•June 3, 2026•
Beginning with the June 10 issue of NewsProgress, deadlines have been changed. All legal notices, classifieds (Rummage Sales, Help Wanted, etc.), display advertising and news submissions are due by noon on Friday.
Category Archives: free news stories
Lovington townwide sale
•May 27, 2026•
The Village of Lovington will be holding its yearly townwide rummage sale May 28th through 30th. All are welcome to come find amazing deals and hidden treasures-there’s something for everyone to be found.
Recovery Grub Fest
•May 27, 2026•
On Saturday, June 20th, from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m., the Moultrie County ROSC council will be hosting a ‘Recovery Grub Fest’ in Wyman Park, Sullivan. There will be food trucks, vendors, tie-dye T-Shirts, live music, and a special celebrity guest. For more information, contact Josh Forbes, ROSC Council Coordinator at joshf@hourhouserecovery.org. This event is funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery.
Bethany ‘Bake-off’
•May 27, 2026•
The Bethany Celebration’s annual Bake Off will be held on June 20th at Crowder Park, with sign-ins beginning at 2:00 p.m., judging at 4:00 p.m., and awards and auctions at 7:00 p.m. There will be two age categories: Adults (eighteen and over) and Youth (those under eighteen). Item categories will be cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and pies. All baked goods should arrive ready for judging. Judges will be scoring based on appearance, taste, texture, aroma, and overall flavor. Awards will be given for 1st and 2nd place in each Adult category, and 1st place in each Youth category.
ETML summer workshops
•May 20, 2026•
The first in a series of Summer Workshops at Elizabeth Titus memorial library this summer will be “DIY Rain barrel” on July 7th at 6:00 p.m. Random participants will receive the demonstration rain barrel. This workshop is for those aged sixteen and over, and all of the materials will be included. Registration is required at https://sullivanil.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/rain-barrel-workshop. Contact the library with any questions at (217) 728-7221.
Allenville church concert series
•May 20, 2026•
Allenville Christian Church will host a concert featuring Pam Fisher of Springfield, Illinois on June 13th at 6:00 p.m. at the Allenville Christian Church, located at 201 Allen Street in Allenville. Snacks and fellowship time will follow this family-friendly gospel series concert. A free Will offering will be taken. For more information, contact Pastor Bob Vail at (217) 254-3433.
Memorial Day closure
•May 20, 2026•
The Moultrie County News Progress will be closed on Monday, May 25th, in observance of Memorial Day. All advertising and news items will need to be submitted no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Friday, the 22nd, for the next week’s publication.
Personal Assistant Training rescheduled
•May 13, 2026•
Soyland Access to Independent Living (SAIL) has rescheduled Personal Assistant Training for people interested in working as a Personal Assistant. The training will be held in Shelbyville on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the Shelbyville SAIL office, 1604 West Main Street. Personal Assistants are employed by people with disabilities to perform household chores and personal care tasks in their homes and are paid by the State of Illinois through the Department of Rehabilitation program. Participants in the training must be registered in advance and arrive by 1:00 p.m. Those who complete the training will have their names added to both the SAIL referral list and the INCIL statewide registry as potential employees for people with disabilities to hire.
There is still time for interested candidates to sign up but you must be registered to attend. For more information about the Personal Assistant Training or to sign up for the training contact Emily Dobson at 217-876-8888, 800-358-8080 or edobson@decatursail.com.
American Legion Memorial Day Ceremony
•May 13, 2026•
On Monday, May 25th, on the Sullivan Square beginning at 8:00 a.m., American Legion Commander Rick Read will be organizing a parade of Honor Guard and Color Guard members, as well as American Boy Scouts, who will be marching to Green Hill Cemetery. There will be a prayer by a local minister, a speaker, and the Honor Guard will fire a 21 Gun Salute, with Taps being played to conclude the program. Next, they will move to the American Legion War Memorial and hold a prayer and 21 Gun Salute. These brief, meaningful, and significant events are open to the public to attend; it makes a difference for family members who have lost relatives, as well as to the Veterans who served alongside those who gave all in service to their country.
MoCo Quarter Madness for May
•May 6, 2026•
Moultrie County Monthly Quarter Madness will hold its May Quarter Auction on Wednesday, May 13th. The event will be held at the Sullivan American Legion. Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc. is the organization of the month. Since 1984, Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc., an Aging & Disability Resource Center, has provided free services to seniors age 60+, disabled individuals aged 16-59, caregivers, their care recipients & their families, as well as relatives raising children/ grandparents raising grandchildren. The Peace Meal Senior Nutrition Program is found at their facility in Sullivan, providing an in-house, hot lunch every Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. They are a SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Programs) site and provide free SHIP Counseling by appointment. SHIP Counselors are available to discuss health insurance questions, including Medicare, Medicaid, VA, and other insurance. And they have a Caregiver Advisory Program which covers the Caregiver Program & Relatives Raising Children Program. Both programs assist those Caregivers with one-on-one counseling, education, financial assistance, advocacy, and support groups. Their primary fundraiser is the Thrifty Boutique located on the square in Sullivan at 14 South Washington Street. This store sells a little bit of everything at very discounted prices, and all proceeds go directly to Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc.
Come shop with the many vendors and stay for the Quarter Auction. Bring your quarters for charity items and extra bidding. All-In-Paddle will be $20. Doors open at 6:00, and the Quarter Auction begins at 6:30 p.m. All ages are welcome to attend. Highway Heartburn will have food for sale in the parking lot. There will also be a Bake Sale to benefit Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc., plus bring a BINGO prize, and receive a free $1 bidding paddle (limit 1 free paddle per person). Drink purchases can be made through the Legion as well. For more information, visit the “Mo Co Monthly Quarter Madness” Facebook page.