Category Archives: News Section

Illinois Extension shares the basics of estate planning

News Progress Posted on by

•March 5, 2025•

There is comfort in knowing that your last wishes are taken care of. Have you ever felt overwhelmed when you heard the words, “estate planning”? 

An “Estate Planning 101: Know the Basics” webinar will be held Wednesday, March 19th at 9:00 a.m. at the Moultrie-Douglas Extension office at 304 E. Progress in Arthur. This workshop is a previously recorded webinar that will be provided free of charge, but advance registration is required. To register, call Illinois Extension at 217-543-3755, or email your name, postal address, and phone number to cburcham@illinois.edu. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this program, please call by March 12th.   During this program, we hope participants become less fearful of estate planning, learn some basic concepts and terms related to estate planning, and gather some resources to aid in getting your affairs in order. 

Trivia night at the museum

News Progress Posted on by

•March 5, 2025•

The Moultrie County Historical Center, 1303 S. Hamilton St., Sullivan, will host Trivia Night at the Museum on Saturday, March 29. A meal will be served at 5 p.m. with trivia beginning at 6.

To reserve your teams spot, register before March 22. Registration fee is $20 per person and teams can be made up of up to six people. Checks made payable to Moultrie County History Center may be mailed to P.O. Box 588, Sullivan, IL 61951 or dropped off at the History Center between 10-3 Tuesday-Friday or 10-2 on Saturday.

Contact Donna Arendell (217) 521-9718 or mycroft46@gmail.com with any questions.

IDNR seeking campground hosts for 2025 camping season

News Progress Posted on by

•March 5, 2025•

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is seeking campground hosts for the 2025 camping season for state parks, recreation areas, and historic sites throughout Illinois.

Campground hosting is the perfect position for anyone who enjoys camping and helping other people. Hosts are often the first face to greet state park visitors. They check on arrivals and departures, write camping permits, acquaint campers with park facilities and regulations, answer questions about local and statewide attractions, help visitors plan outings, and more.

Read More

Local fire results in half-million-dollar loss

News Progress Posted on by
Photo by R.R. Best On March 1st at 5:35 p.m., the Sullivan Fire Department was dispatched to a machine shed fire located near County Road 1200 East, between County Roads 1600N and 1500N. Upon arrival, the 600 square foot machine shed containing hay, straw, and farming equipment was found to be fully-engulfed. The fire departments of Bethany, Lovington, Arthur, and Windsor were called to assist. Defensive operations were deployed to contain any potential spread to the fire due the large amount of hay and straw, winds, and dry surrounding growth. No casualties were reported. The property is owned by Dennis Helmuth, with Aaron Bontrager the tenant. The Sullivan Police Department as well as the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department closed the roadways until the scene was cleared and released by SFD at 9:07 p.m. Captain Tyler Wright of the Sullivan Fire Department reminds the public to, “Refrain from burning brush and weeds during high winds and call 911.”

Swimmers compete at sectional

News Progress Posted on by
Sullivan Co Op boys swim team went to the IHSA boys sectional meet this past weekend. Grant Martin, Jaden Miller, Henry Wooler, Nathan Rafferty placed 6th in the 200 Medley Relay and 5th in the 200 Freestyle Relay. In individual swims, Martin placed 6th in the 100 butterfly and 8th in the 100 breaststroke. Rafferty placed 8th in the 100 freestyle and 4th in the 500 freestyle. Miller placed 8th in the 100 backstroke and 10th in the 500 freestyle. Woolery placed 14th in the 50 freestyle and 15th in the 100 breaststroke. Pictured are Henry Woolery, Grant Martin, Nathan Rafferty and Jaden Miller

District struggles with filling job vacancies

News Progress Posted on by

School bleachers in need of repair or replacement

•February 26, 2025•

by Ariana R Cherry

“It is becoming challenging to replace and hire new staff in the district.” commented Superintendent, Shannon Cheek at the most recent ALAH School Board meeting held at Lovington Grade School on February 19, 2025. Currently, several positions are open in the district. Some of those positions include two openings for Junior High Science, School Psych, Band, Chorus/Music, High School History, elementary education positions, and ELA at LGS. Job descriptions can be found on the district website under job vacancies. (https://www.cusd305.org/page/job-vacancies). 

Read More

FCCLA Chapter meet for conference

News Progress Posted on by

•February 26, 2025•

As part of National FCCLA Week, Sullivan FCCLA attended the IL FCCLA Section 7 Winter Rally Conference in Charleston on Thursday, February 6th, 2025. Fourteen students from Sullivan High School attended along with advisors Jennifer Vogel and Kali Taylor. FCCLA members from nine area schools made up the approximately 130 participants at the event. 

Read More

Council approves road name change

News Progress Posted on by

•February 26, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Sullivan City Council took care of a lot of business in a 37-minute council meeting Monday night.

The council spent the most time discussing a road name change for county road 1200N. The road, located between Route 32 and Patterson Road, will now be called Empower Road as the future location of Empower Academy, a dance and day care facility.

Read More

County hears CIPT report

News Progress Posted on by

•February 19, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Moultrie County Board heard a report on public transportation, an update on a child care plan and dispatched several measures during a 31 minute meeting Thursday night.

The board learned that Central Illinois Public Transit had provided 747 rides for citizens in the last year. Manager John Althoff said CIPT had traveled more than 22,000 miles for Moultrie County residents. 

Read More