Category Archives: Top Stories

Graduation Reflects on the Good Old Days at SHS

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Valedictorian Spencer Johnson

•May 22, 2019•
Sullivan High School held the 141st commencement exercises Sunday in weather that was as unpredictable as the 66 seniors’ futures.
Intermittent storms forced the 2:30 p.m. graduation into a packed high school gymnasium where principal Erik Young presented his final high school class to the board of education.
Young will start the 2019-20 school year as superintendent of Ridgeview CUSD #19, near his hometown of Fairbury. Young has been high school principal for the past six years, previously serving as middle school and high school assistant principal the prior four years.
Valedictorian Spencer Johnson’s opening remarks included being thankful he could count on his fingers, and his legs would stand up for him.
He went on to point out the lessons learned in high school were preparation for those graduating to live their own lives out in the world.
“Do your own thing, don’t just survive,” Spencer encouraged his classmates.
Class salutatorian Broderick Goss reeled off favorite quotes noting, “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.” Read More

Sparrows Celebrate Silver with Lovington Show

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Photo by Barry Morgan
This truckload of rock was among the first Sparrows’ grand prizes.

Cars, Trucks, Bikes, Tractors and More

•May 15, 2019•

A quarter of a century ago, a group of people got together at Jerry’s East End in Lovington to hold a live auction and just have a good time.
A good time was had, and Sparrows Unlimited Inc. was born.
Incredible items were up for bid including a truckload of rock and a brand new weed eater… and only after the bidding did the winners find out what they won. The truckload of rock, a toy truck with a handful of rocks. The weed eater, a live rabbit. And who can forget the door prize, an actual outhouse door.
“We raised approximately $500 from the auction and sold memberships for a dollar. In six months time we sold about 2,000 memberships,” Tom Brown, one of the originals said, noting they had to figure out what to do with the money.
“It was decided at our second meeting to use the money for needy children in the Lovington community and keep enough back for a free dinner for the members. The meal would consist of fried bologna, fried potatoes, green beans and pork and beans.”
And every auction since has included that fried bologna. Read More

State Director of Agriculture Visits Okaw Valley Ag Lab

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture John Sullivan learns about Okaw Valley’s ag facilities from Wes Wise’s agriculture class May 6.

•May 8, 2019•
Okaw Valley High School agriculture students showcased the Ag lab to Illinois Director of Agriculture John M. Sullivan Monday.
“You don’t know how lucky you are to have a facility like this,” the new state ag director told Wes Wise’s students.
Sullivan, who lives on a grain and livestock farm in Schuyler County, asked the students questions about the the operation learning that lambs, pigs and calves have been birthed since the ag facility opened in January 2019.
Wise went on to explain that the 5000 sq. ft. ag facility is a smaller version of the University of Illinois facilities. The pigs being raised will be available for sale to help the program generate some revenue. Wise also told the director students are planning to serve pork burgers as part of the ongoing program expansion. Read More

Letter Carriers’ 27th Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

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Second Saturday in May

•May 1, 2019•

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) will conduct its 27th annual national food drive Saturday, May 11.
The Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive, the country’s largest single-day food drive, provides residents with an easy way to donate food to those in need.
Customers simply leave their donation of non-perishable goods next to their mailbox before the delivery of the mail on Saturday, May 11. Letter carriers will collect these food donations on that day as they deliver mail along their postal routes and distribute them to local food agencies. Visit stampouthungerfooddrive.us to learn more. Read More

The End of an Era in Sullivan Government

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•April 24, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

It was the end of an era in Sullivan city government.
The April 22 meeting was the last one for City Clerk Monte Johnson, Mayor Ann Short, as well as commissioners Mike Mossman, Mike Kirk, Grant Wade and Jerry Risley.
City Administrator Dan Flannell remarked on the importance of Monte Johnson’s 22 years of service to the city.
“Each and every citizen will feel the loss of Monte for years to come,” Flannell said of the person who brought Sullivan into the 21st century with his IT knowledge. “The citizens of Sullivan should prepare for a lack of efficiency for a while.”
Flannell continued addressing the existing council, which is being replaced as result of the last city elections. Read More

A 70 Year Honor for Harry Woolen who Survived Two Wars

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Photo by Mike Brothers
70 year Sullivan American Post 68 veteran Harry Woolen and wife Bette with Post Commander Bob Sims (background) who presented the displayed certificate. Woolen was joined by family and friends who waited patiently for him to cut the cake.

•April 17, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

Harry Woolen is a veteran’s Veteran and American Legion Post #68 presented him with his 70 year membership pin on Wednesday, April 3.
A good crowd joined wife Bette, family and friends at the Sullivan American Legion to celebrate the event. Post 68 Commander Bob Sims made the official presentation which included a certificate commemorating Woolen’s service.
What’s a celebration without a cake, which was baked by his daughter. While operating a busy television repair business and volunteering at the American Legion and VFW, Harry and Betty (who passed way in 2008) raised five children: Charles Michael, Cynthia Diane, Harry Wayne, Vicki Jo and Lori Louise in Sullivan.
Children and grandchildren filled the Legion with stories, food and celebration of a man who not only served Sullivan but also served in two wars. Read More

Swan Song for Bethany Foods

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Bethany Foods owner Ata Abbed is pictured with former employee Lois Traster.

