•March 13, 2019•
The Alpha Phi Chapter off Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization of women educators, is offering a $500 scholarship.
An applicant must be a junior or senior in college or a graduate student in the field of education.
Applications may be picked up at the Sullivan Middle School, 713 N. Main St. in Sullivan.
Questions concerning the application may be directed to Ellen Feeler at 217-259-4722. The deadline for the application is April 27, 2019.
•March 13, 2019•
The Arthur Education Association and the Arthur Area Association of Commerce will host a “Meet the Candidate” night for those running for the village board and school board.
The purpose of this event is to help voters get to know the candidates. It is scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m.Thursday, March 21 at the Arthur Community Center located at 120 E. Progress Street.
Each candidate will introduce themselves and share why they are running for their respective boards. The public will have the opportunity to turn in school board candidate questions only the night of the forum with a designated time limit for answers. The event will be moderated by Jim Fleming and will be streamed live on TheRoundTop.tv.
•March 6, 2019•
Eighteen Okaw Valley band and choir students participated in the IHSA State Solo & Ensemble contest held at Millikin University. Overall, Okaw Valley students received eight first place ratings, six second place ratings and one third place.
All soloists are required to perform a musical selection as well as prepared scales and tonal skills in front of a judge. This is the highest competition available to musicians in IHSA member schools. Judges shall award Division I ratings to only those competitors manifesting the very highest level of achievement as stated in the Terms & Conditions set forth by the IHSA.
Students receiving first place ratings include Bella Benning and Kaylee Taylor vocal duet, Ethan Suarez snare drum solo, Bella Benning vocal solo, Haven Caulfield vocal solo, Clayton Bone snare drum solo, Madeline Ray piano solo, Connor Powers, Bella Benning and Shelby Hagerman trumpet trio and Kaylee Taylor vocal solo.
Second place ratings were received by Haven Caulfield and Shaukana Tipsword vocal duet, Baylee Suarez flute solo, Savannah Hagerman trombone solo, Alesia Smegal, Macie Fleshner, Calleigh Foster and Mikhayla Ward flute quartet, Connor Powers baritone solo, Shaukana Tipsword vocal solo. Third place rating was received by Caleb Hildebrandt horn solo.
Also participating were Addison Webner and Chloe Harris saxophone ensemble. Students were accompanied by Theresa Colclasure and Vicki Osman. Okaw Valley students are under the instrumental direction of Erin Bozek and vocal direction of Kathy Doty.
•March 6, 2019•
The community discussion for One Book One Sullivan is this Thursday, March 7 at 6 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Sullivan.
•March 6, 2019•
Clifford L. Endsley, 64, petition for recovery and discharge, was continued to 1:30 p.m. March 19, 2019.
Endsley is serving time in Big Muddy Correctional facility in Ina for a 2002 conviction in Moultrie County of sexual assault of a child and child pornography. Classified as a sexually dangerous person, Endsley enrolled in a group treatment program at Big Muddy and is requesting release from prison.
Valery Strawn, Endsley’s attorney, explained to the court before the Honorable Judge Hugh Finson that they are not asking for release outright but one that requires particles conditions with monitoring.
Special prosecutor Charles Zalar along with State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver’s case centered on psychologist Dr. Kristopher Clounch’s evaluation of Endsley.
Clounch explained Endsley’s behavioral control problems have not significantly improved, and he determined the prisoner has pedophilic disorder.
Dr. Clounch explained the risk assessment looked at 10 items related to the offense to determine risk, and he felt that Endsley would be likely to re-offend.
Dr. Leslie Cane performed a risk assessment for the defense and recommended the early release with condition options.
Closing arguments and judgement will be determined at 1:30 p.m. March 19.
•March 6, 2019•
Lovington Grade School Kindergarten Pre-Registration for the 2019-2020 school year is Tuesday, March 19 from noon to 4 p.m.
•February 27 2019•
The Findlay Fire Department is coordinating Eagle Creek Resort clean up and fire training along with the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources and the Illinois Fire Service Institute.
In addition to the fire departments previously mentioned in the Feb. 20 front page story in the New Progress firefighters from Assumption and Moweaqua participated in the Feb. 16 clean up.
•February 27 2019•
The 8th Annual Sullivan FFA / Sullivan FFA Alumni Auction is Saturday, March 2 in the Sullivan High School gym.
A complimentary meal is provided by the Sullivan FFA Alumni and Terry Warren Catering starting at 4:30 p.m. A raffle auction will begin at 4:30 p.m. with a live auction conducted by Rudy Huber at 6 p.m.
A sale bill is updated daily on the Sullivan School District website at https://www.sullivan.k12.il.us/
•February 27 2019•
The Moultrie Douglas Farm Bureau is hosting a saturated buffer field day at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 20.
The location is west of Timberlake Golf Course at 957 CR 700E, Sullivan. During this unique field day speakers from Illinois Farm Bureau Assn., Illinois Land Improvement Assn., SIU Dept. of Forestry and Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources will offer updated information on conservation.
•February 27 2019•
In the 2019 Sullivan School District Spelling Bee story which ran in the Feb. 20 edition of the News Progress Nicole Lofland was mistakenly listed as a fifth grader. Nicole is among the seventh grade list of six winners and two alternates who participated in the Wednesday, Feb. 27 Moultrie County Bee.