Photo by Alex Menke
Performers greeted visitors to Sullivan Friday: (From L to R) Boone Collins, Barrett Thatcher, and Kaycee Thatcher pose with Belle and and the Prince from The Little Theatre on the Square’s Beauty and the Beast.
Photo furnished
OVHS FFA Attends Convention
Pictured are members of the Okaw Valley High School FFA chapter who attended the 89th annual state convention in Springfield.
Photo furnished
OVHS FFA Enters Fun Zone
Members of the Okaw Valley High School FFA chapter attended the 89th annual state convention in Springfield. During a break from the action members enjoyed some down time at Sky Zone. Front row - April Decesaro, Sadie Zimmerman - Back Row - Sidney Zimmerman, Ethan Macklin, Sophie Zimmerman, Kailynn Bobbett, and Connor Sheehan.
•June 14, 2017•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Indeed, researchers estimate this story to be at least 4,000 years old with its origins in the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche. Written in 1740 by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, the original story had no Gaston or talking furniture - these are figments of Disney’s imagination.
In the 1700’s marriages were still arranged and this story was specifically intended to prepare young French girls for such a marriage.
Almost every country has a variant folktale of Beauty and the Beast, and it has been adapted for film (three times), stage, TV, opera and even a ballet.
That said, I can’t gush enough stars for this stellar production, its incredibly talented cast and especially the set and stage crew.
A narrator begins the prologue of how the Prince is turned into the Beast as the Prince, Beggar Woman and the Enchantress pantomime the action on stage. The curtain descends and rises again on a breathtaking French square as the villagers colorful costumes and carrying wonderful props bring the town to life. Belle (played by Samantha Matthews - she of the translucent skin and sterling voice) enters as does her father Maurice (Pat Swearington) and their loving and devoted relationship is revealed in the song “No Matter What”. Maurice has invented a clever wood shopping contraption for the science fair. Pat Swearington in both voice and mannerisms makes a most believable, devoted father. Read More
•June 14, 2017•
By Mike Brothers
A way to attract good employees and keep them in Moultrie County was the focus of recommendations made to the county board personnel committee June 6.
An ad hoc committee consisting of office holders County Supt. of Highways Jeff Birch, chair, with County Clerk Georgia England, Circuit Clerk Cindy Braden, Treasurer Marci Thompson and Supervisor of Assessments Lori Barringer was appointed by County Board Chairman Dave McCabe following an attempt to make county salaries more competitive last year.
Chairman Birch explained the ad hoc committee researched area county salary packages before coming up with recommendations on starting salaries and a longevity plan. Read More
•June 14, 2017•
Coles-Moultrie county enhanced 9-1-1 is completed and in operation, Director Bernie Buttram told members of the Moultrie County Health and Safety Committee June 7.
Buttram noted that although coordinating the various land line carriers was a challenge, the diligence of Deb Prather at INdigital Telecom along with address accuracy in Moultrie County from Kelly Lockhart and the staff at Coles County Regional Planning paid off.
“It has been a long time coming,” Buttram said of the months of delays. “Now everything is moving, and we are the first consolidated 9-1-1 completed in the state.”
In addition board member Kevin McReynolds reported that the new aerial photos of the county were completed and would be available to enhance the 9-1-1 mapping system. Read More
•June 14, 2017•
The Sullivan Police Department has partnered with Nixie to implement its Community Notification System to alert residents in real-time for localized emergency situations and relevant community advisories.
As a resident, there are several simple ways to register:
1. Text your ZIPCODE to 888777 from your mobile phone.
Once registered, residents will receive a confirmation text to their mobile device. Residents may also customize their alert settings by going to www.nixle.com and creating a User Profile. Read More
Drone photo by RR Best
The morning after the Mast Construction fire northeast of Sullivan. Fire destroyed building materials, completed prefab walls and three outbuildings at the business owned by Chester Mast Thursday, June 8. See more photos here.
Mutual Aid Helps Save Home
By Mike Brothers
A rubbish fire got out of control at Mast Construction northeast of Sullivan June 8, destroying three buildings plus raw construction materials valued at more than $250,000.
Sullivan Fire Department was dispatched at 7:14 p.m. to the 1560CR 1475E Sullivan location owned by Chester Mast whose business involves constructing prefabricated walls for homes. He stated that a large number of pre-fab walls were stacked outside ready to ship.
Those prepared walls along with multiple bunks of raw lumber stacked around the site created a scene of intense heat and fire by the time firefighters arrived on the scene.
Sullivan Fire Captain Larry Edwards explained that at 7:24 pm when equipment first arrived at the scene, fire had engulfed the first shed and the stacks of pre-fab walls. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
Cool Beverage on a Warm Day
These enterprising young people served lemonade to thirsty shoppers traveling from location to location during Sullivan’s Townwide Rummage Sale June 9-10. Above from left: Dillon Richards, Nevaeh Wilson, Gracelyn DoVel and Myah Richards served ice cold lemonade to visitors to their parents’ Water St. sale.
Photo furnished
Music Teacher Conducts Crappie Catch
While casually fishing Saturday, Sullivan schools’ music teacher Jeff Thomas caught a monster sized crappie in Wyman Lake. It was only a pound under the Illinois state record. The crappie was 17.5 inches long and weighed 3.5 lbs. Not a lot of people think of the local show choir director as an avid fisherman, but Thomas actually grew up in a lake community very similar to Sullivan and has fished his whole life. “It’s a great way to relax between the crazy schedule of show choir,” Thomas explained. “Who knew such big fish were here in Wyman Lake?”