•April 10, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

When Ata Abbed retired from General Motors after 26 years of service, he was still young enough to have a second career.
His brother was in the grocery business and had seen an ad for a grocery store in the small town of Bethany, Illinois. It turned out to be a 29-year adventure for Abbed and his family.
“We were so very fortunate to have had the best neighbors, like Jerry and Kay Ward, that anyone could ask for,” Ata recalled. “We had wonderful employees like Della Lowe, Hope Snyder, Lois Traster and the support of the community.”
“The community has been very supportive of the grocery store, and we can’t thank all of our customers enough for their support and friendship over the years,” he continued.
It was a good place to raise a family.
“In 1989 the community welcomed us and enabled us to work, build a home and raise a family here. Leaving all our friends and customers is the most difficult part of our retirement decision,” wife Linda added.
On Saturday, April 6 some of those customers came to shop or say “goodbye”. Read More

New Mayor and Board for Sullivan

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•April 3, 2019•

By Mike Brothers

The city of Sullivan has a new mayor and board of commissioners following the Tuesday, April 2 elections.
Richard Glazebrook won the mayor’s race with 521 votes followed by William Burger with 223 and incumbent mayor Ann Short with 209 votes.
Abbey Sherwood is Accounts and Finance Commissioner with 507 votes over incumbent Mike Mossman with 443.
Chuck Woodworth won the Health and Safety Commissioner’s seat with 484 votes to Grant Wade’s 448.
Peggy Hargis led the three way race for Streets and Public Improvements with 524 votes. Edna M. Bailey received 210 votes and Nancy Barker 185.
Michael C. Fowler became Public Property Commissioner with 408 votes. Austin Hunter was second with 348 and incumbent Mike Kirk received 193 votes.
In the Sullivan Community School Board #300 race the three way race for township 12N range 5E Jeff White received 1,101 and Justin R. Florey 987 winning those two seats. Nancy J. Elder received 665 votes in that race. Joshua E. Green won his unopposed seat with 671 votes.
Okaw Valley CUSD #302 proposed a $6.5 million bond referendum for new construction with 351 Moultrie County residents voting no and 185 yes.
The Dora Township tax proposition was approved 48-25.
Of the 8,698 registered voters 2,333 ballots were cast for 26.85%.[/s2If]

Tabor Park Erosion Continues as Long as the Water Flows

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Asa Creek is a powerful force during spring rains with water eroding the banks of the waterway that runs through Tabor Park.

•March 27, 2019•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Tabor Park has been a favorite site to visit to both residents and out-of-town visitors in Sullivan.
Its beautiful scenery, the calming path along the creek and forest-like setting is like a “mini-getaway” within the city. So it was only natural when a resident of Sullivan showed concern about erosion in the park and brought it to the attention of the city council.
With Tabor Park being such a vital part of Sullivan, it is important that the park be maintained as nature attempts to take its course.
To begin dealing with the erosion issues at Tabor Park, Herb Bricker, met with Wayne Kenney, a Stream Specialist of Midwest Streams from Oakdale, Illinois on February 12.
The two also met with park commissioner Mike Mossman and a contractor who was employed to remove unwanted vegetation from the stream corridor. Most of the unwanted vegetation consisted of bush honeysuckle. Read More

Battle of Badges Pleases Crowds, Recognizes First Responders

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Photo by R.R. Best
Cheers all around for the members of the Law Enforcement basketball team at Battle of the Badges held at Sullivan High School gymnasium March 14 to benefit the Sullivan Elementary P.T.O. Above Coach Don Typer, Moultrie County Sheriff Chris Sims, Sullivan Chief of Police Jim Waggoner and Illinois State Trooper Thomas Houser applaud the win.

•March 20, 2019•

The Battle of the Badges was a crowd pleasing fund-raiser for the Sullivan Elementary School P.T.O. on March 14.
Moultrie County’s law enforcement team won the game over the Sullivan Fire Protection District. The game, which benefits school children, is a spirited competition that still has some players feeling muscle pain .
Members of the Larry and Ruby Schrock family, whose daughter was severely burned during a home explosion in February, attended the event to witness awards presented to first responders for their efforts above the call of duty on that day.
Sullivan Fire District Chief Mike Piper recognized Josiah Davison, Drake Grubb, Travis Reed and Derek Carter of the SFPD; Mark Risely, Caleb Smith and Brandon Beckwith of the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Dept. and Tom Lehew and Brody Bickle of the Sullivan Police Dept. Read More