added six kills and seven digs.
Madison Voegel contributed three kills and an ace, and Bella Benning added nine digs. Read More

SES Gold Slip Students

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Photo furnished
SES Gold Slip Students
Each month, Sullivan Elementary School recognizes students who go above and beyond expectations by awarding them “Gold Slips.” Pictured are the students (from left to right) who were awarded Gold Slips for the months of August and September: Kayla Kenney always makes a point to find students with no one to play with and then plays with them.
Levi Risley and Gracelynn Dovell are always very respectful and set a great example for others.
Lorelei Parker respectfully accepted a student’s apology after being disrespected by them. She even wrote them a letter to accept their apology and gave them suggestions on how to treat one another.
Weslee Allen was walking with a friend and his little sister after school when the friend realized he forgot his take-home folder in the classroom. Wes volunteered to run back to the classroom and get it so his friend didn’t have to leave his sister.
Daisy Richardson volunteered to help a student who was struggling to keep his binder organized. She gave up her entire recess to work with him to get everything in order and even took time to teach him helpful tips for staying on task and organized.
Lily Betts has picked up trash (with latex gloves on) all week from the playground. She has done this on her recess time without being asked.

Herschbergers Bring Backyard Bluegrass Festival Home

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Photo furnished
Herschberger family. Left to right front - Emily, Eric, Ashley, wife Amanda, and Jeremy; Back row Lori, Darin, Ed and Robert.

•October 17, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

On the balmy, fall evening of September 14 Ed Herschberger and his family of seven musically gifted children realized a long-held dream of having the first Backyard Bluegrass Festival at their farm.
To their amazement, nearly 700 people came by motor coach, hauling campers with lawn chairs for a weekend of bluegrass music—Moultrie County style.
Unfortunately, this premier event flew under the radar for many of us. We missed the chance to sit on the Herschberger’s grassy lawn and hear Kyle and Melissa Trippett, the Petersens, John Cowan with Darin and Brooke Aldridge for an evening of very fine bluegrass music. John played with The Doobie Brothers band.
But, take heart. Mark your calendar for Friday, September 13, 2019 when the second festival will take place. Read More

Mt. Zion Church Holds Bazaar

News Progress Posted on by

•October 17, 2018•

The Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church is having a Bazaar and Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the church in Mt. Zion.
The Bazaar opens at 8:00 a.m. lasting until 7:00 p.m. or until supplies last.
A soup supper will be served from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will include: chili, beef vegetable, vegetarian vegetable and potato soups; relish, cheese and crackers, corn bread, desserts, and drinks are all included.
There will be a string band playing at 5:00 p.m. and again at 6:00 p.m.

WSS Hatchets are Back on the War Path

News Progress Posted on by

•October 17, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

After breaking its win streak last week, the Windsor-Stewardson-Strasburg volleyball team started a new one.
The Hatchets defeated South Central and Neoga in the Nation Trail Conference Tournament over the weekend and knocked off Sullivan last Tuesday.
Against Neoga, WSS won in two sets 25-16 and 25-10.
Megan Schlechte led WSS with 15 kills, 11 digs, two assists and an ace. Read More

Sullivan Boys’ Golf Team Remained Goal Focused

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Photo furnished
Historic Journey to State
The Sullivan High School boy’s golf team fought frigid weather to place fifth in the Class 1A state golf tournament at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington. Pictured: Coach Ben Richter, Leyton Ellis, Leighton Burcham, Tim Lawyer, Caden Ellis, Aiden Short, Logan Westjohn and Drew Rogers.

•October 17, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

It is not often a team sets several goals for the season and accomplishes every one of them.
But that was what the Sullivan boys’ golf team did this season.
Saturday the Redskins completed their last goal of the year: competing in the state golf meet.
“We started the season at the practice green at the country club,” said Sullivan coach Ben Richter, “and we said what were our goals: ‘We need to go undefeated.’ It was, ‘We need to win the conference.’ And then it was, ‘Win the regional, win sectional and go to state.’ They achieved all of their goals so I am really proud of them.”
Sullivan placed fifth with a score of 337 in the Class 1A state golf meet at Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington Saturday. Senior Caden Ellis earned all-state honors with a tie for third place with a score of 76. Read More

One Book One Sullivan Reveal Nears

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•October 17, 2018•

One Book One Sullivan reveal time is near.
The group had a busy summer reading from the 2019 Rebecca Caudill List. Students and teachers met weekly to read and discuss books from the list.
The group narrowed the list of 20 titles to five books shortly after school began. They are always eager to choose a book both the students and community will love. Read More