Swan Song for Bethany Foods

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Bethany Foods owner Ata Abbed is pictured with former employee Lois Traster.

•April 10, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

When Ata Abbed retired from General Motors after 26 years of service, he was still young enough to have a second career.
His brother was in the grocery business and had seen an ad for a grocery store in the small town of Bethany, Illinois. It turned out to be a 29-year adventure for Abbed and his family.
“We were so very fortunate to have had the best neighbors, like Jerry and Kay Ward, that anyone could ask for,” Ata recalled. “We had wonderful employees like Della Lowe, Hope Snyder, Lois Traster and the support of the community.”
“The community has been very supportive of the grocery store, and we can’t thank all of our customers enough for their support and friendship over the years,” he continued.
It was a good place to raise a family.
“In 1989 the community welcomed us and enabled us to work, build a home and raise a family here. Leaving all our friends and customers is the most difficult part of our retirement decision,” wife Linda added.
On Saturday, April 6 some of those customers came to shop or say “goodbye”. Read More

Sullivan Chief of Police Had a Great Run

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Chief Jim Waggoner earned this yellow brick for completing the 6.2 mile Yellow Brick Road run the final week of training at the FBI Quanito, Va academy.

•April 10, 2019•
I’ve had a great run, and I know I’m leaving the police department in good hands,” Sullivan Chief of Police Jim Waggoner said on his final day of work April 4.
Waggoner ends 30 years with the Sullivan Police Department officially May 3. Then newly elected Sullivan mayor Richard Glazebrook will appoint the new chief of police.
“Assistant chief of police Andrew Pistorius is interim chief and hopefully will be the next chief,” Waggoner said.
In November 2016 assistant chief of police Waggoner accepted the reins from retiring chief John Love,to whom Waggoner refers as one of his greatest mentors.
“When I came on the force, he treated me like a brother,” Waggoner said, noting he has worked for some great chiefs such as Roger Hansen, Joe Thompson and Love.
“With police work 95% of the time is spent waiting for the 5% which is like going over the falls in a barrel,” the retiring chief said. “Most of what we get to do in a small town is positive which most people don’t get to see.”
That five percent of the time when the blood pressure is up and adrenaline is flowing, leave lasting memories for the outgoing chief and not all of them are good.
Over the course of 30 years you can see a lot, even in a town the size of Sullivan. “There are things that you can’t unsee,” Waggoner said, noting those are the images haunt you in the night, and everyone in law enforcement has them.
He noted hopefully over time the good will help drive those memories away. Read More

Celebrity Karaoke Honors Post 68’s First 78

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•April 10, 2019•

By Rebecca Lawson
for the News Progress

We’re doing this for ‘The 78.’ The 78 long dead men who on July 4, 1919, gathered together and formed what is now Sullivan American Legion Post 68. It’s been 100 years, and the Legion wants to honor them by including their names on bricks in the new Walk of Honor,” noted Tina Bolsen, one of the organizers of this Friday’s Celebrity Karaoke event at the Sullivan American Legion.
The April 12 event starts at 8 p.m. at the Legion and is open to people age 18 and over. There is a $5 admission charge and a $5 singing fee per song. Open singing will be from 8 to 8:30 and after the Celebrity Karaoke competition
Local “celebrities” have been invited to battle for bragging rights in the competition that will start at 8:30. Other people who would like to enter the contest will have a chance to “buy a spin” for a chance to participate
“Right now there is already an intense battle forming between Sullivan Middle School teachers Troy Rogers and Deena Lee,” noted Becky Lawson, another of the event’s organizers. “There is a great “Rocky”-style video on Facebook promoting their face-off.” Read More

Habitat Surprise

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Habitat Surprise
Last week the board of Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity surprised Jennifer Penberthy at her workplace at Aspen Creek with flowers and a gift for her new home. The build in Habitat Village is expected to begin in August. Pictured at the announcement are Habitat for Humanity board members from left: Tony Feeler, Cheryl Thomas, Crissy Dycus, with homeowner Jennifer Penberthy, Barb Vail, Roger Glazebrook, Stacy Uphoff, Gary Smith.

