•February 28, 2018•

The 2018 Moultrie County Spelling Bee was held February 14 in the Little Theatre on the Square. Six students from Lovington and six students from Sullivan advanced from their school district spelling bees to participate in the county.

The champion is Johnathan Iacobazzi, fourth grader of Sullivan, with the winning word of Seminole. The alternate is Hannah Creek, fifth grader of Sullivan.

Sullivan participants were Iacobazzi fourth, Creek fifth, Nicole Lofland sixth,  Elora Mast sixth, Chloe Smith seventh and Abby Kirkwood eighth. Read More

•February 14, 2018•

Registered voters who are not able to go to the polls to vote on election day March 20 are able to vote before that date by the following two methods. Voters do not need an excuse to utilize these methods.

Vote by mail began February 8, and the last day an application may be accepted in the county clerk’s office for a ballot to be mailed is Thursday, March 15. Applications may be obtained by contacting the county clerk’s office at 728-4389, or on-line at www.moultriecountyil.com and download an application. Upon the clerk’s office receiving the completed application, the ballot will be mailed to the voter. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
David, Robin Keown Black, Susan Keown Van Praag and Mike Keown recall the years of Little Theatre actors staying in their home and display some of their mother’s collection of memorabilia as a longtime seamstress for the theatre.

•January 31, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

In the summer of 1967 Lee Norton made the decision to close the Grand Theater for the summer in order to concentrate on his drive-in. He had heard that a young man (Guy Little, Jr.) was looking for a venue for summer musicals so Lee rented out the Grand.

This one decision ultimately paved the way for a considerable economic ripple in Sullivan as Jibby’s restaurant flourished, the Ace Hardware prospered, hairdressers and manicurists tended to the movie stars, David Mobley found a career as the Little Theatre’s photographer and sometime chauffeur, and Little persuaded friends such as Art and Mamie Palmer to take in his actors as boarders. Those who prospered had extra funds to spend at other places in Sullivan thus creating a trickle-down economic flow throughout the community. Read More

Ron White

•January 17, 2018•

Moultrie County Board members voted to accept the resignation of longtime board member Ron White during the regular meeting January 11.

Chairman Dave McCabe noted it was with deep regret that he accepts the 15 year board member’s resignation. The budget and finance chairman had overseen the construction of the jail and health department, McCabe said of his years of service. “I will miss his sound and usually sage advice.”

He went on to explain the chairman of the Republican party will have 60 days to name a successor. The appointment Republican will serve until the November 2018 election when a candidate will be elected to serve the remainder of White’s term which ends in 2020. Read More

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