Category Archives: Uncategorized

Former Prairie Farms Dairy CEO Awarded Honor

News Progress Posted on by

•December 13, 2023•

In recognition of his lifetime of exemplary leadership and service in the agriculture industry, Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) honored Ed Mullins, former CEO of Prairie Farms Dairy, with the 2023 Charles B. Shuman Distinguished Service Award during the organization’s annual meeting in Chicago, Dec. 2-4. The award is the highest given by IFB.

Mullins began his career in the food industry in 1968 with Schulze & Burch Biscuit Company. During his 10 years with the company, Mullins was drafted into the U.S. Army and served 15 months in Southeast Asia and served as a military police officer.

After returning from the army, Mullins worked as general manager of PepsiCo in Marion for two years before joining Prairie Farms Dairy in 1980. There, he began a 42-year career, working up through the ranks and serving in many leadership positions before taking on the role of CEO in 2006. He was the company’s 4th CEO since its inception in 1938. Read More

Santa’s Little Helper Workshop 2023

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photo by Crystal Reed
Santa’s Little Helper Workshop
Calvin Lawler works on a craft during the Santa’s Little Helper Workshop activities held at the Masonic Temple in Sullivan. Activities included Christmas crafts, cookie decorating, writing letters to Santa and refreshments. The event was free and offered by Dove, Inc.

photo by Crystal Reed
Christmas Fun
Alexis Rosine and Han Warren enjoy the activities in Santa’s Little Helper Workshop.

photo by Crystal Reed
Santa Letter Writing
Employees at Moultrie County Counseling volunteered at Santa’s Little Helper Workshop offering children the opportunity to write letters to Santa and coloring pages. Pictured are Mary Stutzman, Alexa Matthies and Alejandra Huerta.

photo by Crystal Reed
Helping Out at Santa Workshop
Molly Tenuto with Dove and her daughter Maddy helped out in Santa’s Little Helper Workshop prior to the Sullivan Christmas parade the evening of Friday, December 1.

photo by Crystal Reed
Visiting with Santa
Sawyer and Patsy Woodworth visit with Santa during the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development’s Christmas activities on Friday, December 1.

Ambucs Halloween Parade 2023

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photos by Crystal Reed

Ambucs Halloween Parade

The Sullivan Ambucs held their annual Halloween parade on the evening of Tuesday, October 31 on the square in Sullivan. Halloween parade winners were Shrek and Fiona-Rob and Michelle Young, Rainbow and Friends-Adah Ray-Allen, Lindsay Ray and John Paul Livergo, Spongebob and Friends- Maci Roggers, Wren Wall and Hannah Taylor, Skeleton Unicorn Inflatable-Charllttee Martin, The Loki Family-Zane, Kinsley, Beretta and Sam Black, The Chicken (Hey Hey from Moana)-Lydia Hayse, Lighted Elf-Hope Conner, Greek Goddess and God-Miriam and Simon Parri, Pirate-Koda Polley and Ghost Face from Scream-Trey Grimm.

Pritzker Administration Announces Small Business Grant Awards

News Progress Posted on by

•October 25, 2023•

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has announced the conclusion of the Back to Business (B2B) Restaurants, Hotels and Arts program with $156 million provided in relief funds. Through these three programs, nearly 4,000 grants went to businesses in over 500 cities, towns and localities in 95 counties across the state. Grantees in Moultrie County were Sullivan Marina and Campground, LLC in the amount of $10,452; Sidem, Inc doing business as Shooters Bar and Grill in the amount of $45,0000; Northend Pub and Grill, LLC in the amount of $50,000; Sol Del Mar II Inc. in the amount of $25,000 and The Little Theatre On The Square, Inc in the amount of $80,000.  Read More

Why is avenging so popular?

News Progress Posted on by

•July 20, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

Jamie Smith is a voracious reader, notably of British mystery novels.
“I’ve been seeing ‘revenge’ used as a verb, and it always causes a me to stumble,” she wrote in an email. “I am expecting ‘avenge.’ But the other day I came to a screeching halt on ‘revenger.’ I’ve always thought that ‘avenge’ is a verb, with ‘avenger’ the person seeking ‘revenge.’
“If I’d seen this once I’d consider it an editing error, but being a mystery buff I’ve been seeing it more and more often in the newer novels. What is considered the current accepted usages of these words?”
Everyone loves a hero, Jamie. Read More

ALAH Football Posts Win Against Sangamon Valley

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•April 21, 2021•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports

The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond football team improved its record to 3-2 on the season with a win against the Storm. The Knights performed well on both sides of the ball for a 34-0 Lincoln Prairie Conference win. ALAH’s defense shutout Sangamon Valley, and the Knights’ offense scored enough early to rotate several substitutes into the game in the second half. “Offensively, we were able to move the ball well on the ground,” said ALAH coach Ryan Jefferson, “but we still aren’t where I’d like us to be in the passing game and we also had some mistakes that led to a punt and some turnovers on downs.” Finn Davison and Billy Fifer combined for more than 200 yards. Davison ran the ball 17 times for 126 yards and a touchdown, and Fifer ran the ball ten times for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Jamison Rocke rushed for 60 yards on six carries and scored a touchdown, and Max Allen rushed for 50 yards and six carries and scored a touchdown. “It was nice to see some kids step up though,” said Jefferson. Read More