Sullivan Senior Expo to be held in September

News Progress Posted on by


•August 6, 2025•

It’s almost that time of year-the annual Mid Illinois Senior Services Expo will be held on September 25th, with 2 expo times this year: 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., and 12:00 to 2:00 p.m., with the doors opening at 9:00 a.m. The event will be held in their new location at 113 Jefferson Street, Sullivan, and is a day to celebrate and empower seniors. 

Take-out only lunch will be provided by Griffins BBQ and catering, donated by Agrifab and Hydro-gear. Prepare for an informative expo session with friends, local businesses, learn new information, gifts, and a free lunch. To register or if you have any questions, call (217) 728.8521, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All planning to attend must register by Friday, September 13th, at 3:30 p.m.

Kids spread joy with lemonade stand and birthday kit donations

News Progress Posted on by


•August 6, 2025•

What started as a simple summer project turned into a heartwarming act of kindness thanks to the creative and compassionate Summer Squad kids at Empower Academy. During their recent “Pay it Forward” week, the school-aged group set up a cheerful lemonade stand with one goal in mind: to make someone’s special day even brighter.

Read More

Growth comes at a cost for City Council

News Progress Posted on by


•August 6, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

An ambitious plan to add 100 new housing units in ten years to Sullivan is coming along ahead of schedule, but at an added cost to the city’s utilities. During an extended discussion about economic development, the council discussed the costs of additional electric, water, and gas meters for new construction. “Lots of communities our size and bigger would like to have what we have,’ said Mayor Mike Mossman. 

Read More

37th annual Findlay Walleye Festival

News Progress Posted on by

Photos DM Williamee

Locals and non-locals alike gathered in Findlay on Friday, July 25th, and Saturday, the 26th, to celebrate their 37th annual Walleye Festival. On offer were everything from a Kid Zone, beer tent, American Legion Dinner, vendors, food trucks, firehouse obstacle course, to a pedal pull, car show, live musical performances, tractor pull, and the parade, which drew a sizable crowd for the town of approximately 700 residents. There was something for everyone, and the atmosphere was one of very good cheer, despite the record-hot, humid weather experienced in the region the past two weeks.

Moultrie Historical Society: August special event

News Progress Posted on by


•July 30, 2025•

On Saturday, August 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Moultrie County Historical Society in Sullivan will be hosting a “2nd Native American Artifacts Roadshow” at 1303 S. Hamilton Street in Sullivan.

Randy Fair, their Native American consultant, will be available to discuss the artifacts to include age/time period of the artifact, arrowhead names, and point types. Materials will also be on hand to help with research. Everyone attending is invited to visit their collection of arrowheads and artifacts. Those attending are also invited to bring any articles, artifacts, or objects they believe to be related to Native American ways and life, such as stone tools, arrowheads, axes, pottery, and pottery shards. If you have any questions, call (217) 728-4085.

Lovington Library “Ag in the Classroom”: conservation

News Progress Posted on by

by DM Williamee 


Photo by DM WIlliamee
Linda Henry discusses conservation with attendees.


•July 30, 2025•

On Tuesday, July 22nd, Linda Henry from the Moultrie County Soil and Water Conservation District provided a fun and educational water conservation activity for local youth at the Lovington Library, focused on water conservation. Mrs. Henry used a terrarium-building project to demonstrate water conservation, hands-on. Many of the youth have been learning about space, and Mrs. Henry shared the mnemonic “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos” (which elicited smiles and giggles) to help the children remember the order of the planets in our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Those present were eager to ask questions, share their thoughts on the subject, and discuss what they had learned. All were especially excited to build their terrariums. 

Read More

Toy Bar’s “Allwheels Run for ALS”

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by R.R. Best Toy Bar’s “Allwheels Run for ALS” On July 26th, the Toy Bar of Sullivan, the VFW of Shelbyville, Strasburg’s 32 Below, Windsor’s Old No. 1, and Mattoon’s The Castle participated in the “Allwheels for ALS” run, with proceeds going to Trevor Storm, who was raising awareness for ALS. The theme was sports-related, as Greg Dirk’s favorite team was the Cardinals, so all came dressed in their favorite baseball team’s attire.

Sullivan American Legion aids fire victim

News Progress Posted on by

Photo submitted 

Mark Madson presented Lee Bishop with a check from the American Legion Department of Illinois Disaster Relief Program to help cover expenses incurred from his house fire, which caused significant damage to his home.

From left to Right: Mark Young, Illinois American Legion Fourth Division Commander, Lee Bishop Member of Sullivan Sons of American Legion Detachment 68, Wayne Madson, American Legion Department of Illinois Vice Commander, and a member of the American Legion Department of Illinois Disaster Relief Program, and Dave Selby Sullivan Sons of American Legion Adjutant.

Unrest continues at ALAH School District

News Progress Posted on by

Collective bargaining agreement with the AEA passed


•July 23, 2025•

by Ariana R Cherry

Unrest continued at the Arthur School District #305 school board meeting on Wednesday, July 16th. Approximately thirty teachers were in attendance regarding the teachers’ contract. Sharon Chupp spoke first during the public comment section of the meeting. She felt she needed to share her story regarding Shawn Davison’s Letter to the Editor in the newspaper the prior week. Chupp said, “I have a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), and Shawn has been his one-on-one assistant for the last two years. When my child was ready for high school, I knew he was getting a new one-on-one. I was nervous, not knowing how that was going to go or what his last four years were going to look like. I have to say it has been the best thing ever. Shawn has gone out of his way to help Lance so many times, not that he had to, but because he wanted to.” She stated, “He asked if he could spend the last hour with him to help with his speech and other areas he needed help with, including his bathroom issues when no one else wanted to, and got him to where he knew the routine. On Christmas Eve, Shawn and his wife stopped by the house to give my child a Christmas gift because he wanted to.” And added, “My child has more confidence than ever before, talks so much more, and looks forward to going to school most days,” Chupp commented. “I would like to add, what would be a better way than to impact a whole classroom versus just one child?” she concluded.

Read More

Bluey visits ETML, and young fans are not disappointed

News Progress Posted on by


•July 23, 2025•

by DM Williamee

This past Saturday, July 19th, Bluey paid a visit to his fans at Sullivan’s Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library. In addition to hugs and playing games with Bluey, stations were set up that attendees enjoyed, such as an arts and crafts station, a coloring station, face painting, balloon games, and a playtime library checkout desk, which allowed for a popular game of pretend. 

Parents and grandparents alike attended with their children and found that the timing could not have been better, with rain curtailing many outdoor activities as summer winds down, and many are preparing for the school year to begin. 

One parent stated, “The programs here at the library are great; we almost never miss a week, and on a day like this with the rain, humidity, and heat- it just worked out perfectly!”