Category Archives: News

Glittering ‘Divas Through the Decades” Sparkles at The Little Theatre on the Square

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•March 11, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

Six very talented classy, sassy and a little “smart-assy” women light up the Little Theatre stage as they prance, strut, laugh, dance, flirt and sing their hearts out through a stunning and electrifying program of 54 songs celebrating women.
And that’s just for starters.
The first thing you will notice before the ladies even begin to sing is their various gorgeous glittering costumes in red, black, lavender and gold among other colors.
Each sparkly costume looks as if it were dipped in glitter, sprinkled in rhinestones and showered in baubles, bangles and beads. Every glitter store between here and New York must have been depleted. This is visually the most stunning show I have ever seen at Little Theatre. Read More

County Committee Hears Separation Illinois Proposal

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Election Judges Schooled
Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England (left) presents current election information to some 70 election judges last week at the First United Methodist Church. Election judges prepare for general primary election day in Illinois on Tuesday, March 17 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Early voting is ongoing at the County Clerks office in the Moultrie County courthouse plus from 9:00 a.m.- Noon Saturday before election and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 16.

•March 11, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

Does Moultrie County want to separate from Cook County forming another state with the remaining southern Illinois counties?
Local representatives of the Illinois Separation movement Scott Buxton and Teresa Cleer told County Board legislative committee members of their attempt to get the question placed on the November ballot.
Buxton explained some 400 signatures were needed to be eligible for the November ballot and asked the county board to consider supporting the movement.
Legislative committee chair Neil Bryan ask what Illinois Separation has planned to accomplish with the referenda.
Buxton explained Cook County pension costs are strapping the state’s budget along with a variety of issues which make it clear it is time for the lower Illinois counties to cut away from Chicago. Read More

City Moves Forward on Jefferson Street Sidewalk Project

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•March 11, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

David Eaton was applauded at the Sullivan City Council meeting Monday.
Eaton, a fourth grader in the Sullivan school district, was introduced by Mayor Richard Glazebrook because of his good deed.
David saw trash collecting along Patterson Drive and decided to do something about it, Glazebrook said. He noted the elementary student recruited his family and cleaned up the trash.
“God does not like litter on His earth,” David said of his reason for wanting to clear litter from Patterson Drive.
Following his comments David was applauded by the full audience at the meeting. Read More

White Cross Mission Serves Tea And Makes Dresses

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Photo furnished

•March 11, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Women on a Mission of the First Baptist Church held their annual White Cross Tea on March 7.
The event was open to the pubic and attendees were served several flavors of tea and assorted pastries.
The tables were beautifully set with small pots of Spring flowers, colorful china teacups and vintage teapots. The pastry buffet was laden with cookies, scones, bread pudding, tea cakes and cupcakes.
Following the tea, the ladies attended a White Cross workshop to make dresses from pillow cases for little girls and hygiene pads for older girls in Africa.
Stations were set up in Fellowship Hall for cutting, ironing, assembling and sewing.
The attendees chose their stations and set about the tasks at hand.
There were 25 ladies from Sullivan and area churches working at four portable sewing machines and ironing boards, while others cut the pillow cases and assembled them into sun dresses. Read More

