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A sweet MCRTA meeting

News Progress Posted on October 15, 2025 by webmasterOctober 14, 2025


•October 15, 2025•

Submitted

On Tuesday, October 1st, twenty-five Moultrie County retired teachers met at Flesor’s Candy Kitchen in Tuscola. Devon Flesor Story, the owner, welcomed the MCRTA with a history of her business and a tour of her kitchen. Story herself was a former teacher at EIU in Charleston.

Story’s grandfather, Gus Flesor, immigrated from Greece and began the American Dream working on the railroad. Through his efforts, Flesor brought over several family members and their favorite family recipes. By 1901, Gus and his brother Nick opened an iconic Greek confectionery and restaurant in Tuscola. Eventually, though, a family feud broke out and created business competitors. Customers had to sneak around the two brothers to do business with both. 

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Posted in Top Stories

Arthur’s ‘Harvest to Home Fall Harvest Show’ delights

News Progress Posted on October 15, 2025 by webmasterOctober 14, 2025


•October 15, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Friday, October 10th, in Arthur, the Amish Heritage Society hosted its annual ‘Harvest to Home Fall Harvest’ show. Among the many events: sorghum pressing, corn picking, shredding and shucking, threshing oats with horsepower, quarters in a haystack, field operations, and the noon whistle and ‘candy cannon’. Those in attendance were also able to partake of a petting zoo, buggy rides, a life-size Candyland game, balloon animals, horseshoeing, as well as blacksmithing demonstrations, and the children were especially fond of making their own rope. Demonstrated as well in the food tent was the making of apple butter from scratch (kettle to canned), grinding corn for cornmeal, and a bevy of delicious baked/prepared foods, including multiple fresh-made, kettle-cooked popcorn varieties to sample and for purchase. There was even a John Deere motorized ice cream maker, churning out delicious chocolate ice cream to pleased partakers. The weather was seasonably cool and enjoyable. The event elicited smiles, laughter, questions, and a sense of awe. Many came from non-local areas such as Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee specifically for the event.

Photos by DM Williamee

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Posted in News

Sullivan Fast Stop rewards new drivers

News Progress Posted on October 8, 2025 by webmasterOctober 8, 2025

Photo Submitted

On Thursday, September 25th, Cheryl Coddington, Manager of Sullivan’s Fast Stop, presented Sullivan High School Principal Mr. Allen with seventy-seven $10.00 gift cards and complimentary drink coupons to be awarded to students who successfully pass their Illinois driver’s license tests. This gift is intended to reward and recognize the diligence and perseverance of these students. This is Fast Stop’s first year rewarding new drivers.

Posted in Standalone Photo

Bethany Fire ‘Open House’ a blast

News Progress Posted on October 8, 2025 by webmasterOctober 8, 2025


•October 8, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Saturday, October 4th Bethany Fire held an Open house at the Fire Station, scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., open to all. Just over an hour and a half into the event, duty called and a fire call came in, with firefighters at the station dispatched to respond. Scheduled for the open house were the following events: free hot dog lunch, bounce house, firehouse tour, truck and ambulance tour, ‘Smoke House’ tour, obstacle course, gear photobooth, fire extinguisher demonstration, and a turnout gear race. Before the call came in, many of the activities were in full swing and greatly enjoyed by those in attendance. Hot dogs all around for everyone, a fun and impressive timed obstacle course for the children in attendance that they could not get enough of, with many making multiple passes through.

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Posted in News

Life Chain prayer service held Sunday

News Progress Posted on October 8, 2025 by webmasterOctober 8, 2025


•October 8, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Sunday, October 5th a peaceful, silent ‘Life Chain’ prayer demonstration was held in Sullivan at the intersection of Jackson and Hamilton streets. Per their literature: “A Life Chain is a prayer service.” And “As we join hundreds of thousands of fellow Americans and Canadians in prayer, let us trust wholly in our Lord and not in ourselves or our numbers.” The Prayer Chain is their standing in obedience to Chronicles 7:14. Some passerby’s honked as they passed through the intersection; some in support and some not as supportive, but those praying were not dissuaded and remained focused on their objective, staying focused on their objectives to be bold yet humble, remain in the spirit of Christian love, and acknowledging motorists with kindness.

