•July 24, 2019•
Soils in mid-July are continuing to warm across the state, surpassing average temperatures from last year, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.
Soil temperatures at 4 inches under bare soil rose four degrees in the first half of July to a statewide average of 86 degrees. Temperatures were 8 degrees above the historical normal and three degrees warmer than last year on July 14. Daily highs are in the 90s for most areas with several locations measuring temperatures 100 degrees and higher. Read More
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Jeepin’ for Jesse 2019
Photo by R.R. Best
Jeepin’ for Jesse
The annual Secret Santa “Jeepin’ for Jesse Run” kicked off from the Toy Bar Saturday July 15. This is a major fundraiser to provide Christmas for Sullivan area kids. Secret Santa is a big supporter of Sparrow’s Unlimited of Lovington and between these two organizations children in Moultrie County receive Christmas. There were stops at Sullivan Country Club, Triple Nickel, It’ll Do, Proud Mary’s and Jerry’s East End plus an afternoon of raffles, drawings and just plain fun.
Major Drug Bust by Sullivan Police
•July 24, 2019•
On July 16 the Sullivan Police Department responded to a theft complaint.
During the initial investigation stolen property was seen which led to a search warrant for a residence in town.
Sullivan police then obtained another search warrant for the same residence. During this time another complaint was filed to an associated case.
Information gathered through both cases led to the seizure of numerous stolen items, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and cash. One vehicle was serviced and towed.
A total of four residences were searched.
After collecting evidence, a total amount of methamphetamine seized was just under 100 grams of product taken off the streets of Sullivan, Chief of Police Andrew Pistorius noted.
“I would like to thank the residents of Sullivan for all the information that we have collected for quite some time that led to the arrest of several suspects,” Chief Pistorius said.
“We are currently still investigating several other suspected dealers and users,” he noted. “With the public’s help we will be able to keep Sullivan a safe and family oriented town.”
“The State’s Attorney’s Office is continuing to work with the Sullivan Police Department in these ongoing investigations,” State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver said. “Once the investigations are complete, we will review the matters for criminal charges.”
Chief Pistorius emphasized that when everyone works together as a community: Sullivan citizens, Moultrie County State’s Attorney, Moultrie County Sheriff’s Dept. and Sullivan Police Dept., it makes the town safer.
The Sullivan Police Department encourages neighbors, family and friends to report all suspicious activities at any time, day or night.
“This information might seem to be of little value, but with collected information it might be the one piece of a larger puzzle that is needed for the Sullivan Police Department to solve a case,” Chief Pistorius concluded.
Golden Rocket Launch
Photo furnished
Golden Rocket Launch
Elizabeth Titus Library in Sullivan commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon by hosting a rocket launch. Although hindered by the rain, summer park and recreation program kids enjoyed launching several water bottle rockets which flew over the ball diamond fence at Wyman Park. One engine powered rocket was launched and never found. It presumably landed on the dark side of the moon.
Recent Obituaries: Margaret A. Gibbons
Margaret A. Gibbons
Margaret A. Gibbons, 91, of Bethany, passed away 10:33 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2019, at The Arthur Home.
Graveside services will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Bethany, is in care of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
Margaret was born April 14, 1928 in Macon County, the daughter of Lee and Flossie (Bray) Pratt. She married Bob L. Gibbons on September 11, 1947 in Findlay; he preceded her in death on April 17, 2009. Margaret was a hard worker who helped her husband Bob work on the farm and she was an amazing cook.
Margaret is survived by her children, Linda (Gale) Nelson of Bethany and Gary (Chris) Gibbons of Bethany. She is also survived by 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and 1 grandson.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at The Arthur Home for the wonderful care and compassion they gave to Margaret.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
Memorial Walk of Honor Dedicated by Sullivan American Legion
•July 17, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Three hundred will be honored during dedication ceremonies at the American Legion Walk of Honor in Sullivan.
On Sunday, July 21 Post 68 is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and the public is invited to the American Legion Hall for the dedication of the new Memorial Walk of Honor.
Post Commander Bob Sims emphasized that “Our Walk of Honor is not just for veterans. The memorial bricks can honor anyone, be it a fireman, policeman, classmate, or a special person in our life. One family dedicated their brick to the three Eagle Scouts in the family. We have over 300 bricks that will be dedicated in this first installation.” Read More
Obituaries 7-17-2019: Don Newberry
Don Newberry
Donald Dale “Pap” Newberry, 89, of Lovington, passed away at 3:04 a.m. Friday, July 12, 2019 in Mason Point in Sullivan.
Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 14 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Lovington. Burial was in Keller Cemetery in Lovington. Don was born July 17, 1929, in Lovington, a son of Vernon and Clara Esther Beckenbridge Newberry. Read More
Letter to the Editor 7-17-2019
Cat City –
Editor,
I would like to address an ongoing, never ending serious problem that we’re having with the cat population in the city of Sullivan.
There are a tremendous number of cats roaming the streets, and i believe the majority of them virtually live on Grant Street. This has been going on for years and is getting worse.
People in the neighborhood feel sorry for them and feed them but don’t actually take care of them as pets. Therefore, they roam everywhere! They aren’t fixed and continue this population explosion.
Standing in my yard last week, I looked down the road and could see five to six cats going up and down the street near my home all at the same time. Read More
Smyser VBS Ready to Roar
•July 17, 2019•
Smyser Christian Church invites children to Roar VBS: Life is wild, God is good.
A summer kids’ event called Roar VBS will be hosted at Smyser Christian Church from July 22 to July 26.
At Roar, kids discover that God is good even when life gets wild! Kids participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, make and devour yummy treats, experience one-of-a-kind Wild Bible Adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies to remind them of God’s love, and test out Sciency-Fun Gizmos they’ll take home and play with all summer long.
Plus, kids will learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called God Sightings.
Each day concludes with the Safari Celebration that gets everyone involved in living what they’ve learned. Family members and friends are encouraged to join in daily for this special time at 8:10 p.m.
Kids at Roar VBS will join a missions effort to provide clean water for an African village.
Roar is for kids from three years to eighth Grade and will run from 6-8 p.m.
Moultrie Moment of the Week
Pictured above is Ms. Montonye’s morning Kindergarten class - 1964-65 at Powers school. Known names are in alphabetical order and not by seating order. Penny Barrett, Dennis Binder, Tammy Bishop, Doug Brown, Jim Brown, Connie Boyer, Tina Buxton, Kathy Colclasure, Steve Crowe, Nancy Dolan, Brad Evans, Julie Ewing, Charles Fredrick, Mark Fredrick, Debra Grant, Debra Gregory, Barbra Hagen, Ricky Haskett, John Holaday, Brenda Hunter, Mark Nelson, Kathy Pierce, Don Smith, Lynn Stone, Carla Turnbow, Randy Wiley, Andrea Willoughby, Karen Woolridge. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.