•December 3, 2025•
by Sharon Barricklow
Sullivan city employees will have Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance during 2026 under a plan approved last week by the city council. The council learned health insurance costs would be rising 6.1 percent under the new plan, a lower-than-expected increase. The lower rate is partially because Sullivan had only five claims the previous year, costing more than $50,000. We need to go ahead and get this done,” said Mayor Mike Mossman.
Read More
•December 3, 2025•
by DM Williamee
On Tuesday, November 25th, in the Sullivan Middle Gymnasium, the air was crackling with excited energy as students and other attendees awaited the announcement of the book selected by the students of One Book, One Sullivan as this year’s community read. One by one, student members stepped up and took the mic, sharing information about the book, the author, why this book was significant, and chosen by the group as this year’s read.
Read More
•December 3, 2025•
On December 14th, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., Santa Claus will be at the Lovington American Legion Post #429, 1985 State Highway 32, Lovington. Each child will receive a gift from Santa, with cookies and drinks provided by the Lovington Women’s Auxiliary.
•December 3, 2025•
The Sullivan First United Methodist Church, 216 W Jefferson St, Sullivan, invites the public to attend Pastor Mike Fender’s Retirement celebration on December 14th. Worship service begins at 10:00 a.m. with a celebration at 11:00 a.m. in Friendship Hall.
•December 3, 2025•
The Sullivan American Legion, 8 East Strain Street, Sullivan, is hosting a Holiday Shopping Event on Friday, December 5th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be home-crafted items, direct sales, Christmas greenery, baked goods, boutique items, and more. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome.
Those interested in having a booth at the Holiday Shopping Event can contact Tina Bolsen at (217) 620-8185. Highway Heartburn will be in the parking lot serving smashburgers.
•December 3, 2025•
The News Progress will be printing Letters to Santa in our December 17th issue. If your child would like to write a letter to Santa, it can be e-mailed to santa@newsprogress.com. It must be received by noon on Wednesday, December 10th.
Michael Christian Duvall of Aurora, Illinois, passed away at the age of 50 on November 24, 2025.
Michael was born on March 22, 1975, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Donald Edward and Sandra Paulette (Woolridge) Duvall.
Michael graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School in June 1993. He attended Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, where he became a member of the Gamma Zeta chapter of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. Michael ultimately received his Bachelor's of Science degree in Sociology from Northern Illinois University in May 2007.
Michael was a life-long Chicago Cubs fan and a life-long sufferer of the Chicago Bears. He was a self-proclaimed band nerd and a fan of all manner of music from Metallica to John Williams. He loved playing the drums and once proclaimed, "My Awesome God gave me a drum to bang."
Michael was a born-again Christian who loved God and knew his final home is in Heaven.
Michael is survived by his loving parents, Donald E. and Paulette (Woolridge) Duvall; sister, Marcee C. Duvall; brother, Matthew C. Duvall; and nephew, Jacob R. Duvall.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Thomas E. Duvall and Bette A. (Bock) Duvall; maternal grandparents Oscar Woolridge and Imogene (Elzy) Woolridge.
Celebration of Life services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 29, 2025 at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan, Illinois. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan with Pastor Grant Wade officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Memorials are suggested to the Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Representatives of the Kirby Food Meat Department made the annual turkey delivery to the Moultrie County Food Pantry last Thursday, the 20th. The 125 turkeys and 11 turkey breasts were courtesy of anonymous donations. Pictured are Cameron Eccles and Seth Cobb.
•November 26, 2025•
by E. Scott England
The Sullivan Lady Redskins put up impressive numbers last year. After going 11-0 in the conference, the ladies season came to a heartbreaking end at the hands of the Mt. Carmel Lady Aces by just two points. And with that loss, came more loss. Specifically, the loss of seniors Emily Miller, Shae Ellis, Addison Stollard, Addison Minor, and Brooklyn Booker. But for this year’s Lady Redskins’ crew, that was just more motivation to continue the success that has been experienced for multiple years now.
Read More
•November 26, 2025•
by DM Williamee
On Monday, November 17th, Sullivan resident Virginia Weakly celebrated her 105th birthday at Heritage Woods, surrounded by family, friends, caregivers, former students, and well-wishers from the community. The atmosphere was one of joy, with the traditional birthday accouterments, including live music, balloons, and Mrs. Weakly looking lovely and demure as always, while holding court under a banner of balloons.
Read More