Photo by Ellen Ferrera
March to Greenhill Cemetery
American Legion Post #68, Honor Guard, Sons of American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary members led the Memorial Day parade from the Sullivan square to Greenhill Cemetery ceremonies on Memorial Day.

•May 30, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

We watched them approach in the distance with flags unfurled taking measured steps as they marched down Water Street towards Greenhill Cemetery.

The American Legion Honor Guard and a Boy Scout troop entered the cemetery to the intermittent command of “hut, hut” and took their positions for the solemn memorial services.

After a prayer, Marine Corps Major Lynn Lowder addressed the crowd of some 100 people. A graduate of Sullivan High School and a frequent speaker there, he noted that both his parents and grandparents are buried in Greenhill.

Major Lowder recalled that his first military ceremony was here, and he knew it was important because of all the flags and the music. Read More

Photo by R.R. Best
Tabor Park’s Concert series began recently thanks to neighbor Bill Burger (back) who got help from Mason Point sponsor representatives Nikki White and Leeanna Stickels. In the front Vonnie Lee and Kathi Garvey from Mid Illinois Senior Services serve refreshments.

•May 16, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Bill Burger had wanted to showcase Tabor Park in Sullivan and thanks to Mason Point a concert at the park series began Friday, May 1.

For many years Sullivan residents have enjoyed the benefits of having two wonderful parks. The Tabor family donated the land for Tabor Park with the plan that benefits be free to all.

Sullivan City Council and the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development, however, have been challenged to provide continuous programs for both parks. That’s where Bill Burger came in.

Burger lives near Tabor Park and runs there every day.

“Tabor Park is the best kept secret in Moultrie County,” he began. “It is a wonderful park. People walk their dogs there, and I have met many wonderful people there.”  Read More

Photo by Ariana Cherry
Visiting mentors Ty Mosier, Timmy Valentine and John Stephens from the Arthur General Store/ Astoria pose with ALAH entrepreneur Madyson Hepner of the “Goat Queen.” They mentored some CEO students and attended to shop for students’ products.

•May 2, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Folks who attended the Douglas County CEO Trade Show April 25 got a chance to see what the future of business in this area could potentially hold.

ALAH senior students presented businesses which they developed themselves as part of a project in the CEO class that the high school began offering this school year.

Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) facilitator Stepheny McMahon of Sullivan explained the inaugural program includes high school students from Arthur, Arcola, Tuscola and Villa Grove.

“There are some incredible business leaders in Douglas County.” McMahon said of economic developers who committed to $1000 per year for three years to help finance the cooperative program introducing students to the business world.

“Touring these businesses for first hand experiences plus the soft skills learned can open doors for these young entrepreneurs,” she continued.

The 12 participating students meet from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Mondays at various business and manufacturing locations in Douglas County. Fundamental skills such as the proper hand shake and showing up on time to meetings are among the soft skills developed as the students work on their own businesses. Read More

•April 18, 2018•

The student accused of making a terrorist bomb threat at Sullivan High School will be allowed a bond reduction hearing Thursday, April 19.

Jalon A. Warren appeared before the Hon. Judge Hugh Finson in Moultrie County court along with defense attorney Phillip Tibbs who made the request to reduce the $100,000 bond which has held the defendant in county jail since March 23.  Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera Sullivan High school English teacher Cami Badman and NPR Illinois essay winner Katie Webb with copy of her essay.

•April 4, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

If ever anyone has spun gold cloth from the frayed threads of their life, Katie Webb is that person.

Webb, a Sullivan High School student, was recently chosen one of 10 state winners in the Illinois National Public Radio essay contest. From 200 entries, 10 were selected, each receiving a $100 prize for their composition on the topic “This I Believe.”

Cami Badman, Webb’s high school English teacher, assigned her class the task of writing the 500-word essay for NPR. “ I told the class that, as long as they had written the essay, they should enter the contest.”

Webb’s story strikes close to home—her parents were drug addicts. Her mother was rarely home, and her weekends growing up were spent visiting her incarcerated father. She realized at a young age that this was the reality of her life, and she has never shied away from openly discussing these circumstances. Believing having a truthful and open approach to life is the best policy, she conveyed that in her essay. Read More