Category Archives: News Section

County Board Approves Courthouse Repairs

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Photo by RR Best Pictured is the head of buildings and grounds Rick Matthews illustrating the damage done to the courthouse over time.

Photo by RR Best
Pictured is the head of buildings and grounds Rick Matthews illustrating the damage done to the courthouse over time.

•August 19, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

Moultrie County is sprucing up the courthouse.

On Thursday, August 20 the Moultrie County Board proceeded with the restoration of the exterior of the courthouse with a unanimous vote, based on the recommendation of Building and Grounds Committee chair Gary Smith.

Low bid of $203,755 was awarded Masons Masonry Restoration of Brownstown, Ill.

At the bid opening earlier in the week Tim Raibley from Architercture & Design Group Ltd of Mt. Carmel explained the basic bid was for 200 feet of crack repair and 50 large stone patches needed for the building. Raibley noted that Masons had just completed a similar project on the Richland County courthouse in Olney.

Board chair Dave McCabe explained the county intends to pay for the project from surplus funds.

“We’ve been building reserves,” McCabe said, noting an extra $100,000 loan payment on the jail will be deferred to the tuck pointing project this year.

Potential funding from the city of Sullivan is also being sought.

The serious failure of the tuckpointing is allowing moisture into the building.

A moisture situation on the third floor is among interior issues the board hopes the restoration project will address. McCabe said loose stones and tuckpointing issues on the courthouse came to the board’s attention about a year ago.

Moultrie County Courthouse was built in 1904 and has been well-maintained over the years.  Read More

Begin “Building” for the School Year

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Photo Submitted Begin “Building” for the School Year Six local FFA members have taken on the responsibility of leading 13 FFA chapters in the planning and organizing of their Section FFA career development events, leadership conferences, and community service projects for the upcoming school year. These Section 16 FFA officers include President Brodie Scribner, of the Sullivan FFA, Vice President Jack Curtin, Taylorville FFA, Reporter Alyssa Garner, representing the Maroa Forsyth FFA, Secretary Mary Kate Curtin, of the Taylorville FFA, Treasurer Lauren Burgener, of the Central A & M FFA, and Sentinel Kristy Burford, representing Okaw Valley FFA. These officers have selected “Building a Future…one brick at a time” as their theme for the upcoming year. They will start the year by welcoming three of the major state FFA officers into the local section for a week of chapter visits and a leadership training workshop during the week of September 14 -18. Section 16 FFA has more than 600 FFA members representing the FFA chapters of Blue Ridge, Central A & M, Cerro Gordo, Clinton, Edinburg, Heartland Technical Academy, Maroa Forsyth, Mt. Zion, Okaw Valley, Sangamon Valley, Sullivan, Taylorville, and Windsor.

Photo Submitted
Begin “Building” for the School Year
Six local FFA members have taken on the responsibility of leading 13 FFA chapters in the planning and organizing of their Section FFA career development events, leadership conferences, and community service projects for the upcoming school year. These Section 16 FFA officers include President Brodie Scribner, of the Sullivan FFA, Vice President Jack Curtin, Taylorville FFA, Reporter Alyssa Garner, representing the Maroa Forsyth FFA, Secretary Mary Kate Curtin, of the Taylorville FFA, Treasurer Lauren Burgener, of the Central A & M FFA, and Sentinel Kristy Burford, representing Okaw Valley FFA. These officers have selected “Building a Future…one brick at a time” as their theme for the upcoming year. They will start the year by welcoming three of the major state FFA officers into the local section for a week of chapter visits and a leadership training workshop during the week of September 14 -18. Section 16 FFA has more than 600 FFA members representing the FFA chapters of Blue Ridge, Central A & M, Cerro Gordo, Clinton, Edinburg, Heartland Technical Academy, Maroa Forsyth, Mt. Zion, Okaw Valley, Sangamon Valley, Sullivan, Taylorville, and Windsor.

Tall Pepper

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Tall Pepper Arletta Dolan of Gays planted a Patio Pepper in an old iron kettle outside her back door in May and thought nothing of it until it started growing about three inches a week. Now that back door is hidden by the six foot tall plant nestled among the petunias, and Arletta is reaping the benefits. Above grandchildren Gareth, 8 1/2, and Anyssa, 7, Coffer of Sullivan examine the abundance of peppers, determining they are not quite ripe enough for consumption.

