Pastor Paul Celebrates Clergy and Community 

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Pastor Paul and Anne McGhghy celebrate their 44th anniversary in July.

•June 13, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

After nearly 40 years in the Holy Ministry, Pastor Paul McGhghy will step down as pastor of Faith Lutheran Church at the end of this month.

To honor his years of service the church is planning a retirement celebration on June 24 which will be open to the public.

As a child, Pastor Paul watched the Rev. Billy Graham on TV and knew at the age of five that he wanted to be a minister. His 90-year-old mother Ruth recalled that he was an obedient child with a heart of gold and was always trying to please others.

“He had no allowance in those days so he collected beer bottles for two cents each, and that was his spending money,” Grandma Ruth began. “He shoveled walks and always did whatever was necessary.”

She is sad to miss the celebration but is grateful for the daily talks and Skype visits.

Younger sister Beth remembers him as a hard worker who was an assistant manager at Kmart by the time he was a senior in high school. They offered him a managerial position, but his focus was always on the ministry. Read More

Sullivan Pavilion Moves Forward

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•June 13, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Sullivan City Council at their last meeting decided to move forward with the construction of the square pavilion.

Up to $25,000 has been confirmed in donations with the council matching up to $25,000 with city TIF funds.

City Administrator Dan Flannell is reaching out to local contractors in an effort to decide whether the city could wave the bidding process. He emphasized this would get the project underway within a reasonable timeframe.  Read More

Million Dollar Quartet Worth A Million To See!

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•June 13, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

If you happen to be standing outside the Little Theatre when this musical is playing, you may see the theatre’s foundation shift and the roof rattle. There is a whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on inside because Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins are setting the stage on fire.

More than a few have said that this is the best musical they have ever seen here so don’t be that person standing outside. Get your tickets now because this will be a sellout.

This jukebox musical recounts that historic day of December 4, 1956 when Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins happened by chance to all visit Sun Records studio for the one and only time they would all play together. Fortunately, the jam session was recorded and is considered a seminal moment to rock and roll. Read More

Dalton City Stand Off Ends Peacefully

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Photo by R.R. Best
Dalton City Stand Off Ends Peacefully
A 60-year-old Pittsfield man was taken to Moultrie County jail following a five hour standoff in Dalton City Monday morning.
Moultrie County Sheriff Chris Sims reported that Albert Kimber was taken into custody at 11:10 a.m. Monday, June 11 facing preliminary charges of home invasion, unlawful restraint and armed violence. He was taken to the Moultrie County Detention Center.
It all began with a 5:56 a.m. call to the Moultrie County Sheriff’s office on a domestic violence/criminal trespass complaint at #130 Route 128 in Dalton City.
Sims explained that report quickly escalated to the suspect being armed with a firearm trying to force entry into the residence.
By the time three Moultrie County deputies arrived two rounds had been discharged as the suspect entered the residence, and a scuffle was occurring inside the front part of the house.
A deputy commanded the suspect to drop the gun, and the male fled to the interior of the home while the female victim escaped out the front.
Once free the female advised officers that a male friend of hers was still in the house with the gunman.
Sullivan police responded to assist along with the Illinois State Police Hostage Negotiation and Tactical Team as well as members of the ILEAS Tactical Team.
After negotiations and another round being discharged inside the residence, the male hostage was released without harm.
Continued negotiations conducted by Illinois State Police resulted in the suspect surrendering to officers.
Sheriff Sims emphasized the investigation is ongoing.

Serving the Masses

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Serving the Masses
While most folks were bustling around Sullivan looking for deals at the townwide rummage sales Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9 Boy Scout Troop #39 was serving the masses during their annual two day cookout on the Sullivan IGA parking lot. First Community Bank of Sullivan joined Sullivan IGA and The News Progress in sponsoring the annual townwide rummage sales.

Fifteen Years of Controlling Pests in Moultrie Co.

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•June 6, 2018•

Moultrie County Pest Control is showing its appreciation to Moultrie County and their customers for all their support in the last 15 years with a celebration.

Owners Rob and Michelle Young will host a customer appreciation open house on Saturday, June 9 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Sullivan VFW. Food will be served and prizes awarded; a DJ and balloon animals for the kids will provide entertainment.

Rob Young grew up in Lovington and after high school, moved to Mattoon. While living in Mattoon he worked for several years with other pest control companies. He moved back to Moultrie County to Sullivan in 2003 to help with his family’s funeral home part-time, and that is when he started to think about starting his own business.  Read More

Victory hug

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Photo by Jason Brown
Victory hug
WSS Hatchet Mackinzee Reynolds gives Ava Bennett a victory hug after the Windsor Stew-Stras State Championship win Saturday. A tribute to the team, the community and the effort begins on page 9 of the News Progress.

SES Gold Slip Students

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SES Gold Slip Students
Sullivan Elementary School honors students who go above and beyond expectations at school by awarding them “Gold Slips.”  The following are students who were awarded gold slips in the month of May (from left to right):  Kaiden Smith was kind and respectful to the kitchen staff throughout the year, always saying please and thank you.
Mason Booker and Hayden Righter started picking up trash under the bleachers between their events at the SEA track meet. Carter Standerfer and Gracelynn Johnson jumped in to help another student who had spilled bird seed in the hallway at dismissal.

Three Big Events Kick off Summer Season for  Arthur area

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Photo by Ariana Cherry
The introduction of the sewing machine improved quilting and clothes making, as demonstrated inside the Mose Yoder home during the Sheep to Sew event at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center.

•June 6, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

The first weekend in June brought a variety of events for both tourist and local residents to enjoy in Arthur. From sheep shearing to browsing, a variety of crafts and antiques at the Back 40 Market to getting refreshed from the heat while drinking a strawberry shake-up at the Strawberry Jam, the possibilities for everyone were endless.

Along Route 133 at the new site of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center near Chesterville, the Sheep to Clothing event took place Saturday, June 2. Folks were able to get a chance to watch and even try their hand at shearing wool from sheep, watch wool be strung into yarn, quilting and even some weaving.

The Moses Yoder farmhouse was open for a walk back in time.  Read More

Okaw Valley Alumni Wall of Fame Inductee

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•June 6, 2018•

Dan Flannell from the Bethany High School class of 1970 is the 2018 Alumni Wall of Fame inductee for Okaw Valley schools.

To be nominated an individual must have been a graduate of Bethany, Findlay, or Okaw Valley. Nominations are based on an individual’s contribution to society and community, the betterment of mankind or occupational/endeavor recognition.

This nominee earned his degree in finance at the University of Illinois in 1974 and later graduated law school from the University of Illinois in 1977.  Read More