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 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.
Queen Pageant Participants - The Macon County Queen Pageant was expanded in 2015 to include contestants from outside the county. Pictured with Macon County Queen 2014 Sophie Schwalbach from Decatur/Sullivan are (from left): Ashton Doty of Bethany, Queen Schwalbach, Brittany Rader of Lovington, second runner up 2015 Macon County Queen Pageant, and Carli Plank of Arthur. The pageant was held at the Decatur Civic Center at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 9. Kristen Batte of Paxton was crowned Macon County Queen for 2015. Retiring Queen Sophie is attending Richland Community College focusing on performing arts. (News Progress photo- Mike Brothers)
Photos Submitted
Moultrie-Douglas 4-H Horse Show Results
The Moultrie-Douglas 4-H Horse Show was held Saturday, July 25. From top to bottom are the local award recipients. Benjamin Bushue of the Moultrie County Longhorns earned Grand Champion in Jr. Horse Showmanship, Trail Class-Jr., Pattern-Jr. Horsemanship, Jr. Flags, and Jr. Poles. Reserve Grand Champion in Pleasure-Jr. Horse and Jr. Barrels. Blair Monroe of the Sunnyside Flea Flickers earned Grand Champion in Halter-Pony Mare and Sr Horse Showmanship. Reserve Grand Champion in Pleasure-Jr. Horse, Pleasure Sr. Horsemanship, Trail Class-Sr., Pattern Riding-Sr, Sr. Barrels, and Sr. Flags. Chloe Tiarks of the Sunnyside Flea Flickers earned Grand Champion in Pleasure-Jr. Horse, Pleasure Jr. Horsemanship, Pattern Riding-Jr., and Jr. Barrels. Reserve Grand Champion in Trail Class-Jr., Jr. Flags and Jr. Poles. Brett Bushue of the Moultrie County Longhorns earned Reserve Grand Champion in Halter-Horse Mare, Halter-Gelding, and Pleasure Jr. Horsemanship. Amy Monroe of the Sunnyside Flea Flickers earned Grand Champion in Halter-Pony Gelding, Halter-Gelding, Pony Showmanship, Pleasure-Pony, Pleasure-Sr. Horse, Pleasure-Horse Showmanship, Pleasure Sr. Horsemanship, Trail Class-Sr., Pattern Riding-Pony, Pattern Riding-Sr., Sr. Barrels, Sr. Flags, and Sr. Poles. Reserve Grand Champion in Sr. Horse Showmanship and Sr. Poles.
Photo by Keith Stewart
Sullivan Man Found Dead Friday
Ryan J. Benton, 41, of Sullivan was found dead late Friday afternoon. According to Sullivan Police Chief John Love, his department was called to do a welfare check, and upon visiting Benton’s residence at 504 N. Van Buren, found the 41-year-old dead. Benton was pronounced deceased by Moultrie County Coroner Lynn Reed at 4:02 p.m. Friday. Sullivan police and Reed’s office are still conducting an investigation into Benton’s death but say that no foul play is suspected. Love declined to provide comment on a preliminary cause of death and instead said that they are awaiting both autopsy and toxicology reports. Pictured are both Sullivan police and officials from the coroner’s office preparing to enter Benton’s apartment.
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WHAT’S Yard of July
Windsor’s yard of the month winner is Noel and Gloria Helton. Making good use of perennials and annuals in their flower beds makes this a favorite drive by spot of many in Windsor, and the new log siding on their home has been a long awaited goal. The WHAT group, Windsor’s Happenings Around Town, is a mapping group that is working on beautification of Windsor. The group encourages all residents to beautify their homes and yards. Nominations may be made by stopping by city hall or calling 273-5488.
Photo by RR Best
Trashy
Pictured are several televisions that were dumped in a drainage ditch just north of Wyman Park sometime over the weekend. According to Sullivan road district commissioner Elmo Weaver, the televisions were left in the ditch in what appeared to be a result of complications with the Sullivan citywide electronic recycling event which was held Saturday. According to the city, the recycling company was not equipped to handle the large volume of electronics, which citizens brought to be recycled. “They should have taken them back home instead of dumping it on someone else,’ said Weaver. “It’s not right.” The city does plan to hold another electronics recycling day. Information on that event will be provided in the News•Progress once available.
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Golf Outing Winners
Pictured is winning team from the 21st annual Okaw Valley Academic Foundation golf outing, which was held July 10. From left to right: Andrew Fultz, Joe Fultz, sponsor Jack Scott, Ben Broadbeck, and JC Fultz.
Photo by Keith Stewart
2015 Miss-Mo-Do Royalty
Pictured are this year’s Miss Moultrie-Douglas royalty, from left to right: Jr. Miss Mo-Do Kali Pierce of Tuscola, Little Miss Mo-Do Paislee Lorenzen of Newman, and Miss Mo-Do Gabrielle Uphoff of Sullivan.
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Talking Education
A group of local educators recently met with State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) to discuss education issues in the state. Pictured, inside Sen. Rose’s Capitol office are (back row, left to right): John Harwood, Dan Allen (Sullivan H.S. teacher), and Ted Walk (Sullivan H.S. assistant principal). Front row: Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet), Steve Poland, Brad Tuttle (Sullivan superintendent), and Erik Young (Sullivan H.S. principal).