OVHS Homecoming Court

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Photo by Jeni Yantis
OVHS Homecoming Court
The 2017 Okaw Valley Homecoming Court. Front - Senior Candidates Hannah Landreth, Hayden Francisco, Natalie Jeffers Dylan Holt, 2017 Queen Paige Robinson and 2017 King Garrett Fritz, Grace Harlin, Tanner Coleman, Crown Bearer Colin Patient, Crown Bearer Avery Collins and 2016 Queen Kristy Burford. Back - Freshmen Attendants Luke Vander Burgh and Tayli Roberts, Junior Attendants Kailey George and Garrett Tippit and Sophomore Attendants Baylee Wagner and Canaan Christensen.

Sullivan Homecoming Week Action

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Photo by Marsha Kirby
Sullivan Homecoming Candidates
Sullivan senior king and queen candidates. Front row from right: Abby Cravatta, Madisyn Dickens, Kaitlynn McClure, Madison Moll, Chloe Riley. Back row: Bryce Hubbard, Isaiah Plank, Zach Sowers, Gavin Sullivan, Jacob White.

•September 13, 2017•

Sullivan High School is gearing up for homecoming the week of September 18. With the theme of Seasons, each class will construct their floats Monday through Thursday.

Students will enjoy a cookout Friday, Sept. 22 and then begin the annual pep assembly, games and Mr. Redskin pageant at 12:30.

The parade will kick off at 4 p.m. with line-up beginning at 3 p.m. in the high school parking lot. The football game against Meridian will kick-off at 7 p.m. with the announcement of the court at halftime.  Read More

County Board Explores Remote Meeting Attendance

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•September 13, 2017•

By Mike Brothers
for the News Progress

Faced with attendance challenges the Moultrie County Board Legislative Committee is looking into allowing remote attendance of meetings.

Committee chair Tim Rose presented the proposed resolution authorizing remote attendance at the September 5 meeting to the three member committee. Rose explained the resolution followed open meetings act guidelines.

County board chair Dave McCabe joined Todd Maxedon in voting to recommend the resolution to the full county board, due to the absence of committee member Mike Barringer. Read More

Fatal Crash

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Photo by R.R. Best
Fatal Crash
A Sullivan man died as a result of injuries received in a near head on collision on Hwy 121, near Mason Point Thursday, Sept. 7. Michael D. Eikenberry, 21, was traveling west on Hwy 121, a quarter mile east of 1300N when his 2000 Pontiac Sunbird went into the eastbound lane. Dalton C. Long, 22, of Decatur was driving a 2000 Cadillac east on Hwy 121, and the two vehicles collided. Moultrie Co. Sheriff Chris Sims said both men had to be extricated from their vehicles. Eikenberry was transported to Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital by Sullivan Ambulance Service where he passed away. Long was taken to Carle Hospital by Sullivan Ambulance Service with serious injuries.

Scholarships Awarded

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Scholarships Awarded
Nine $1,000 scholarships were earned by 4-H members enrolled in beef, swine, and sheep projects in the Superior Young Livestock Producer competition held during the Illinois State Fair. The winners included (left to right) Jordynn Marcum of Ford County, Evan Link of Knox County, Tanner Mickey of Christian County, Blake Hennenfent of Knox County, Makenna Green of Christian County, Ethan Macklin (OVHS) of Shelby County, Wyatt Claire of Iroquois County, Kacie Haag of Kankakee County, and Mclayn Musick of Adams County.

Moving House

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Moving House
A house moving down Monroe Street drew some attention in Sullivan a couple of weeks ago. Peters Movers of Farmer City moved the three bedroom house from its former home on Monroe Street to Mattoon, making room for construction of a new Casey’s store here. Above Matt Frederick and his son Kaeden prepare to lead the home to its new location in Mattoon along with escorts from Sullivan Police, Moultrie County Sheriff’s Dept, Illinois State Police and Dept. of Transportation. To accommodate state height limit of 20 feet, Frederick had to remove the top four feet of the roof. A property manager in Mattoon, he noted it was a lot less expensive to move the home since he already had a lot prepared for the home’s new location in Mattoon.

Trees May be Memorials

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•September 6, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Memorials at city-owned parks and cemeteries for loved ones prompted discussion about offering a tree memorial program.

Sullivan City Council was led to the discussion following a request for a memorial for Logan Riley in Wyman Park. They agreed that some type of ordinance should be in place to ensure consistency when it came to special memorials. Often, some memorials put in place require upkeep which some families follow up on, but as time passes, often these memorials fall into the hands of city workers.

During their discussion, the idea for tree donations was proposed. Families could choose from a variety of different trees and have one planted as a memorial for their loved one.  Read More

Investing in People Makes Life Better and Communties Stronger

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Photo by Mike Brothers
State Treasurer Mike Frerichs and News Progress manager Carolyn Collier during newspaper visit Sept. 1.

•September 6, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Helping people invest in themselves is a commitment for Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs. “Investing in people makes life better and our communities stronger.”

Frerichs made a pre-Labor Day weekend visit to Sullivan Sept. 1, stopping by the News Progress office accompanied by his third grade daughter, Ella.

In a state known for having no money Frerichs’ job presents opportunity to generate income for Illinois by managing $12 billion invested in 700 different funds.

Through savings programs for college, people with disabilities and the ICash program the treasurer’s office continues to help people invest in themselves. Read More

Street Machines on the Square

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Street Machines on the Square
The annual Sullivan Street Machine Association car show and cruise filled the Sullivan square with show cars from around the state Saturday. Above Radar Watkins and Brian Marshall of Paxton check out Dale Abbott’s 1966 Mustang Pony from Mt. Zion. Marshall was also showing a 1968 440 ci Plymouth GTX.