Category Archives: News

White Cross Mission Serves Tea And Makes Dresses

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Photo furnished

•March 11, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Women on a Mission of the First Baptist Church held their annual White Cross Tea on March 7.
The event was open to the pubic and attendees were served several flavors of tea and assorted pastries.
The tables were beautifully set with small pots of Spring flowers, colorful china teacups and vintage teapots. The pastry buffet was laden with cookies, scones, bread pudding, tea cakes and cupcakes.
Following the tea, the ladies attended a White Cross workshop to make dresses from pillow cases for little girls and hygiene pads for older girls in Africa.
Stations were set up in Fellowship Hall for cutting, ironing, assembling and sewing.
The attendees chose their stations and set about the tasks at hand.
There were 25 ladies from Sullivan and area churches working at four portable sewing machines and ironing boards, while others cut the pillow cases and assembled them into sun dresses. Read More

Obituaries 3-11-2020: Virginia Eaton

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Virginia Eaton
Virginia Lee Eaton, age 95, of Mattoon passed away at 12:50 p.m. Thursday, March 5, 2020, in Heartland Christian Village.
Memorial services honoring her life will begin at 12 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at East Side Church of the Nazarene, 2129 South 9th Street in Mattoon with Pastor Cameron Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Bethel Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday at the church. Schilling Funeral Home in Mattoon is assisting the family.
Virginia was born May 8, 1924, in Moultrie County, Illinois, the daughter of Harry C. and Anna (Chaney) Pettit. She married Nehemiah Eaton August 1, 1959, and he preceded her in death in 2001.
Survivors include her children Joyce Baugher (daughter-in-law) of Neoga, Kenneth Phillips (son-in-law) of Mattoon, Teresa (Richard) Turner of Bartlesville, Okla., Marsha Beals of Columbia, Tenn., Cheryl (Greg) Poorman of Oklahoma City, Okla., Carol Edwards of Tulsa, Okla. and Julia (Kevin) Ricke of Bingham, Ill.; 17 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and children Jeannine Phillips, John Eaton and Roger Baugher.
Virginia was a housewife and worked at Brown Shoe Factory in Sullivan and General Electric and RR Donnelley in Mattoon. She was a member of East Side Church of the Nazarene in Mattoon. Virginia loved selling Sara Coventry Jewelry, Princess House Crystal, and Longaberger Baskets because she met new people and made new friends at every party. Most of all, Virginia enjoyed spending time with her family, especially all of her grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Memorial donations in her honor may be given to East Side Church of the Nazarene.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.schillingfuneralhome.net or Schilling Funeral Home’s Facebook page.

What was the Origin and is the Destination of Sullivan Illinois 61951?

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•March 4, 2020•
By Joe Pound
Special to News Progress

The written record of the ORIGIN of City of Sullivan as the County Seat of Moultrie County Illinois is thin, yet there are sufficient records to tell us that March of 1845 is when the City of Sullivan was so designated by the Moultrie County Commissioners in an official meeting.
According to the records of I. J. Martin, resident and recorder of this city, the City of Sullivan was surveyed that month using 40 acres of vacant land that was sold by its owner to create this new City.
In the 175 years since that beginning, the City has grown to be a stable, comfortable place to live, work and play.
For a more comprehensive view of this interesting city, I refer you to Fragments of the History of Sullivan, Illinois written and published in 2018 by my friend, Robert Eden Martin (REM), former resident and now retired attorney located in the Chicago area. REM has an excellent web site for more historical details…EdenMartin.com. Read More

Early Voting Could be Good for Your Health

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•March 4, 2020•
Voters may prefer to cast their ballots early rather than risk health issues related to concerns over COVID-19.
“With the big “C” virus we want to encourage early voting,” Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England urged.
“Many people want to avoid large crowds or places where a lot of people pass through…the answer: Early Vote!” she emphasized. Read More

Colored Pencil Art Workshop Offered in Sullivan

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•March 4, 2020•
The Sullivan Art Club will kick off its 2020 season with a workshop on Saturday, March 21 at the St. Columcille Church hall located on the east end of the church at the corner of West Jackson and McClellan Streets.
There is a dedicated entrance to the hall adjacent to the parking lot. The workshop will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with an hour break for lunch. Participants may bring a sack lunch or dine at one of the area restaurants. Read More

