Category Archives: News Briefs

A Look Back…

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2013

Lovington Grade School teacher Debbie Long had her annual Christmas Tea Sunday at her home in Sullivan for her students. That year marked Long’s last teaching year ending her holiday tradition. 

Okaw Valley third graders Abby Luckenbill and Lexie Bartimus organized their entire school to collect toys and canned goods for local families. Students brought a toy or canned food item to gain admission to a dance. The school managed to pool around 55 toys and 10 cases of food. 

Dr. Quintin Murray took over the chiropractic office formerly Dr. Kellerman’s in Sullivan.  Read More

Menu 12-6-2023

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Senior Peace Meal

For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

Dec. 11 - Pulled Pork, Baked Beans, Corn , Fruit, Bun

Dec. 12 - Chicken Pot Pie Broccoli, Rosy Applesauce, Biscuit, Homemade Dessert

Dec. 13 - Marinated Pork Loin, Scandinavian Blend Veggies, Spiced Apples, Broccoli Salad, Bread or Roll

Dec. 14 - Lasagna, Green Beans, Romaine Salad, Berry Crisp

Dec. 15 - Ham, Frosted Sweet Potatoes, Peas and Pearl Onions, Pistachio Salad, Roll

 

Dec. 18 - Cheeseburger Soup, Pasta Salad, Tropical Fruit Mix, Roll, Pudding Cup

Dec. 19 - Turkey w/Gravy, Dressing, Green Bean Casserole, Scalloped Apples and Cranberries, Fruit Dessert

Dec. 20 - Goulash, Broccoli, Buttered Hominy, Romaine Salad

Dec. 21 - Fried Chicken, Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes, Seasoned Hot Greens, Mandarin Oranges, Bread or Roll

Dec. 22 - Liver and Onions, Au Gratin Potatoes, Peas, Fruit, Bread or Roll

The Secret to Good Spelling: Don’t Memorize, Analyze

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•December 6, 2023•

How do people learn good grammar? Likely the same way people learn to be good spellers.

I just read a piece in The Washington Post by ninth-grader Dev Shah of Largo, Florida, in which he talks about how he managed to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee this year.

In his essay, Dev writes about how reading dictionaries is one way to win, but with more than a half-million words to memorize, intuition is key.

He didn’t expect to win, the contest. He failed to qualify last year and has lost more than two dozen bees in six years.

But he knew this year was his final shot, because he’d age out of the competition.

Of the millions of competitive child spellers out there, just 200 make it to the national bee.

Looking for patterns in pronunciations is key, he says: Read More

A Look Back…12-6-2023

News Progress Posted on by

2013 

Windsor Jr/Sr High School student council held a fundraising drive to collect money to collect money to be sent to those impacted by tornadoes in Washington. Students sold links for a giving chain for $1 per link. Anyone who donated had their name added to a link that was then put onto the chain. The chain was then hung up in the school so that the students could watch as it grew each day. The WHS student council was able to buy $466 in donations for Secret Santa gifts that were sent to families in Washington. 

Moultrie County had a new pet grooming business, Lucky Dog Pet Grooming, opened by Carrie Simmons. The business was located between Sullivan and Bethany.  Read More

Funding Released for New Emergency Vehicles 

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•December 6, 2023•

Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera and Illinois Finance Authority (IFA) Executive Director Chris Meister issued nearly $7.2 million in no interest or low interest loans to emergency responders across the state. The loans are made available through the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Program and Ambulance Revolving Loan Program.

Sullivan Fire Protection District is a recipient of a $350,000 fire truck revolving grant.

“Our emergency responders put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe, and they need safe and reliable vehicles to get the job done,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “That’s why I’m proud that my administration is ensuring that fire departments across the state can purchase the fire trucks and ambulance they need to save lives.” Read More

A Look Back…11-29-2023

News Progress Posted on by

2013 

The Sullivan AmBuCs chapter provided a bike for 12 year old Zoe Powell who dreamed of being able to ride a bike but was born with a condition that a traditional bike would not be an option for her. AmTrykes can be operated via hand or food pedal to accommodate different needs. 

The Lovington Girl Scout Troop 3009 conducted their annual food drive collecting more than 500 pounds of nonperishable food and paper goods for Lovington’s Christ Pantry which supplies food to those in need not only in Lovington but in surrounding communities.

One Book One Sullivan announced their book choice for the community to be “Lions of Little Rock.” Read More

What’s Wrong with a Big, Beautiful Grammar Column?

News Progress Posted on by

•November 29, 2023•

Boy, what I wouldn’t give for a big, beautiful, delicious, juicy cheeseburger right about now.

Or would it be a beautiful, juicy, delicious, big cheeseburger?

That second variation doesn’t have quite the same mouth feel, does it?

That’s because while few of us aware of it, there is an order to the multiplicity of adjectives we apply to things.

I never learned about this in school, but I’ve seen enough internet tropes about it to know there is something to it. Read More

Make Your Own Convenient Hot Cocoa Mix

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•November 29, 2023•

Cheri Burcham

Extension Educator, University of Illinois Extension

As the weather turns cooler, you may find yourself reaching for a warm mug of hot cocoa. I would like to share this great article from Illinois Extension Educator Jenna Smith from the blog Simply Nutritious, Quick and Delicious. Jenna says: While it’s convenient to grab a packet of hot cocoa out of the box, making your own only takes three simple ingredients: sugar, cocoa powder and milk. This is a far cry from the hot cocoa mix you buy at the store, which generally has corn syrup, hydrogenated oil, natural flavor, and other preservatives added. Not to mention, most people prefer the taste of homemade. Read More

Operation Rising Spirit Encourages Letters of Support to Illinois Veterans During the Holiday Season 

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•November 29, 2023•

The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) today launched the 2023 “Operation Rising Spirit,” campaign encouraging service organizations, schools, communities, and individuals to write letters of appreciation and support to veterans residing at the state veterans’ homes in Anna, Chicago, LaSalle, Manteno, and Quincy.

“Last year, over 5,000 letters were distributed to veterans in our care which provided an abundance of holiday cheer into the homes,” said Director Terry Prince. “We encourage volunteer groups, families, and schools to participate in this kind gesture of gratitude to Illinois veterans.” Read More

$25 Million Available in B2B Grants for New Businesses

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•November 29, 2023•

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has announced $25 million in available grant funding through the Back to Business (B2B) NewBiz program. Following state recovery programming for businesses totaling $1.5 billion, the latest American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-funded opportunity is designed to provide additional support for businesses in hard-hit sectors who launched during the pandemic. Businesses that launched in 2020 or 2021 and remain in operation have faced significant impacts during the pandemic, but they have not been eligible for other federal or state relief programming since they were not operational prior to the pandemic. Read More