•December 13, 2017•

By Madison Ulrich
For The News Progress

It is true that the holiday season brings with it a flurry of memories and a tradition of reminiscence. No doubt that everyone has their own favorite experiences and moments.

But what makes Christmas perfect? Maybe it’s the gifts, the under-the-tree treasures, maybe it’s the family we get to see after such a long time apart, or maybe it’s just the excited energy in the air.

Maybe it’s all three, but it’s different for everyone.  Read More

•December 6, 2017•

Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England conducted a lottery to determine candidates placement on the March primary ballot Tuesday, December 5.

The Democrats and Republicans both held a lottery in the county board meeting room at the courthouse for Treasurer ballot placement on each respective party ballot.  Read More

Photo submitted
Pictured is the Jefferson Theater.

•November 29, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

After the Titus Opera House was consumed in fire, Irving Shuman built the Jefferson Theater on the corners of Jefferson and Hamilton streets. It was a two-story building, and the entire outside was covered in a white, pearlized brick that was the first of its kind in Sullivan.

As the new theater neared completion Shuman asked Mayor Johnson, County Judge Grider and Circuit Clerk Gaddis to act as judges in a naming contest for the new theater. The name Jefferson Theater was submitted by both Genevieve Lowe and Mrs. C. O. Patterson for three reasons: first, the building was located on Jefferson street, second, the name brought to mind the great figure of the American stage, Joseph Jefferson, who was famous for portraying Rip Van Winkle, and third, because Thomas Jefferson was “the greatest Democrat in the history of our nation and wrote the Declaration of Independence”. Read More

Dr. Anne Walk

•November 29, 2017•

By Erin Valentine
For the News Progress

A look into our eyes tells more than ever before.

If your diet consists of burgers and fries over kale and spinach, it is now visible to scientists studying the effects of the nutrient lutein. And a lack of lutein could catch up with us both physically and mentally, according to research from University of Illinois’ Body Composition and Nutritional Neuroscience Lab, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health.

Anne Walk is a postdoctoral research associate at the University. She and her husband Ted, Sullivan superintendent of schools, also own Dedicated Realty in Sullivan.

Walk is part of the research group discovering the effects of lutein, a nutrient found primarily in green, leafy vegetables such as kale, turnip greens, spinach and romaine lettuce, avocados, eggs and yellow carrots. Their findings have been featured in the November issue of Woman’s Day and online for Reader’s Digest and Men’s Health. The new information was first published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Moultrie County Courthouse became a classroom with students from Okaw Valley High School civics classes participating in a mock trial. Circuit Judge Bradford Rau presided over the case with Brad Ackers students filling all other roles in the courtroom.

•November 29, 2017•

An Okaw Valley high school jury decided the driver of a stolen car was doing a good deed rather than committing a crime as they returned a not guilty verdict during mock trial proceedings in Moultrie County Circuit Court Nov. 17.

OVHS social studies teacher Brad Ackers took his civics classes to the Moultrie County Courthouse Friday. The students participated in a mock trial over which sitting Moultrie County Circuit Judge Brad Rau presided.

“The simulation allowed our civic students to fill the roles in the courtroom ranging from court reporters, clerks, prosecutors and defense attorneys to defendants, witnesses, jurors and bailiff,” Akers said of the exercise. “This gives them a chance to experience trial procedures in the actual setting.”

That setting was complete with presiding Circuit Judge Rau on the bench. Rau not only guided the students through the court procedure but answered questions afterwards.

His comments were based on his background as prosecutor and public defender, explaining he had defended people who were guilty in the past and was able to get them released when prosecutors failed to present a solid case. Read More