Category Archives: free news stories

Personal Assistant Training class

News Progress Posted on by


•August 12, 2026•

Soyland Access to Independent Living, SAIL, will hold a Personal Assistant Training for people interested in working as a Personal Assistant on Thursday, August 20, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library, 2 Water Street, Sullivan. 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. 

A reservation is needed to attend the Personal Assistant Training. For more information about the Personal Assistant Training or to reserve your seat, contact Emily Dobson at 217-876-8888 or 800-358-8080 or email edobson@decatursail.com.  

“Miles of Memories: Stories of Route 66”

News Progress Posted on by


•August 12, 2026•

Join the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society for a fascinating presentation exploring the history of the “Mother Road” and the everyday people who lived, worked, and traveled along it. Drawing from 100 newly compiled oral histories, Amanda Bryden, Registrar of History for the Illinois State Museum, will share what it was really like to eat, sleep, and drive the iconic highway. 

Celebrate a century of America’s most famous highway on Thursday, August 20th at 7:00 p.m. at the Moultrie County History Center, 1303 South Hamilton, Sullivan. 

For more information, contact the History Center at (217) 728-4085 or mocohgs@gmail.com. This program is free and open to the public.

MCHGS genealogy workshop series

News Progress Posted on by


•August 12, 2026•

The next genealogy workshop at the Moultrie County History Center will be at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18th at 1303 South Hamilton, Sullivan. This month’s free class will continue touring useful websites and databases for genealogy. Included will be FamilySearch, USGenWeb, a growing list of governmental databases, and other lesser known sites that can aid family history research. 

Bringing a laptop/tablet is highly recommended, though not required. Call (217) 728-4085 or email mocohgs@gmail.com for more information.

Take charge of your diabetes

News Progress Posted on by


•August 5, 2026•

Diabetes is on the rise but can be a very manageable illness. If you or someone you care for has diabetes or is pre-diabetic, why not learn how to more effectively “take charge” and live an active and fulfilling life? Take Charge of Your Diabetes is designed to teach those with diabetes tools and techniques to help them become better health managers. Classes will be offered Wednesday mornings August 12 through September 16 from 9:00-11:30 a.m. Classes will be held at the Shelby County Senior Center at 325 E. North 9th St. in Shelbyville.

The six weekly sessions are highly interactive and are taught by certified trainers Kara Brown of Community Care Systems and Cheri Burcham from University of Illinois Extension. Subjects covered include healthy eating, counting carbs, stress management, exercise and physical activity, monitoring blood sugar, medication management, working effectively with medical providers and much more. There will be no cost for the workshop, but registration is required by August 10 by calling the senior center at 217-774-2251 or the University of Illinois Extension office at 217-543-3755.

The American Diabetes Association identifies this program as meeting the Diabetes Support Initiative criteria for support programming. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs & employment. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this program, please contact the Extension office at 217-543-3755.

Notice to Moultrie voters

News Progress Posted on by


•August 5, 2026•

Moultrie County Clerk & Recorder, Linda S. Qualls, is notifying all voters of Moultrie County of the postcard mailing from the County Clerk’s office in August 2026. This required mailing is to inform voters of their voting options, which includes being added to a permanent vote by mail list for future elections. Illinois law (10 ILCS 5/19-2.5), requires all Election Authorities to notify all registered voters of the permanent vote by mail option not more than 90 days or less than 45 days before a General Election informing the voter, “You may apply to permanently be placed on a vote by mail list using the attached application.”

Qualls wants all voters to know the permanent vote by mail list is simply an option and the notice is only being mailed because it is required by law. Our elections vendor, Liberty Systems, will mail these postcards on or around August 7, 2026.

This law was passed by the Illinois General Assembly in 2021 as an unfunded mandate and leaves Election Authorities no option but to comply with the law, leaving the taxpayers to foot the bill. Those voters signing up for Permanent Vote by Mail will be removed from future mailings. Voters also have the option to opt out of future postcard mailings.

All correctly registered Moultrie County voters will continue to have the option to vote early, vote by mail, or vote at their polling place on Election Day, November 3, 2026.