Obituaries 3-11-2020: Virginia Eaton

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Virginia Eaton
Virginia Lee Eaton, age 95, of Mattoon passed away at 12:50 p.m. Thursday, March 5, 2020, in Heartland Christian Village.
Memorial services honoring her life will begin at 12 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at East Side Church of the Nazarene, 2129 South 9th Street in Mattoon with Pastor Cameron Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the church. Schilling Funeral Home in Mattoon is assisting the family.
Virginia was born May 8, 1924, in Moultrie County, Illinois, the daughter of Harry C. and Anna (Chaney) Pettit. She married Nehemiah Eaton August 1, 1959, and he preceded her in death in 2001.
Survivors include her children Joyce Baugher (daughter-in-law) of Neoga, Kenneth Phillips (son-in-law) of Mattoon, Teresa (Richard) Turner of Bartlesville, Okla., Marsha Beals of Columbia, Tenn., Cheryl (Greg) Poorman of Oklahoma City, Okla., Carol Edwards of Tulsa, Okla. and Julia (Kevin) Ricke of Bingham, Ill.; 17 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and children Jeannine Phillips, John Eaton and Roger Baugher.
Virginia was a housewife and worked at Brown Shoe Factory in Sullivan and General Electric and RR Donnelley in Mattoon. She was a member of East Side Church of the Nazarene in Mattoon. Virginia loved selling Sara Coventry Jewelry, Princess House Crystal, and Longaberger Baskets because she met new people and made new friends at every party. Most of all, Virginia enjoyed spending time with her family, especially all of her grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Memorial donations in her honor may be given to East Side Church of the Nazarene.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.schillingfuneralhome.net or Schilling Funeral Home’s Facebook page.

What was the Origin and is the Destination of Sullivan Illinois 61951?

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•March 4, 2020•
By Joe Pound
Special to News Progress

The written record of the ORIGIN of City of Sullivan as the County Seat of Moultrie County Illinois is thin, yet there are sufficient records to tell us that March of 1845 is when the City of Sullivan was so designated by the Moultrie County Commissioners in an official meeting.
According to the records of I. J. Martin, resident and recorder of this city, the City of Sullivan was surveyed that month using 40 acres of vacant land that was sold by its owner to create this new City.
In the 175 years since that beginning, the City has grown to be a stable, comfortable place to live, work and play.
For a more comprehensive view of this interesting city, I refer you to Fragments of the History of Sullivan, Illinois written and published in 2018 by my friend, Robert Eden Martin (REM), former resident and now retired attorney located in the Chicago area. REM has an excellent web site for more historical details…EdenMartin.com. Read More

Early Voting Could be Good for Your Health

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•March 4, 2020•
Voters may prefer to cast their ballots early rather than risk health issues related to concerns over COVID-19.
“With the big “C” virus we want to encourage early voting,” Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England urged.
“Many people want to avoid large crowds or places where a lot of people pass through…the answer: Early Vote!” she emphasized. Read More

Colored Pencil Art Workshop Offered in Sullivan

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•March 4, 2020•
The Sullivan Art Club will kick off its 2020 season with a workshop on Saturday, March 21 at the St. Columcille Church hall located on the east end of the church at the corner of West Jackson and McClellan Streets.
There is a dedicated entrance to the hall adjacent to the parking lot. The workshop will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with an hour break for lunch. Participants may bring a sack lunch or dine at one of the area restaurants. Read More

SHS Students Work with Community to Support Deployed Graduates

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•February 26, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Sullivan High School Principal Daniel Allen told the school board about a new program where high school students and the community are working together to support graduates who are being deployed.
The group is especially focused on members of the National Guard 130th infantry and 82nd airborne the principal emphasized.
Melissa Nichol’s art students created a powerful display honoring all of them. It is displayed on the office door.
Rebecca Lawson and her students are coordinating with community groups to gather items to be shipped overseas to support former students.
On January 25 at 8:00 am, a special meeting of the school board was held to discuss some of the current needs of the schools in District 300.
Elementary School Principal, Heather Ethell discussed enrollment, class sizes, staffing, literary curriculum, and building needs that included a preschool playground, flooring and restroom upgrades. Read More

Early Voting is an Advantage for Moultrie County Citizens

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Lovington voter Barry Morgan took a few minutes to vote early for March 17 primary election candidates. Early voting is 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Moultrie County Clerk’s office.

•February 26, 2020•
Early voting is an advantage for Moultrie County citizens, allowing them to choose when to cast their ballots.
Through March 16 voters can vote from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the County Clerk’s office in the Moultrie County Courthouse, Sullivan.
County Clerk Georgia England pointed out early voting allows the voter to choose when to vote. Early voting is a convenient way to avoid unpredictable weather and the polling places on primary election day Tuesday, March 17. Read More