News Progress

•June 11, 2025•

Last weekend’s community-wide yard sales resulted in both locals and non-locals descending on Sullivan, looking for deals and ready to dicker. On offer ranged from high-ticket items (vehicles) to T-shirts for a quarter, comics for a nickel, and there were even some free bins. The best-attended were those with clear signage, balloons, and other markers, making them easy to find. Friday’s rain did not deter the bargain hunters nor the sellers. Sales were set up in driveways, garages, front yards, inside homes, and even churches. Said one Bethany resident on Saturday, “ I really did not intend to come both days, but a deal’s a deal- now I have to have my own yard sale!”

•June 11, 2025•

The Sarah Bush Lincoln Regional Cancer Center recently received a donation from Sullivan Fast Stop, a division of South Central FS. 

Cheryl Coddington, the manager of Sullivan Fast Stop, said that during October, the gas station donated a penny for every gallon of gas bought. “A lot of our customers rely on the Regional Cancer Center, so we want to be able to give back to the community and help in any way,” Coddington said. 

The donation will support people who receive care at the SBL Regional Cancer Center. Since opening in 2016, the center has operated at above capacity and is expected to serve twice the number of people it did when it first opened.

For more information about donating to the SBL Health Foundation to support the SBL Regional Cancer Center, call 217-258-2511.

Reads for June and beyond

•June 11, 2025•

Fiction: The Children of Eve (Charlie Parker series #22) by John Connolly; Cliffs, Clues, & Conspiracies (Camper & Criminals series #40) by Tonya Kappes; Cold Dead Cash (Shotgun Johnny series #3) by William W. Johnstone & J. A. Johnstone; Dismal Trail by Ron Schwab; Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen; Going Home in the Dark by Dean Koontz; Heartwood by Amity Gaige; Never Lie by Freida McFadden; Last Supper (Chase Adams FBI series #18) by Patrick Logan; Locked Door by Freida McFadden ; The Marriage Pact (Amish of Marigold series #3) by Kathleen Fuller; Of Bats and Belfried (Mysteries of Cobble Hill Farm series #13) by Shirley Raye Redmond; One By One by Freida McFadden; Oro City (Quest Chronicles series #5) by B. N. Rundell; Perfect Son by Freida McFadden; The Pharaoh’s Tomb (Turner & Mosely Files series #4) by Lyndee Walker & Bruce Robert Coffin; Shadow of the Solstice (Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelita series #10) by Anne Hillerman; The Silversmith’s Puzzle (Captain Jim and Lady Diana series #4) by Nev March; South of Nowhere (Colter Shaw series #5) by Jeffery Deaver; Taking Stock (Kate Fox series #10) by Shannon Baker; The Tenant by Freida McFadden; and Tough Choices (Stepping Stones series #3) by Linda Byler.

•June 11, 2025•

Students from Arthur Christian School, ALAH High School, and Atwood-Hammond Grade School recently showcased their patriotism and writing skills in the 2025 Americanism Essay Contest. Sponsored by the Arthur Legion Auxiliary #479, the Atwood Legion Auxiliary #770, and the Lovington Legion Auxiliary #429, the contest encouraged students to reflect on the thought-provoking question: “What is My Favorite National Memorial or Monument?”

119 essays were submitted across three grade-level divisions. To ensure a fair and impartial selection process, a panel of judges from Arthur, Atwood, and Lovington evaluated each essay anonymously—without knowledge of the students’ names, schools, or hometowns.

The contest was divided into three classes:

• Class I: 7th and 8th graders

• Class II: 9th and 10th graders

•June 11, 2025•

Heartland Mini Hoofs will be at the Mid-Illinois Senior Services building on June 17th at noon. 

Heartland Mini Hoofs is a mini-equine therapy visitation program that is dedicated to brining mini-horses to visit and interact with those of all ages. Equine therapy helps build self-esteem, improve emotional regulation, reduce anxiety/stress, and foster trust and connection.

For more information, call (217) 728-8521.