Anyone with questions should contact the County Clerk’s office at 217-728-4389.

Linda S. Qualls, Moultrie County Clerk

Pints and Pirates Bus Run

News Progress Posted on by


•July 29, 2026•

Sparrows Unlimited Inc. will host a Pints and Pirates Bus Run on Saturday, September 26. Space on the three buses is limited and pre-registration is required. The three locations participants may register are Jerry’s East End in Lovington (40 people), the Bethany American Legion Post (14 people) or the Shamrock in Dalton City (14 people). The registration fee is $30 per person, which must be paid when registering, and a new unwrapped toy to be brought on run day. 

The buses will depart from each registration location the day of the run at 11:30 a.m. Games will be played at each stop, prizes will be awarded for best costumes and each person will receive a code that may unlock a special treasure chest at each destination. All participants will be returned to their starting location after the conclusion of the run.

The run is part of annual fundraising efforts by Sparrows Unlimited as they continue to assist in helping the Lovington community and brightening Christmas for kids.

Heritage Woods Breakfast

News Progress Posted on by


•July 29, 2026•

Heritage Woods of Sullivan, 20 Courtyard Blvd., will host a free breakfast on Friday, August 28 for those 65 or older from 7:00-9:00 a.m. RSVP is required by August 20 by calling 217-728-4300.

Allenville church concert series

News Progress Posted on by


•July 29, 2026•

The Allenville Christian Church, located at 201 Allen Street, will present P.J. Anderson on Saturday, August 8 at 6:00 p.m. 

Every lyric and song by singer-songwriter P.J. Anderson reflects her deep love for God and commitment to sharing the Gospel. Touring nationwide, she uses music as a way to serve others, believing she is called to love, serve, and spread faith. P.J.’s music career began humbly in Veterans’ homes where she sang for residents she felt were often forgotten. These experiences inspired her first CD, ‘Gone’, recorded in Nashville, where she was encouraged to begin songwriting. With prayer and spiritual growth, she went on to write all the songs on her next album, ‘I Want to Be a Witness’, allowing audiences to connect deeply with her personal story.

Refreshments will be available, a free Will offering will be taken. For more information, contact Pastor Bob Vail at (217) 254-3433.

Delinquent tax auction

News Progress Posted on by


•July 22, 2026•

Moultrie County, as Trustee, has completed their tax deed proceedings on real estate properties that were delinquent for 2022 and prior real estate taxes. The County, as Trustee, will now offer for sale the real estate obtained to the public. They will offer approximately 5 items through a sealed bid auction sale. All sealed written bids must be in the Moultrie County Treasurer’s Office located in the Moultrie County Courthouse, 10 S. Main Street – Suite 10, Sullivan, Illinois 61951 no later than the close of business on August 14, 2026. All online bids must be submitted via www.iltaxsalebids.com no later than the close of business on August 14, 2026.

The sale of these lots should be a major benefit to both the Taxing Districts and the neighboring property owners. This sale will place the properties into the hands of individuals who have an interest in owning them. The County, as Trustee, hopes that these new owners will both maintain the property and keep the real estate taxes paid. By eliminating abandoned properties, the appearance of the neighborhood should improve, and the value of adjoining properties should increase. 

The required minimum bid is just $826.00 per item. All items will be sold to the highest sealed bid received on or before August 14, 2026. Complete bidder’s packets and sale catalogs are now available at the Moultrie County Treasurer’s Office or online at www.iltaxsale.com. 

For further sale information, contact the Auction Sale Department of the Moultrie County Tax Agent’s Office. The telephone number is 1-800-248-2850 or 618-656-5744 or visit us at www.iltaxsale.com. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Fridays. 

Bethany Blood Drive

News Progress Posted on by


•July 22, 2026•

The Bethany fire station, located at Route 121, Bethany, will be the site of a Bethany Community Blood Drive on Tuesday, August 11, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. For an appointment, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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.

If you are eligible type O, B or A donor, consider making a Power Red donation. Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component.

The Blood Drive is hosted by the Theta Psi cheese ball ladies of Bethany.