Rotary Planting Help

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
Rotary Planting Help
Sullivan Rotary Club donated 13 Sycamore and Tulip Poplar trees for homes in the Habitat for Humanity subdivision, and last week Scott Bales’ Sullivan Middle School fifth hour physical education class grabbed shovels to help with the planting. Keith Fryman, John Voyles, Zach Dalbey, Justin Gilbert and Dmitiri Tull got to relocate a Blue Spruce and replace it with a new Sycamore tree. The Sullivan Rotary tree planting program is made possible with the help of a $1500 grant from District Rotary.

Skyzone Math Exercise

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Skyzone Math Exercise
Okaw Valley’s tech math class took a field trip to Skyzone in Springfield recently. The students examined different math and science applications which included calorie burn, percent of increase of heart rate, volume of foam pit, number of foam squares , angle of incline for the crazy ladder, long jump, trampoline jump height and basketball free throw.

Sullivan Council donates $500 to Santa’s Workshop

News Progress Posted on by

Casey’s Drive Expansion Approved

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

Santa’s Workshop will celebrate its fifth year at the American Legion. It is not only a fund-raiser for Dove but an event for the entire community.

Mary Hughes of Dove approached the Sullivan City Council requesting a donation to assist in sponsoring the event for 2017. Last year Santa’s Workshop served about 300 children. Hughes stated that this event helps with tourism within Sullivan as children from nearby areas travel to Sullivan to participate in the event.

The council made a motion to donate $500 towards the cost of sponsoring Santa’s Workshop. It was approved.

Other items that were discussed or voted upon:

-Citizens are reminded to not blow their leaves into the road because they could easily fall into the gutters. Leaves are also not to be burned in the road.

Read More

Sullivan Community Economic Development Elf Hunt Is Back! 

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Elves are back. Melinda Calhoun-Hurt and SCED Exec Director Laurrie Minor with the Elf on the Shelf.

•November 22, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

From Nov. 10 through Dec. 10 the Sullivan Community Economic Development’s second Elf on the Shelf contest will be held in 22 member stores throughout Sullivan.

“We are just thrilled to have so many members participating this year — it more than doubles last year,” SCED Executive Director, Laurrie Minor, said

Each one has contributed a gift card, gift certificate or merchandise from their store to a huge gift basket that is valued at more than $500 for a lucky winner.

How do you win this gift basket?  Read More

Veterans Honored at Sullivan Senior Center

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Pictured are some of the veterans who attended a Veteran’s Appreciation luncheon at the Mid Illinois Senior Center.

•November 22, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

“Wear a Poppy”,  a poem by Betty Toops of Neoga, expressed the sentiment at the Mid Illinois Senior Center Veterans observance Nov. 15.

With tables decorated in red, white and blue the Peace Meal staffers Barbara Brown and Blake Sanders from Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Services hosted a Veterans Appreciation luncheon for 60 veterans, their wives and widows.

“This is our eighth Veteran Appreciation luncheon this month in Moultrie County, and we are just honored to thank our veterans with this complimentary meal,” Sanders said.  Read More

Sparrow Volunteers

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Darian Hays
Sparrow Volunteers
Volunteers of all ages, including Moultrie County Circuit Judge Brad Rau, gathered Saturday, Nov. 18 for the annual Sparrows Unlimited fruit basket prep and delivery day. In all, 150 baskets were assembled and delivered in and around Lovington. Sparrows’ 23rd annual fundraising auction will be held December 2 at Jerry’s East End in Lovington.

Turkey Time

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
Turkey Time
Sullivan IGA delivered 100 turkeys purchased as a result of customer donations received during the annual roundup fundraiser for the Moultrie County Food Pantry just in time for Thanksgiving. IGA Shoppers rounded up their tickets, donating toward the turkey purchases. On Monday Nov. 20 IGA meat dept. employees Seth Cobb, meat dept. manager Barry Golden, Emmalee Hortenstine, Gary Portwood and Matt Martin joined Food Pantry Director Kristy Dawson displaying some of the items received in the Thanksgiving basket from the Food Pantry.Those turkeys went out to 100 families who had signed up previously with the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Included in that Thanksgiving basket from CEFS are ingredients for green bean casserole , stuffing mix, noodles and chicken broth, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, marshmallows and yams, fruit, cranberry sauce, pumpkin filling and pie crust mix.

County Observes Bicentennial

News Progress Posted on by

•November 22, 2017•

Moultrie County joins the Illinois bicentennial celebration with an 11:45 a.m., Dec. 4 flag raising ceremony on the courthouse lawn.

This commemorating opening ceremony of the state’s 200th celebration of statehood begins with presentation of the colors by the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 Honor Guard. The Pledge of Allegiance and Star Spangled Banner will be given.

County board chairman Dave McCabe will read the proclamation of statehood at noon followed by the raising of the Bicentennial Flag of Illinois by the Honor Guard. The state song will be played during the flag raising. Pastor Don Lusk of Southern Baptist Church will close the ceremony with prayer followed by the playing of America the Beautiful. Read More

Getting Covered Help Hits Sullivan

News Progress Posted on by

•November 22, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Getting insurance coverage help was offered in Sullivan last week to aid those seeking health plans.

Michael Bitkinn from the Illinois Department of Insurance was at the Titus Memorial Library Wed., Nov. 15 to inform people of insurance plans available online at GetCoveredIllinois.gov.

“Many uninsured Illinoisans will qualify for low-cost or free coverage. You might also qualify for discounts on costs beyond what your insurance company will pay,” according to Bitkinn. “You can no longer be denied insurance because of pre-existing conditions.” Read More

Circuit Clerk Brings State Honor to Moultrie County

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Cindy and Jan Braden (center) were allowed to share Cindy’s award as County Official of Illinois with family at the Illinois Association of County Officials convention last week.Back row from left Cindy’s daughter Katy Black and fiance’ Mike Burton; son Craig Black and girlfriend Erica Tomczewski. The children live in Champaign while Jan and Cindy reside in Sullivan.

•November 22, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Moultrie County Circuit Clerk Cindy Braden was named Illinois’ County Official of the Year at the annual conference in Peoria Nov. 13-15.

Braden was surprised not only by the award but the way her family kept the secret and attended the event at the Pere Marquette Hotel.

“I was shocked,” Braden said, explaining that since a circuit clerk had won the previous year, she figured it would go to another office holder. She was selected among four state officials nominated for the honor.

Braden learned that the fellow clerk who had nominated her had been conducting a secret phone call campaign to make sure her family attended the award session in Peoria. “It was totally unexpected, but I am happy a fellow clerk in the zone nominated me.” Read More