Category Archives: News

Bethany Alumni Banquet Offers Many Firsts

News Progress Posted on by

•September 20, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

John Schwartz, a 1968 graduate of Bethany High School, recently retired from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Director Credibility Assessment Division Office of Internal Affairs, U. S. Customs and Border Protection, and he will be the guest speaker at the Alumni Association’s banquet Saturday, October 7.

Several changes have been made to this year’s celebration. A live band will perform for the first time, courtesy of Bill Rowe, and the venue this year will be the Bethany Grade School gym. Also, for the first time, the 2017 and 2018 Okaw Valley seniors have been invited to attend. The classes of 1967 and 1992 will be honored. Read More

Moultrie County Partners with State For Liquor Inspection Pilot Program

News Progress Posted on by

•September 13, 2017•

In an effort to improve the allocation of alcohol beverage compliance resources, the state of Illinois and Moultrie County have recently joined forces to launch the Moultrie County Liquor Inspection Pilot Program.

Under the agreement, the Moultrie County Health Department has begun carrying out Standard Liquor Inspections for all Moultrie County license holders on behalf of the state of Illinois. Utilizing existing state resources, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) is providing financial assistance and training for designated local inspectors.  Read More

Trustee Quits Lovington Village Board

News Progress Posted on by

•September 13, 2017•

During an August 14 meeting the Lovington Village Board voted not to allow Otto Wash to put portable storage units on the lot north of the car wash.

Village clerk Alma Fair reported the village is preparing to allow employees direct deposit once she has completed training.

On a motion by Dennis Garmon the board approved procedures for overtime when employees are called out. This includes time clock verification or supervising trustee approval when the time clock is not available.

The Lovington Revilatization Coaltion chair Tamara McRill requested permission for the group to have a wiener roast at the park with portable fire pits at 2 p.m. October 15, and approval was granted. Read More

Sullivan Homecoming Week Action

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Marsha Kirby
Sullivan Homecoming Candidates
Sullivan senior king and queen candidates. Front row from right: Abby Cravatta, Madisyn Dickens, Kaitlynn McClure, Madison Moll, Chloe Riley. Back row: Bryce Hubbard, Isaiah Plank, Zach Sowers, Gavin Sullivan, Jacob White.

•September 13, 2017•

Sullivan High School is gearing up for homecoming the week of September 18. With the theme of Seasons, each class will construct their floats Monday through Thursday.

Students will enjoy a cookout Friday, Sept. 22 and then begin the annual pep assembly, games and Mr. Redskin pageant at 12:30.

The parade will kick off at 4 p.m. with line-up beginning at 3 p.m. in the high school parking lot. The football game against Meridian will kick-off at 7 p.m. with the announcement of the court at halftime.  Read More

County Board Explores Remote Meeting Attendance

News Progress Posted on by

•September 13, 2017•

By Mike Brothers
for the News Progress

Faced with attendance challenges the Moultrie County Board Legislative Committee is looking into allowing remote attendance of meetings.

Committee chair Tim Rose presented the proposed resolution authorizing remote attendance at the September 5 meeting to the three member committee. Rose explained the resolution followed open meetings act guidelines.

County board chair Dave McCabe joined Todd Maxedon in voting to recommend the resolution to the full county board, due to the absence of committee member Mike Barringer. Read More

Investing in People Makes Life Better and Communties Stronger

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
State Treasurer Mike Frerichs and News Progress manager Carolyn Collier during newspaper visit Sept. 1.

•September 6, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Helping people invest in themselves is a commitment for Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs. “Investing in people makes life better and our communities stronger.”

Frerichs made a pre-Labor Day weekend visit to Sullivan Sept. 1, stopping by the News Progress office accompanied by his third grade daughter, Ella.

In a state known for having no money Frerichs’ job presents opportunity to generate income for Illinois by managing $12 billion invested in 700 different funds.