Photo by DM Williamee

Posted in News

‘National Newspaper’ week: Oct. 5th through 11th

News Progress Posted on October 8, 2025 by webmasterOctober 8, 2025


•October 8, 2025•

by DM WIlliamee

As the leaves begin to turn color and fall, crops are being harvested, and homes are being buttoned down in (great) anticipation of cooler temps, it’s time to appreciate an institution that has been around longer than home internet: National Newspaper Week (NNW), which is celebrated and observed October 5th through 11th.  Established in 1940, this week serves as a reminder of the vital role newspapers play in both our local communities and society, regardless of size or location. Newspapers are much like a good cup of coffee on a Monday morning - essential, invigorating, and even a little bitter.

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Posted in News

ROSC “Step into Purple”recovery walk, inspiration in motion

News Progress Posted on October 8, 2025 by webmasterOctober 8, 2025


•October 8, 2025•

Photo by DM Williamee Pictured is Skylar Miller, who organized and led the Recovery Walk.

by DM Williamee

On Saturday, September 27th in Sullivan’s Wyman Park, ROSC held their “Step into Purple” recovery walk to celebrate National Recovery Month and to remember those who lost their battle with addiction, those still fighting for their recovery, and those celebrating their recovery, as well as the recovery of friends and loved ones.

Participants walked around the pond and bridges at the park while sharing their stories and their reasons for participation. The atmosphere overall was hopeful and upbeat, with many feeling rejuvenated in being able to share their stories with each other, from their successes and losses to their strategies for sobriety and the issues many still face once achieving sobriety. One area of great concern echoed by those on the Recovery Walk was the lack of substance use disorder treatment options in Moultrie County, with many having to travel 30 or more minutes to obtain access to necessary recovery tools and resources. Despite numerous barriers, many have found a path to recovery and continue on this arduous journey. The support and camaraderie shared on the Recovery Walk were both encouraging and inspirational.

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Posted in Top Stories

SFD Pancake breakfast is a big hit with the community

News Progress Posted on October 1, 2025 by webmasterOctober 1, 2025


•October 1, 2025•


Photos by DM Williamee

The Sullivan Fire Protection District held its annual ‘Pancake and Sausage’ breakfast on the morning of Saturday, the 27th.  Last year’s turnout was around 600, and this year was even better, serving 735 at the firehouse plus 140 to go orders. With something for everyone, much laughter and compliments to the chef could be heard as community members caught up on current events as they enjoyed their breakfasts.

Posted in News

Homecoming Parade delights

News Progress Posted on October 1, 2025 by webmasterOctober 1, 2025

by DM Williamee 

With the theme, “Rio” this year, the Homecoming Parade in Sullivan last Friday had a wide variety of floats with their interpretation of the theme, as well as the homecoming court hopefuls. The weather helped facilitate a large turnout, with children lining the streets to get candy and proud parents taking photos. Both community and school spirit were tangible.


Photos by DM Williamee

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Posted in News

Sullivan High School ‘Open House’ held

News Progress Posted on October 1, 2025 by webmasterOctober 1, 2025


•October 1, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Saturday the 27th, Sullivan High School opened its doors to the community to show them the progress they are proud to have finally accomplished after delays and other typical construction headaches. With new modern and colorful classrooms, updated technology throughout, wide hallways, the new gymnasium (complete with the premium ‘Reserved Seating’ section, which is for season ticket holders only), as well as interior/exterior security camera coverage, the new school brought a vast array of commentary from those who took advantage of the open house.

Photos by DM Williamee

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Posted in News

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Dawkins NEHS submission wows 



News Progress


Mae Dawkins, a Sullivan High School senior and member of the National English Honor Society, was recently informed that she is a national winner of the NEHS Intellectual Freedom Challenge, a prestigious competition that encourages NEHS members to craft compelling arguments defending texts that have faced challenges and bans. Her essay scored among some of the best submissions in the nation by university professors. May was awarded a certificate and a $150 dollar prize.


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