Category Archives: News Section

Okaw Valley School District Partners With Army Corps

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Photo courtesy OVHS Corps of Engineers and Okaw Valley School District recently began a vocational cooperative program on 40 acres of Corps property in Shelby and Moultrie counties. Pictured above are Okaw Valley students, administration and the Corps of Engineers during the agreement’s official signing at the Lake Shelbyville headquarters.

Photo courtesy OVHS
Corps of Engineers and Okaw Valley School District recently began a vocational cooperative program on 40 acres of Corps property in Shelby and Moultrie counties. Pictured above are Okaw Valley students, administration and the Corps of Engineers during the agreement’s official signing at the Lake Shelbyville headquarters.

•August 31, 2016•

By Derek Pope
For the News Progress

Shortly after the 2016-2017 school year commenced, Okaw Valley’s administration announced a milestone addition to their schools’ growing vocational education programs—a focal point for the district over the last few years.

In a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Okaw Valley was granted an in-kind lease on 40 acres of land around Lake Shelbyville for educational purposes. The plots, which span both Moultrie and Shelby counties, are intended to provide students with numerous opportunities for field studies in agriculture, engineering, and science. The first of its kind collaboration was officially approved with a signing held at the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center on August 29.

Col. Anthony Mitchell, commander of the USACE St. Louis District, who was on hand for the signing, said of the program, “What you see here is a community effort. What you hear amongst these people is a shared vision. That breeds innovative thought, and innovative thought leads to creative ideas and critical thinking” . Read More

Increased Tennis Court Use Prompts Resurface Proposal

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•August 31, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

The Sullivan City Council was recently approached about repairing the tennis courts in Wyman Park. Coach Chris Dobosz explained that the tennis association was growing larger, and the courts were getting much more use.

Commissioner Mike Mossman noted that he had been out to the tennis courts and noticed the numbers had increased. Dobosz presented a proposal of $18,560 from All Weather Courts of Dawson, Illinois.

The cost would cover repairs such as fixing the cracks, resurfacing the courts and adding more holes for new tennis nets. All Weather Courts resurfaced the courts about 10 years ago.

Mossman stated that there could also be the possibility of making the current basketball courts dual purpose so that more courts would be available for playing tennis. Further research and discussion needs to be done before moving forward with repairing the courts. Read More

Ice Cream Social Thanks

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Photo by RR Best Ice Cream Social Thanks Betty Book expresses her gratitude to Moultrie County deputy Clint Walker at the police and sheriff’s department appreciation ice cream social held at the Sullivan V.F.W. Saturday August 27. The 3 p.m. reception sponsored by Citizens of Sullivan gave the public a chance to show their appreciation for what law enforcement does everyday, event coordinator Rob Young explained.

Photo by RR Best
Ice Cream Social Thanks
Betty Book expresses her gratitude to Moultrie County deputy Clint Walker at the police and sheriff’s department appreciation ice cream social held at the Sullivan V.F.W. Saturday August 27. The 3 p.m. reception sponsored by Citizens of Sullivan gave the public a chance to show their appreciation for what law enforcement does everyday, event coordinator Rob Young explained.

Blend of Old and Young for St. Isidore

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Father Steve Arisman

Father Steve Arisman

•August 24, 2016•

by Mike Brothers

St. Isidore Catholic Church, one of the oldest parishes in the area, has one of the youngest priests in the Springfield diocese.

The rural Bethany parish established in 1864 welcomed Father Steve Arisman to his first assignment as a priest from the bishop of the Springfield diocese recently.

Father Arisman at 35, serves St. Isidore, Holy Family in Mt. Zion, is chaplain at St. Teresa High School and for all scouting programs within the 28 counties of the Springfield diocese. Arisman is also one of four assistants assigned to travel with the bishop while visiting parishes within the diocese.

“I had only been here for two weeks when the McCabe family invited me to their family reunion,” Father Steve said, noting that early acceptance into the church family was a gift.

“When I had spoken with other visiting priests who have served St. Isidore, they said everyone sings there,” he recalled, noting each would have been honored to receive his assignment. Read More

Sullivan Kiwanis Movie Night

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At Wyman Park Saturday

•August 24, 2016•

Sullivan Kiwanis Club’s annual movie night will be held at dusk in Wyman Park Saturday, August 27.

Everyone is invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the popular Disney family feature film “Up”.

Concessions will be available throughout the show.

Sponsored by the Sullivan Kiwanis Club, “Up” is free of charge to the general public. This year’s free family movie is courtesy of Oakwood Apothecary, Rural King and Metro Communications.

