Category Archives: News Briefs

Competition in U.S Senate and Comptroller Races

News Progress Posted on by

•October 26, 2016•

In the new 102nd District state representative race Republican Brad Halbrook of Shelbyville is running unopposed for the seat vacated by Adam Brown.

Halbrook is a Shelbyville area farmer who formerly represented the 110th district in the state legislature.

He is a social conservative endorsed by Governor Bruce Rauner.

In United States House of Representative District 15 Republican incumbent John Shimkus of Collinsville is running unopposed. He has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1997.

The race for United States Senate has four competing with the Republican and Democratic opponents both sitting members of Congress. Read More

One New Candidate Seeks Open County Board Seat

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mike-barringer•October 26, 2016•

Mike Barringer, Republican from Bethany, is seeking the Moultrie County Board seat being vacated by Roger Glazebrook.

“I am interested in the Moultrie County Board position because I enjoy politics and feel that not enough people get involved in the political process of our local governments,” Barringer said of his first involvement in a county race.

“I feel that I have a unique set of skills and experience that will help Moultrie County continue to grow and provide accurate and efficient governance for the taxpayers.”  Read More

Soil Temperatures Running Above Normal

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•October 26, 2016•

Soil temperatures in Illinois were one to two degrees above normal in mid-October, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

Soil temperatures declined during the first two weeks of October but remained above normal. Statewide temperatures at depths of four inches under bare soil declined eight degrees during that time period to an average of 57.7 degrees F on October 14. Daily highs for that day rose into the 60s for most of the state, while lows were in the 50s to mid-40s.

Temperatures under sod followed a similar trend with an average of 60.4 degrees at four inches and 60.9 degrees at eight inches October 14, 1.9 and 1.7 degrees above the long-term averages, respectively.  Read More

Auto Sales and Detailing Business Opens

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cole-mtr•October 26, 2016•

Cole Auto Sales opened at 317 W Jackson in Sullivan offering a good selection of affordable transportation and auto buyers a new shopping location.

Andrew Cole has brought his experience from working at local dealerships to start the new auto sales and detailing business.

“I always wanted my own business so when this place came open it became a good opportunity,” he said, noting he also offers complete car detailing at the Jackson Street location.

“Integrity matters,” Amanda Cole continued, explaining that the vehicles offered at Cole Auto Sales have been checked out by a reputable mechanic before being placed on the lot. Read More

Letter to the Editor 10-26-2016

News Progress Posted on by

Energy Assistance Can Help Those in Need

Financial insecurities are a reality for over 300,000 families in Illinois. Every day, these families are faced with hard decisions on how to stretch their limited incomes to cover life’s most basic necessities: food, housing, medicines, and utilities.

Seniors, for example, will often opt to not purchase medicine or only take half of the prescribed amount so they will have enough money to pay all of their monthly bills. It is a harsh reality that, today, many families really do have to decide between heating and eating. Read More

Hanson Seeks State’s Attorneys Seat

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marvin-hanson•October 26, 2016•

Marvin L. Hanson is the Democrat challenger to Moultrie County State’s Attorney Jeremy Richey in the November 8 election.

Hanson served as Moultrie County State’s Attorney from 2004 through 2012. He first came to Sullivan as assistant state’s attorney in1993 and also served eight years as Moultrie County public defender.

For the past four years Hanson has been assistant state’s attorney in Shelby County with a caseload twice that in Moultrie County.

With the cooperation of the county probation office Hanson has developed a diversion program allowing 18-21 year olds with misdemeanor offenses a chance to keep their license, remaining contributors to society.

“We live in an area where many people have to drive out of town to work,” Hanson said, explaining rather than suspending the drive’s license the violator may go through counseling, a DUI styled education program and do community service to retain the license and the ability to get back and forth to work. Read More

Lovington Business Supports Central Illinois Employers

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cox-pic•October 26, 2016•

David and Sharon Cox recently launched Employerwise, LLC, the first rural-based service business dedicated to helping community and rural area employers in central Illinois with challenges related to human resource management.

The new business developed as an outgrowth of David’s career experience. He has maintained national certification in human resource management for 15 years with more than 20 years of field experience including his service as Director of Human Resources for Lovington based firms Moultrie Independent Telephone Company and One-Eleven Internet Services, Inc.

David said, “Being an employer is one of the toughest roles in business today.” He explained, “The growing number of compliance requirements and regulations have made the employer’s job less about doing good business and more about adherence to rules. At Employerwise, we can take care of the human resource details and make employers’ jobs a little less stressful.” Read More

It is Time for the Amazing Look of Autumn

News Progress Posted on by

KimForColumn•October 26, 2016•

By Kim McDonald
NP Garden Columnist

We just made a trip back west to my hometown the other week, and temperatures were already falling into the 30’s. Beauty from the trees on the mountains with the colors of green, red, yellow and orange was stunning. The amazing look of autumn with all the different colors reminds me that another year is closing, and it is time to clean up and prepare for another year soon to come.

I have mentioned composting in many of my articles. I have been a big fan of composting for years and use it in many areas around my raised beds and gardens. I also have used the nutrient rich compost (along with worm castings) in my potted vegetable plants in the springtime. Compost aids in making your plants beautiful and healthy and helps them produce flavorful fruit and vegetables. It acts as a natural sponge, holding moisture for plants when needed, and it is a natural fertilizer that gives life back to your soil using organic material. Compost also solves some difficult soil problems: compaction, cracking and drainage. Read More

Athletic Booster Programs Benefit from SBL Sports Physicals

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Photo furnished Sarah Bush Lincoln Sullivan Clinic recently donated $1,260 to the Sullivan Athletic Booster Club from sports physicals performed over the summer. The physicals were provided at reduced costs to numerous athletes by Tammy Munch, PA-C, and Jackie Clayton, DNP, who donated their time. The physicals were $20 each, and all the proceeds were donated back to the school. Pictured are (front row, left to right) Sullivan High School athletic director Ryan Aikman, Tammy Munch,PA-C, Jackie Clayton, DNP; (back row, left to right) Tiffany Keubler, Teresa Harlin, Wanda Norris, Connie Lane, and Beth Cook.

Photo furnished
Sarah Bush Lincoln Sullivan Clinic recently donated $1,260 to the Sullivan Athletic Booster Club from sports physicals performed over the summer. The physicals were provided at reduced costs to numerous athletes by Tammy Munch, PA-C, and Jackie Clayton, DNP, who donated their time. The physicals were $20 each, and all the proceeds were donated back to the school. Pictured are (front row, left to right) Sullivan High School athletic director Ryan Aikman, Tammy Munch,PA-C, Jackie Clayton, DNP; (back row, left to right) Tiffany Keubler, Teresa Harlin, Wanda Norris, Connie Lane, and Beth Cook.

•October 19, 2016•

Sarah Bush Lincoln donated $9,440 to area athletic booster clubs from sports physicals performed over the summer.

SBL medical providers and staff members donated their time to benefit the athletic booster programs at area schools by providing numerous sports and school physicals at reduced costs to athletes and students in their seven-county service area.

Medical providers who volunteered their time included Robert Biggs, MD, and Terra Cottrill, APN, of SBL Arcola Clinic and Tammy Munch, PA-C, and Jackie Clayton, DNP, of SBL Sullivan Clinic. The sports physicals were $20 each, and all the proceeds were donated back to the respective school’s booster clubs. Arcola received $820 and Sullivan, $1,260.