•June 15, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

Sullivan Unit #300 school board’s decision to remove Troy Rogers as head baseball coach was witnessed by a crowd of supporters June 13.

Held in the Sullivan Elementary School gymnasium due to ongoing construction, the meeting opened with board president Steve Poland allowing visitors to speak.

Austin Raboin, who played baseball when the Sullivan Redskins earned a Regional title under Rogers, recalled the hard work he put into baseball that paid off later.

Raboin, a law student who graduated in 2011, pointed out the coach required conditioning and following the rules.

“Even when our time was over, Coach Rogers found us places where we could continue playing after school.” Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Washington Street Plaza is Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development’s newest project, east of the Little Theatre, offers visitors a place to relax before and after shows or while strolling around the square. Above SCED’s Stepheny McMahon and Laurrie Minor are enjoying the plaza along with The Little Theatre’s Brenda Abbott, John Stephens, Nikki Schlieker and Lori Harbaugh.

•June 15, 2016•

Downtown Plaza Offers Washington Square Plaza in Sullivan is giving visitors a place to enjoy the outdoors only a few steps away from downtown shops and activities.

Located at the northeast corner of the square adjacent to The Little Theatre, Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development has been working the past several months on ideas to create a patio area downtown.

“When we began looking into ways to attract traffic downtown 10 years ago, our consultant recommended closing the block to create a walkway and patio for visitors,” SCED Director Stepheny McMahon said, noting the city wasn’t interested in closing the street then.

Washington Square Plaza is an experiment that has utilized already.

John Stephens, Executive Director of The Little Theatre, noted that some 350 kids gathered in the patio area for autograph sessions following the Shrek and Robin Hood shows.

“It is great to have the patio for the autographs,” Stephens said, noting in the past children were overflowing into street traffic in front of the theatre. Read More

Photo furnished
Arthur kindergarten teacher Kristin Nall says goodbye to her class as she moves into the principal’s office at Atwood-Hammond Grade School next year.

•June 8, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

The principal of Atwood-Hammond Grade School Lindsay Blickenstaff resigned in April.

This left an open position within the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond school district finding a replacement who wouldn’t be too far away. Arthur Grade School kindergarten teacher Kristin Nall was interested in the vacancy.

“I have had my administration degree since 2007. I have been looking to move forward in administration the last couple of years. My heart is and always will be in this school district. When the opportunity came up for me to stay in the district that I am raising my family in, I knew I wanted to move forward,” Nall commented.

Nall had been teaching kindergarten in Arthur for the past four years. Before that, she taught early childhood special education for six years in Sandoval, Illinois as well as preschool in Arthur for six years. She is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University and the Arthur High School class of 1995.

Transitioning from kindergarten teacher to principal is quite a change, but Nall is up for the challenge and has become established with communication and building relationships within the school system. Read More

•June 8, 2016•

By Brynna Sentel
For the News Progress

Kick off your Summer with Shrek the Musical.

Shrek the Musical is showing in Sullivan’s The Little Theatre on the Square through Sunday, June 12.

This delightful spin off of the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film is a must see for the whole family.

Shrek the Musical follows a rare duo of a humorous donkey and an angry ogre. This long and difficult journey to ultimately save their swamp will leave the audience thinking, “What the Shrek Just Happened?”.  Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Greenhill Cemetery Memorial Day program speaker Rita Florey expressed gratitude to those who have served. Post #68 Commander Bob Sims, Charles Bragg and the Honor Guard are in the background.

•June 1, 2016•

Thanks to those who gave their lives fighting for America.

It was the expression of Taps as Memorial Day Services ended at Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan on Sunday morning.

American Legion Post #68 Honor Guard, Auxiliary and Lincoln Trails Council Boy Scouts marched from the Moultrie County Courthouse to the cemetery with Sullivan Police Dept. escort.

Sullivan High School band, directed by Brock Feece opened the 8 a.m. ceremony with the Star Spangled Banner.

Rita Florey, founder of the present day Sullivan’s Memorial Celebration emphasized those who stepped forward to serve, didn’t do it for glory, but for a greater cause.

A cause and freedom we can enjoy because of the price they paid.

“Those who selflessly served exemplify patriotism at its core,” Florey said of the fallen. “This is the highest form of citizenship that deserves our respect and gratitude.”

She told the crowd gathered in the morning sun about a prisoner of war in North Vietnam in 1967.

Mike was a 17 year old from Selma, Alabama who had enlisted in the Navy and was captured.  Read More