Photo furnished
Brianna Mahon designed the new Monster Jam “Whiplash” truck. During the week she designs hair at Country Cutz in Dalton City.

•January 3, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Brianna Mahon, the Princess of Carnage, as she is known in the Monster Jam Truck circle, is the first driver in Monster Jam history allowed to design her own truck.

Most people around Moultrie County recognize the Country Cutz salon owner in Dalton City for her ability to style hair, but there is much more to the Sullivan High School graduate.

On January 13, 2018 in Anaheim, Calif. she will introduce “Whiplash” – a 12’ tall, 10,000 lb. one-of-a-kind monster truck in her favorite color, turquoise, and painted to look like tooled leather.

“I’m known for my custom cowboy hats and boots so this was an opportunity to combine my love of rodeo and country/western into the design.” she said and added, “this is the first time a driver has ever had a hand in designing a truck, and I have been involved in every stage of the development.” They are trying to attract more women and young moms to the programs. Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Okaw Valley toy collectors (from left) Abbey Luckenbill, Reagan Easter Reedy and Avery Bruns presented Moultrie-Piatt Toys for Tots coordinator Eric Kenney with the more than 100 toys collected as a result of the Okaw Valley Middle School toy drive in Findlay and Bethany. Luckenbill, who is a third year coordinator, was presented the Outstanding Achievement Award plaque from Toys for Tots with Reedy and Bruns receiving certificates for their efforts in helping the 2018 Toys for Tot’s drive make Christmas better for a lot of kids.

•December 20, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Moultrie County Toys for Tots got a boost before Christmas thanks to one Okaw Valley Middle School student.

Seventh grade student Abbey Luckenbill has been involved with the Toys for Tots program collecting toys since she was in third grade. This year she put together an effort that led to collection of more than 100 toys.

Abbey’s efforts were rewarded with the receipt of the first individual Outstanding Achievement Award presented on behalf of Moultrie-Piatt County Toys for Tots.

On Friday, Dec. 15 OVMS counselor Paula Coffer helped Luckenbill and classmates Avery Bruns and Reagen Easter Reedy deliver the collection to Moultrie-Piatt County Toys for Tots coordinator Eric Kenney. Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Joining in on America the Beautiful were: Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England, Circuit Clerk Cindy Braden, Michelle Liddiard and County Treasurer Marci Thompson during the Bicentennial Dedication.

•December 6, 2017•

Moultrie County joined the Illinois bicentennial celebration with an 11:45 a.m., Dec. 4 flag raising ceremony on the courthouse lawn with some 60 people attending along with a hearty prairie wind.

This commemorated opening ceremonies of the state’s 200th celebration of statehood (Dec. 3, 1818). Presentation of the colors by the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 Honor Guard along with The Pledge of Allegiance and Star Spangled Banner were part of the ceremony.

County board chairman Dave McCabe read the proclamation of statehood, December 3, 1818 noting that the year will celebrate the history of Illinois. McCabe also noted that Moultrie County was founded Feb. 16, 1843 and will be observing 175 years during 2018. Read More

Photo furnished
Cindy and Jan Braden (center) were allowed to share Cindy’s award as County Official of Illinois with family at the Illinois Association of County Officials convention last week.Back row from left Cindy’s daughter Katy Black and fiance’ Mike Burton; son Craig Black and girlfriend Erica Tomczewski. The children live in Champaign while Jan and Cindy reside in Sullivan.

•November 22, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Moultrie County Circuit Clerk Cindy Braden was named Illinois’ County Official of the Year at the annual conference in Peoria Nov. 13-15.

Braden was surprised not only by the award but the way her family kept the secret and attended the event at the Pere Marquette Hotel.

“I was shocked,” Braden said, explaining that since a circuit clerk had won the previous year, she figured it would go to another office holder. She was selected among four state officials nominated for the honor.

Braden learned that the fellow clerk who had nominated her had been conducting a secret phone call campaign to make sure her family attended the award session in Peoria. “It was totally unexpected, but I am happy a fellow clerk in the zone nominated me.” Read More

File photo
Flesor’s Kitchen co-owner Devon Flesor helps Verna Tice from Sullivan with candy selection during last year’s sale for the Moultrie Food Pantry at Cathrine’s Gallery, Gifts and More.

•November 8, 2017•

By Candy Spice
for the News Progress

Enjoying one of the last legal pleasures and donating to a good cause is a gift giver’s delight.

So when Devon Flesor comes to Sullivan on Nov. 18, the gifts will flow with a chocolate flavor.

Flesor’s Candy Kitchens returns to Cathrine’s Gallery Gifts and More in Sullivan for the annual holiday candy sale Saturday, Nov. 18 for the benefit of the CEFS Moultrie County Food Bank. Twenty percent of candy sales that day goes to the food pantry.

There will be a variety of gift wrapped delights prepared on that day just in time for Thanksgiving (there will be turkey shaped confections). Plenty of the sweet treats will be on hand for Christmas giving to friends and family who appreciate handmade confections in all shapes and forms.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Flesor’s will be at Cathrine’s in Sullivan with gift selections from their 50 varieties of candies including Paul’s Pecan Favorites, created by grandfather Gus Flesor in the early 1900s. Read More