Category Archives: News

Bethany Fire District Expands into “No Man’s Land”

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•August 7, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

Bethany Fire Protection District moved to annex 15 square miles of “no man’s land” following a public hearing at the fire station Thursday, August 1.
Bethany Fire Protection District board of trustees president Lowell Ford opened the hearing by explaining the 15 square miles of mostly farmland in Shelby County west of Bethany toward Moweaqua has been covered by the Bethany fire and ambulance service for years without receiving any tax revenue.
Board attorney Steven Wood explained a recent law authorized the action and the area known as “no man’s land” is in no fire protection or 9 1 1 district now. He noted it was divided among bordering fire districts and some 109 different landowners have been contacted concerning the annexation. Read More

Spruced Up Sullivan Parks Improve Visitors’ Experience

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Tabor Park Bridge decks were replaced earlier this summer by Sullivan Park District summer employees Sterling Howard and Ethan Foster.

Bridge Decks Repaired

•August 7, 2019•
By Wyman Tabor
for The News Progress

It has been a busy summer for the Sullivan Park Dept. benefitting everyone from trail walkers to ballplayers.
Sullivan Director of Parks and Cemeteries Herb Bricker explained park garden beds that began with plant donations from My Garden owner Tina Krigbaum in the fall have grown well with regular rains this summer.
The flower beds at the entries to Wyman Park were planted by mayor Richard Glazebrook with park district employees cleaning the beds and refreshing the mulch for the season.
Bricker said the new irrigation system has made a big difference in the outfield turf condition at Wyman Park’s main diamond with the system also allowing creation of a sod farm. Read More

‘The Full Monty” Bares Seeing It All! At The Little Theatre on the Square

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•August 7, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Forget what you may think or have heard about the naughtiness of “The Full Monty”.
This is a compelling musical that touches on unemployment, fathers’ rights, depression, impotence, body image, homosexuality, working class cultures and suicide.
It includes beautiful singing and fantastic dancing – thanks to the brilliant choreography by Jordan Cyphert who has created dazzling dance routines. And, yes, there is the matter of the full Monty.
Besides, this may be your only chance to see Marty Harbaugh hilariously attempt a strip tease and John Stephens dance in his tighty-whities!
This Oscar winning musical comedy brought opening night audiences to their feet whistling and cheering. Some of the matronly ladies lost all sense of decorum and made spectacles of themselves (myself included) over the male strippers on stage. Read More

City Directs Titus Sentel Estate Sale

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•August 7, 2019•

By Mike Brothers

Sullivan City Council decided to let the Winifred Titus Sentel Trust sell the farm and Titus Manor during a special meeting held July 31.
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood moved that the city attempt to purchase some or all of the real estate held by the Winifred Titus Sentel Trust at public auction or any other type of public sale.
Commissioner Mike Fowler seconded the motion with Commissioner Chuck Woodworth, Mayor Richard Glazebrook, Fowler and Sherwood voting yes and Commissioner Peggy Hargis voting no.
Sherwood made an additional motion: “I would like to make a second motion that the city representative be the Mayor and or the City administrator be authorized to act on the City’s behalf to purchase some or all of the real estate of the Winifred Titus Trust at public auction or any type of public sale.” Read More

New Spanish Club Mural Provides 21 Country Tour

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan High School Spanish Club has a new mural to display after Spanish instructor Señora King (left) encouraged third year Spanish student and artist Zoe Walton to spend her summer traveling Latin America without leaving home.

Spanish is Worldwide

•August 7, 2019•

By Maria Elena
for the News Progress

The Sullivan High School Spanish Club has a new source of inspiration to start the school year.
A mural representing 21 Spanish speaking countries in Latin America will be displayed in the Commons area, and it’s the result of a summer long project for junior Spanish III student Zoe Walton.
Walton’s artistic abilities were discovered by Spanish instructor Patricia King, and they began laying out the club mural during the final two months of the last school year. Read More

Steam Threshing Days Offers Amish Appetite Pleasers

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Photo furnished
Horsepower doesn’t always require spending $3.00 a gallon to keep moving. Visitors to the Amish Heritage Center’s Steam Threshing event will find horsepower is good for lots of chores around the farm.

August 2-3

•July 31, 2019•

By Chic Friar
for the News Progress

The Steam Threshing days set for August 2-3 at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center near Arthur will feature a chicken supper 4:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, August 2.
The supper will feature chicken, mashed potatoes, noodles, green beans and drink and is being prepared by Terry Warren Catering of Sullivan. The show runs from 1-8 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, August 3.
New this year will be a horse treadmill and broom corn threshing. The horse treadmill is used to transfer horsepower to operate a variety of machinery via a power shaft coming direct from the treadmill. Also new this year will be broom corn threshing and broom making. Read More

Birdseye View

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www.bestdroneography.com
Birdseye View
The Findlay Walleye Festival enjoyed perfect weather July 26-27. This R.R. Best drone photograph shows the giant American flag displayed during the Saturday parade while the OVHS band played. The festival featured walleye meals and breakfasts, kiddie tractor pulls, garden tractor pulls, a car show and music from Identity Crisis, Battle Creek, Big Spike Hammer, Sounds of Swing, Billy Coalt and the Blues Deacons, The North Enders and the Feudin’ Hillbillies.

ALAH Schools Begin Class with New District Superintendent

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High school roof project discussed

•July 31, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

In the July meeting, ALAH Community School District new superintendent, Shannon Cheek and retiring superintendent Kenny Schwengel, attended the July school board meeting.
“I want to start off my report by saying thank you to the many people involved in welcoming us to the school district and the four communities,” Superintendent Cheek opened his report. He went on to thank Haley McGrath, his administrative aide, as well as Kelly Creek, Ken Munds, the board of education, all the administrative staff, the custodial staff and the community.
“You have made my family feel right at home from the very beginning,” he added.
In a separate interview Cheek explained what interested him in the ALAH district.
“My interest in the superintendent position here centered around the communities’ support for education and dedication to the students,” he began.
“It’s that level of dedication that I wanted to be a part of and lead.” Read More

Sullivan City Council Calls Special Meeting

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•July 25, 2019•
The Sullivan City Council will have a special meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 31 at the First United Methodist Church.
Purpose of the meeting is to discuss and take action, if any, on the manner of distribution of the assets of the Winifred Titus-Sentel Trust, including farm real estate and Titus Manor property.

Teamwork is Key to Blue Dolphin Food Drive’s Success

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Blue Dolphin swimmers, coaches, supporters and community leaders gathered at the Sullivan Civic Center to distribute thousands of cans of food to the local food pantry.

•July 24, 2019•
By Trout Flipper
for the News Progress

It takes teamwork to win and Sullivan Blue Dolphins coach Jason Drury extends that philosophy from competing in the pool to helping the community.
That is what led to the collection of a record breaking 3,612 cans of food for their annual donation to the Moultrie County Food Pantry and other area food banks.
Swimmers, coaches, parents and civic leaders were invited to distribute the food from the Sullivan Civic Center on July 12.
For more than a decade the Sullivan Blue Dolphins have been holding an annual food drive for the local food bank.
Head coach Drury believes in the team giving back to the community who supports them and also teaches the swimmers more then just swimming. Read More