Category Archives: free news stories

Lovington blood drive

News Progress Posted on by


•June 17, 2026•

The Lovington Church of God Family and Life Center, located at 305 W State St, Lovington, will be hosting a Lovington Community blood drive on Thursday, July 9th, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. For an appointment, call Shelley Martina at (217) 855-4953 or Julie Jurgens at (217) 454-7124, or call 1 (800) RED CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org. Bring a photo ID or your blood donor card, or two other forms of ID. Save up to fifteen minutes when you donate blood by using RapidPass. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass for more information.

Alzheimer’s awareness cookout

News Progress Posted on by


•June 17, 2026•

On Friday, June 19th, in the Sullivan IGA parking lot, Heritage Woods will be sponsoring a cookout fundraiser benefiting Alzheimer’s awareness from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All are invited to enjoy smash burgers, hot dogs, and brats while supporting an important cause that impacts more than 7 million Americans. Every purchase helps raise awareness and funds in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

New deadlines

News Progress Posted on by


•June 17, 2026•

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.

JCC Church VBS

News Progress Posted on by


•June 10, 2026•

A summer children’s event called “Rainforest Falls” will be hosted at Jonathan Creek Christian Church, 1425 Jonathan Creek Rd, Sullivan, June 13th and 14th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. At Rainforest Falls, kids explore the nature of God, discovering who God is and how much he loves them.

Children participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy songs, play teamwork-building games, make and devour yummy treats, experience one-of-a-kind Bible adventures, collect Bible Memory Buddies, and test sciencey-fun experiments they will never forget. Children will also learn to look for evidence of God all around them through something called ‘God Sightings’.

Each day concludes with a ‘Canopy Closing’ that gets everyone involved in living what they have learned. Family members and friends are encouraged to join daily for this special time.

Kids at the Rainforest Falls will join a mission effort to provide families in Central America with fruit trees that feed children and provide income to parents. Rainforest Falls is for children 3 years of age through 5th grade. For more information, call (217) 728-4369.

ROSC Grubfest

News Progress Posted on by


•June 10, 2026•

Moultrie County ROSC Council and The Hour House will host The Recovery Grub Fest on June 20th from noon to 5:00 p.m. at Wyman Park, 1026 N. Worth Street in Sullivan. This will be a free, family-friendly event with activities, delicious food, vendors, and live music for the whole family to enjoy. Please come and join us for a super fun-filled day for the whole family. 

We would be delighted to see our community members, along with anyone who wants to have good, family-friendly, sober fun. The event will also have resource tables showcasing surrounding social service providers, as well as vendors from the area, live bands, and create your own tie-dye. Recovery is possible.

Hour House provides compassionate, evidence-based substance use disorder treatment and recovery support for individuals, families, and the community. For over 50 years, it has offered a continuum of care including treatment services for adults and adolescents, recovery housing for men, women, and women with children, and community programs focused on education, prevention, and outreach. Contact joshf@hourhouserecovery.org for any information regarding the event. Funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery.

Agri Fab Inc. to host blood drive 

News Progress Posted on by


•June 3, 2026•

Agri Fab Inc. will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16th, at 809 S Hamilton Street, inside the Gold Classroom. To donate, contact ImpactLife Urbana at (800) 747 5401 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 71025 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested. Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with a parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. For questions about eligibility, call ImpactLife at (800) 747 5401. Donors who last gave blood on or before 4/21/26 are eligible to give at this drive. 

ETML to host TOPS 

News Progress Posted on by


•June 3, 2026•

Cheryl Avitts, the Facilitator for the TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), has announced that the public is invited to attend their meetings in Sullivan, to be held at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library, 2 W. Water Street, in Sullivan, in the Conference Room. TOPS generates positive awareness for weight loss by encouraging a healthy lifestyle through support, education, and accountability. 

Cadwell to host blood drive

News Progress Posted on by


•June 3, 2026•

Cadwell will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 3:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16th, at 1533 CR 1900N, inside the Donor Bus at M & E WoodCrafts. To donate, contact ImpactLife Urbana at (800) 747-5401 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 70636 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested.

Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with a parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 747-5401. Donors who last gave blood on or before 4/21/26 are eligible to give at this drive.

New deadlines

News Progress Posted on by


•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.

Lovington townwide sale

News Progress Posted on by


•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.