Category Archives: News Section

Judge Candidates Provide Insight into Sixth Circuit

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•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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Windsor Shooting

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•September 19, 2018•

One Windsor man was hospitalized and another jailed following a Sept. 15 shooting.
According to Windsor Chief of Police J.T. Boyer, Robert A. Fraker, 62, of Windsor was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm and attempted murder. Read More

Spark Community Planning Session Draws Sullivan Crowd

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Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals

•September 19, 2018•

By Mortemer Snerd
for the News Progress

Sullivan Spark Community Planning kicked off the first of five sessions with a large crowd gathering in the Sullivan High School Commons Thursday, Sept. 13.
Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University representatives Gisele Hamm and Linda Blaine gave an overview of the sessions designed to enhance Sullivan’s growth by building on its assets.
Information gained through introductions, surveys and an exercise in naming significant historical events since the 1960s in Sullivan will be analyzed by Blaine to determine the individual planning groups into which Spark volunteers will be divided for the next phase.
Hamm explained the key successes enjoyed by surround communities such as Mattoon and Strasburg were generated by proactive volunteers with positive attitudes. Read More