Sullivan Kiwanis was originally chartered in 1960 and reorganized two years ago. The club is responsible for a variety of community activities throughout the year. Read More

Children’s Lives Matter

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Photo by Mike Brothers Children’s Lives Matter School is in session throughout Moultrie County and drivers need watch for children going to and from school. Not only at crosswalks and in neighborhoods, but especially while loading and unloading buses. Motorist must obey the stop sign for the safety of the children boarding and unboarding. Drivers violating the stop arm are subject to high fines and loss of drivers privileges for three months. Make this a safe school transportation year.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Children’s Lives Matter
School is in session throughout Moultrie County and drivers need watch for children going to and from school. Not only at crosswalks and in neighborhoods, but especially while loading and unloading buses. Motorist must obey the stop sign for the safety of the children boarding and unboarding. Drivers violating the stop arm are subject to high fines and loss of drivers privileges for three months. Make this a safe school transportation year.

First Day at SES

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Photo by Mike Brothers First Day at SES While most area schools started last week Sullivan schools’ summer construction delayed opening until Monday. Now schools have new HVAC units, communications and security systems along with a roof to keep students dry. Above Luke Waelde (left) and James Rose are paying ahead for lunch as students at Sullivan Elementary School are dropped off by parents and gather in the gymnasium prior to attending classroom.

Photo by Mike Brothers
First Day at SES
While most area schools started last week Sullivan schools’ summer construction delayed opening until Monday. Now schools have new HVAC units, communications and security systems along with a roof to keep students dry. Above Luke Waelde (left) and James Rose are paying ahead for lunch as students at Sullivan Elementary School are dropped off by parents and gather in the gymnasium prior to attending classroom.

Red Apple Donates

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Photo by Mike Brothers Red Apple Donates With the Moultrie County Food Pantry needing food donations, the Red Apple Family Restaurant in Sullivan is collecting canned and other non-perishable food items Thursday and Friday, Aug 25-26. Customers who donate items to the Food Pantry collection box in the restaurant will receive a free (nonalcoholic) beverage with their meal. Red Apple coordinator for food pantry donations Stephanie Hays explained the Moultrie County Food Pantry helps a lot of people in the community, and the restaurant is happy to support such a worthy service.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Red Apple Donates
With the Moultrie County Food Pantry needing food donations, the Red Apple Family Restaurant in Sullivan is collecting canned and other non-perishable food items Thursday and Friday, Aug 25-26. Customers who donate items to the Food Pantry collection box in the restaurant will receive a free (nonalcoholic) beverage with their meal. Red Apple coordinator for food pantry donations Stephanie Hays explained the Moultrie County Food Pantry helps a lot of people in the community, and the restaurant is happy to support such a worthy service.

Hole in One at Eagle Creek

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Photo furnished Hole in One at Eagle Creek Bob Montgomery of Sullivan became the latest Hole in One club member at Eagle Creek Golf Course. On August 9, Montgomery hit a Nike golf ball with his nine iron for a 125 yard drive to the cup.

Photo furnished
Hole in One at Eagle Creek
Bob Montgomery of Sullivan became the latest Hole in One club member at Eagle Creek Golf Course. On August 9, Montgomery hit a Nike golf ball with his nine iron for a 125 yard drive to the cup.

Bethany Patient Stages Toy Drive to Give Back

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Photo by Bernie Sanders Seth Webner of Bethany isn’t letting juvenile rheumatoid arthritis slow him from collecting toys for other patients at Shriner’s Hospital in St. Louis. He is collecting more toys from the public at the Sullivan Church of God on Aug. 20.

Photo by Bernie Sanders
Seth Webner of Bethany isn’t letting juvenile rheumatoid arthritis slow him from collecting toys for other patients at Shriner’s Hospital in St. Louis. He is collecting more toys from the public at the Sullivan Church of God on Aug. 20.

To Shriners Hospital Kids Like Him

•August 17, 2016•

Seth Webner has suffered with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis for the past three years, and the treatment he has received at Shriner’s Hospital has inspired him to give something back.

Children from all over the country are treated free of charge at Shriners hospitals, and the Bethany seventh grader wanted to show his appreciation for the care he continues to receive.

“When I went through my first surgery at the old hospital, there was this lady who entertained me and gave me a toy,” Webner said, explaining the gesture did a lot to make him feel better about the treatments he was having to go through.

After his last visit in July, he told his mother Brooke he wanted to have a toy drive for Shriners Hospital, and so it began. Read More