Category Archives: News

Emergency Order Helps Open Sullivan for Business

News Progress Posted on by

•June 3, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

Restaurants are serving food and alcohol in designated outdoor areas following an executive order issued by Mayor Richard Glazebrook.
During the May 26 city council meeting the mayor explained that the order approving outdoor dining and drinks is to facilitate the June 1 phased opening in Illinois.
Under the order declaring an emergency the mayor acted to facilitate the businesses in town by designating parking spots in front of establishments for outdoor dining with the city exploring the option of relocating picnic tables from Wyman Park to establish outdoor gathering zones. Traffic barriers are also being provided by the city.
In their first in-person meeting since the stay at home order in March, the city commissioners gathered at the Elizabeth Titus Library with approval of extending the ordinance declaring an emergency approved by commissioners Abbey Sherwood, Mike Fowler, Peggy Hargis and Chuck Woodworth. Read More

Lights Go On for Windsor High School 2020 Graduates

News Progress Posted on by

Salutatorian Hannah Reed

•June 3, 2020•
The lights were turned on in Windsor supporting the bright future for high school graduates of the Class of 2020.
The community was asked at 9:00 pm on Friday, May 29 to turn on their porch lights for 20 minutes and 20 seconds in support of the bright future the new graduates have before them.
Windsor High School Seniors graduated in individual ceremonies on Thursday, May 28. WHS graduates reserved an appointment time for themselves and four family members.
Then on Friday, May 29th at 7:00 pm., the graduates paraded through town, following the Windsor Harvest Picnic Parade route, to allow the community to celebrate the seniors’ accomplishments!
Principal Jennifer Bridges explained as soon as time allows, all pieces of the two days will be pieced together and placed on YouTube, so the graduates and community can watch the full graduation ceremony. Read More

Correction

News Progress Posted on by

In the 2020 Graduation Keepsake that was included in the May 27 edition of the News Progress and May 28, edition of Fish Wrap page 8 was inadvertently omitted.
The special section will be included with the correct page 8 in the June 3rd edition of The News Progress.
We apologize for the error.
Sullivan News Group

Campgrounds Open at Lake Shelbyville

News Progress Posted on by

•May 29, 2020•

Lake Shelbyville - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville would like to announce Coon Creek, Forrest W. "Bo" Wood, Lithia Springs, and Opossum Creek campgrounds are now open. Lone Point Campground and Wilborn Creek Group Camp are closed until further notice. There is no change to reservable and non-reservable sites at Bo Wood, Coon Creek and Lithia Springs from previous seasons. All payments at fee booths are by credit or debit card only. Opossum Creek Campground is now 100% reservable and campers must have a reservation through R1S prior to setting up on a campsite. Campers are reminded to follow CDC guidelines while recreating at Lake Shelbyville.
For campsite availability or to make a reservation, please visit www.recreation.gov. Reservations by phone at 1-877-444-6777 are scheduled to resume on July 1, 2020. For additional information, please call the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217)774-3951.

COVID 19 Self-Isolates States Attorney’s Office

News Progress Posted on by

•May 28, 2020•
The Moultrie County State’s Attorneys office staff is under quarantine which will postpone criminal and traffic cases scheduled early the first week of the courthouse reopening.
State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver explained the procedure for the week of June 1.
“Some members of the State's Attorney's Office are self-isolating due to potential exposure to COVID-19
“Out of an abundance of caution, criminal and traffic cases scheduled for the early part of next week have been rescheduled.
“We anticipate that those potentially impacted will return to work later next week,” State’s Attorney Weaver explained.

ALAH Schools Reinvented the Finishing of the Year

News Progress Posted on by

District receives $261,000 through the CARES ACT

•May 27, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Members of the ALAH School Board met via Google Hangout as some remained at home, while a few others met at the high school to practice social distancing during the COVID19 pandemic.
After approving the consent agenda, Kevin Heid presented a bond presentation for informational purposes for members of the board.
Superintendent Shannon Cheek gave the Treasurer’s report after the presentation. “We are up to date on payments from the state, although we have only received one payment for transportation for this fiscal year. I would like to remain optimistic, but realistically, the other payment will probably not be coming in for this present fiscal year,” he informed.
The district was also grateful for two donations that it received. Curtis Plank and Eric Plank were part of the “League of Champions.” The games for their league was canceled because of the pandemic, and they had extra unused money. Read More

ALAH Class of 2020 Has Drive Through Ceremony

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished

•May 27, 2020•
The Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond Class of 2020 received diplomas in a drive through ceremony Tuesday,May 14.
Held at the Moultrie Douglas County Fair Merchant building a make shift stage was built for the event which ran from 12:30 to 7:00 p.m.
There were 78 members of the class with each senior announced and receiving diplomas from Supt. Shannon Creek and ALAH principal Steffanie Seegmiller.
The senior with family arrived at the north entrance of the merchant building driving toward the south. The senior only exited the vehicle received a diploma and a photograph then leave the south exit.
Each senior received a thumb drive of the ceremony and two photos.
ALAH Class of 2020 seniors completed online questionnaires from the New Progress and we are glad to share them with our readers.
Abigail Abercrombie is the daughter of Dan and Sara Abercrombie and April Carter all of Arthur.
Future Plans: I plan to attend Eastern Illinois University (four-year program) and major in pre-veterinary medicine. My career goal is to become a veterinarian. I have received a merit scholarship from EIU.
Madison Allen is the daughter of Cynthia and Derrill Allen of Arthur. Read More

Dreams Come True

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by R. R. Best
Dreams Come True
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high, and the dreams that you dream of once in a lullaby. Photographer R.R. Best caught a photograph of this double rainbow over Sullivan last weekend. So if you believe dreams can come true it just might be true.

Real Estate Tax Bills Mailed, First Installment Due in July

News Progress Posted on by

•May 20, 2020•

After much discussion with the levying bodies, the State’s Attorney, and county board members made the difficult decision to maintain the tax cycle and mailing of tax bills as we have always done in the past.
We know these times have been trying for many, but we also know we need to keep moving forward. We reviewed the Illinois State Statutes and the requirements by law for the tax due dates and levying body distributions. Read More

Mental Health is Important Everywhere, Every Month

News Progress Posted on by

•May 20, 2020•
Moultrie Counseling Center in Sullivan deals with mental health issues on the front line every day. Now more than ever is a time for awareness.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and comes at an appropriate time, as we are all struggling on some level with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like the virus, anxiety about the pandemic is contagious, so we need to work to maintain our own emotional equilibrium.
This is especially true for so many on the front lines of COVID, including behavioral health professionals. We are proud to recognize Mental Health Month and celebrate the behavioral health heroes on the front lines.
The Importance of Mental Health Awareness
According to a recent article written by Jean Holthaus, LISW, MSW, mental illnesses affect 19% of the adult population, 46% of teenagers and 13% of children each year. People struggling with their mental health may be in your family, live next door, teach your children, work in the next cubicle or sit in the same church pew. Read More