Category Archives: News Section

Operation Secret Santa Success

News Progress Posted on by

Operation Secret Santa Success
Jeepin in Memory of Jessi, the annual Secret Santa Fundraiser, hosted the largest crowd ever at The Toy Bar July 15. With some 175 people registered the single day event earned almost $16,000 for the local non-profit organization. The theme was Christmas Vacation with prizes for best outfits. Sparrows Inc. of Lovington participated along with other volunteer groups. Secret Santa helps families at Christmas with gifts for kids and throughout the year with families and individuals in need. Like them on Facebook at Operation Secret Santa. Operation Secret Santa is a not-for-profit organization. Photo by RR Best

Tabor Park’s “Natural Beauty” Discussed At Council Meeting

News Progress Posted on by

•July 19, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

The natural beauty of Tabor Park and some of the recent destruction of its “natural state” was the topic of conversation at the last Sullivan City Council meeting.

Bill Burger shared his insight regarding the park. “It’s the best kept secret in Moultrie County,” he stated. “Every city has a Wyman Park (and it is a nice park), but very few cities have a Tabor Park,” he added.

Burger stated that it would be nice to see the park keep its natural prairie grass. He has been disappointed by the constant mowing and the tractor pulls that have been hosted there – as it has taken away some of its natural beauty.  Read More

Belgian Draft Horses Race in First Chesterville Derby

News Progress Posted on by

2017 Chesterville Derby Trophy

•July 19, 2017•

The Belgian Draft Horse Rock Stars of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center’s Yoder house pull team in the fall of 2016 are back by popular demand.

The Chesterville Derby is 4 p.m. Friday, July 21, when eight Belgian draft horses will race two furlongs in the first draft horse race in the United States.

From the Kentucky Derby styled parade of the horses with their jockeys before the crowd, to singing of “My Old Kentucky Home” by Nashville artist Rebecca Moreland the race atmosphere builds to the run for the Chesterville Water Tower trophy. Moreland will also sing “My Old Chesterville Home” with a reference to Cadwell.

“Because of the enormous interest generated last September by the eight-horse hitch of Belgian draft horses towing the two story 1865 Moses Yoder house, we felt it important for those fans to have a second chance to see these beautiful animals at work (or play)”, said Wilmer Otto, chairman of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center. It was an idea sparked by an annual UK race of Clydesdale draft horses. Read More

Summertime County Fair and the Moultrie Racetrack

News Progress Posted on by

•July 19, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

“Are you going to Scarborough Fair? Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.”

There is nothing in the summertime like a county fair with all the kids and their farm animals, baked goods, lovely quilts, yummy food, and fantastic garden vegetables all vying for a big, blue ribbon.

Sullivan was originally the home of the Moultrie County Fair. The first fair was organized in 1868, and the first fairground was southeast of Sullivan where fairs were held every year until 1872 when it was moved to elegant new grounds ½ mile northwest of Sullivan on Market Street. Read More

Sullivan School Board Selects Middle School Principal

News Progress Posted on by

Principal Nathan Ogle

•July 19, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Among Sullivan Supt. Ted Walk’s duties at his first Community #300 School District board meeting was to fill his old job.

During the regular school board meeting July 10, President Jeff White and members: Tyson Grooms, Zak Horn, Steve Poland, Eric Stollard, Ann Wheeler, and Norm Wood unanimously approved Walk’s recommendation of Nathan Ogle as new Sullivan Middle School principal.

Ogle started education as an English teacher and coach and has spent the past two years as assistant principal in the Sullivan school district. Read More

Majors Participate

News Progress Posted on by

photo furnished
Majors Participate
Okaw Valley Drum Majors Caleb Hildebrandt and Connor Powers participated in the Smith Walbridge Clinic at Eastern Illinois University this past week. OV band camp runs from July 24th-July 28th at OVHS.

Lovington Legion Family

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Lovington Legion Family
Recently elected officers of the Lovington American Legion Post #429, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of American Legion gathered at the Post. Pictured from left standing: Post Commander George Clark, Senior Vice Curt Clough Jr., Vice/Finance Mike Wainscott, Chaplain Neil Owens, Auxiliary Sgt. at Arms Cindy Helton, Aux. Vice Jennifer Mechling, SAL Commander Dennis Fedie, Aux Sec-Treas, Dina Owens, American Legion Auxiliary President Lind Alumbaugh, SAL Sr. Vice Robert Riley and Legion Adjutant Tom Brown. Seated: Post 429 Historian Charlie Dyer.

Fireworks over Wyman

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
Fireworks over Wyman
Sullivan American Legion Post 68 ended the Fourth of July celebration in grand fashion with fireworks in the air and on the ground, entertaining the huge crowd gathered around Wyman Park lake. This was the second year Central States Fireworks of Athens lit up the Sullivan skies on the Fourth of July.

Sullivan Rocks! The Proof is Hidden in Plain Sight

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan Rocks! Facebook group members from Moultrie Counseling Center display a few of the rocks you may find around Sullivan. Pictured standing from left: Hollie Atchison, Audrey Mosier, and Katrina Lynn with Penny Arthur kneeling center.

•July 12, 2017•

By Skip N. Stone
for the News Progress

Sullivan rocks! And if you don’t believe it, take a look around the square.

Brightly painted rocks with inspirational messages have been turning up on window ledges and various spots around town. What do you do when you find the rock?

“Either keep it or hide it again and post it on our Facebook page,” explained one of the Sullivan Rocks! founding members Audrey Mosier. It is an idea that grew from a co-worker’s late night FB troll.

“I was trolling Facebook one night, and I saw where this person had found a rock in some town in Iowa and was asking what to do with it,” Katrina Lynn, who works with Mosier at Moultrie Family Counseling Center said.

Lynn explained the Facebook craze is sweeping many areas of the country now, with some of the groups growing to 160,000 members and more. Read More

2017 Chamber Jackpot Winner

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
Chamber Jackpot Winner
Winning the annual Sullivan Economic Development and Chamber Fourth of July Jackpot for 2017 was Barb Dobbs of rural Sullivan. Pictured are Chamber Director Laurrie Minor, $4865 prize winner Barb Dobbs and Chamber Adminstrative Asst. Malinda Calhoun Hurt during the presentation. Dobbs said she has plans to get tires for her car and replace the 1970s shag carpeting in her home.