Category Archives: News Section

Bethany Crash

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Photo by R. R. Best
Bethany Crash
A passenger was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital by Bethany Ambulance following a 5:53 p.m. crash Friday. Moultrie County Sheriff’s Dept. responded to the accident at the intersection of West North Street and N. Jefferson in Bethany. According to the department accident report a 2004 Grand Prix driven by Michael Patterson of Bethany was traveling at a high rate of speed on N. Jefferson and failed to stop at the intersection. Patterson’s car hit the passenger side of a 2000 Lexus RX300 driven by Tristin Carr of Chatham. The Lexus hit a utility pole and came to rest in a neighbor’s yard. Carr’s passenger Savannah Gibbons of Bethany was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital with Sullivan Ambulance Service transporting Patterson and Carr for examination. Patterson was ticketed for driving too fast for conditions and failing to stop at the intersection.
Above Bethany Fire and Rescue team members Rob Martz and Rebecca Corwin work to release crash victims.

Community Effort Brings Concerts To Tabor Park

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Photo by R.R. Best
Tabor Park’s Concert series began recently thanks to neighbor Bill Burger (back) who got help from Mason Point sponsor representatives Nikki White and Leeanna Stickels. In the front Vonnie Lee and Kathi Garvey from Mid Illinois Senior Services serve refreshments.

•May 16, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Bill Burger had wanted to showcase Tabor Park in Sullivan and thanks to Mason Point a concert at the park series began Friday, May 1.

For many years Sullivan residents have enjoyed the benefits of having two wonderful parks. The Tabor family donated the land for Tabor Park with the plan that benefits be free to all.

Sullivan City Council and the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development, however, have been challenged to provide continuous programs for both parks. That’s where Bill Burger came in.

Burger lives near Tabor Park and runs there every day.

“Tabor Park is the best kept secret in Moultrie County,” he began. “It is a wonderful park. People walk their dogs there, and I have met many wonderful people there.”  Read More

Sudden Storms Wreak Havoc

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•May 16, 2018•

Storms wreaked havoc in Moultrie County with a cell hitting Bethany around 3:45 Tuesday afternoon, breaking a utility pole causing traffic delays on Hwy 121 then moving on toward Sullivan with high wind and water damage reported.

A slow-moving cold front triggered widely scattered strong to severe thunderstorms across south-central Illinois during the afternoon of May 15th.  One of the most significant cells formed over southern Macon County at around 3:30pm...then tracked SE across portions of Moultire, Coles, and Clark counties.  This particular storm downed numerous trees, large tree branches, and powerlines in Sullivan and Mattoon...and overturned three semis on I-70 near Martinsville.

The Mattoon Airport measured a wind gust of 71mph as the storm blew through.  Other cells impacted portions of Christian, Sangamon, and Dewitt counties with strong winds and heavy rain.  Due to the very slow movement of the storms at only 10-20mph, copious amounts of rain fell in a short period of time, creating flash flooding in a few locations.

Lovington WWII Veteran Pinned

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•May 16, 2018•

Charles Kinkade of Lovington was a teenager in World War II who was dumped into the Pacific Ocean after his ship sank during the Guadalcanal campaign and navigated a Higgins landing craft during the Allied invasion of Normandy June 6, 1944.

On Friday, May 11 the 98 year old received a surprise honor for his years of service. The Lovington American Legion Commander George Clark, Lanny Fleming and SAL Commander Dennis Fedie presented a salute of respect from the Honor Guard to Kinkade. Read More

Website Update and Special Liquor Licenses for Co. Board

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•May 16, 2018•

By Mike Brothers
For the News Progress

Moultrie County Board is looking into revising the county website with chairman Dave McCabe appointing an ad hoc committee to guide that revision at the May 10 meeting.

Neil Bryan was named chair with Georgia England, Lori Barringer, Mike Barringer, and Laurrie Minor serving. The board approved appointments unanimously. Special events T-1 liquor licenses were approved for a Wine Tasting by 5 West Coffee and Wine Lounge during the Crappie Tournament at the VFW May 12 and one for the Little Theatre on the Square for the annual Back Forty Market wine tasting at the Great Pumpkin Patch June 1. Read More

Sullivan Lions Club Seeks Used Eyeglasses And Hearing Aids

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Members of the Sullivan Lions Club at the reception they hosted for Mid-Illinois Senior Services.

•May 16, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for  the News Progress

Sullivan Lions Club hosted a cake reception at the Mid-Illinois Senior Services Monday, May 7. Lion Verna Tice introduced the 12 members and then made a presentation on the work of the Lions Club.

While their main focus is on vision and hearing assistance to low-income people, the club also sponsors several fund-raisers and programs throughout the year. Their Turkey Bingo at the American Legion in November is a popular event, and all proceeds go directly to the Lions Club.

They also make substantial contributions to Toys for Tots, Pinto League Baseball, the Moultrie County Food Pantry and the Boy Scouts to name a few.  Read More

Teachers Appreciated

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Teachers Appreciated
Teacher Appreciation Day was extra special for three Sullivan school teachers last week. High school English teacher Rebecca Lawson received $1000 and a gift basket for being named Teacher of the Year by RV Horizons Property Management Co., owners of Sullivan Mobile Homes. With more than 300 communities participating Lawson received the most social media votes with the Denver, Colorado based company sending representatives to make the surprise presentations at Sullivan schools. Science teacher Troy Rogers was recognized in the middle school and fifth grade teacher Allison Wright received elementary gift basket honors. Pictured above is Wright’s fifth grade class along with (front from left) Ms. Wright and Lauren Brown and Kim Metz from RV Horizons. Sullivan Mobile Homes manager Brenda Watkins and district manager for RV Brad Peck attended with Supt. Ted Walk leading the surprise presentations.

OV Student Council Attends State Conference

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Photo furnished. OV Student Council Attends State Conference The Okaw Valley Student Council attended the State Conference in Springfield. The members were able to go to seminars, participated in team building activities, and networked with other schools. Pictured from right) Paige Robinson, Hannah Landreth, Chloe Ryherd, Kami Landreth, Kate Jeffers, Sydney Hagerman, Bella Benning, and Natalie Jeffers.

Rain Forest at SES

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Rain Forest at SES
Sullivan’s first grade has been learning about different habitats and the animals that live in them. We focused on the tropical rain forest and each student made four different plants or animals to create their own model of the rain forest.

Sullivan Council Approves City Clean up Days

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•May 9, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

The city of Sullivan has received positive responses from donors for the new pavilion to be built on the square which has been widely discussed at recent city council meetings. The pavilion was first brought up when an anonymous donor offered a monetary donation to build a structure that would “house” farmers’ markets and other sales during the warmer seasons of the year.

From there, the council has discussed a variety of building possibilities.

Since then, different individuals have stepped forward offering donations to help fund the new pavilion. City administrator, Dan Flannell has met with two possible donors noting the Lions Club has shown interest in the project.  Read More