Category Archives: News

Matthew Smith and Indelible Grace Perform at Elim Springs

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Matthew Smith writes new melodies for old hymns

•September 11, 2019•

Matthew Smith and Indelible Grace return to Elim Springs Church of Jesus Christ for a concert Wednesday, Sept. 18.
This third appearance by the Nashville based musician and his band kicks off a nationwide tour in Sullivan which ends up in Bremerton, Wash. on Nov. 9.
“We have been to Elim Springs twice before and were well received,” Smith said, noting he reached out to church pastor Vanessa Patient and asked whether they were interested.
In addition to the 7 p.m. concert Smith will once again conduct a hymns seminar at 5 p.m.
“We have enjoyed the approach to hymns taken by Matthew Smith and Indelible Grace,” Elim Springs Pastor Vanessa Patient said of the return engagement.
“The richness of the old texts with the freshness of new tunes deepens our understanding of the ways we interact with musical worship of God,” she continued. “We look forward to hosting them again!” Read More

It’s Not Just a Picnic When County Clerk & Recorders Meet

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Zone Three County Clerk and Recorders -Back Row from left: Mark Sheldon - Champaign Co. Recorder, Michael Gianasi - Christian Co. Clerk/Recorder, Josh Tanner Macon Co. Clerk, Mary Kennedy - Moultrie Co. Deputy Clerk, Dana Smith - DeWitt Co. Clerk/Recorder, Laura Lee - Clark Co. Clerk/Recorder, Dawn Kupler - Woodford Co. Clerk/Recorder.
Front Row: Jessica Fox - Shelby Co. Clerk/Recorder, Mary Eaton - Macon Co. Recorder, Lindsey Light - Vermilion Co. Election Deputy, Cathy Jenkins - Vermilion Co. Clerk, Theresa Moore - Logan Co. Clerk/Recorder, Kristy Masching - Livingston Co. Clerk/Recorder, Judi Pollock - Douglas Co. Clerk/Recorder, Georgia England - Moultrie Co. Clerk/Recorder, Jill Kenyon - Marshall Co. Clerk/Recorder, Bev Howard - Cumberland Co. Clerk/Recorder, Julie Coe - Coles Co. Clerk/Recorder.

•September 11, 2019•

The 3rd Annual Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders Zone III picnic meeting was held at Purcell’s Pond located near Decatur August 29.
The meeting this year was hosted by Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England with the meal provided by her election vendor, Liberty Systems LLC. There were 18 clerk/recorders present, along with four deputy clerks, four representatives from the State Board of Elections/ISP-STIC, seven vendors and three guests.
England stated that all Zone meetings consist of a business meeting, legislative review, updates from the State Board of Elections, STIC (Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center), Department of Revenue, and by any vendors attending the meeting.
One of the hottest topics at the August meeting was regarding elections and cyber security.
A couple of Illinois counties have made the news recently regarding Iranian attacks to websites causing concerns to many citizens.
Counties were advised that the best protection of county systems are when county boards recognize the importance of getting all the county offices on board, not just the county clerk’s office. Read More

CEFS Head Start is Accepting Applications

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•September 4, 2019•

C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 program is a free federally funded program that provides comprehensive classroom and home-based educational services to pregnant women and children ages 0-5.
Preschool center-based classrooms provide daily lesson plans that advance the children’s self-confidence, problem solving skills, and social development.
Head Start center in Moultrie County is located at 203 S. Graham St. in Sullivan. Read More

City Approves Winifred Titus Home Purchase

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Illustration furnished
Drawing of the Titus home by Francis Elder while Winifred still lived there.

•September 4, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

Although the Sullivan City Council purchased the Winifred Titus Manor at 513 Worth St for $210,000, it won’t cost the city anything.
At a special city council meeting held at Elizabeth Titus Library Thursday, Aug. 29 Mayor Richard Glazebrook moved to purchase Titus Manor from Titus-Sentel estate trustee Busey Bank at private sale for the appraised amount of $210,000. Mike Fowler seconded with Abbey Sherwood, Chuck Woodworth and Peggy Hargis unanimously approving the purchase. Read More

Special City Council Session set for Titus Property Action

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Photo by Mike Brothers
New Sullivan street sweeper has been put to good use over the summer.

