Photo by Mike Brothers
Ground Breaking at Agri-Fab
Wyatt Taber, Colin Patient, Ruey Price, Hailey Gullett. Front row- Hazel Crothers, Reed Smith, James Conlin, Brooklynn Clark, Elijah Crosier, Agri-Fab president Mike Cohen, Addi Heaton, Savannah LaDew, Matthew Moody (behind LaDew) and Hope Conner.
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Memorial for Guy Little Jr. is 11:00 a.m. March 25 at the First Christian Church of Sullivan.
•March 8, 2017•
By Mike Brothers
When The Little Theatre on the Square opened its season Friday, founder Guy Little’s seat on the front row was empty except for a rose.
Guy Little Jr, the founder the The Little Theatre on the Square in 1957 passed away earlier in the day. He was 82.
On opening night Little Theatre Executive Director John Stephens announced the 60th anniversary season will be dedicated to Little. The show must go on.
And in spite of the fact that Guy was not seated on the front row as usual, handing out notes to crew and cast, the curtain went up on the Square in Sullivan although Guy has gone on to a grander stage.
The city of Sullivan remained a supporter of the Little Theatre of the Square, and the Theatre has in return put the city on the map.
Mayor Ann Short explained that Guy Little actually put Sullivan on the world map. Read More
•March 8, 2017•
A wall with a security window and magnetic entry door for the state’s attorneys was approved for installation by the Moultrie County Board building and grounds committee March 1.
Building and grounds manager Rick Matthews reported the measure to provide increased security to the Moultrie County State’s Attorney Jeremy Richey’s office could be accomplished for about $1000.
Matthews noted an eternal bid of $5906 for constructing the security window and wall let him take another look at the project.
By utilizing used security glass with a built in speaker, Matthews told the committee he could build the wall with occasional assistance from the state’s attorney for $958.19. Read More
Photo by Joe Pound
In the little village in Honduras every one comes to the church where volunteers work to provide medical treatment for families like the one above. Volunteers from the Sullivan mission helped with Vacation Bible School which was attended by more than 300 children. Regular classes are conducted for students in the church pavilion built during an earlier mission trip.
•March 8, 2017•
By Jose Libra
for the News Progress
For the eighth year in a row, 17 members of Hearts and Hands for Honduras traveled to a remote community in the northeast part of Honduras, near the large town of Tacoa.
The mission team from Sullivan First United Methodist Church (FUMC) included members from area churches and communities who brought support and healing medical services to residents of nearby La Ceibita. The small, struggling community’s local Methodist church building was the clinic’s location.
These semi-annual treks consist of a medical mission effort in February (just completed) and a trip with a construction focus in July.
Last July a group helped local church members build a 20x20 ft. covered pavilion in the front yard of the church, which is now used as a classroom. Read More
Photo furnished
Sparrows Take Plunge
Members of Sparrows of Lovington participated in the annual Polar Plunge in Lake Decatur for Special Olympics. Taking the plunge March 4 were Allison Miller, Jessica Mercer and Andrea Miller.
Photo furnished
Performers at the Titus Opera House.
•March 8, 2017•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Long before Guy Little, Jr. had a vision for The Little Theatre on the Square, Sullivan enjoyed a storied musical past with the Titus Opera House.
It was Sullivan’s cultural center from 1871 to 1910.
Joseph Titus moved to Sullivan with his wife, Louise, and their talented daughter, Winifred. Mrs. Titus sang and played piano, sharing that love of music with the community.
Mr. and Mrs. Titus became patrons of the arts and built the opera house in 1871 for $30,000. Located on the northeast corner of the square where Dunscomb’s Furniture later resided, people began to come. Read More
Photo furnished
Longaberger Binga Time at WHS
The Windsor class of 2018 will host a Longaberger Binga Fundraiser at 6 p.m. April 1 at Windsor High School. Doors will open at 5:00 pm.
Tickets are on sale now; see a senior class member for tickets, or call Elizabeth Robison at 459-2636.
Tickets will be available at the door. All of the baskets will be filled with goodies. Refreshments, 50/50, and raffle items will also be for sale.
WHS Class of 2018 students pictured: Top left to right: Mikayla Haddock, Morgan Lesko, Caitlin Welsh, and Kasey Bean.
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Jennifer Moore (l) accepts the $1,000 grant from Kristy Dawson, Area Agency President.
Grant Helps Cover Costs
•March 8, 2017•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Central Illinois Public Transit (CIPT) has received a $1,000 grant from the Moultrie County Interagency Group.
This returning grant will be used to help cover transportation costs for seniors over 60 and people with disabilities. Kathi Shackles, Exec. Dir. of the Senior Center, is surveying seniors for suggestions on trips or other services they need. Some ideas include a trip to Moonshine, Scovill Zoo, or Effingham for a performance.
Jennifer Moore, Mobility Manager of CIPT, emphasized that transportation services are not just for the elderly and disabled, but for anyone in Moultrie, Christian, Clay, Fayette, Montgomery, Effingham or Shelby counties.
“Even a millionaire can use our service,” she said. Read More
•March 8, 2017•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
City council members discussed ordinances regarding cannabis and city curfew hours at the last meeting.
Illinois law on marijuana possession changed in 2016. It is now a civil offense for individuals who are caught with 10 grams or less of cannabis. The fine will cost such persons $200. The new law makes this punishable by fines – but not by jail time.
The council discussed whether they should pass a city ordinance creating a policy and setting fines.
Presently the county has an ordinance; otherwise, it is a state citation. Without an ordinance, the city loses the revenue from the citations.
City police chief Jim Waggoner reported six cases of individuals who have been caught with cannabis recently. No action was taken during the meeting regarding the ordinance. Read More
Photo furnished
Windsor FFA Hosts Ag Fair
As part of FFA Week, the Windsor FFA Chapter hosted their first annual Ag Fair February 24. Attractions at the fair were informational booths on farm safety, FFA, wildlife/camping, and other agricultural activities which were open to the elementary school and the community. The chapter also hosted a petting zoo and face painting booth for the children.