Category Archives: News Section

Sullivan Native Wins 15th District Nomination

News Progress Posted on by

•March 21 2018•

Sullivan native Kevin Gaither won the Democratic nomination for the 15th U.S. Congressional District defeating Carol Spoerer of Mahomet with 62% of the vote, 32,990 to 20,178.

In Moultrie County Gaither received 76% to Spoerer’s 24% for a 508 to 161 margin.

Republican incumbent John Shimkus received 1,770 votes in Moultrie County.

The Moultrie County treasurer’s race, created by the retirement of Marci Thompson had competition on both tickets.

Diane K. Waggoner won the Democratic nomination for treasurer 533 to 185 over Pam Wittkowski. Read More

Sullivan Approves Subdivision

News Progress Posted on by

•March 21 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

The Sullivan City Council approved the preliminary plat for the new Burdick sub-division at the March 12 meeting.

The new sub-division will lie along the east side of Patterson Road and south of the White Heath Subdivision to the four way stop at Country Club Drive which is about a half mile east of Route 32 South. The driveways will back into Patterson Road.

Near the White Heath sub-division, Burdick sub-division consists of nine one to two acres sites.

Developer Darin Burdick noted a couple of sites were larger with one lot about three acres and another five. The city is installing utilities andthe subdivision has been zoned residential with “high-quality” homes. Read More

OVHS Band Plays at Festival

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OVHS photo
OVHS Band Plays at Festival
The Okaw Valley Band traveled to the LOVC Band Festival on Thursday afternoon. The festival was held at Sangamon Valley High School. Students practiced all afternoon and put on a concert at 7:00. Okaw Valley Sophomore Addison Webner and Junior Elizabeth Herbord were also members of the featured LOVC jazz band that also performed. OVHS Band from left: Row one - Connor Powers, Issac Dickens, Clayton Bone, Ethan Suarez, Luke Vander Burgh, Eric Boomer, Hayden Carlson. Row two - Julia Hilderbrandt, TJ Williams, Madison Ray, Baylie Suarez, Shelby Harding, Alyssa Nihisar, Hannah Durbin, Elizabeth Herbord. Row three - Haven Caulfield, Alesia Smegal, Caleb Hildebrandt, Addison Webner, Shelby Hagerman, Madison Vogel, Hutson Dickens, Ethan Macklin, Tyson Brown, Bella Benning, Kyra Jackson.

Easter Egg Prep

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Photo by R.R. Best
Easter Egg Prep
Sullivan fifth grade Girl Scouts worked on their Bronze medal while helping volunteers at Courtyard Estates prepare 14,000 plastic eggs for the April Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Sullivan Fire Protection District. Above from left: Annabelle Griffin, Phyllis Sheridan, Addison Brush and Zoe Conlin. The Sullivan Fire Dept. Easter Egg Hunt begins at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 1 at Wyman Park.

Bethany Village Board Runs Into Snag With Landlord/Renter Agreement

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Attorneys agree to exchange viewpoints

•March 14, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

The village of Bethany and landlords ongoing issues over who pays utility charges for delinquent renters will wait for attorneys to review a possible compromise.

Andrew W. B. Bequette of Bequette Law Office in Urbana is representing Gary Meritt and other landlords regarding the village of Bethany’s proposed Landlord/Renter Agreement.

He asked the board to table any action they were contemplating until he and the village attorney could meet and discuss concerns. Bequette outlined some of those concerns and advised that some of the items in the agreement could leave the village open to litigation. The two attorneys exchanged viewpoints and agreed to meet. Read More

Sullivan School Dist. Reduces Staff

News Progress Posted on by

•March 14, 2018•

Staff reduction was among items approved at the Sullivan Community District #300 school board meeting Monday, March 12.

Supt. Ted Walk noted that the annual review of staff levels revealed the district was overstaffed and recommended honorable dismissal of SHS head football coach Andrew Kerley from his duties as a social studies and driver education teacher.

School board members also approved the resolution for the honorable dismissal of business teacher Tori Hale.

Supt. Walk noted both teachers were low in seniority, and if the district has a future opening, they would be first for consideration to fill an opening,

Chaney Miller, high school science teacher, submitted her resignation effective at the end of the 2017-2018 school year. Read More

Moultrie County Candidates Turn Out for Chamber Forum

News Progress Posted on by

•March 14, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

Moultrie County treasurer and judge candidates expressed their views at the candidates forum held Thursday, March 8 at Sullivan First United Methodist Church.

Sponsored by Sullivan Economic Development and the Moultrie County News Progress, Sullivan Unit #300 Supt. Ted Walk moderated the forum which was streamed live on News Progress FaceBook. Each candidate presented opening remarks, asked three questions, then allowed to close with a one minute statement.

County treasurer Marci Thompson is retiring with two candidates competing for the Republican nomination and two candidates competing for the Democrat nomination on the March 20 ballot.

Michelle Liddiard and Stephanie Helmuth are running on the Republican ticket;

Pam Wittkowski and Diane Waggoner are running on the Democratic ticket. Read More

Lovington Prepares for Town-Wide Rummage

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•March 14, 2018•

Registration is now open for the Lovington Townwide Rummage Sales to be held Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2. Sign-up forms are available at Village Hall, the Lovington Public Library and online on the “Putting Back the Love in Lovington” Facebook page.  Read More

Jump Rope for Heart

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Photo furnished
Jump Rope for Heart
SES just finished raising funds for “Jump Rope for Heart.”  Coach Don Typer has been coordinating the school’s efforts to help the American Heart Association for the last 16 years. This year the students of Sullivan Elementary were able to raise more than $16,750.

Early Voting

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Early Voting
Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England noted early voting has been brisk but not overwhelming. Voters are eligible for early voting in the General Primary election at the Moultrie County Clerk’s office through March 19. Voting hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Special Saturday, March 17 hours are 9 a.m.- noon.