Tall Pepper
Arletta Dolan of Gays planted a Patio Pepper in an old iron kettle outside her back door in May and thought nothing of it until it started growing about three inches a week. Now that back door is hidden by the six foot tall plant nestled among the petunias, and Arletta is reaping the benefits. Above grandchildren Gareth, 8 1/2, and Anyssa, 7, Coffer of Sullivan examine the abundance of peppers, determining they are not quite ripe enough for consumption.

CIPT Provides Freedom and Independence

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Photo by Keith Stewart Patricia Reid is one Sullivan resident who regularly uses the Central Illinois Public Transit system, including last Wednesday when she needed a ride to her doctor’s appointment.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Patricia Reid is one Sullivan resident who regularly uses the Central Illinois Public Transit system, including last Wednesday when she needed a ride to her doctor’s appointment.

The Illinois budget has the possibility of affecting services

•August 19, 2015•

By Ariana Cherry
Reporting in Sullivan

It is easy to take your mode of transportation for granted when it is readily available-whether it is the car in your garage or a ride from a friend or family member. But when you don’t have a way to get to doctor’s appointments or even the grocery store, it can be frustrating. Those who don’t have other means of getting from one place to another, depend on public transportation. For some, it is their only way to gain some type of independence.

“It is important to get around for every day needs such as going to store and doctor appointments. Without it, I would never get to the doctor because I have no other way,” commented Patricia Reid, who often uses the bus from CIPT (Central Illinois Public Transportation). “Without the bus, I would have to go to the nursing home because I wouldn’t be able to get around anywhere and I can’t walk that far,” she added.

Sandy Siler, who also takes advantage of services from CIPT, depends on public transportation. “My husband died two years ago, and I am disabled. I can’t walk and if Ii didn’t have it to transport me and my scooter, I wouldn’t be going anywhere and I would stay at home all the time,” she said.

CIPT has been in business for 30 years, offering public transportation to anyone needs it. While it is viable for seniors and disabled, anybody can ride the bus. It gives those who ride a sense of independence and security by knowing that they can see their doctors, purchase groceries and still get out every once in awhile and not be stuck at home. “We give them their freedom back by being a part of the community and continuing with their daily lives,” quoted Dennis Shiley, the director of CIPT.  Read More

Remember When? 8-19-2015

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25 years ago this week

Amanda Howen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Howen of Sullivan, participated recently in the Eagle Talent Showcase at the Champaign Holiday Inn. Competing against 20 other area performers, she was chosen to perform on a nationally-syndicated cable TV program called The Nashville Revue Show. She will perform three musical selections before talent agents and record producers. She is a 1985 graduate of the Chicago Academy of the Arts.

Angela Rogers, daughter of Jack and Marilyn Rogers of Sullivan, and Sherry Voyles, daughter of Marvin and Linda Voyles of Gays, recently received diplomas from Robert Morris College during spring 1990 commencement ceremonies held in Springfield.

Tracy Ann Short of Sullivan is among the new initiates into the Indiana University chapter of Phi Eta Sigma, the national freshmen scholastic honorary.

Cherie Joy Belcher of Lovington returned home recently after attending the Chicage National Assn. of Dance Masters Workshop and ballet forum. The daughter of Don and Joyce Belcher of rural Lovington, she was a member of the Decatur Area Dance Co. for six years appearing on PM Magazine, the Children’s Maricle Network and danced in the Decatur Celebration

Bethany High School math teacher Marilyn Jones was installed state president of Alpha Delta Kappa during the organization’s state convention held May 4-6 in Bloomington. Read More

Teeing-Off

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Photo by RR Best Teeing-Off Sullivan Joey Davison tees off during Monday’s golf season opener at Angus Links in Windsor. Davison finished 46th overall with a 99. Other Sullivan scores include Caden Ellis’ 83 (tied for 13th), Eric Keller’s 88 (tied for 25th), Adam White’s 100 (tied for 47th), Tom Schibur’s 101 (tied for 49th), and Kaleb Shumard’s 107 (61st). As a team, the Redskins finished with a score of 370, more than 65 strokes better than this time last year. As a result, Sullivan finished ninth out of the 12-team invite, which was hosted by Effingham St. Anthony, who would win with a team score of 328. Neoga’s lone golfer Luke Baker finished atop individually with a 71.

