Broadband Expansion Gets a Boost in Lovington

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
Matt Johnson, VP of Moultrie Independent Telephone/Shawnee Communications, (right) and Keith Adams, the USDA assistant administrator of telecommunications programs.

•July 5, 2017•

High speed internet is coming to Lovington in a big way with the kickoff of a $5 million Fiber to the Home project announced by the Moultrie Independent Telephone Company June 29.

Matt Johnson, VP of parent company Shawnee Communications, explained fiber optic service will expand to 800 customers by adding 80 miles of line.

The Fiber build-out is made possible with a $1 million capital investment by Shawnee and a $4 million loan through Rural Utilities Service, a division of U.S.D.A.

Keith Adams, the USDA assistant administrator of telecommunications programs, emphasized the importance of connecting rural america to fiber optics.

“Enhanced broadband can help rural communities bring young people back home,” Adams said, noting USDS has invested $116 million in partnerships such as the one with Moultrie Independent Telephone Co. since 2010. Read More

Hand In Hand Kids Camp Makes For Happy Campers

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Hand in Hand
The Hand in Hand group enjoys camp. See story on page 1.

•July 5, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Every child should grow up happy – it should be their unalienable right. Reality, however, is grim and often unfair. Special needs children face daunting challenges and some of these include not being asked to join teams or to sleepovers or to join other activities.

In Sullivan these children have two angels- Christine Grohler and Monica Green who received grant funds 15 years ago to found Hand in Hand Kids Camp for special needs children. Read More

Life is a Carnival

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
Life is a Carnival
Sullivan children gathered at the Civic Center parking lot beginning at 6:00p.m. Friday enjoying rides from Conner Family Amusements of Beardstown. The new carnival sponsored by the Sullivan American Legion drew enthusiastic crowds during the city’s Fourth of July celebration that ended with a big bang.

Sunken Garden Work

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Sunken Garden Work
Garden club members along with OVHS students helped spread mulch and worked in the sunken garden June 12. OV students who volunteered their time were Garrett Tippit, Dalton McGill, Ethan Macklin and Jacob Brewer. Wes Wise, OV agriculture teacher assisted the students.
Pictured - OVHS agriculture teacher - Wes Wise, Dalton McGill, Ethan Macklin, Garrett Tippit, and Jacob Brewer.

Agricultural Advocacy Award

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Agricultural Advocacy Award
Okaw Valley High School’s agriculture department was recognized with the presentation of the Agricultural Education Advocacy Award in Bloomington last week at the Illinois Association for Vocational Agriculture Teachers meeting. Pictured are award recipient OVHS Principal Matt Shoaff and Agriculture teacher Wes Wise.

Thoroughly Modern Millie is Thoroughly Entertaining

News Progress Posted on by

•June 28, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

The music was written by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlon and it was based on the 1956 British musical, “Chrysanthemum”. The pre-Broadway promo starred Kristin Chenoweth as Millie and the redoubtable Bea Arthur as Mrs. Meers. It had nearly 1,000 performances and won six Tony awards including Best Musical and Best Actress.

Basically, it is a small town Kansas girl, Millie Dillmount, who comes to New York in the 20’s to marry for money and not love. She takes delight in the flapper lifestyle, but problems arise when she checks into a hotel run by a washed-up stage star who is reduced to a life of crime in a white slavery ring in China.

Having never seen this musical before I came prepared to be wowed. Thoroughly Modern Millie is thoroughly, magically magnificent.

The musical opens on a beautiful blue and grey New York backdrop, and above the stage is a marquee which sets the scenes and also translates the Chinese language of some characters so pay attention to the marquee! Read More

New Superintendent for Sullivan District #300

News Progress Posted on by

•June 28, 2017•

In a 7-0 vote, the Sullivan Community Unit School District #300 Board of Education approved the hiring of a new superintendent at a special meeting Thursday, June 22.

Ted Walk, who has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal in the district over the last 11 years, will begin as Sullivan’s superintendent July 1 under a four-year contract at $122,500 annual salary. He is replacing Brad Tuttle who recently accepted a position with the Jerseyville School District.

The hiring of Walk follows a search by the district that included input from a meeting of various stakeholders, including members of the community, faculty, and staff in order to determine the qualities that the next superintendent of Sullivan schools should possess. Utilizing the results from this meeting, the board reviewed applications and supporting documentation and conducted interviews which led to the selection of Walk as the district’s next superintendent. Read More

Sullivan Schools Enjoy Utility Savings Following HVAC Improvements

News Progress Posted on by

10¢ Meal Increase

•June 28, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Sullivan Community Unit #300 school board members received good news about facility savings at the regular meeting June 12.

Director of maintenance Kevin Landrus gave an assessment of the HVAC replacement project for Sullivan elementary, middle school and high school.

“With the present trend the three buildings are saving 20 percent in utility costs,” Landrus began. He explained the new HVAC systems will need a full year before net savings are realized. The school district saved $4100 in May over the previous year which was under the old HVAC systems.

He went on to emphasize the new HVAC systems have improved the comfort levels in the classrooms which is of greater benefit to the learning environment for students. Read More

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight Hosts Sullivan Veterans

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
Floyd Dugan Sr. displays one of 70 letters he received at Mail Call during his recent Land of Lincoln Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

•June 28, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Floyd Dugan Sr. was one among five World War II veterans taking the Land of Lincoln Honor flight out of Springfield last Tuesday morning.

Dugan was joined by family and friends in Springfield where 68 veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam were treated to a long day of flying to Washington, D.C. to visit veterans’ memorials and tour the National Air and Space Museum.

Gordon Wood and William Zoetvelt, both Sullivan men who served during the Korean era, were also on the flight.

Each veteran’s trip is free with a guardian traveling with them to make sure all goes smoothly. Dugan was accompanied by son-in-law Wayne Claytor.

Claytor had taken the trip as guardian with his father four years earlier and shared some insight. Read More

Making Honey in Okaw Valley

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Making Honey in Okaw Valley
Okaw Valley High School graduate JT Bland poses with one of three OV bee colonies set up around the area. OV students will monitor the colonies during the summer months and into the fall.