Yost Appears

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Photo by R.R. Best
Yost Appears
Michael S. Yost appeared in Moultrie County Circuit Court April 2, represented by public defender Walter B. Lookofsky. In the state Appellate Court directed Krankel hearing Judge Hugh Finson set May 21 for the hearing. Ineffective assistance of counsel is the hearing topic with Yost citing his attorney Brad Rau had represented the murder victim Sheri Randall in a previous court proceeding.

Sullivan Board of Ed. Vacancy

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•April 3, 2019•

The Sullivan Community Unit School District No. 300 is seeking individuals interested in appointment to the Board of Education. The Board of Education will have a vacancy effective April 24, 2019. Appointment will run until regular Board of Education election scheduled for April, 2021. Read More

New Mayor and Board for Sullivan

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•April 3, 2019•

By Mike Brothers

The city of Sullivan has a new mayor and board of commissioners following the Tuesday, April 2 elections.
Richard Glazebrook won the mayor’s race with 521 votes followed by William Burger with 223 and incumbent mayor Ann Short with 209 votes.
Abbey Sherwood is Accounts and Finance Commissioner with 507 votes over incumbent Mike Mossman with 443.
Chuck Woodworth won the Health and Safety Commissioner’s seat with 484 votes to Grant Wade’s 448.
Peggy Hargis led the three way race for Streets and Public Improvements with 524 votes. Edna M. Bailey received 210 votes and Nancy Barker 185.
Michael C. Fowler became Public Property Commissioner with 408 votes. Austin Hunter was second with 348 and incumbent Mike Kirk received 193 votes.
In the Sullivan Community School Board #300 race the three way race for township 12N range 5E Jeff White received 1,101 and Justin R. Florey 987 winning those two seats. Nancy J. Elder received 665 votes in that race. Joshua E. Green won his unopposed seat with 671 votes.
Okaw Valley CUSD #302 proposed a $6.5 million bond referendum for new construction with 351 Moultrie County residents voting no and 185 yes.
The Dora Township tax proposition was approved 48-25.
Of the 8,698 registered voters 2,333 ballots were cast for 26.85%.[/s2If]

OVES Students Collect Above and Beyond

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Photo furnished
Okaw Valley Elementary students who collected $25 or more to help exceed the school’s goal.

•April 3, 2019•

Okaw Valley Elementary students went way above and beyond their goal in collecting donations for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
OVES students set a goal of $750 in the Pennies for Patients program. Students brought in donations throughout the month of March and were also able to create online donation pages to collect from out of town friends and family.
“It is so important for our students to know that no matter the amount they were able to give, they have made a difference in someone’s life.” Guidance Counselor Paula Coffer said. Read More

Tabor Park Erosion Continues as Long as the Water Flows

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Asa Creek is a powerful force during spring rains with water eroding the banks of the waterway that runs through Tabor Park.

•March 27, 2019•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Tabor Park has been a favorite site to visit to both residents and out-of-town visitors in Sullivan.
Its beautiful scenery, the calming path along the creek and forest-like setting is like a “mini-getaway” within the city. So it was only natural when a resident of Sullivan showed concern about erosion in the park and brought it to the attention of the city council.
With Tabor Park being such a vital part of Sullivan, it is important that the park be maintained as nature attempts to take its course.
To begin dealing with the erosion issues at Tabor Park, Herb Bricker, met with Wayne Kenney, a Stream Specialist of Midwest Streams from Oakdale, Illinois on February 12.
The two also met with park commissioner Mike Mossman and a contractor who was employed to remove unwanted vegetation from the stream corridor. Most of the unwanted vegetation consisted of bush honeysuckle. Read More