Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Governor’s Volunteer Service Award Winner Genny Sutton.

•May 3, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

On Thursday. April 27 at the Senior Center, 99 year old Genevieve “Genny” Sutton was surrounded by adoring family and legions of friends as she received the prestigious 2017 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award from Norma Piper. Sutton was one of six recipients in the Senior Awardees category and was selected from over 200 nominees statewide.

Piper, RSVP coordinator for Moultrie County, had nominated Sutton and traveled to Springfield to accept the award on Sutton’s behalf. While there, she was in the same elevator as one of the judges who told her, “When I read Genny’s biography, I knew she had to win.”

For more than 70 years Sutton has devoted 20-30 hours a month volunteering in Sullivan. Known for founding and coaching a women’s softball league as well as bowling leagues - they are the two activities she enjoyed the most. She was voted Bowler of the Year and elected to the Sullivan Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame and in her spare time also played in a kitchen band. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Mason Point Choir seated from left: Norma Standerfer, Jackie Grace; back row: Leanna Stickles, Jean Dulik, Marc Hall, Weldon and Judy Brown, Eva Ethington and Evelyn Lane.

•April 26, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

In their Easter bonnets with all the frills upon them, the nine-member Mason Point choir strolled through the audience in the Knights building singing “Easter Parade”, and for the next hour entertained with a program of oldies but goodies for the Mason Point Easter party April 21.

The 13 vocal selections included Over the Rainbow, Sunny Side of the Street, a duet of 16 Tons by Marc Hall and Weldon Brown, It Had to Be You, Side By Side and ending with Take Me Out to the Ballgame with the audience rooting for the Cardinals or Cubbies. Cookies, snacks and fruit punch were served.

Jean Dulik organized the choir and made all the Easter hats for the group. Other members are Eva Ethington, Norma Standerfer, Evelyn Lane, Judy and Weldon Brown, Marc Hall, Jackie Grace and Leanna Stickles. Read More

Cautions Politicians About Rumors

•April 19, 2017•

Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England announced her run for reelection, while dispelling “coffee shop talk”, at the April 13 county board meeting.

England, who has been the Democrat County Clerk in Moultrie County since 2001, made the announcement while clearing the air of some political rumors circulating the local circuit.

“I am going to run in 2018,” England proclaimed. “I need to clear the air about some coffee shop talk that has been going around for the past couple of weeks,” she said, addressing the eight Republican/one Democrat board. Read More

•April 19, 2017•

Coles-Moultrie e911 is calling land lines to verify data the week of April 17, Arlene Aschermann, announced at the April 13 county board meeting.

The Moultrie Co Public Safety chair, explained telephone customers randomly called in Moultrie County will be given a code to dial back. This will the verify the individual’s information in the 911 database.

In Moultrie County 776 land lines are unpublished and 1936 published. Only the published numbers will receive calls.

People with unpublished land line numbers should call 217/345-2939 to be included in 911 data base. Read More

•April 19, 2017•

By Mike Brothers
mbrothers@newsprogress.com

The Moultrie County Board approved bids for county and township roads and bridges at the April 13 meeting.

Road and Bridge Committee Chairman Kevin McReynolds moved that the County Motor Fuel Tax materials program for 2017 be awarded to low bidder Earl Walker Company for $229,765. He also made a motion concurring with township road commissioners to accept Earl Walker Company and Emulsicoat for township roads: Walker-$859,818.84 and Emulsicoat Inc- $36,960.

Both motions were approved unanimously.

McReynolds offered a resolution authorizing $43,395 state bridge funds and $12,350 local bridge funds for the Whitley Township  bridge project. Resolution passed unanimously. Read More