•October 24, 2018•
Wednesday, October 17 might have started like most press days for the Moultrie County News Progress, but didn’t end that way.
That is one reason many of our readers noticed the newspaper did not hit the streets at 1 p.m. Wednesday, and many of those who didn’t receive them by mail called in by Thursday.
Those of you who called about not receiving your paper were very understanding, and the News Progress appreciates that! Read More
•October 17, 2018•
The Illinois Amish Heritage Center will hold its Harvest to Home event Friday and Saturday, October 19-20. The event will start at 9:00 a.m. each day and continue until 8:00 p.m. Friday and 4:00 p.m. Saturday.
Admission is per person or by vehicle load, children under 12 are free. All proceeds go to the development of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center.
On-going active field demonstrations throughout the two day event will include ear corn picking, corn cutting and shocking, disking and plowing, shelling corn with small and large shellers, harvesting and chopping of corn stalks, and grinding corn into corn meal using an early grist mill. Read More
•October 10, 2018•
Jalon Warren waived a jury trial at an October 9 hearing in Moultrie County Circuit Court.
Warren, 18, of Sullivan will appear in court at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8 for a pretrial motion hearing.
Warren was charged in connection with a threatening note found in a Sullivan High School restroom in March 2018 which prompted early dismissal of school. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
Bicyclists supporting the 500 mile Gold Star ride stopped at the Sullivan American Legion for lunch then rode on to support the annual scholarship ride honoring Illinois National Guard members who lost their lives serving overseas.
Cyclists Visit Sullivan American Legion
•October 3, 2018•
By Mike Brothers
Always remember! Never Forget!” was the shout out given by 34 Gold Star bicyclists as they left Sullivan Sept. 26 heading for Paris.
Following lunch served by Sullivan American Legion Post 68, the group gathered for the second 57 mile leg of the four day 500 mile endurance ride.
Gold Star ride coordinator Dave Helfrich announced that Sgt. Garrett Smith of Sullivan had given his life while serving in the lllinois National Guard. Smith is among 34 members of the Guard who lost their lives overseas and honored during the four day ride.
The Gold Star Mission ride raised $34,000 for scholarships which were presented to 34 students in the state last year. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
SHS Spanish Club, Student Council and Career English students served Moultrie County Habitat for Humanities and Care-A-Vanners lunch in the SHS Commons and presented each one a gift at the end of the first two weeks of the Conklin family build on Eden Street in Sullivan.
•September 26, 2018•
By Nails Carpenter
for the News Progress
Habitat for Humanity Care-A-Vanners were treated to lunch prepared and served by the SHS Spanish Club, Student Council and English Career Images students.
Pastor Paul McGhghy of the Moultrie Country Habitat explained Sullivan High School had reached out offering to join the group of volunteers serving lunches to visiting Care-A-Vanners.
During the six-week build in Sullivan volunteers, coordinated through the Sullivan Area Ministerial Assn., feed Habitat build volunteers a hot lunch every work day.
The three SHS student groups not only fed the work crew authentic Mexican dishes but also presented each member attending with a gift of appreciation.
Patricia King, Marsha Kirby and Rebecca Lawson’s students broke into groups serving the Habitat builders lunch, drinks, desserts and busing tables before presenting each volunteer with a gift bag. Read More
•September 19, 2018•
One Windsor man was hospitalized and another jailed following a Sept. 15 shooting.
According to Windsor Chief of Police J.T. Boyer, Robert A. Fraker, 62, of Windsor was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm and attempted murder. Read More
•September 12, 2018•
By Mike Brothers
A school resource officer could be on full time duty in Sullivan schools as early as Thursday, Sept. 20.
Supt. Ted Walk presented Sullivan Community Unit #300 school board members with an inter-governmental agreement with the city of Sullivan that will allow a full time Sullivan police officer on duty inside Sullivan schools 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every school day.
“We have been discussing ways to increase safety for our students,” Supt. Walk said, noting staff discussions concerning the best approach led to requesting the school resource officer. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan Community Education Foundation members Nancy Schaljo and Laura Elder toured the new HUB Innovation and Collaboration Center with SMS principal Nathan Ogle last week. The middle school received a grant from the Foundation to help fund the remodeling of the original high school library into a state of the art collaborative center for students and teachers.
•September 5, 2018•
By Mike Brothers
Sullivan Middle School added fifth grade classes into the original Sullivan High School building which filled classrooms. Thanks to the generosity of the Sullivan Community Education Foundation the original high school library is now the HUB.
SMS Principal Nathan Ogle explained his request to transform the old library into a space for collaborative and creative use by students was filled beyond expectations. With the use of iPads and collaborative teaching between classes, students were exchanging ideas in the hallways and spare alcoves before while space was available in the previous high school library.
The remnants of the original computer lab line the walls of the old library, but the inside is updated with rearrangeable furniture that is both teacher and student friendly.
Thanks to a $12,000 grant from the Sullivan Community Education Foundation there is room and furniture for three classrooms that may be used for a variety of purposes. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
U.S. 15th Congressional District Democrat candidate Kevin Gaither attended a Bethany Town Hall meeting at Marrowbone Library, August 23. Some of those visiting were Moultrie County Democrat Central Committee Chair Stuart Wade, Treasurer candidate Diane Waggoner, Connie Dunscomb, 15th District candidate Gaither, Circuit Clerk Beth Pruitt, Margi Gaither and Jim Gaither.
•August 29, 2018•
By Mike Brothers
Kevin Gaither, Democrat candidate for the 15th U.S. Congressional District, hasn’t got much money, but he does have a vision for the future.
Gaither, a Sullivan High School graduate, shared that vision at a town hall meeting held in Bethany at the Marrowbone Library on August 23.
In a campaign echoing predecessor Glenn Poshard, Gaither won the primary nomination accepting personal donations, without the benefit of party, political action committee or lobbyist funds.
Last week during Democrat Day at the Illinois State Fair U.S.Senator Dick Durbin recognized Gaither and his struggle to win the 15th district. “It was a thrill to have our campaign recognized by Senator Durbin in his opening remarks,” Gaither remarked, noting party recognition was gratifying. Read More
•August 22, 2018•
By Mike Brothers
Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development and its future was discussed in a special city council session at Titus Library.
With about 50 people attending the 5:00 p.m. August 20 session the changing role of the Chamber in order to meet the changing needs of the city was front and center.
As background, Mayor Ann Short explained economic development was placed with the Chamber with an ordinance approved in 2015. The mayor went on to explain the city funding source of $70,000 annually expires along with the TIF districts in May 2019.
Commissioner Jerry Risley pointed out Excecutive Director Laurrie Minor is stretched in many directions, balancing duties of a Chamber that has grown to include 220 members along with Economic Development and Tourism responsibilities. “One change is that we now have a city administrator,” Risley added. Read More