Category Archives: News Section

250 fireballs to honor America’s 250th Birthday at Arthur Freedom Celebration 

News Progress Posted on by


•June 24, 2026•

The Arthur Rotary Club and the entire Arthur community are preparing to welcome thousands of visitors on Saturday, June 27, for the annual Arthur Freedom Celebration featuring a downtown parade and one of the largest fireworks displays in central Illinois.

This year’s celebration carries the patriotic theme, “Celebrating 250 Years…One Nation, One Community,” in honor of America’s 250th birthday.

Festivities begin with the annual Freedom Celebration Parade, which steps off promptly at 2:00 p.m. on East Progress Street. Parade line-up begins at 12:30 p.m. at the former Progress Industries property on the north side of the street.

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Sullivan approves utility software

News Progress Posted on by


•June 24, 2026•

by Sharon Barricklow

A $400,000 purchase of software for the city’s electrical plant was approved without going through the bid process at the Sullivan City Council’s June 6 meeting.

Commissioner Mike Kirk, who oversees the city power plant said the  software was an upgrade only available through ViPower LLC and is necessary for the city’s transmission of electrical power.

“We have to have it,” Kirk said. “And there’s no one else who provides it.”

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All about horses; event informs-entertains

News Progress Posted on by


•June 17, 2026•

by DM Williamee

On Saturday, June 13th, the Illinois Amish Heritage Society (IAHC) held its “All About Horses” event, and both horse-lovers as well as those newly introduced were in for a treat. People came from near and far, with some traveling in their motor homes and others carpooling to attend the event from surrounding communities, as well as upstate and out of state. Many had questions which were happily answered with a tinge of good-natured country humor, and most importantly, everyone left with newly acquired knowledge and having been entertained in the process. From shoeing horses with farrier craft, adorable puppies to fawn over (as many did, with one young girl asking her mom why puppy breath was the ‘best smell ever’), to an equine therapy and horsemanship demonstration, the IAHC was bustling with activity and craftsmanship, all deeply steeped in their own distinctive histories.

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Dash, Bash and Splash for St. Jude’s

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by DM Williamee

On Saturday, June 13th, from the parking lot of the Sullivan American Legion to the far end of Wyman Park, one could find something in motion: from the early 5k run, raffles, bake sales, car show, to the Kids Korner (with some impressive, well-used, and appreciated bounce houses), kids pedal pulls, food on offer from vendors, live music and the new dunk tank, there was not a dull corner to be found. When the dunk tank opened to a line of waiting kiddos, Mrs. Becker got in, ready to be dunked for a good cause. The first ball thrown was by Jasper Rhodes, 6, who hit the mark and dunked Mrs. Becker right at the start, and then two more times before throwing all six. This set the tone moving forward, with a surprising number of hits/dunks from the youngsters, and a good-natured Mrs. Becker laughingly said, “It’s all for a good cause!” All proceeds raised at the 2-day event will be donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Last year, $32,338 was donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Photos by DM Williamee

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POW/MIA Honor Chair placement

News Progress Posted on by


•June 17, 2026•

by DM Williamee

Photo by DM Williamee

On Saturday, June 6th at 1:00 p.m., Rolling Thunder Chapter 3 placed a POW/MIA Chair of Honor prominently beneath the flags at the Sullivan American Legion Post No. 68 in Sullivan. POW/MIA Chairs of Honor are perpetually empty seats placed in public spaces to solemnly commemorate the tens of thousands of American service members who are Prisoners of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA) and have not yet returned home. The empty space is to remind the public that even though missing soldiers are absent, there is always a reserved space waiting for them upon their return; these chairs symbolize a steadfast vow that America will never stop searching for those who have not returned. 

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Legion holds Flag Retirement Ceremony

News Progress Posted on by


•June 17, 2026•

by DM Williamee

Sullivan American Legion Senior Vice Commander Mike Daily retires a flag during the American Legion’s annual Flag Retirement Ceremony. This year, nearly one-thousand flags were collected for retirement.

On Sunday, June 14th (Flag Day), members of the Sullivan American Legion Post No.68 and the Sullivan Boy Scouts Troop 39 conducted their annual Flag Retirement Ceremony at the Sullivan American Legion. This year, close to one-thousand flags were collected for retirement at this Flag Day ceremony, with friends and family members, as well as others in the community, attending the ceremony, placing flags on the fire in honor and memory of friends and loved ones who served. For those who have not attended this ceremony before, it imparts deep reverence, respect, and fraternity and reminds us that our nation’s flag symbolizes the history, sacrifice, and shared identity of all. The flag retirement ceremony is treated as a final tribute.

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Hot and ready

News Progress Posted on by

Sullivan Boy Scout Troop # 39 was at the ready with delicious food in Kirby’s parking lot for famished deal-seekers on Friday, June 5th, during Sullivan’s annual Townwide Rummage Sale. On the menu were brats, steak sandwiches, pork chops, chips, sides, and cool beverages.