Category Archives: News Section

Okaw Valley teacher sentenced to five years

News Progress Posted on by

•December 25, 2024•

by Sharon Barricklow

A 45 year old former Okaw Valley school teacher was sentenced to a total of five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on December 12 after pleading guilty to Grooming, a Class 4 Felony, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, a Class 2 Felony. 

Jason R. Engler of Shelbyville was a teacher and junior high cross country coach at the time of his arrest. He was sentenced in Moultrie County Court and still faces charges in Shelby County. Investigators said Engler sent pornographic pictures of himself to victims and a journal investigators entered into evidence showed he planned to take one student to his native Ohio and “make her his wife”. 

Lake Shelbyville Christmas Tree Recycling Program

News Progress Posted on by

•December 25, 2024•

Don’t let your Christmas tree go to waste this year after the holidays. Extend your tree’s life by donating it for Fish Habitat Improvement Day at Lake Shelbyville. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance and Illinois Department of Natural Resources will place the discarded trees into Lake Shelbyville to enhance the fisheries for years to come. 

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Ham for the Holidays

News Progress Posted on by
Photo by Megan Russell
Ham for the holidays Just like Thanksgiving, there is a special meal most have during Christmas consisting of sweet ham and many other furnishings. In reminder of what the holidays actually mean, giving back to the CEFS Moultrie County Outreach center with a generous donation of hams. The truck and supporting trailer of ham arrived in front of the Outreach center last Thursday. Delivering the donation ham, pictured from left to right, was Shawn Eccles, Seth Cobb and Blake Eller.

Third graders spread holiday cheer

News Progress Posted on by

•December 25, 2024•

The Sullivan Elementary 3rd graders put on a special performance on the morning of Thursday, December 19th at the Mid-Illinois Senior Services center, singing Christmas songs, reading poems and wishing for gifts from Santa for all to see. 

The estimated 80 students filed into their lines and began their performance with seasonal favorites like Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Deck the Halls.   

“Dear Santa Claus, it’s me again and I’m here to remind you I’m here and have a list of gift this year,” recited all the students, “A stack of comic books, a dozen apple pies, a box of chocolate brownies and an elephant that flies!”  

The program continued with groups standing to perform speaking parts thanking the audience for watching and wishing for gifts from Santa in between songs and poems.

Christmas wishes

News Progress Posted on by
Photo Photo courtesy of the Lovington American Legion
Auxiliary Christmas wishes
The Lovington American Legion played host to Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch Sunday to visit with children. Over 40 kids visited, gave their Christmas wishes, receive a snack and choose a toy.

Keep the wreath red by practicing fire safety during the holiday season

News Progress Posted on by

•December 18, 2024•

Submitted by the 
Bethany Fire Protection District

Bethany Fire Protection District is raising awareness about fire decoration safety during the holiday season by participating in “Keep the Wreath Red” program. The wreath is hanging above the entrance to the fire station to remind residents to keep fire safety a priority during the holidays, especially when decorating. The red bulbs are changed out for white if the department responds to a fire caused by holiday decorations. The Keep the Wreath Red campaign began in 1954 in Naperville and adopted by the Illinois Fire Chief Association in 1980. Bethany Fire Protection District has participated in this program for many years.

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Food pantry fundraiser

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Last Friday was pick-up day for the 13th annual hand dipped chocolate fundraiser for the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Friends of the Moultrie County Food Pantry sent out order forms to past fundraiser customers and made extra forms available for new customers and the Flesor’s Candy Kitchen in Tuscola donated 20% of sales from those orders. The candy was delivered to Cathrine’s Gallery Gifts and More in Sullivan so those who ordered could come pick up their sweet treats.

Uneventful school board meeting; Biggest discussion again centered around sports

News Progress Posted on by

•December 11, 2024•

by E. Scott England

The Sullivan CUSD #300 school board held its regularly scheduled December meeting this past Monday. Both Zachary Hughes and Joshue Green were absent. There were far fewer guests than the previous month as well as no volunteers to talk during the citizen non-agenda items.

The evening got started with updates from the Spanish Club. They have been quite busy collecting nonperishable items for families in need. The club then partnered with the organization Baby Talk to help get the collected items distributed to around five families. Club members also made cookies to deliver to various organizations around town as well as sing Christmas carols in Spanish.

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Bates sworn in as interim president

News Progress Posted on by

•December 11, 2024•

by Sharon Barricklow

Brittany Bates was sworn in as interim Village Board President Monday night at the Village of Lovington’s monthly board meeting. 

Bates replaces Dennis Garman who resigned last month. She took office at the beginning of a lengthy board meeting that saw village trustees reviewing ongoing projects and making plans for 2025.  

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