Category Archives: News Section

Jibby’s is Coming Down

News Progress Posted on by

•June 10, 2020•
By Fred MacMurray
for the News Progress

Jibby’s Restaurant was the place to go in Sullivan, but that was long ago.
Now the famous building on Main Street where you could have a peppercorn steak and rub elbows with the stars playing at the Little Theatre on the Square has seen better days.
Vacant and deteriorating since Doug Wilson tried to revive the popular gathering place, Sullivan was faced with a future expensive demolition problem outside city hall’s back door. Read More

Shopping at Home Will Do More to Open Moultrie Co. Businesses than Berating the Governor

News Progress Posted on by

•June 10, 2020•
By Ann Wheeler
NP Guest Columnist

When driving around Sullivan, I see the signs that support opening businesses in Moultrie County and those berating Gov. Pritzker for sucking the life out of these same businesses due to his shelter-in- place order.
I assume that people who put these signs in their yards are concerned about the local businesses that have had to temporarily close or require safe protocols because of the COVID 19 virus.
Such concern is understandable as small businesses are the lifeblood of towns like Sullivan, Lovington, and Bethany.
Having grown up in Sullivan, I have watched shops and businesses close, leaving storefronts empty and buildings vacant. This loss of small businesses, however, had nothing to do with the actions of any governor, be he Republican or Democrat. More than a few of them closed because they were not supported by the community. Read More

Sullivan Approves Economy Kick Start

News Progress Posted on by

•June 10, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

Sullivan City Council approved a program to kickstart businesses and help citizens with their utility bills.
At the June 8 city council meeting Commissioner Abbey Sherwood moved the RIPPLE (Resident Incentive for Purchases to Promote the Local Economy) program be implemented for two months (June 15-Aug. 15).
Adapted from a local economic incentive plan from Frankfort in northern Illinois, any utility customer of the city of Sullivan is eligible.
Sherwood proposed that utility customers who present $100 in local restaurant receipts are eligible for a $25 utility credit from the city. Read More

Courthouse Buzz

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by R.R. Best
Courthouse Buzz
The buzz around the Moultrie County Courthouse last week surrounded a hive of bees in one of the ornamental trees on the courthouse lawn. Beekeeper Steve Buxton (left) came to the rescue. Rick Matthews cut the limb the hive was attached to and Buxton transported the population to Buxton Farms west of Sullivan where he uses them to help with pollination.

Country Financial Supports Local Fire Department with Equipment Funding Through Donation

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
SFPD receives at $1500 donation for thermometers and blood pressure cuffs. Pictured are: Tyler Wright, Grant Faulkner, Chris Wright, Fire Chief Mike Piper, Country Financial representative Elizabeth Houser and assistant Jorjia Clements.

•June 3, 2020•
Country Financial Representative Elizabeth Houser announced Sullivan Fire Protection District as the 2020 recipient of her Country Financial Operation Helping Heroes donation.
Houser presented the donation for $1,500.00 to Sullivan Fire Protection on Tuesday, May 19th, to assist with the purchase of digital thermometers and blood pressure cuffs.
“As I live and work in our community, I have seen firsthand the selfless acts of our first responders at the Sullivan Fire Department”, said Houser. “This donation is our way of giving back to our first responders and honoring their dedication to our community. I appreciate all they do to keep us safe and cared for.” Read More

County Graduates Receive Captured Moments

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society officer Paul Stone presents Sullivan High School Principal Dan Allen with one of more than 200 Captured Moments donated to all Class of 2020 graduates in the county. The pictorial coffee table book covers 175 years of Moultrie County history.

•June 3, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

Moultrie County graduates received a special gift this year - 175 years of county history.
Captured Moments, the pictorial history of Moultrie County 1843-2018, was given to some 225 graduating seniors from Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond, Sullivan and Okaw Valley high schools.
Moultrie County Historical and Genealogy Society representative Paul Stone explained the pictorial history can give the graduates some insight into the county’s history.
Stone noted that the early settlers faced obstacles and, as the county grew, the people faced physical and health challenges which may help put the current pandemic in perspective. Read More

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

MCHD Confirms 12th Positive COVID-19 Case

News Progress Posted on by

•June 3, 2020•

SULLIVAN, IL, June 3, 2020 – The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed the 12th case of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The patient is a male in his 40s and is recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials are contacting all close contacts.

To date, 429 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 12 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19.

As public organizations and businesses reopen, it is important that everyone continues to use precautions to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 infection.

To help contain the spread of COVID-19, the MCHD recommends that individuals:

  • Wash their hands routinely
  • Bypass nonessential trips into the public
  • Keep children at home
  • Maintain a physical distance of six feet from others
  • Wear a mask in public when physical distancing is not possible.

Symptoms associated with COVID-19 include fever, fatigue, a dry cough, chills, body aches, headache, sore throat and loss of smell or taste. Individuals should immediately seek medical attention if they experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, confusion, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, or a bluish color in the lips or face.

If an individual is ill with symptoms associated with coronavirus and needs medical or emergency care, they should notify their physician or emergency medical service providers of their symptoms prior to arrival.

For more information on the Moultrie County Health Department’s news, events and services, please visit www.moultriehealth.org and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moultriecountyhealth