News – Page 11 – News Progress

Disaster prep essentials

Posted on March 25, 2026 by webmasterMarch 25, 2026

•March 25, 2026•

by DM Williamee

Living in tornado alley poses its own unique set of challenges. Thunderstorms, hail, high winds, flooding, and of course, tornadoes. Preparation is also a vital component of personal safety, particularly in relation to natural disasters. Knowledge of storms and weather-related events can be lifesaving, and various government agencies encourage adults and children alike to learn what they can do to stay safe should a storm strike. But it’s equally vital to personal safety to assemble a disaster supplies kit. Ready.gov, the official website of the United States Department of Homeland Security, recommends individuals gather and maintain the following items as part of a basic emergency supply kit, which should be stored in your family’s designated safe place. The following items are highly recommended to have in case disaster strikes;

Drought lawncare: conservation

Posted on March 25, 2026 by webmasterMarch 25, 2026

•March 25, 2026•

by DM Williamee

With increasing instances of drought and water shortages affecting communities across the country, and now with a formal declaration here in Sullivan, homeowners are faced with the challenge of maintaining their lawns while adhering to water usage restrictions and avoiding costly fines. Below are some strategies to keep your lawn as healthy and sustainable as possible.

Choose a drought-resistant seed variety. Select and plant grass species that are naturally more drought-tolerant. Varieties such as Bermuda grass, Buffalo grass, and Zoysia grass are known for their ability to withstand dry conditions with minimal water.

Moultrie County election results

Posted on March 25, 2026 by webmasterMarch 25, 2026

•March 25, 2026•

Despite a low voter turnout of around twenty percent, the election results are in.

The City of Sullivan referendum to adopt the managerial form of government passed with 362 yes votes (51.79 %) to 337 no votes (48.21%). In the Republican contested race for the office of County Clerk and Recorder, incumbent Linda S. Qualls defeated challenger Kristie Russell by a vote of 1,113 (74.2 %) to 387 (25.8 %). There was no nominee on the Democratic ballot.

Easter Market this Saturday at Building 1225

Posted on March 25, 2026 by webmasterMarch 25, 2026

•March 25, 2026•

The community is invited to celebrate the season at the upcoming Easter Market on Saturday, March 28th, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Building 1225, located at 1225 S. Hamilton St., Sullivan, IL. Hosted by Building 1225 and local organizers, this free indoor event offers a vibrant, family-friendly experience centered around supporting local businesses and bringing the community together.

Positive aging class-look for the funny side

Posted on March 25, 2026 by webmasterMarch 25, 2026

•March 25, 2026•

by DM Williamee

When was the last time you had a full-body, weak-in-the-knees, just-cannot-stop-it fit of laughter? For most adults, it’s likely been far too long, as American culture denotes getting older with becoming more serious, and in some instances, demanding that as adults, we be more serious. Despite that, a good sense of humor is often cited as an attribute found most desirable for both life partners and employees. That seems like counterintuitive sideways math, doesn’t it?

Sullivan City Council hears water update

Posted on March 18, 2026 by webmasterMarch 18, 2026

•March 18, 2026•

by Sharon Barricklow

Water issues continued to be on the agenda for the Sullivan City Council at their March 9 meeting, with how to find it and how to pay for it on the City Council’s mind.

Council member Chuck Woodworth, who oversees the water department, said a test well dug at the city’s well field had yielded good results. The city is waiting for approval of the water quality before moving any further ahead. And, Woodworth said, the drought that has caused the water shortage could be easing.

“They’ve downgraded the drought from extreme to severe,” Woodworth said. “I guess that’s good news.”

Salary increases discussed at Moultrie board meeting

Posted on March 18, 2026 by webmasterMarch 18, 2026

•March 18, 2026•

by Sharon Barricklow

How much to pay Moultrie County’s elected officials was on the agenda for the Moultrie County board at their March 12 meeting.

The board has until 180 days before the election to vote on changes for officials like the County Clerk, County Circuit Clerk, Supervisor of Assessments and Treasurer. At Thursday night’s meeting, the board was asked to consider raising the Clerk and Treasurer, both on the fall ballot, to $70,000 with $1500 annual increases for the length of the terms.

Sullivan’s First United Methodist Easter Egg preparation

Posted on March 18, 2026 by webmasterMarch 18, 2026

•March 18, 2026•

The Divas of Deliciousness are hard at work again, preparing custom-ordered and delightfully delicious confectionery Easter Eggs, as they have done for over twenty years. Funds raised from the sales of these delights is donated by the church to several local groups, including DOVE, CEFS food pantry, Sullivan’s Habitat for Humanity, the Sullivan Area Ministerial Association, Mary’s Weekend Food Bags, Kali’s Closet (high school), and overdue lunch accounts (high school), as well as the Cunningham Children’s Home in Urbana and Lessie Bates Neighborhood House in East St. Louis. The hard work of the hands that prepare these confectionaries benefit locals twice; first, in savoring the delicious confectioneries, and secondly, by providing vital financial support to local causes that give back to the local community, as well as adjacent programs.

Figures of speech

Posted on March 18, 2026 by webmasterMarch 18, 2026

•March 18, 2026•

by DM Williamee

Figures of speech have names, with some comical-sounding (oxymoron and assonance, for example). Many recall learning the parts of speech in school. Recently, I was speaking with someone about modern education, and we were reminiscing about our middle school days of learning parts of speech using ‘Mad Libs’ and finding that most youth in today’s world will never know the joy of creating a short story about how we used a purple spoon to drive a skateboard to a lake to jump rope with Elvis. (Bring back the Mad Libs!) Figures of speech can be just as fun, with many types, and each serving a unique role in speech. Below are some of the more common and their meaning.

New Medicaid rules going into effect in 2027

Posted on March 18, 2026 by webmasterMarch 18, 2026

•March 18, 2026•

by DM Williamee

New Medicaid rules arising from the hotly debated, often criticized H.R. 1 (the 2025 federal budget reconciliation law) require that beginning January 1st, 2027, the majority of adults aged 19 to 64 who receive Medicaid also work or participate in ‘community engagement activities’ such as paid work, volunteering with a non-profit, enrollment in higher education or trade schools, and approved forms of training for at least 80 hours per month to maintain coverage.