Rally Supports LGBTQ Pride

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Droneography R.R. Best
Rally Supports LGBTQ Pride
A group rallied in front of Sullivan Church of God June 14 in support of Chierstan Burns who served as a youth leader there until she was dismissed for coming out as bisexual.
June 28 is the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ traditions. June is Lesbian,Gay Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride month. Burns posting was in honor of the observation and prompted the church’s action when it caught the attention of the church’s pastor.
On June 11 the Church’s board of elders, it’s pastor, and other church leaders held a meeting, requesting Burns resignation over the posts. She refused, but was told she could no longer serve as the church’s youth leader.
The peaceful group stood in support of Burns and the sex based discrimination while services were conducted Sunday

A Wedding Brings Celebration During Time of Corona Virus

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•June 17, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Their May 23 wedding date was postponed but on Saturday, June 13 at 11:30am Shania Whitrock and Bradlee Todd were united in marriage in the first wedding at New Life Church since its closure in March.
To the skirl of a lone bagpiper Shania was accompanied to the pink and silver balloon-decorated altar by her father-in-law to be, Leslie Todd.
Her attendants were twin sister Brooke Whitrock, Mary Canroy, Suzzanne Reimer and Kelsey Knopp.
The attendants wore pink chiffon, floor-length gowns and carried bouquets of multi-colored summer flowers. Read More

Townwide Tradition

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Photo by Barry Morgan
Townwide Tradition
The Boy Scout Cook out on IGA parking lot is a tradition that goes along with Sullivan Townwide Rummage Sales. On Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6 Sullivan opened up to one of the largest Townwide Sale crowds ever and the cook out went on. Due to COVID 19 restrictions boys scouts were replaced by scout leaders and fathers at the grills with everyone enjoying the food and friendship.

Moultrie County Adds 15th Positive COVID-19 Case

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•June 15, 2020•
The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed the 15th case of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The patient is a male in his 50s and is recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials are contacting all close contacts.
To date 577 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 15 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19. Of the 15 Moultrie County citizens affected by this virus, 12 have been released from isolation.
Symptoms associated with COVID-19 include: Fever, Fatigue, Dry cough, Chills, Body aches, Headache, Sore throat, Loss of smell or taste.
Individuals should immediately seek medical attention if they experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, confusion, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, or a bluish color in the lips or face.
If an individual is ill with symptoms associated with coronavirus and needs medical or emergency care, they should notify their physician or emergency medical service providers of their symptoms prior to arrival.
For more information on the Moultrie County Health Department’s news, events and services, please visit www.moultriehealth.org and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moultriecountyhealth.

Flag Day

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Flag Day
Flags were flying outside the Moultrie County Courthouse prior to the Tuesday storm. June 14 is Flag Day, which commemorates the adoption of the United States Flag on June 14, 1777, which is also the birth date of the U.S. Army. In 1861 George Morris of Hartford, Connecticut organized the first observation of Flag Day. In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day and Congress established National Flag Day by act Aug. 3, 1949.

Jibby’s is Coming Down

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•June 10, 2020•
By Fred MacMurray
for the News Progress

Jibby’s Restaurant was the place to go in Sullivan, but that was long ago.
Now the famous building on Main Street where you could have a peppercorn steak and rub elbows with the stars playing at the Little Theatre on the Square has seen better days.
Vacant and deteriorating since Doug Wilson tried to revive the popular gathering place, Sullivan was faced with a future expensive demolition problem outside city hall’s back door. Read More

Shopping at Home Will Do More to Open Moultrie Co. Businesses than Berating the Governor

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•June 10, 2020•
By Ann Wheeler
NP Guest Columnist

When driving around Sullivan, I see the signs that support opening businesses in Moultrie County and those berating Gov. Pritzker for sucking the life out of these same businesses due to his shelter-in- place order.
I assume that people who put these signs in their yards are concerned about the local businesses that have had to temporarily close or require safe protocols because of the COVID 19 virus.
Such concern is understandable as small businesses are the lifeblood of towns like Sullivan, Lovington, and Bethany.
Having grown up in Sullivan, I have watched shops and businesses close, leaving storefronts empty and buildings vacant. This loss of small businesses, however, had nothing to do with the actions of any governor, be he Republican or Democrat. More than a few of them closed because they were not supported by the community. Read More

Sullivan Approves Economy Kick Start

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•June 10, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

Sullivan City Council approved a program to kickstart businesses and help citizens with their utility bills.
At the June 8 city council meeting Commissioner Abbey Sherwood moved the RIPPLE (Resident Incentive for Purchases to Promote the Local Economy) program be implemented for two months (June 15-Aug. 15).
Adapted from a local economic incentive plan from Frankfort in northern Illinois, any utility customer of the city of Sullivan is eligible.
Sherwood proposed that utility customers who present $100 in local restaurant receipts are eligible for a $25 utility credit from the city. Read More

Courthouse Buzz

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Photo by R.R. Best
Courthouse Buzz
The buzz around the Moultrie County Courthouse last week surrounded a hive of bees in one of the ornamental trees on the courthouse lawn. Beekeeper Steve Buxton (left) came to the rescue. Rick Matthews cut the limb the hive was attached to and Buxton transported the population to Buxton Farms west of Sullivan where he uses them to help with pollination.

Country Financial Supports Local Fire Department with Equipment Funding Through Donation

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Photo furnished
SFPD receives at $1500 donation for thermometers and blood pressure cuffs. Pictured are: Tyler Wright, Grant Faulkner, Chris Wright, Fire Chief Mike Piper, Country Financial representative Elizabeth Houser and assistant Jorjia Clements.

•June 3, 2020•
Country Financial Representative Elizabeth Houser announced Sullivan Fire Protection District as the 2020 recipient of her Country Financial Operation Helping Heroes donation.
Houser presented the donation for $1,500.00 to Sullivan Fire Protection on Tuesday, May 19th, to assist with the purchase of digital thermometers and blood pressure cuffs.
“As I live and work in our community, I have seen firsthand the selfless acts of our first responders at the Sullivan Fire Department”, said Houser. “This donation is our way of giving back to our first responders and honoring their dedication to our community. I appreciate all they do to keep us safe and cared for.” Read More