Category Archives: free news stories

Waterfowl Hunting Procedures

News Progress Posted on by

•November 2, 2022•

All hunting in Okaw Wetlands will be in accordance with statewide regulations. There will not be pit blinds or skid blinds available this year. The accessible blind at Okaw Wetland will still be reservable this season and is in the same location as years past. Hunters not hunting in the accessible blind will have to follow the state minimum distance regulation of 200 yards between groups.
For questions or to reserve the accessible blind contact Park Ranger Grant Woods at (217) 774-3951 Ext. 7034 or at grant.d.woods@usace.army.mil.

Annual Beef Stew Dinner

News Progress Posted on by

•October 26, 2022•

Hammond United Methodist Church will hold their annual homemade beef stew dinner on Sunday, Nov. 6 from 11:00am to 1:30pm in the church fellowship hall. This fundraiser “all-you-can-eat” dinner will include stew, roll or cornbread, jello salad, dessert and drink. The cost is $8.50 per person with family rates. Take-out will be available. The church is located at 3rd & D Streets and is handicap accessible. The phone number is 262-3386.

OV Veterans Day Event

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•October 26, 2022•

Okaw Valley Community Unit School District invites all Veterans and their family members to a Veterans Day program at Okaw Valley High School in Bethany on Friday, November 11th. A breakfast will be provided to all who attend beginning at 8:15 am in the cafeteria and a short assembly will follow at 9:15 am. The assembly will feature the Okaw Valley School District band and chorus students, and keynote speaker. The students and staff at Okaw Valley thank all Veterans for their acts of courage and devotion to the ideals that have served to guide our nation. We would be honored if you could join us to pay tribute to all the brave men and women who have admirably served our country. If you will be able to attend, please call 665-3232 for a reservation.

Courthouse Safe Trick or Treat

News Progress Posted on by

•October 26, 2022•

The Moultrie County Court House is going to participate in Safe Trick or Treat on Oct. 31, 2022 from 4-6pm on the square. They will be serving hot dogs, chips and hot chocolate on the West Side of the building, sponsored by MMV Farms.

Trick or Treat Hours and Activities

News Progress Posted on by

•October 26, 2022•

Arthur: Arthur Park District Trunk or Treat Saturday, October 29 from 3 pm to 5 pm
Safe trick or treat Saturday, October 29 from 5 pm to 8 pm
Safe trick or treat Monday, October 31 from 5 pm to 8 pm

Bethany: BASO Safe Trick or Treat Saturday, October 29 from 4 pm to 6 pm on Main Street, Okaw Valley PTO will be sponsoring a costume contest with a parade, judges and awards. In case of inclement weather event will be moved to Okaw Valley Elementary School.
Traditional Trick or Treat Saturday, October 29 from 6 pm to 9 pm

Findlay: Trick or Treat Monday, October 31 from 6 pm to 8 pm
Findlay First Christian Church Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 29 5 pm to 7 pm in the FCC Parking Lot at 202 W. Division Street
Findlay American Legion Auxiliary Halloween Supper, Friday, October 28 serving 5 pm to 7 pm. Serving barbecue, chicken and noodles, chili, peanut butter and cheese salad sandwiches, cole slaw, deviled eggs, desserts and drinks. Costume judging will begin at 7 pm.

Gays: Traditional Trick or Treat Monday, October 31 from 5 pm to 8 pm
Trunk or Treat at Smyser Christian Church, Saturday, October 29 from 5 pm to 7 pm
Lovington: Safe Trick or Treating, Business District Hours October 28 4 pm to 6 pm; Residential 6 pm to 8 pm.
Lovington Park Board Trunk or Treat and Costume Contest Saturday, October 29 from 1 pm to 4 pm; Costume contest at 2 pm; Trunk or Treat 3 pm to 4 pm.

