Category Archives: News Section

Local Candidates Express Views at SCED Hosted Forum

News Progress Posted on by

•September 26, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

Local candidates were featured at the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development hosted forum held in the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall Sept. 20.
Amanda Standerfer of Sullivan was the forum monitor with each candidate asked previously submitted questions and given two minutes to answer.
Although the attending crowd was small, the News Progress Live FaceBook feed attracted more than thousand viewers.
Two Republican and two Democrat candidates vying for four county board four year seats attended the forum. They included incumbent Republicans Arlene Aschermann and David McCabe, incumbent Democrat Gary Smith and past Democrat county board chairman Steve Mayberry.
Neil Bryan was appointed to serve the remainder of Ron White’s county board seat and is running unopposed for a two year term.
Each county board candidate expressed a commitment to expanding tourism in an effort to grow the county economy as well as supporting development of a long range comprehensive plan for the future. Read More

Lynn Lowder is an SHS Alumni Lifetime Achiever

News Progress Posted on by

•September 26, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

When Lynn Lowder was a young man, he asked his mother what he should do with his life. She advised, “Son, just help people.”
Retired Marine Corps Major Lynn Lowder has been doing just that, especially for veterans, his entire life.
On Oct. 6 he will receive the SHS Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award.
A 1964 graduate of Sullivan High School, he always knew he wanted to be a Marine so he dropped out of college his junior year at Northern Illinois University after an injury ended his football aspirations.
Lowder joined the Marines, and his drill instructor encouraged him to apply to Officer Training School to which he was selected.
In Vietnam he was assigned to the First Force Reconnaissance Company which penetrated deep into enemy territory. An operation that prompted his award of the Silver Star for valor.
After Vietnam, he returned to finish his undergraduate degree at Northern, obtain a law degree from DePaul and serve as a JAG officer for some 16 years. Read More

SHS Students Serve Lunch to Habitat Volunteers

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
SHS Spanish Club, Student Council and Career English students served Moultrie County Habitat for Humanities and Care-A-Vanners lunch in the SHS Commons and presented each one a gift at the end of the first two weeks of the Conklin family build on Eden Street in Sullivan.

•September 26, 2018•

By Nails Carpenter
for the News Progress

Habitat for Humanity Care-A-Vanners were treated to lunch prepared and served by the SHS Spanish Club, Student Council and English Career Images students.
Pastor Paul McGhghy of the Moultrie Country Habitat explained Sullivan High School had reached out offering to join the group of volunteers serving lunches to visiting Care-A-Vanners.
During the six-week build in Sullivan volunteers, coordinated through the Sullivan Area Ministerial Assn., feed Habitat build volunteers a hot lunch every work day.
The three SHS student groups not only fed the work crew authentic Mexican dishes but also presented each member attending with a gift of appreciation.
Patricia King, Marsha Kirby and Rebecca Lawson’s students broke into groups serving the Habitat builders lunch, drinks, desserts and busing tables before presenting each volunteer with a gift bag. Read More

Judge Candidates Provide Insight into Sixth Circuit

News Progress Posted on by

•September 26, 2018•

Women’s role in politics is increasing, and the Moultrie County candidates forum in Sullivan featured one woman running against an elite court group.
Ramona Sullivan is the single female candidate for 6th Judicial Circuit Court Judge and explained the situation on the bench in central Illinois.
“Diversity is needed in the 6th circuit,” Sullivan said to the crowd gathered at the First United Methodist Church for the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development hosted candidates forum, Sept. 20.
Of the 14 judges in the 6th judicial circuit, Sullivan pointed out it is presently all white and all Republican, representing one perspective very well. Read More

SHS’s First Homecoming Queen was Crowned 90 Years Ago

News Progress Posted on by

Queen Helen Cummins Hargis

•September 26, 2018•

Ninety years ago, in 1928, most of the country was feeling the first rumblings of the coming Great Depression. In Sullivan, however, the high school students and alumni were planning their first homecoming celebration.
Numerous committees were formed to plan and organize the pep rally, homecoming play, the parade, banquet and football game. It was a momentous undertaking and over 190 invitations were mailed to the alumni. SHS Student Council was the chief sponsor of the event. It was so important that all the stores closed for the day so everyone could participate.
The events of the homecoming day were reported in detail in the Sullivan Progress. From this account the pep meeting began at 11 a.m. with the band playing and “yells” being screamed. The parade followed at 1:30 from the high school and was led by Wenzel Nedder on horseback to Poland Field on the south side of town. Behind Nedder were the queen candidates and class floats decorated in class colors. Teachers and alumni joined the procession. Read More

OV Chorus Students Attend Millikin Vocal Fest

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
OV Chorus Students Attend Millikin Vocal Fest
Three students from Okaw Valley High School attended the Millikin Vocal Fest. The girls spent two days with some of the best high school singers in the area ending with a concert at the Kirkland Fine Arts Building. The OV Chorus is directed by Kathy Doty. Pictured from left: Haven Caulfield, Bella Benning, and Kalee Taylor.

Moultrie County Republican Headquarters

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
Moultrie County Republican Headquarters
The Moultrie County Republican Party opened party headquarters on S. Hamilton Street last week. Attending were from left: County Board candidate Arlene Aschermann, Circuit Clerk candidate Christa Helmuth, State’s Attorney candidate Tracy Weaver, County Treasurer candidate Stephanie Helmuth, Sixth Circuit judge candidate Randy Rosenbaum, Sixth Circuit judge candidate Roger Webber, Resident Sixth Circuit judge candidate Jeremy Richey, County chair and board candidate Dave McCabe, Moultrie County Sheriff Chris Sims and County Board candidate Neil Bryan.

SHS Homecoming Court

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
SHS Homecoming Court
Members of the SHS Homecoming court: Sophomores: Jerra Goad and Zane Finfrock; Juniors: Avery Still and Fischer Moody; Freshmen: Abigail Kirkwood and Hayden Nodine.

Honor Drive Exceeds Goal

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Honor Drive Exceeds Goal
From her mother Stephanie’s lap, River Helmuth blows kisses to those who participated in her Honor Blood Drive September 15 at the Sullivan American Legion. With 104 donors, the drive exceeded its goal of 100 and coordinator Jeri Davis received a special certificate from the American Red Cross.

Arthur Cheese Fest Visitors

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Ariana Cherry
Arthur Cheese Fest Visitors
Sean and Bailey Clark of Sullivan brought grandmother Tari Howard and family to the Arthur Cheese Festival over the weekend. Nephew Jensen Howard, 5; daughter Brooklynn Clark, 5 and niece Joslynn Howard, 3, all waited for and received free cheese. The family spent their time eating lunch (fried macaroni was a favorite), getting free cheese and visiting the petting zoo.