Sullivan Community Economic Development Elf Hunt Is Back! 

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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

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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

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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

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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

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•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

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•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

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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

OVHS and EIU Dual Credit

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OVHS and EIU Dual Credit
Thirty Okaw Valley Dual Credit Students visited Eastern Illinois University recently to meet with professors and tour the campus. Okaw Valley is currently partnering with EIU in two dual credit classes, speech and U.S. History, during the fall semester.
Three more dual credit classes will be taught in the spring at OVHS which include Environmental Science, English 3 (Brit Lit), and the second semester of U.S. History.
Okaw Valley juniors and seniors have a total of 15 dual credit hours available through EIU to go along with the 60 dual credit hours already offered through Lake Land College.

Sullivan School District Nonprofits Receive Donation

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•November 15, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

The election of one school board member became a financial windfall for Sullivan school organizations at the Nov. 13 meeting.

Zak Horn, owner of MCC Network Services, LLC, was elected to the school board in 2016 and telecommunications services was provided Sullivan Unit District #300 by his company prior to that.

“The law is clear on this,” Horn told the board. “I can not touch the money.”

Taking the money from the district would be a conflict that could carry a felony charge.

Instead Horn came up with an innovative solution that benefits nonprofit school organizations such as; Sullivan Education Foundation, Sullivan FFA Chapter, Sullivan Singers Boosters and Sullivan Sports Boosters.

Supt. of Schools Ted Walk presented the board with an agreement to place the $20,000 MCC annual contract amount into a Sullivan First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust Escrow Account held for the benefit of the designated organizations. The agreement was approved unanimously by board members Tyson Grooms, Steve Poland, Erik Stollard, Ann Wheeler, Norman Wood and president Jeff White with Horn abstaining. Read More

New Trustee for Lovington Village Board

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•November 15, 2017•

The Lovington Village Board approved Gary Clem as replacement trustee for the seat vacated by Jim McMahon at the October 9 meeting.

Clem’s recommendation by village president Roger Walker noted he agreed to serve over the water department for the next 18 months.

Doug Smith, Brenda Wood, Pam Anklam, Dennis Garmon and April Daily voted unanimously for Clem’s appointment.

Following a closed session discussion the board moved to vacate and sell a small portion of N. County St., north of William St. with owners of adjoining property incurring the expense. Trustees approved unanimously. Read More