Category Archives: News Section

Sullivan Fire Department’s New Tanker Improves Rural Fire Protection

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Photo by Mike Brothers
State Fire Marshall Matt Perez (left) announced the Fire Truck Revolving Loan program helped Sullivan Fire Protection Dist. purchase a new 3000 gallon tanker. Pictured with Perez are Sullivan Fire Dist. Chief Mike Piper, Assistant Chief Larry Edwards and Larry Peasley Maroa Fire Chief.

•December 11, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

Sullivan Fire Protection District can deliver 3000 gallons of water and dispense it in three minutes thanks to the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Program.
The new $278,335 3000 gallon tanker was on display at the Sullivan Fire department Dec. 3 when Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez announced Sullivan was one of 23 communities benefiting from 0% interest loan program.
“The Sullivan Fire Protection District was approved for a 0% loan through OSFM for a new 3000-gallon tanker, a much needed new piece of equipment,” Sullivan Fire Chief Mike Piper began. “Through the program, our station has been able to purchase a new Ladder Truck and have an ambulance box remounted on a new chassis,” he continued.
“Without the Revolving Loan Program, we may not have been able to make the purchases necessary to continue serving local residents.” Read More

Santa Visits Lovington

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Photo furnished. Santa Visits Lovington. Santa visited the Lovington American Legion Post Sunday, Dec. 8 delivering treats and listening to requests. The annual event is sponsored by the Lovington American Legion Auxiliary. Sparrow’s Unlimited held the 25th annual Kids Auction at Jerry’s East End in Lovington on Saturday which raised needed funds for local families during the holidays.

Night Parade Grand Marshal Reflects on Community and Giving

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By Marshal Cook
for The News Progress

Becky Lawson came to Sullivan High School as an English teacher 32 years ago, this Friday, Dec. 13 she is Grand Marshal of the Sullivan Night Christmas parade.
Entries should gather at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 13 in the high school parking lot prepared to light up the night over Sullivan. The parade kicks off at 6:00 p.m.
Parade director Jeri Davis noted the perfect candidate for the nighttime Christmas Parade Grand Marshal had to be Lawson whose devotion to community, veterans and her students has been an inspiration for more than three decades.
Lawson’s students and former students stay in touch with their favorite English teacher by following her on social media and reaching out from all over the country.
So devoted were her past students they took to FaceBook and overwhelmingly voted her Teacher of the Year in 2016. Read More

Shining Stars

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Shining Stars
On Friday, November 22, 2019, Moultrie-Douglas 4-H held their annual “4-H Achievement Night” at Yoder’s Kitchen in Arthur, Illinois. Eleven members from the “Moultrie-County Shining Stars” were in attendance. They were: Miah Voegel, Rhett Lehman, Garreth Coffer, Julie Moody, Kent Lehman, Ellie Lehman, Anissa Coffer, Hannah Creek, Mallory Batman, Sarina Voegel and Hayden Moody. Members from across the two counties were joined by their parents and families to be recognized for 2018-2019 4-H year achievements.

Ambulance Purchase Plan Presented to Sullivan Council

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•December 4, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

Sullivan City Council was asked for a $422,396 TIF district contribution toward the purchase of an ambulance at the Nov. 25 meeting.
Sullivan Fire Protection Chief Mike Piper and Assistant Chief Larry Edwards were seeking an intergovernmental agreement with the city for the ambulance purchase.
They explained the ambulance department has experienced an increase in simultaneous calls. That, along with additional care facilities in a county without a hospital, is putting more wear on the existing units.
Chief Piper explained the four ambulances are rotated, but the 2008 model purchased used from Arthur is worn and outdated.
The chief pointed out the 1200 transports required an average 54 miles, which adds wear and tear. Read More

Businesses and Schools Partner in Social Media Marketing

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•December 4, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development has developed a new cooperative program between local businesses and high school students proficient in social media.
This was prompted by Spark’s Retail and Dining group recently identification of a need in the business community to further connect with social media.
“A lot of our local businesses are having problems keeping up with social media and maintaining their web sites,” SCED Executive Director, Laurrie Minor, explained. Read More

Wild Bird

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Wild Bird
One Book One Sullivan students at Sullivan Middle School unveiled this year’s community/school read during a school assembly Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 8:15 a.m. OBOS coordinator Rikki Ray and Reading Committee students explained the process of choosing the book and then gave highlights of Wendelin Van Draanen’s Wild Bird. With the financial support of Sullivan Rotary Club One Book One Sullivan offers Wild Bird free to anyone in the community at various locations throughout the school district. Above Rotary Club members display Wild Bird along with the One Book One Sullivan Reading Committee students.

Lovington Man’s Indian Pottery Collection Reveals Women’s Role

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Fair displays a water jug from the Monk’s Mound in Cahokia. Small arrowheads on wall behind him.

•December 4, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress

Randy Fair’s grandmother was a full Cherokee Indian.
His grandfather had a drawer full of Indian axes and arrowheads that fascinated Randy at an early age. He believes that his love of collecting Illinois Indian artifacts was in his blood from the beginning.
It all began as a youth. “I was into hunting, fishing, trapping and finding Indian artifacts. In the 1980’s farmers were still deep plowing and I could find 20-25 pieces in a field a day. Now I’m lucky to find 2 or 3.”
Fair would spend at least 200 days a year walking the fields covering some 8 miles a day in search of arrowheads ancient clay trading pipes and other items.
Fair decided to specialize in the pottery of Illinois Indians from what is known as the Mississippian Era when Indians began to populate both sides of the Mississippi in Southern Illinois and the lower Ohio River valley.
The greatest settlement of this period from 700 AD to 1600AD was Cahokia Downs near St. Louis which, at its peak, had a population of 20,000.
The Native Americans chose the fertile flood plains to raise most of their food which consisted of maize, beans, pumpkins and squash.
They needed vessels in which to store and serve their food. Read More

Tree Trimming

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Photo by Sonya Best
Tree Trimming
Sullivan pre-schoolers took a field trip to the Moultrie County Courthouse Tuesday, where they took part in decorating the Christmas tree in the rotunda.

IGA Breaks Record

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Photo by Mike Brothers
IGA Breaks Record
The eighth annual Sullivan IGA Roundup collected a record $1543 plus change Nov.3-9 when customers donated change from their purchases to the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Those donations purchased some 130 turkeys donated to the food pantry and distributed in Thanksgiving dinners last week. Above the Sullivan IGA meat department Thanksgiving delivery crew: (back from left) Emmalee Hortenstine, Blake Eller, Mason Harner; (front) Seth Cobb and IGA Meat Dept. manager Barry Golden.