Dalton City Driver Designs Monster Jam “Whiplash” Truck

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Brianna Mahon designed the new Monster Jam “Whiplash” truck. During the week she designs hair at Country Cutz in Dalton City.

•January 3, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Brianna Mahon, the Princess of Carnage, as she is known in the Monster Jam Truck circle, is the first driver in Monster Jam history allowed to design her own truck.

Most people around Moultrie County recognize the Country Cutz salon owner in Dalton City for her ability to style hair, but there is much more to the Sullivan High School graduate.

On January 13, 2018 in Anaheim, Calif. she will introduce “Whiplash” – a 12’ tall, 10,000 lb. one-of-a-kind monster truck in her favorite color, turquoise, and painted to look like tooled leather.

“I’m known for my custom cowboy hats and boots so this was an opportunity to combine my love of rodeo and country/western into the design.” she said and added, “this is the first time a driver has ever had a hand in designing a truck, and I have been involved in every stage of the development.” They are trying to attract more women and young moms to the programs. Read More

Bolen Robinson and Ellis Merge with Wood and Mayberry 

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Bolen Robinson and Ellis, LLP seated from left: Nrupa Patel, Steve Wood, Jon Robinson, L. Drew Hickey; standing: Zach Anderson, Matthew Spain, Chris Ellis, Steve Mayberry, Shane Mendenhall and Josh Rohrscheib.

•January 3, 2018•

Wood and Mayberry Law Office’s merger with BRE Law of Decatur offers a full range of legal services for residents of Moultrie County.

Bolen Robinson and Ellis, LLP is located at the former Wood and Mayberry Sullivan office and in Decatur.

Jon Robinson, BRE Law founder, explained the expansion into Moultrie County attracted him personally since he grew up on a central Illinois farm which helped him see where the two firms could join forces.

“We have 10 active litigators specializing in a variety of legal areas to add to the Wood and Mayberry practice,” Robinson said. “It is an attractive opportunity to expand the practice into Moultrie County.”

This came about when senior founding attorney Steven Wood began to think about cutting back his schedule. Read More

First Snowman

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Photo by R.R. Best
First Snowman
J.J. Standerfer of Sullivan took advantage of a snow covered Christmas to build the first snowman of the season. The snow started on the heals of a warm few days mixed with rain then gently covered the ground. With temperatures in the single digits Standerfer’s first snowman could last all season.

Year End Review 2017

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Photo by R.R. Best
Operation Secret Santa
Jeepin for Jess is one of the largest fund raising gatherings held for Operation Secret Santa each year. This year the group successfully cruised various adult beverage serving establishments and returned to the Toy Bar in Sullivan. Throughout this week and next week’s editions of the News Progress we will be taking a look back at the Year that Was in 2017.

•December 27, 2017•

January 4, 2017

Sullivan City Council meetings are moving to the Elizabeth Titus Library, and new offices are replacing the city council chambers in city hall.

Prairie Winds musical ensemble opened its performance season at Mason Point.

Marrowbone Library in Bethany has a restored collection of high school senior class pictures from 1889 to 1993 with more current years in a scrapbook. Glenn Austin, Jim McLaughlin and Virginia Weakly rescued the collection presenting the restored collection to Marrowbone for public use.

Sullivan girls’ basketball team used a 21-6 third quarter run to propel them to a 59-42 win over MacArthur High School Decatur. Elizabeth Green, Brooke Tuttle and Chloe Riley scored in double figures for the win with Tatum Ellis, Esther Miller and Laine Cameron supporting on defense.

Okaw Valley defeated Arcola 51-35 at the Dieterich Tournament. Conner Cloyd, Jared Bunfill, Trey Yarnell, Cole Nichols, Garrett Fritz and Austin Hill contributed to the win.

