•February 13, 2019•
Michael S. Yost was sentenced to 75 years for the 2015 murder of Sheri Randall in 2016; at 11:00 a.m. March 7 that case returns to Moultrie County.
On Jan. 8 an Illinois Appellate Court decision determined cause for a Krankel hearing before the honorable judge Hugh Finson on that date in Moultrie County Circuit Court.
Ineffective assistance of counsel claims are fought in a Krankel hearing. Read More
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
OVES pitched in pennies to help patients. From left: Teacher Kathy Doty, Principal Heidi Vander Burgh, and Counselor Paula Coffer hold a collection box for Pennies for Patients.
Giving Back but Looking Forward
•February 13, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
OVES Principal, Heidi Vander Burgh has a theme this year of “Giving Back but Looking Forward” for her 157 students.
When the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) contacted her with their program, she saw an opportunity to implement her theme.
The LLS’s program is called Pennies for Patients, and each student is given a little cardboard box to fill with 500 pennies each of four weeks. There are various prizes the students may win depending on how much they raise each week. Read More
Photo furnished
Where’s My Pencil?
Students won’t have to ask that question in Sullivan. Sullivan Middle School teacher Deena Lee holds sign thanking K.C. Summers in Mattoon for the generous donation of 2000 pencils. “Our entire student body, as well as our teachers, are overwhelmed with this act of kindness,” Lee explained as students gathered for their share.
Helen and Eugene Rowe
•February 6, 2019•
By Jazzy Rowe
for the News Progress
Eugene Rowe is going to celebrate his 99th birthday with Ansar Shriners in Springfield.
Rowe joined the Shriners back in the 1940s with Free Masons friends, and although he hasn’t been active in the past few years, the 16th annual Ansar Shrine Chili Cookoff at Boondocks in Springfield is on his birthday Feb 17 so he figures he might go.
Gene and wife Helen lived in Sullivan since 1974 where he has enjoyed being a faithful St. Louis Cardinal and University of Illinois fan. Now Helen is gone and Jasmine, their cat of 18 years, keeps him company.
“I brought the cat home from John Carroll’s welding shop, but I made them agree to take it back if Helen didn’t approve,” Rowe says of the day he brought Jasmine home. “I took her inside and told Helen the deal I had made at the welding shop. She looked at the cat and looked at me and said ‘You’re not taking that cat back’ and Jazzy stayed.” Read More
•February 6, 2019•
Dear Sir:
In the January 30, 2019 issue of the News Progress it was reported in the article regarding the Titus Home that “...the first resident, Anita Gritzmacher, was welcomed February 6, 1967 by first administrator Erma Ferguson.”
That statement is incorrect. The first administrator of the Titus Home was my mother, Mrs. H. 0. Dick, who was hired in 1965. Please see attached article from, I believe, your newspaper.
I wouldn’t take issue except that I remember how honored Mother was to be offered the position and the long, dedicated hours she spent getting the house ready for occupancy. As a daughter, I seek only her rightful place in Sullivan’s colorful history. Read More
Photo by R.R. Best
Sullivan Firefighters were joined by area police searching debris for victims of the Feb 1 home explosion and fire in rural Sullivan.
•February 6, 2019•
By Mike Brothers
A rural Sullivan home explosion Friday evening claimed the life of 20-year-old Jared Schrock and left a 16-year-old girl in a Springfield burn center.
Sullivan Fire Chief Mike Piper said the 9:53 p.m. call to 1416 CR 1700N reported an explosion and two missing people.
When firefighters arrived, debris was scattered some 200 feet from the burning family residence.
“We located the girl under debris outside the structure within about five minutes,” Piper said, noting she had severe trauma and has been transferred to Springfield Memorial Hospital for burn treatment.
Jared Schrock was found in the crawl space of the destroyed home directly below his second story bedroom. Read More
•February 6, 2019•
Alvan Booths, 32, of Mattoon is in custody following an 11 p.m. shooting in Sullivan.
Sullivan Chief of Police James Waggoner explained SPD and the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Dept. responded to the home invasion with shots fired at a residence in the city.
Police arrived to discover Otha Phillips had been shot in the neck. He was transported by Sullivan Ambulance Service to the Decatur Memorial Hospital emergency room. Read More
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
SHS art student Imogene Stidaham (L) and art teacher Melissa Nichols show student artwork.
•January 30, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress
More than 100 colorful and imaginative pieces of artwork from Sullivan High School students were displayed for public viewing at Stifel Company offices January 16.
The works were created in last semester’s drawing class taught by art teacher Melissa Nichols. Attractively arranged on the walls were creations in ink, pencil, colored pencil, water colors and oils.
Most were on paper, but a few drawings were done on corrugated tin. A pink octopus drawn on the rippled tin was especially interesting as the tentacles appeared to undulate over the tin.
Maggie McLaughlin drew a woman’s portrait in all black ink except for bright green eyes. There was a hint of the French pointillism style in the background. Read More
Drone photo by R.R. Best
•January 30, 2019•
It’s been a long time coming and in a short time gone.
The abandoned former location of Jackson Chevrolet that has marred the Jackson Street view for the past few years is gone.
Overland Corp Missouri is developing the $1.4 property for Dollar General Stores. City administrator Dan Flannell explained plans submitted to the city for permit applications reveal the new Dollar General Plus store is approximately 2000 sq. ft. larger than traditional stores and includes meat and produce.
According to Dollar General completion of the 106 N. Main St store is expected in fall 2019. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
Titus Manor, originally built in 1862, became a retirement home for ladies in 1967.
•January 30, 2019•
By Titus Sentel
for the News Progress
Titus Manor at Wyman Park in Sullivan is closing March 31, 2019 after serving 52 years as a home for retired Illinois women.
“We have made many friendships and served as home to 206 awesome ladies since the official opening in 1967,” Titus Manor Board of Managers chair Kathy Hawbaker said in a release following the board’s decision.
“The staff’s hard work and dedication not only to Titus Manor but to each and every lady who has graced its doors is greatly appreciated,” Hawbaker, who was also the Manor administrator from 2008-13, said. Read More