Category Archives: News Section

Bethany Author Publishes First Book

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Bethany resident Denis Durham and his children Evan and Ellie hold copies of his recently published book “Elizabithia, The War Against Musical Tyranny and The Search For Lost Music Trees”.

•July 6, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Denis Durham of Bethany has published his first book. He stated that the story is an allegory of the family court system in the United States. The book contains musical elements and references to judges and attorneys.
It took Durham two years to write the book which was published in April. The characters in the book represent him and his two children, Ellie and Evan. In the book there is an imaginary land called Elizabithia, and there the characters learn about trees that have different music notes and musical references. He incorporated Okaw Valley schools into the story, and there is also a mention of an ancient library to learn what has happened to the trees. Read More

Bethany Celebration 2022

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Crystal Reed
Bethany Celebration Opening Ceremony
Bethany Celebration Grand Marshal Orville “Punch” Martin (center) cuts the ribbon during the opening ceremony with the help of Bethany Celebration royals. Royalty was (left side): Miss Madalyne McPheeters, Little Miss Khali Creek and (right side) Young Miss Livie Lane and Junior Miss Lydia Webner.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Throwing Candy
Rob Young of Moultrie County Pest Control and others had plenty of candy to throw to young parade goers in Bethany.

Photo by Crystal Reed
OV Band
The Okaw Valley band played music as they marched down the parade route on Saturday.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Car Show
Bob Weltig with his 1955 Ford F-150. He received the Queen’s Choice award during the Bethany Celebration Car Show.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Carnival Fun
Knox Reid holds on while on a bull ride that was at the Bethany Celebration this past weekend.

Moultrie-Sullivan Fair 2022

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Crystal Reed
Moultrie-Sullivan Fair
The Moultrie-Sullivan Fair took place on Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25. Events included cattle, goats, rabbits, swine and horse and pony shows as well as arts and crafts and agricultural products entries. Pictured above is a photo from the cattle show. We will be printing results in a future issue of the News Progress.

Summer Reading at Sullivan Preschool

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Crystal Reed
Summer Reading at Sullivan Preschool
The Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library brought summer reading activities to Sullivan Preschool last week. Children were able to pick out designs to make shrinky dinks which were then put on keychains. Pictured is Autumn Mason working on coloring in a design for the craft project.

Rock Springs Visits Marrowbone Public Library

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Crystal Reed
Rock Springs Visits Marrowbone Public Library
Rock Springs Program Specialist Brock Rowland presented “Mammals of Illinois” to children at Marrowbone Public Library on Thursday, June 16. As part of the program, those in attendance had the opportunity to touch various animal pelts including deer, coyote, beaver, red fox and skunks. Those in attendance also learned about warm and cold blooded animals and what makes them different.

Diamond Rio Heads the Entertainment at the 91st Moultrie-Douglas County Fair

News Progress Posted on by

•June 29, 2022•
by Doris Elmore
Guest Writer

Ninety-one incredible years of fun awaits you at the Moultrie-Douglas County Fair July 5-9 at the fairgrounds in Arthur. It is earlier this year, and follows on the tail of July 4 celebrations, but it just means the festivities just keep on coming.
With much excitement, the Moultrie-Douglas Fair Board is proud to welcome Diamond Rio in concert on Saturday, July 9. They will be on stage at 8:30 p.m. We have known of Diamond Rio for many years, and now we will see them in person, gracing our very own stage. Diamond Rio is an American country music band. They were founded in 1982 as an attraction for the Opryland USA theme park in Nashville, TN, and were originally known as the Grizzly River Boys, then the Tennessee River Boys. Read More

Moultrie Amateur Radio Klub Hosts Field Day in Sullivan

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Moultrie Amateur Radio Klub President Mike Morris with a ham radio made in Ukraine.

•June 29, 2022•
by Ellen Ferrera
NP Writer

On Saturday, June 25 a group of ham radio operators from central Illinois gathered at the Boy Scout cabin in Wyman Park to celebrate their annual Field Day.
Since 1933, Field Day has been celebrated by amateur radio operators and clubs in the U.S. and throughout the world. The primary purpose of the Field Day is to practice and demonstrate emergency procedures; although, each club may determine their own activities.
So how did this very popular hobby of being a ham radio operator begin? In 1888 Heinrich Rudof proved that radio waves existed, and they were adapted into a communication system in the 1890s by the Italian inventor Gugliuelmo Marconi. People then began experimenting with this “wireless telegraphy” – the term “radio” was not yet in use- and it soon expanded worldwide.
By 1908 the students at Columbia University formed the Wireless Telegraph Club of Columbia University which is the earliest recorded formation of an amateur radio club. By 1910 there were thousands of transmitters set up in the U.S. The Radio Act of 1912 began U.S. federal licensing of amateur operators and stations. All amateur radio operators in the U.S. must be licensed by the FCC and pass a 3-tier test. Read More

Kevin Landrus Receives Award

News Progress Posted on by

Photo courtesy of ROE #11
Kevin Landrus, Director of Transportation and Maintenance for Sullivan Schools, recently received the Friend of Education Award from the Regional Office of Education #11. From left to right: Zakry Standerfer, Assistant Regional Superintendent: Kevin Landrus, Director of Transportation and Maintenance for Sullivan Schools; Katie O’Dell, Professional Development Coordinator and Transportation Director; and Regional Superintendent Kyle Thompson.

•June 29, 2022•
Kevin Landrus, Director of Transportation and Maintenance for Sullivan Schools, recently received the Friend of Education Award from the Regional Office of Education #11.
Regional Superintendent Kyle Thompson said, “Our Friends of Education Award recognizes individuals who make larger contributions to education, specifically to our region as a whole, and not just an individual school district.”
“Kevin is a great man. In all my years of working with him he has proven himself to be a caring, competent, reliable, individual who serves Sullivan Schools and ROE #11 well. I have no doubt anyone who has encountered Kevin personally or professionally is better off for it,” Thompson added.
The ROE’s formal announcement of the honor noted, “In addition to his responsibilities for the school district, he has served as a certified school bus instructor for ROE #11 for the past four years and has trained many of the bus drivers in our region. Kevin is a compassionate and dedicated individual who serves as a mentor for many new transportation directors. His hard work and willingness to go the extra mile to ensure safety for students sets him apart.”
Katie O’Dell, Professional Development Coordinator and Transportation Director for ROE #11, who nominated Landrus stated, “Kevin goes above and beyond to assist other transportation directors in our region. His experience, knowledge and willingness to go above and beyond in his position made me certain he was worthy of this award.” Read More

Broadway Bootcamp Held

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Crystal Reed
Broadway Bootcamp Held
The Little Theatre on the Square held Broadway Bootcamp last week for children entering first through third grades in the fall. They were instructed by professional actors and musicians. On Saturday, June 18 they had a showcase performance.