Photo by Darian Hays
Sparrows Wrap
Lovington based volunteers for Sparrows gathered at the East End Tavern in downtown Lovington Saturday morning to wrap gifts for delivery to 144 families. Above East End owner and Sparrow volunteer Annette Wood prepares a gift for wrapping.
Chief Jim Waggoner holds Axon body cam.
•December 6, 2017•
Sullivan Police Chief Jim Waggoner looks at technology as a friend so it makes sense when he jumped at a free trial for officer body cameras.
“When I found out Axon had a free body cam program for one year, I applied immediately,” Chief Waggoner said. “By September they had supplied every officer with a body camera plus the department with the software to handle the audio and video storage.”
Axon, formerly the Taser company, is offering any police department that applies the chance to try out body cam technology free of charge for one year. At the end of the year the departments may purchase the complete system for an annual fee or just return the equipment with no charge.
“I like what new technology brings, and body cameras have helped us do better jobs as officers,” Waggoner said, noting footage is also a good learning tool for officers as well as keeping an accurate record of what happens during a stop. Read More
•December 6, 2017•
Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England conducted a lottery to determine candidates placement on the March primary ballot Tuesday, December 5.
The Democrats and Republicans both held a lottery in the county board meeting room at the courthouse for Treasurer ballot placement on each respective party ballot. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
Joining in on America the Beautiful were: Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England, Circuit Clerk Cindy Braden, Michelle Liddiard and County Treasurer Marci Thompson during the Bicentennial Dedication.
•December 6, 2017•
Moultrie County joined the Illinois bicentennial celebration with an 11:45 a.m., Dec. 4 flag raising ceremony on the courthouse lawn with some 60 people attending along with a hearty prairie wind.
This commemorated opening ceremonies of the state’s 200th celebration of statehood (Dec. 3, 1818). Presentation of the colors by the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 Honor Guard along with The Pledge of Allegiance and Star Spangled Banner were part of the ceremony.
County board chairman Dave McCabe read the proclamation of statehood, December 3, 1818 noting that the year will celebrate the history of Illinois. McCabe also noted that Moultrie County was founded Feb. 16, 1843 and will be observing 175 years during 2018. Read More
•December 6, 2017•
By Dennis Anderson
NP Guest Columnist
Illinois turns 200 on Dec. 3, 2018, and over the course of the next year the News Progress is helping to commemorate the event.
The Moultrie County News Progress and dozens of publications throughout Illinois will print a weekly series of articles featuring key moments, figures, industries and events that help to make Illinois unique. Some of the first articles include the Underground Railroad, coal mining, the dueling Peoria territory and top Illinois athletes through the years. Read More
Photo by R.R. Best
Great Day for a Parade
The weather was kind to the Hometown Holidays Parade in Sullivan Saturday, Dec. 2. A large crowd including these two present attired parade participants enjoyed the event. The annual parade kicked off from the high school parking lot and included representatives of various community organizations as well as personal enthusiasts. Petersen Healthcare hosted the parade with Jeri Davis organizing entries.
Photo by R.R. Best
Bethany Tree Lighting
Bethany Mayor Bill Ashley Jr. exclaimed, “Let there be light” and threw the switch lighting the village Christmas Tree. Lighting the tree was the finale of the BASO sponsored Bethany Country Christmas held from 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, December 3 at the Bethany Depot. A dedication by the Bethany Ministerial Alliance and carols with the Bethany Community Choir wrapped up festivities which featured a visit from Santa along with hot cocoa and cookies for the crowd.
Photo by R.R. Best
Ugly Sweaters
Larry Edwards expressed his enthusiasm for having the Ugliest Sweater at the Fire and Police Christmas dinner Dec. 3. Kelly Faulkner was the Ugly Sweater Contest emcee, Rob Young (right) was second place.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Sweet Gift for Food Pantry
Flesor’s Candies partnership with Cathrine’s Gallery for the Moultrie County Food Pantry raised needed holiday funds Nov. 18 while giving Sullivan customers great gifts from Flesor’s candy kitchen. Above Devon Flesor offers Cindy Clore (left) some sweet gift giving choices for stockings. Clore had heard of the annual event and traveled from Rosiclare, Ill. for some Flesor’s chocolates and a chance to donate to the local food pantry.
Photo submitted
Pictured is the Jefferson Theater.
•November 29, 2017•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
After the Titus Opera House was consumed in fire, Irving Shuman built the Jefferson Theater on the corners of Jefferson and Hamilton streets. It was a two-story building, and the entire outside was covered in a white, pearlized brick that was the first of its kind in Sullivan.
As the new theater neared completion Shuman asked Mayor Johnson, County Judge Grider and Circuit Clerk Gaddis to act as judges in a naming contest for the new theater. The name Jefferson Theater was submitted by both Genevieve Lowe and Mrs. C. O. Patterson for three reasons: first, the building was located on Jefferson street, second, the name brought to mind the great figure of the American stage, Joseph Jefferson, who was famous for portraying Rip Van Winkle, and third, because Thomas Jefferson was “the greatest Democrat in the history of our nation and wrote the Declaration of Independence”. Read More