Category Archives: News

Sullivan Pavilion Moves Forward

News Progress Posted on by

•June 13, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Sullivan City Council at their last meeting decided to move forward with the construction of the square pavilion.

Up to $25,000 has been confirmed in donations with the council matching up to $25,000 with city TIF funds.

City Administrator Dan Flannell is reaching out to local contractors in an effort to decide whether the city could wave the bidding process. He emphasized this would get the project underway within a reasonable timeframe.  Read More

Million Dollar Quartet Worth A Million To See!

News Progress Posted on by

•June 13, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

If you happen to be standing outside the Little Theatre when this musical is playing, you may see the theatre’s foundation shift and the roof rattle. There is a whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on inside because Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins are setting the stage on fire.

More than a few have said that this is the best musical they have ever seen here so don’t be that person standing outside. Get your tickets now because this will be a sellout.

This jukebox musical recounts that historic day of December 4, 1956 when Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins happened by chance to all visit Sun Records studio for the one and only time they would all play together. Fortunately, the jam session was recorded and is considered a seminal moment to rock and roll. Read More

Fifteen Years of Controlling Pests in Moultrie Co.

News Progress Posted on by

•June 6, 2018•

Moultrie County Pest Control is showing its appreciation to Moultrie County and their customers for all their support in the last 15 years with a celebration.

Owners Rob and Michelle Young will host a customer appreciation open house on Saturday, June 9 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Sullivan VFW. Food will be served and prizes awarded; a DJ and balloon animals for the kids will provide entertainment.

Rob Young grew up in Lovington and after high school, moved to Mattoon. While living in Mattoon he worked for several years with other pest control companies. He moved back to Moultrie County to Sullivan in 2003 to help with his family’s funeral home part-time, and that is when he started to think about starting his own business.  Read More

Three Big Events Kick off Summer Season for  Arthur area

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Ariana Cherry
The introduction of the sewing machine improved quilting and clothes making, as demonstrated inside the Mose Yoder home during the Sheep to Sew event at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center.

•June 6, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

The first weekend in June brought a variety of events for both tourist and local residents to enjoy in Arthur. From sheep shearing to browsing, a variety of crafts and antiques at the Back 40 Market to getting refreshed from the heat while drinking a strawberry shake-up at the Strawberry Jam, the possibilities for everyone were endless.

Along Route 133 at the new site of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center near Chesterville, the Sheep to Clothing event took place Saturday, June 2. Folks were able to get a chance to watch and even try their hand at shearing wool from sheep, watch wool be strung into yarn, quilting and even some weaving.

The Moses Yoder farmhouse was open for a walk back in time.  Read More

Okaw Valley Alumni Wall of Fame Inductee

News Progress Posted on by

•June 6, 2018•

Dan Flannell from the Bethany High School class of 1970 is the 2018 Alumni Wall of Fame inductee for Okaw Valley schools.

To be nominated an individual must have been a graduate of Bethany, Findlay, or Okaw Valley. Nominations are based on an individual’s contribution to society and community, the betterment of mankind or occupational/endeavor recognition.

This nominee earned his degree in finance at the University of Illinois in 1974 and later graduated law school from the University of Illinois in 1977.  Read More

ALAH School District Approves Tentative Budget/Calendar

News Progress Posted on by

•June 6, 2018•

Budget hearing scheduled June 20

By Ariana Cherry
for The News Progress

Superintendent Kenny Schwengel noted that the balance of all funds is $5,091,708.56 at the last meeting of the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School Board.

“All funds are in good shape aside from the transportation fund,” he said. “We are still waiting on a $144,000 transportation payment from the state,”

There was an abatement of the working cash fund, and $52,000 were moved from the education fund to the transportation fund. A tentative 2018 budget was approved and a budget hearing will be held at 6 p.m. June 20.

Other items that were discussed or voted upon: Read More

Historical Society Announces History Competition Winners

News Progress Posted on by

•June 6, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

The Historical and Genealogy Society has created its first history contest for Sullivan high school students. The objective of the contest is to foster an interest in local history and get students more involved with the HGSMC.

“We contacted Marcia Kirby, history teacher at the high school, and she agreed to offer the project for credit to her students,” Joe Pound began.  “They were given a list of topics to consider for their projects and the option of entering in the competition.”

From there 46 entries were submitted to the HGSMC judging panel of Joe Pound, Phillip Martin and Janet Roney. The certificates and cash awards were presented at Awards Day.

First place ($100) went to Christian Hopper and two $50 awards went to Dalton Rogers and Brett Berger who tied for second. Honorable mention went to Krista Hector and Jon Mathias. Read More

Bluebirds Abound in Tabor Park

News Progress Posted on by

•June 6, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

The trees in Tabor Park are alive with the sounds of four pairs of nesting bluebirds.  They are there because Bill Burger saw one while running one day and set about to attract more. To date, he has built and installed 14 bluebird boxes in the park and Greenhill Cemetery.

A retired speech pathologist from Mattoon High School, Burger has always been an avid outdoorsman and does a lot of woodworking. It was natural to combine his two interests to benefit the park where he runs almost every day.

In the process he has learned a lot about bluebirds. He notes, “They are fun to watch. The male will show the female several boxes, but she makes the selection of which box to use. The male gathers the preferred pine needles or prairie grasses, but the female weaves the most exquisite little nest with every strand perfectly in place.” Read More

Validating the Importance Of a Moment and a Memory

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Ariana Cherry
Valedictorian and ALAH Class president Macy Hollingsworth addresses graduating classmates during commencement exercises held May 25 in the Arthur gymnasium.

•May 30, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
of The News Progress

The gym was filed with high energy and excitement as the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond class of 2018 walked down the aisle to graduation – the last chapter of their lives as school students which they had been anticipating for so many years.

Summer had set in early, and waves of commencement programs fluttered back and forth as family, friends and school faculty fanned themselves to stay cool. It was time to send another class of students out into the world. Sitting there, it was easy to reminisce of my own personal high school graduation so many years ago as well as, thinking into the future, when my own daughter will be graduating high school the following year.

These students have created so many memories in the last 14 years…and now, they were about to create one more. Read More

Summer Reading Kicks Off At Elizabeth Titus Library

News Progress Posted on by

•May 30, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
for The News Progress

School is out, summer is here and the kids are home for the next couple of months.

Before the summer “boredom” kicks in make sure they pick up a book and join in the reading fun at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library in Sullivan.

The summer reading kick off is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, June 1. There will be no cost to the public-everything is free!

The kids will have plenty of fun with kid carnival type games, two inflatables, a life-sized Candyland game, a book walk, crafts, cotton candy and snow cones. During the reading kick-off, the public is invited to join in all the activities and sign up their children for the summer reading program. This will be a wonderful way to make reading fun and build up excitement for the kids. Read More