Sullivan boys’ basketball defeated Blue Ridge 72-47 with Bryce Farris scoring 22 points. Josh Stutzman and Queintan Britton also scored in double digits. Read More

Bicycle Gifts

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Bicycle Gifts
Four Lovington students benefited from the French family bicycle giveaway just in time for Christmas. The family tradition began 26 years ago with son, Joc, coordinating the event since 2012. Pictured from left: pre-school bicycle winner Jaxson Wiley, founder Tammy French, Kinzin French (Joc’s daughter), Austin Scroggins (nephew), Joc French, bicycle winners Logan Wiley and Mariyah Miller, Austyn Scroggins (niece). Not pictured was pre school bicycle winner Layleen Sutton. Mark and Tammy French started the tradition after Joc, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, was able to ride a bike. Not only did Joc pass that special needs bicycle on when he was 16 but took over the tradition along with his sister Amanda Scroggins help as an adult. His daughter, niece and nephew all attend Lovington Grade School.

Wreaths Across America

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Wreaths Across America
Each holiday season an Honor Fleet force of volunteer drivers and trucks carry hundreds of “truckloads of respect” filled with more than a million Remembrance Wreaths to be placed on veterans’ graves all over the country to thank them for their service and sacrifices protecting our freedoms. On Saturday, Dec. 23 the Sullivan American Legion Post #68 received an Honor Wreath in memory of local veterans. Pictured from left: Mike Keown, Mike Black, Greg VanPraag, Roger Chappel, Paul Stone, George Selby, Honor Wreath Rolling Ambassadors Tom Evans, Brooklyn Allen, Tina Evans, Abel Allen, Angel Allen; Ed Riley, Richard Murphy, Marty Reynolds, Mac Bond and Richard Huckstep.

Okaw Middle Schoolers Help Toys for Tots

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Okaw Valley toy collectors (from left) Abbey Luckenbill, Reagan Easter Reedy and Avery Bruns presented Moultrie-Piatt Toys for Tots coordinator Eric Kenney with the more than 100 toys collected as a result of the Okaw Valley Middle School toy drive in Findlay and Bethany. Luckenbill, who is a third year coordinator, was presented the Outstanding Achievement Award plaque from Toys for Tots with Reedy and Bruns receiving certificates for their efforts in helping the 2018 Toys for Tot’s drive make Christmas better for a lot of kids.

•December 20, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Moultrie County Toys for Tots got a boost before Christmas thanks to one Okaw Valley Middle School student.

Seventh grade student Abbey Luckenbill has been involved with the Toys for Tots program collecting toys since she was in third grade. This year she put together an effort that led to collection of more than 100 toys.

Abbey’s efforts were rewarded with the receipt of the first individual Outstanding Achievement Award presented on behalf of Moultrie-Piatt County Toys for Tots.

On Friday, Dec. 15 OVMS counselor Paula Coffer helped Luckenbill and classmates Avery Bruns and Reagen Easter Reedy deliver the collection to Moultrie-Piatt County Toys for Tots coordinator Eric Kenney. Read More

Priceless Gift

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Priceless Gift
Tyrea Riley, a student in the Moultrie Co. CEFS Head Start 0-5 Program, gets a priceless gift from Santa Claus during the class visit to the Moultrie County Courthouse. Candy and gifts are soon gone, but this hug will last a lifetime.

Sullivan City Council Looks Into Cemetery Changes

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•December 20, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Increasing the cost of grave openings and possibly building a cremation wall were discussed by Sullivan City Council.

The cemetery board met at 1 pm December 11 with members recommending an increase in rates by $50.

During the week, grave openings would be $650 and $750 during the weekend; although cremation grave openings would remain the same.  Read More

ALAH Physics Club Shows Project to School Board

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Photo by Ariana Cherry
Pictured are members of the ALAH Physics Club.

Tax Levy Approved

•December 20, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

“Everything looks pretty good for now,” Supt. of Schools Kenny Schwengel reported noting the present balance for the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond district is $7,410,556.10. “But we still have not received any mandated categorical payments. Although, there have been $91,000 paid in general state aid but no payments for transportation,” he added.

A public hearing for the 2017 tax levy was held and approved. The total tax levy is $7,827,550 at 5.91% with a tax rate of $3.58.

The board also discussed leasing a 14-passenger activity bus for the district for transportation to school events and extracurricular activites. Schwengel estimated that the district pays about $9,000 on trips per year. Leasing an activity bus could help save the district money on transportation.  Read More