Photo furnished
Mid Illinois Senior Services Director, Kathy Shackles looks on as Joanna Hutton expresses thanks to her husband for Valentine’s Day

•February 12, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
For The News Progress

On Friday, February 7, Mid-Illinois Senior Services held its twelfth annual Valentine’s Day Luncheon and Poetry Contest with the help of Sullivan Courtyard Estates.
In a sea of red with tables adorned with Valentine’s Day hearts and chocolate candy, the dining area bustled with seniors excited for another chance to share lunch with each other, socialize and read poetry.
Courtyard Estates kitchen crew prepared a delicious lunch of beef tips, mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls along with their very popular pies available in strawberry, chocolate and coconut.
After lunch, there was a drawing with door prizes. The prizes included gift cards to IGA and some of Courtyards Estates famous strawberry pies. Read More

•February 5, 2020•

A Moultrie County jury trial started February 3, 2020 for Alvan Booths, 33, of Mattoon who was charged with attempted murder, home invasion and aggravated battery February 4, 2019.
Sullivan police responded to a shots fired call to 804 W. Hunter the night Feb. 4 where Otha Phillips had been shot in the neck.
Booths appeared with court appointed attorney Todd Reardon while Tammy Wagnor led prosecution along with State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver. Read More

•February 5, 2020•

Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance will host their second annual Banquet at the Sullivan VFW on February 22, 2020 with 100% of the proceeds going to improve the fisheries and fish habitat in Lake Shelbyville!
The doors open at 4:00 p.m.. with dinner starting at 5:00. The banquet is being hosted by the Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance, a group that is focused on improving the fisheries at Lake Shelbyville. Tickets will be available online http://tinyurl.com/lsfha2020, Chip’s Marine in Sullivan, IL and the Lake Shelbyville Visitors Center in Shelbyville, IL.
The tickets include your choice of chicken or steak, sides, and adult beverages while they last. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Forum for the 15th Legislative District candidates from left: Erika Weaver, Dr. Craig Morton, John W. Hurley, Jr., and Kevin Gaither.

•January 29, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

The primary elections are just months away and the first Democratic candidate forum for the 15th Congressional District kicked off at the Charleston Carnegie Public Library January 26 at 2:30pm. The public meeting room was filled to capacity.
The Democratic candidates seeking the nomination are Kevin Gaither, John W. Hursey, Jr., Dr. Craig Morton and Erika Weaver.
Kevin Gaither grew up in Sullivan, IL where he was involved in his grandfather’s farm, was a journalist, played the pipe organ for church and was actively engaged in efforts to pass a school referendum.
He served in AmeriCorps in poverty-stricken neighborhoods in Indianapolis and was elected to serve on federally mandated healthcare advisory boards there. Moving back to the 15th District in 2013 Gaither returned to community involvement. In 2018 he ran for the Democratic nomination for the 15th District. His grassroots campaign won 62% of the vote through common sense messaging focused on the entire 15th District. Read More

•January 22, 2020•
Fields Tax Questions

By Mike Brothers

A county hiring freeze didn’t hinder the Moultrie County Board from giving $50,000 to the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development at the January 16 meeting.
SCED Director Laurrie Minor explained the county’s $50,000 contribution goes exclusively toward tourism promotion of the county.
She reported this will be the third year attending the Recreation and RV Show in Rosemont and visitors return to tell about their experiences in the area.
Jon Summers Corp of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville participates with SCED at the Rosemont show and reported increases in campers this past season during a recent budget committee meeting.
County Board Chairman Dave McCabe recommended this third annual $50,000 contribution to SCED explaining the first year the county saw a 14.44 percent sales tax boost. In the second year sales tax income was down .06 percent.
Prior to the vote board member Neil Bryan asked Minor for more information concerning surrounding counties contributions to promote tourism. Read More