News Progress

•July 15, 2026•

Every golfer loves to hit a booming shot off the tee. Such a strike can be impressive and inspire confidence. But estimates indicate that as many as 65 percent of the shots the average golfer takes in a typical round are chip shots or putts. So while it can be fun to let it rip from the tee box, data suggests golfers would be wise to direct more focus on their short game.

•July 15, 2026•

2017 Okaw Valley graduate, Moranda “Mo” Matheson, MSN, MBA, RN, has been named one of the Illinois Nurses Foundation’s 2026 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders, an honor recognizing 40 nurses across Illinois under the age of 40 who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, education, advocacy, research, and service to the nursing profession.

2016

When Dr Glen Dust converted his Sullivan Health Care practice to direct primary care, he joined four physicians in Illinois offering concierge medicine. Interest in the trend to replace insurance companies with a membership for primary care grew nationwide as it helped lower health care costs.

Hunter Kamm’s childhood love of fireworks turned into a full-time job designing shows for Bethany, Arthur, Sullivan, and Lovington during the Independence Day celebration season. Kamm, who works for Central States Fireworks in Athens, was in the busiest of the fireworks season.

•July 8, 2026•

Lake Land College recently received approval to offer National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) licensing examinations on campus, reducing the burden of long-distance travel for graduates of the College’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Paramedic programs to earn their national licenses.

The NREMT exams are designed to evaluate the competence of EMS practitioners at a variety of levels, with content areas defined and validated by subject experts and educators working in EMS fields. The exams are recognized across all 50 states, with successful completion allowing EMTs to transfer their licenses seamlessly across state lines and access career opportunities nationwide. 

2016

As the 60th anniversary of the Little Theater on the Square in Sullivan approached, motion pictures returned. “This theater opened to silent movies in 1928, so adding movies to the live performances schedule brings us back to our heritage,” said John Stevens, Little Theater Executive Director. 

Nine Moultrie partner agencies with the United Way received $37,965 for programs helping people in Moultrie County. Stan Parks, Resource Development Associate for United Way of Decatur and Mid-Illinois, was Moultrie County’s representative and emphasized that all the money raised in Moultrie County stays in Moultrie County.