•August 28, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

Sullivan City Council ended the regular meeting Aug. 26, in closed session to discuss Titus property pricing and potential acquisition of real estate. Action expected during a 6:00 p.m. special meeting Thursday, Aug. 29 at Elizabeth Titus Library.
Ted Walk and Laurrie Minor, representing Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development, suggested the city consider providing a 75% tax increment incentive to developers interested in the city’s 17 acres located in a TIF district south of the city.
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood reported sections of Tabor Park would be closed for rip rap operations and a moisture issue has developed inside the civic center. She noted the new utility metering systems are progressing and moved that the contract with former clerk Monte Johnson be extended for two months. All members present approved. Read More

Miss Sullivan Pageant

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•August 28, 2019•
The 2019 Miss Sullivan Pageants will be held Sunday, September 22 at 1:00 p.m. in the Sullivan Elementary School gymnasium.
A Little Miss, Junior Miss, and Miss Sullivan will be crowned and represent the city of Sullivan over the next year and will compete in the Miss Moultrie-Douglas Pageants in July 2020. Read More

Alumni Banquet at Building 1225

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•August 28, 2019•
By Ralph Kirk
for The News Progress

Over 3,000 Sullivan alumni from this area and all across the country have been invited to party at Building 1225 in Sullivan on October 5 to celebrate their Sullivan High School heritage.
Many of the class of 1959 will be celebrating their 60th graduation anniversary, and the class of 1969 will be saluted for their 50th.
There will be a catered dinner, music from the 60s (the class of 1969 is the final class from the 60s to graduate), awards presented and lots of reminiscing and visiting time. Janet Roney, a local historian and artist, will be the master of ceremonies. Read More

Primary Candidate Petitions At County Clerk’s Office

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•August 28, 2019•
Nominating petitions for candidates planning to run in the March 17, 2020 General Primary Election will be available in Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England’s office September 3.
The first day to circulate petitions for established political parties is September 3, 2019. Filing period is November 25 and December 2, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and December 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read More

ALAH Board Looks into APPTEGY, a New School Branding Tool

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•August 28, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

At the beginning of his superintendent’s report during the ALAH School Board meeting on Wednesday, August 21, Superintendent Shannon Creek noted that he had visited all the schools in the district during registration, and they were all very busy with a lot of activity going on.
Amanda Romine reported that the online registration was very successful for the district. Arthur Grade School had 141 students who had preregistered online, Atwood: 114; Lovington: 66 and ALAH had 161.
High school principal Steffanie Seegmiller noted that more than 50% of the high school students had registered online before August 7. Staff members said that overall it was a positive experience for parents who registered their students for school and that they would reevaluate for next year to see what would need changed, etc. Read More

ADM/BLDD Grants Support to Okaw Valley High School Ag. Project

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Okaw Valley Ag instructor Wes Wise and student inoculate calf at Friday open house

Okaw Valley Has A Farm E-I-E-I-O

•August 21, 2019•

By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

The Okaw Valley High School erg program held an open house and media opportunity on August 16 to showcase their new one million dollar ag building and state-of-the-art ag educational program Friday, August 16.
The ag building’s color compliments the school colors. It is located behind the high school and looks somewhat like a fire station until an earthy aroma tells you that farm animals are inside.
Housed within is a large classroom, a lab, four large holding pens and another large work area. Future plans call for the addition of four pens to house more animals.
Ag instructor and farm owner, Wes Wise, welcomed the visitors and outlined the morning’s activities which included a tour of the facilities, animal viewing, equipment demonstrations and animal care.
Wise explained the provenance of the program.
‘We are extremely grateful to ADM Cares and BLDD for the grants to initiate this unique educational opportunity. ADM recognizes the importance of farm crops which fuel their industry, and they invest in their own future by creating programs like these to introduce students to a farming career at the high school level.’
“We have 160 students in the high school and 95 are enrolled in the erg program. Only one of the 95 students comes from a farm family so it has been an eye-opener for many of the students,” he continued. “Many of them are now planning careers in the agri-business field as a direct result of this program.” Read More