SHS Students Work with Community to Support Deployed Graduates

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•February 26, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Sullivan High School Principal Daniel Allen told the school board about a new program where high school students and the community are working together to support graduates who are being deployed.
The group is especially focused on members of the National Guard 130th infantry and 82nd airborne the principal emphasized.
Melissa Nichol’s art students created a powerful display honoring all of them. It is displayed on the office door.
Rebecca Lawson and her students are coordinating with community groups to gather items to be shipped overseas to support former students.
On January 25 at 8:00 am, a special meeting of the school board was held to discuss some of the current needs of the schools in District 300.
Elementary School Principal, Heather Ethell discussed enrollment, class sizes, staffing, literary curriculum, and building needs that included a preschool playground, flooring and restroom upgrades. Read More

Early Voting is an Advantage for Moultrie County Citizens

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Lovington voter Barry Morgan took a few minutes to vote early for March 17 primary election candidates. Early voting is 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Moultrie County Clerk’s office.

•February 26, 2020•
Early voting is an advantage for Moultrie County citizens, allowing them to choose when to cast their ballots.
Through March 16 voters can vote from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the County Clerk’s office in the Moultrie County Courthouse, Sullivan.
County Clerk Georgia England pointed out early voting allows the voter to choose when to vote. Early voting is a convenient way to avoid unpredictable weather and the polling places on primary election day Tuesday, March 17. Read More

The Titus Home is Coming Down

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•February 26, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

The Winifred Titus home is coming down.
The Sullivan City County unanimously authorized demolition of the Titus Home and carriage house at the Feb. 24 regular meeting.
Preparation was also made to allow interior items to be salvaged prior to demolition.
The council also approved entering into a TIF agreement with the Sullivan Fire and Ambulance District for a lump sum payment of $211.198.
In a special Sullivan City Council study session on strategic planning held Feb. 20 the reason’s to demolish the century old structure were discussed.
Mayor Richard Glazebrook introduced discussion on the Winifred Titus home, noting the recent $1.4 million estimate to renovate the home into commercial property might be money spent better elsewhere.
“I feel it should come down,” Mayor Glazebrook said of the century old home. “It is a burden and will continue to deteriorate. It would be a shame to watch it decay.” Read More

County Moves Ahead with Corrections Software Upgrades

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•February 19, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

Moultrie County Board approved reserve funds to upgrade sheriff’s office corrections software at the Feb. 13 meeting.
Moultrie County Sheriff Chris Sims explained the Phoenix Corrections Management Software is an upgrade to the booking system which communicates with the statewide system.
County board chairman Dave McCabe recommended the sheriff negotiate a lump sum payment for the software upgrade rather than continue payments over five years to participate in the state booking system.
In the motion to transfer $70,000 from reserves McCabe said the lump sum payment negotiated by Sheriff Sims saved the county some $50,000 over the five years.
Sims also reported new state law requires Animal Control adoptions to include spay and neuter fees. Cost to adopt a pet is $20 plus those veterinary fees. Read More

Kiss The Pig Contest Livens Mason Point’s Valentine Party

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Ansley Titus brought forth the piglet wrapped in a blanket ready for a kiss from Mason Point Administrator Darin Wall.

•February 19, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

Mason Point’s activity and medical staffs orchestrated a lovely Valentine’s Day program in the Knight’s Building on February 14.
Nearly 70 residents were seated at the red, pink and white tables while they were entertained by Cindy McClelland Rhodes of Cindy’s Kareoke.
Cindy has been performing her show for some 15 years for nursing homes and at American Legions. Her programs are mostly Country/Western and include such favorites as “Coal Miner’s Daughter”, “Coat of Many Colors”, “This Ole House”, and ‘’What a Friend We Have in Jesus”.
Her musical program brought several couples to the dance floor including Mason Point Administrator Darin Wall and his mom, Virginia.
“This is the best Valentine Day ever.” Long-time resident, Jackie Grace said. “We have had so much fun this week.”
The dining room staff featured decorated Valentine cookies, cups of strawberry mousse and sparkling punch. Each lady guest received a carnation.
Penny and Dan Moschenrose brought their Valentine Day gift – a little puppy named Baby Buttons all dressed up in a big red bow for the festivities. Read More