Sullivan: Safe Trick or Treat, Monday, October 31 from 4 pm to 6 pm
Traditional Trick or Treat Monday, October 31 from 6 pm to 9 pm
AMBUCS Halloween Parade at 6:30 pm around the square

Windsor: WHAT and Windsor Storm Memorial Library host Trunk or Treat at Windsor City Park on Friday, October 28 from 5:30 pm to 7 pm followed by a movie.
Saturday, October 29, Windsor American Legion Soup Supper and Halloween Parade. Serving begins at 5 pm with line-up for parade at library at 6:45 pm. Parade will travel down Maine Street to American Legion. Judging will start at 7 pm. Categories for judging are Children 3 and under, Princesses/Disney/Fairytales, Witches/Ghosts/Zombies, TV/Movies/Super Hero Characters, Occupational/Original/Animals and Family/Groups. Prizes for first, second and third for each category, Grand Prize winner selected from all first place. Free merchant drawings throughout the evening.
Monday, October 31 City wide trick or treat from 6 pm to 8 pm
Monday, October 31 from 6 pm to 8 pm Trunk or Treat at Windsor Christian Church, 1101 Broadway Ave.

Women’s Small Business Month

News Progress Posted on by

•October 19, 2022•

To recognize and build awareness for the way women entrepreneurs are having a positive impact on jobs and the economy in Central and Southeastern Illinois, the Business Navigators Alliance will host an online panel discussion, Thursday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. starting with Michelle Lura White, Women’s Business Development Manager, DCEO-Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) and four regional women business owners.
During the presentation, guest panelists will discuss the importance of their business plans, the importance of their relationships with vendors and banks, the importance of their employees and their growth strategy as well as how they’ve overcome barriers to enter sometimes male dominated sectors.
Guest panelists include: Leslie Tarble with 3 Sisters Logistics, Cathrine Craig with Cathrine’s Gallery Gifts and More, Robin Trapp with Betty Jane’s Kitchen and Resa Shaner with Crawford County Development Association.
Register for the online event here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sYs88hQhRyCntC03Nc5Hug
The Business Navigator Alliance was formed to provide professional outreach and technical assistance in applying toward local, state, and federal economic relief programs for businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19. Our mission is to ensure that small businesses throughout the region are competitive in applying for necessary resources, and our goal is to position local businesses for success by accelerating recovery and growth. BNA, which can be found at www.ilbusinessnavigators.com, hosts outreach events, virtual offices hours, and provide one-on-one technical assistance.

Fields of Faith

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•October 19, 2022•

Sullivan Fellowship of Christian Athletes will host “Fields of Faith” on Sunday, October 23 from 5:30-7:30 pm at Blake Lane Memorial football field. FCA chapters and youth groups from around the area are invited to attend for games, food and worship.

Seeking Recipes Submissions for Magazine

News Progress Posted on by

•October 19, 2022•

We are currently seeking recipe submissions for our Annual Recipe Magazine that will be coming out in December. Have a favorite family recipe that you always get compliments on that you think others might enjoy? Typed recipe submissions must be e-mailed by Tuesday, November 1 to advertise@newsprogress.com.

MCHGS Program

News Progress Posted on by

•October 12, 2022•

As our nation’s November mid-term elections approach, the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society will be looking back at “Prominent Politicians from Moultrie County” on October 20 at 7:00 pm in their new History Center located at 1303 S. Hamilton, Sullivan. The program will be presented by Paul L. Stone of Sullivan, who has made a study of our prominent politicians from the past, which includes members of the US Senate, the US House of Representatives, a speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, and a chairman of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. They lived in the communities of Bethany, Lovington, Sullivan, and the old village of East Nelson. As a retired lawyer who served thirteen years as Moultrie County’s States Attorney, President of the Illinois States Attorney Association, past president of the MCHGS, and son of one of those prominent politicians, he has intimate knowledge of the lasting impact our politicians have made on our state and country’s history. The public is invited to attend this informative and entertaining evening.

Mobile Food Pantry

News Progress Posted on by

•October 12, 2022•

The University of Illinois Extension in cooperating partnership with Decatur Catholic Charities and Sullivan United Methodist Church will hold a mobile food pantry on Wednesday, October 26 from 4 to 5 pm at the Sullivan United Methodist Church, 216 W. Jefferson, Sullivan (across from the firehouse). A mobile food pantry delivers a two week supply of food per family in rural communities. Any individual or family that does not have a steady food supply qualifies to receive food. No financial information is required to qualify. This distribution is open to all not only residents of Sullivan. Deadline to sign up is by 4:30 pm on Friday, October 21. Call 217-728-4436, 217-855-3933 or 217-728-3933 to sign up. Once your form is completed by phone, you will be given a number to bring with you on the day of distribution. If you lose your number, you need to bring identification. The food will be distributed according to household size on Friday, October 28 from 4 pm to 5 pm at the Methodist Church in parking lot across the street.