Through savings programs for college, people with disabilities and the ICash program the treasurer’s office continues to help people invest in themselves. Read More

Years of Memories in the Making at the Arthur Cheese Festival

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Ariana Cherry
All About the Cheese at the Arthur Cheese Festival as these artists compete in the cheese carving contest at the 45th annual festival held Labor Day weekend.

Many Visitors Return

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Beautiful warm sunny skies and the welcoming of Labor Day weekend found itself celebrating at the 45th Annual Arthur Cheese Festival.

Crowds flocked the streets of the small town of Arthur as they browsed various vendors and dined on the delicious appetizing festival foods that included everything from the salty addicting fries, the ever American pork-chop on a stick, corn dogs, lemon shake-ups, an array of flavorful shaved ice, a variety of sandwiches, kettle corn, free cheese samples and even a ham and bean dinner from the Arthur United Methodist Church.  Read More

Children Were Among First Residents At Mason Point 

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Children of Mason Point- Phoebe Rose Crapp, Laura Marie Crapp, Stephen John and Robert Crapp were the first and only children to live at the Masonic home in Sullivan. They are pictured during the Masonic Home’s 1905 opening ceremony.

Stayed One Year

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Robert A. Miller, a lifelong Mason, owned some 260 acres of farmland east of Sullivan, and when he died, he bequeathed all his land to the Masons. If they refused the offer, then the land was to be given to Moultrie County, and we know how that ended.

The governing board of Masons decided that a retirement home would be built to house 100 residents – indigent Masons, their wives, widows and orphans from Masonic lodges throughout Illinois.

The cornerstone was laid in 1903 and contained a copy of Mr. Miller’s Last Will and Testament, copies of Moultrie City News and the Sullivan Democrat for June 18-19, 1903 and coins of 1903. The building was built by W.F.W. Benson of Peoria at a cost of $36,926.

Most people assume that the large building facing the entrance to what is now Mason Point was the first building, but that is not the case. The first building was actually the Men’s Building or Home Building and is now called the Hart Apartments. Read More

Partnering With Community to Develop Long Term Growth

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Ellen Ferera
Brenda Crowell of My Garden waters one of the planters sponsored by the Chamber. My Garden and Buxton’s Flowers alternative care of the city planters each year.

SCED Part II

•August 30, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Last week’s article on SCED focused on the Chamber’s work with tourism and restoration enhancement. The other half of their work involves events and economic development.

“I am especially proud of our economic development efforts to beautify the city, our No Jobs Left Behind and our partnership with the city”, said SCED Executive Director, Laurrie Minor. ‘We absolutely couldn’t do it without the city’s commitment”.

As previously mentioned, SCED’s budget is $140,000 with $70,000 provided by the city which may only be used for economic development. All other projects are made possible by members’ dues, fund-raising, grants and private donations.

A good place to learn of the Chamber’s economic development is their website where you will find how to write a business plan, a list of real estate for sale, job listings, resources, area events and upcoming events. Read More

Steel Magnolias – Strong as Steel, Fragile as Magnolias

News Progress Posted on by

•August 30, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the news progress

They told me it was a chick-flick, but I really enjoyed it”, said Weldon Brown. Mitch Miller said, “I thought it was really well done” as they exited the Little Theatre after seeing “Steel Magnolias”.

And, indeed,” Steel Magnolias” has a cast of six southern women whose friendships are old as dirt and just as permanent. Their standing Saturday appointments at their she-shack, Truvy’s beauty salon, are never to be missed. “The beauty salon is women’s territory”, says M’Lynn. And, unlike the movie, the male characters are only alluded to and never seen.

The author, Robert Harling, is well-known for his sensitive portrayals of women’s relationships in other movies such as “Terms of Endearment”, The Evening Star”, and “First Wives Club”. “Steel Magnolias” was written about his sister’s death from diabetes and his need to tell her son how very special she was. The title suggests that the female characters are strong as steel but fragile as magnolias. Read More