Photo by Darian Hayes
Lovington Junefest
If it’s June, it is time for the annual Lovington Junefest Fish Fry. Above crowds braved warm summer temperatures to enjoy fish, fellowship, and this year the event was topped off with the annual fireworks show after dark. Above Ralph Zancha and Steve Fleming fry fish for an appreciative Lovington crowd.
Photo furnished
Community Band Performs
The Sullivan Community Band will present a free concert at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 28 at the south end of Wyman Park in Sullivan. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy some patriotic and popular tunes. This 40-member group comprised of both adult and student musicians sounds fantastic and is presenting only one concert this summer; don’t miss it! Rain plan venue is the Sullivan Middle School gym. See the Sullivan CUSD 300 Facebook page for rain plan announcement.
Photo by R.R. Best
Mainstreet Music and Market
Mainstreet Music and Market was held on the Sullivan square beginning at noon Saturday, June 16. Above Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development Executive Director Laurrie Minior and Cathrine Craig of Cathrine’s Gifts and More volunteer during the Market in the afternoon which let visitors look at a variety of local artisans’ creations. Entertainment came from the Northenders beginning at noon followed by Firebox, Scott Mast, Killbourne Alley and Wreckless Whiskey who closed the event with an 8:00 p.m. set.
Photo by Dennis Fedie
Lovington Clean Up
Lovington townwide clean up was Saturday, June 9. Picking up the town with IV Container were Levi Brohez, Sebastian Eckhart, Oakley Martin, Davey Emrick, Pam Anklam, Tony Brown, Gary Smith, Josh Fedie, Dustin Rambo, Robert Riley, Austin Smith and Jim Trenholm.
Photo by R.R. Best
Dalton City Stand Off Ends Peacefully
A 60-year-old Pittsfield man was taken to Moultrie County jail following a five hour standoff in Dalton City Monday morning.
Moultrie County Sheriff Chris Sims reported that Albert Kimber was taken into custody at 11:10 a.m. Monday, June 11 facing preliminary charges of home invasion, unlawful restraint and armed violence. He was taken to the Moultrie County Detention Center.
It all began with a 5:56 a.m. call to the Moultrie County Sheriff’s office on a domestic violence/criminal trespass complaint at #130 Route 128 in Dalton City.
Sims explained that report quickly escalated to the suspect being armed with a firearm trying to force entry into the residence.
By the time three Moultrie County deputies arrived two rounds had been discharged as the suspect entered the residence, and a scuffle was occurring inside the front part of the house.
A deputy commanded the suspect to drop the gun, and the male fled to the interior of the home while the female victim escaped out the front.
Once free the female advised officers that a male friend of hers was still in the house with the gunman.
Sullivan police responded to assist along with the Illinois State Police Hostage Negotiation and Tactical Team as well as members of the ILEAS Tactical Team.
After negotiations and another round being discharged inside the residence, the male hostage was released without harm.
Continued negotiations conducted by Illinois State Police resulted in the suspect surrendering to officers.
Sheriff Sims emphasized the investigation is ongoing.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Serving the Masses
While most folks were bustling around Sullivan looking for deals at the townwide rummage sales Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9 Boy Scout Troop #39 was serving the masses during their annual two day cookout on the Sullivan IGA parking lot. First Community Bank of Sullivan joined Sullivan IGA and The News Progress in sponsoring the annual townwide rummage sales.
Photo by Jason Brown
Victory hug
WSS Hatchet Mackinzee Reynolds gives Ava Bennett a victory hug after the Windsor Stew-Stras State Championship win Saturday. A tribute to the team, the community and the effort begins on page 9 of the News Progress.
Photo furnished
SES Gold Slip Students
Sullivan Elementary School honors students who go above and beyond expectations at school by awarding them “Gold Slips.” The following are students who were awarded gold slips in the month of May (from left to right): Kaiden Smith was kind and respectful to the kitchen staff throughout the year, always saying please and thank you.
Mason Booker and Hayden Righter started picking up trash under the bleachers between their events at the SEA track meet. Carter Standerfer and Gracelynn Johnson jumped in to help another student who had spilled bird seed in the hallway at dismissal.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Kid Carnival
Kids of all ages enjoyed the Elizabeth Titus Library summer reading program kickoff Friday, June 1. Two giant inflatables were added to the library lawn as the afternoon included a life-sized Candyland game, book walks, and creating rain sticks, all with cotton candy and snow cones served as refreshments. Above some of the kids at the Titus Library summer kick off were: front from left: Sylvia Dawkins, and Miriam Parri. Back row: Mae Dawkins, Sammi Davison and Simon Parri.
Photo by R. R. Best
OVHS Commencement
Okaw Valley High School graduation for 47 senior candidates was held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 27 in the high school gymnasium in Bethany. Quinn Michael Brooks was the class of 2018 valedictorian and addressed his classmates along with salutatorians Grace Catherine Harlin, Hannah Beth Landreth and Ethan Johannes Macklin. Above graduates Tanner Coleman, Cody Drake, and James Burns. switch tassels at the end of the ceremony.