Photo by RR Best
Teeing-Off
Sullivan Joey Davison tees off during Monday’s golf season opener at Angus Links in Windsor. Davison finished 46th overall with a 99. Other Sullivan scores include Caden Ellis’ 83 (tied for 13th), Eric Keller’s 88 (tied for 25th), Adam White’s 100 (tied for 47th), Tom Schibur’s 101 (tied for 49th), and Kaleb Shumard’s 107 (61st). As a team, the Redskins finished with a score of 370, more than 65 strokes better than this time last year. As a result, Sullivan finished ninth out of the 12-team invite, which was hosted by Effingham St. Anthony, who would win with a team score of 328. Neoga’s lone golfer Luke Baker finished atop individually with a 71.

Sweet Reward

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Photo by RR Best Sweet Reward Cookies for Guard-Ladies from Sullivan took generosity to the next level Saturday. As some 700 National Guard from all over the state gathered in Sullivan for all day training, Teresa Metzger, Jennifer Voegel, Rhonda West, Amanda Titus Bennett, Tara Rice, Shirley Rogers and Becky Lawson made hundreds of cookies.

Photo by RR Best
Sweet Reward
Cookies for Guard-Ladies from Sullivan took generosity to the next level Saturday. As some 700 National Guard from all over the state gathered in Sullivan for all day training, Teresa Metzger, Jennifer Voegel, Rhonda West, Amanda Titus Bennett, Tara Rice, Shirley Rogers and Becky Lawson made hundreds of cookies.

First Day at Okaw Valley

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Photo by Mike Brothers First Day at Okaw Valley Carter McConkey of Bethany is looking forward to his first day at school at Okaw Valley Elementary School. Carter joins his 4th grade class along with the 170 students attending the k-4 school.

Photo by Mike Brothers
First Day at Okaw Valley
Carter McConkey of Bethany is looking forward to his first day at school at Okaw Valley Elementary School. Carter joins his 4th grade class along with the 170 students attending the k-4 school.

Ode to a Lackthereof

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Photo by R.R. Best Pictured are outgoing managing editor Keith Stewart (left) and his replacement Mike Brothers (right), who took over this week.

Photo by R.R. Best
Pictured are outgoing managing editor Keith Stewart (left) and his replacement Mike Brothers (right), who took over this week.

•August 12, 2015•

by Keith Stewart

Yes, I’m leaving. And soon it will be last week’s news.

After four years here at the News•Progress, I have decided to step away as managing editor, editor, sports reporter, designer, photographer, website manager, et al.

Replacing me (and as explained somewhere nearby), is Mike Brothers, who literally trumps me in experience 10-fold.

And I feel good about putting the paper in his hands.

Last week when he and I were in Findlay, Mike, spur of the moment, jumped out of the car and began delivering complimentary issues of our paper door to door in the 90 degree heat. That’s when I knew he was right for this paper and right for this area.

Because he cares.
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Area Arts Get Boost From Bikers

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Photo by R.R. Best Corn bikers -ElliptiGo riders Brandon Simmons and Jordan Trump enjoyed the Sullivan Area Arts Bicycle Tour: Cruisin’ the Cornfields, Saturday. They liked the ride so much they rode to Sullivan from Moweaqua, took part in the 41 mile tour, then rode their bikes back to Moweaqua.

Photo by R.R. Best
Corn bikers -ElliptiGo riders Brandon Simmons and Jordan Trump enjoyed the Sullivan Area Arts Bicycle Tour: Cruisin’ the Cornfields, Saturday. They liked the ride so much they rode to Sullivan from Moweaqua, took part in the 41 mile tour, then rode their bikes back to Moweaqua.

Sullivan Area Arts got a boost from a bunch of bikers on Saturday, August 8

•August 12, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

The Sixth annual Cruisin’ the Cornfields bicycle tour fund-raiser sponsored by SAArts had 48 riders.

“The ride went really well this year,” event coordinator Stepheny McMahon said, noting the weather was perfect and all the roads were clear and smooth.

Starting at Wyman Park in Sullivan riders were given two choices for the ride. The 16 mile tour began at Wyman and went to Okaw Valley Orchard.

“The Okaw Valley Orchard is a good rest stop where riders can take a break and have refreshments,” she continued.

Those choosing the 16 mile route return to Wyman Park from Okaw Valley Orchard while those choosing the 41 mile tour continue to Dalton City, then on to Lake City where another rest stop was set. Of the group 27 riders chose the 41 mile tour on Saturday. Ride time for the 41 mile bike tour was about three hours.
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