Category Archives: free news stories

Donkey Basketball Returns

News Progress Posted on by

•March 14, 2018•

At the end of the month, a successful fundraiser - a sporting event with comical intent - will return to Sullivan.

A four-team donkey basketball tournament is scheduled for Thursday, March 22 in the Sullivan High School gym. Pre-tickets may be purchased at Sullivan Elementary School and ATA Martial Arts (located downtown on the square in Sullivan). Presale tickets will also include donkey ears for each child in attendance. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the event starts at 6:30.

Sponsored by Sullivan Elementary School PTO, funds raised will be used for field trips, supplies for the classroom, playground needs and more at Sullivan Elementary School.

The four teams include members from staff in all three Sullivan CUSD #300 schools and community members. PTO will also have for sale donkey ears and Redskins Spirit merchandise including pom pons to cheer on your favorite players. Free donkey rides will take place during intermission.

Sullivan Post Prom committee will hold a hot dog meal in the SHS commons beginning at 5 p.m. Concessions will also be available throughout the night.

Golf Outing for Food Pantry

News Progress Posted on by

•March 14, 2018•

Sullivan IGA is sponsoring a golf outing Friday, April 27 at the Sullivan Country Club to benefit the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Lunch is provided. Sign up at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. shotgun start. Teams should register by Friday, April 20.

Candidate Forum Thursday

News Progress Posted on by

•March 7, 2018•

The Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development sponsored Candidates Forum is 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8 at First United Methodist Church in Sullivan.

This is open to the public with local candidates asked questions in a forum with Sullivan Supt. of School’s Ted Walk serving as moderator.

Spring Forward

News Progress Posted on by

•March 7, 2018•

Spring is almost upon us, meaning longer days and more sunlight. It also means the start of Daylight Saving Time causing the loss of an hour of sleep.

Daylight Saving Time often referred to as “spring forward” — begins Sunday, March 11, 2018, at 2 a.m. — when people should set their clocks ahead an hour to 3 a.m.

Though your cellphones and smart devices should change automatically, don’t forget to turn those manual bedside alarm clocks forward, or you could risk oversleeping and being late the next day.

Lovington Has Reverse Raffle for Fireworks 

News Progress Posted on by

•March 7, 2018•

Lovington community fireworks committee is holding a reverse raffle Saturday, March 17 at the Lovington American Legion.

Only 100 tickets are being sold with the last ticket drawn receiving the $1000 grand prize.

Nine additional drawings for $50 will be held prior to the grand prize.

The last five tickets can split first prize only if remaining ticket holders agree to do so.

All proceeds go to Lovington fireworks. Need not be present to win.

Sullivan Dash and Bash Ramps Up for St. Jude

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by RR Best
Devoted St. Jude Runner training at 3 below zero.

•February 28, 2018•

The St. Jude Runners host the 4th annual St. Jude Dash and Bash June 2 in coordination with the Sullivan American Legion Post 68.

The event is hosted by local runners who plan to participate in the Mattoon to Peoria St. Jude run August 3-4.

“Over the past three years St. Jude Dash and Bash in Sullivan has raised $32,160 for St. Jude’s,” local coordinator Stephanie Helmuth said. “We hope to rock that number this year.”

“Our local communities have been impacted by St. Jude, and many of us personally know someone who is a St. Jude patient,” she continued. “Through contributions like the run, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food so they can focus on the most important thing-helping the child live.”

Daily operational cost of the hospital is $2,000,000 with individual and corporate sponsorships critical. The majority of St. Jude funding comes from local fund-raising events such as the Dash and Bash in Sullivan.

Helmuth emphasized the St. Jude Dash and Bash is a large event that requires lots of volunteers and sponsors. “We are seeking supporters to help us cut our expenses and pass the proceeds directly to St. Jude.”

Last year St. Jude Dash and Bash in Sullivan was able to donate 90 percent of the funds raised directly to St. Jude.

“We are looking for supporters large and small for both sponsorships and donations of items for the raffle,” Helmuth said, noting each sponsorship level is specially designed to give the most value for the donation made.

The St. Jude run began in 1982 with the mission to provide funds in support of St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis and the St. Jude affiliate located in Peoria. Since inception the runs have raised an astounding $50.8 million dollars with 37 runs and 3,022 runners participating in 2017.

Lovington Plans Minor Benefit

News Progress Posted on by

•February 28, 2018•

A benefit for Kathy Minor will be held in Lovington April 14.

Due to medical issues Minor has required hospitalization several times during the past year and has no insurance.

Events begin with a 6-10 a.m. biscuits and gravy breakfast at the Church of God Life Center on State Street.

The benefit at Jerry’s East End starts at 5 p.m. Whiskey River will provide music from 6-10 p.m.

There is also a 50/50 raffle, meat board raffles, hot dogs and chips.

Anyone interested in volunteering or making a donation may contact Pam Anklam at 217-201-0662 or Jessica Mercer at 217-620-7579.

IGA Round Up Begins March 4 

News Progress Posted on by

•February 28, 2018•

March 4–10 is Sullivan IGA Roundup time. IGA customers will be given the opportunity to round up to the nearest dollar from their purchase. All proceeds will go to the Moultrie County Food Bank.

At the end of Roundup week on March 10 Agri-Fab of Sullivan is sponsoring the IGA Parking Lot Food Drive.

Agri-Fab will hand out bags to fill for the Moultrie County Food Bank at the IGA from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, March 10.

Grace Period Voting 

News Progress Posted on by

•February 21, 2018•

The last day to register to vote has passed; however, it’s not too late to vote in this election by taking advantage of Grace Period Registration And Voting in the county clerk’s office. This method of registration is available only in the county clerk’s office, 10 S. Main, Sullivan, weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and runs from February 21 through election day. If a person registers to vote or change an address during Grace Period and wants to vote in the upcoming election, he/she must vote at the time of registration.

Requirements for registration are:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen;

• Must be at least 18 years of age by election day; 17 years of age to vote in a General Primary if individual will be 18 as of the following general election;

• Must have been a resident of your precinct at least 30 days prior to election day;

• Two forms of identification, one showing registrant’s current address

A few circumstances in which a person would need to re-register or change registration are: (1) A person has married or changed their name. (2) A person has moved to Moultrie County from another jurisdiction [county]. (3) A person has moved within the county; even if it would be next door, a transfer of registration is required.

Special Saturday hours for early voting, and grace period registration/voting will be held Saturday, March 17 from 9 a.m. to noon in the county clerk’s office.

Not sure that you are registered?

Call and check with the county clerk’s office at 728-4389 or go online at www.elections.il.gov and go to the link called “Registration and Polling Place Information”.

Those having questions regarding their registration or the upcoming election should contact the county clerk’s office at 728-4389 prior to the deadlines.