Photo by Joe Pound
In the little village in Honduras every one comes to the church where volunteers work to provide medical treatment for families like the one above. Volunteers from the Sullivan mission helped with Vacation Bible School which was attended by more than 300 children. Regular classes are conducted for students in the church pavilion built during an earlier mission trip.

•March 8, 2017•

By Jose Libra
for the News Progress

For the eighth year in a row, 17 members of Hearts and Hands for Honduras  traveled to a remote community in the northeast part of Honduras, near the large town of Tacoa.

The mission team from Sullivan First United Methodist Church (FUMC) included members from area churches and communities who brought support and healing medical services to residents of nearby La Ceibita. The small, struggling community’s local Methodist church building was the clinic’s location.

These semi-annual treks consist of a medical mission effort in February (just completed) and a trip with a construction focus in July.

Last July a group helped local church members build a 20x20 ft. covered pavilion in the front yard of the church, which is now used as a classroom.  Read More

Photo furnished
Performers at the Titus Opera House.

•March 8, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Long before Guy Little, Jr. had a vision for The Little Theatre on the Square, Sullivan enjoyed a storied musical past with the Titus Opera House.

It was Sullivan’s cultural center from 1871 to 1910.

Joseph Titus moved to Sullivan with his wife, Louise, and their talented daughter, Winifred. Mrs. Titus sang and played piano, sharing that love of music with the community.

Mr. and Mrs. Titus became patrons of the arts and built the opera house in 1871 for $30,000. Located on the northeast corner of the square where Dunscomb’s Furniture later resided, people began to come. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Jennifer Moore (l) accepts the $1,000 grant from Kristy Dawson, Area Agency President.

Grant Helps Cover Costs

•March 8, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Central Illinois Public Transit (CIPT) has received a $1,000 grant from the Moultrie County Interagency Group.

This returning grant will be used to help cover transportation costs for seniors over 60 and people with disabilities. Kathi Shackles, Exec. Dir. of the Senior Center, is surveying seniors for suggestions on trips or other services they need. Some ideas include a trip to Moonshine, Scovill Zoo, or Effingham for a performance.

Jennifer Moore, Mobility Manager of CIPT, emphasized that transportation services are not just for the elderly and disabled, but for anyone in Moultrie, Christian, Clay, Fayette, Montgomery, Effingham or Shelby counties.

“Even a millionaire can use our service,” she said.   Read More

Photo by RR Best
First responders from Moultrie County Dive-Rescue, Fire and Ambulance and IDNR were called to fish a fisherman out of Lake Shelbyville Sunday.

•March 1, 2017•

A 41 year Taylorville man suffered severe hypothermia after falling into Lake Shelbyville from his fishing boat Sunday morning.

Moultrie County ESDA Dive-Rescue Team commander Clay Brush received the call at 10:41a.m. Feb. 26.

The fisherman had to cling to a tree while in the water for half an hour. Wind had blown his boat too close to the shoreline where the tree that he was clinging to for life knocked him into the water.  Read More