Sullivan’s Victory Arch-A Brief Tribute to Veterans By Ellen Ferrera for the News Progress Next year in February Moultrie County will celebrate its 175th anniversary of incorporation (1843). Sullivan was incorporated in 1850. There are various plans afoot for a celebration and, in that spirit, we revisit stories of Sullivan’s interesting past. The famous Arc d’Triomphe in Paris was commissioned in 1806 after the victory of Austerlitz but was completed between 1833 and 1836. One of the world’s most beautiful monuments, it is 164’ high, 148’ wide and 22’ deep. It was used for victory and Bastille Day parades until Armistice Day, 1920, when the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was erected under the arch. Parades now go around the arch rather than under it. A biplane was actually flown under the primary vault in 1919. Meanwhile, back in Sullivan, Illinois in 1919 a fund was started to build a welcome arch for our returning local servicemen. It looks suspiciously like the famous Paris arch. Located in the NW corner of the square, it was built of wood and wallboard and was the most elaborate structure of its kind in central Illinois. Work was completed shortly before July 4, 1919 when a big celebration was held honoring the returned veterans. There was still a deficit of $100 for building the arch so several local citizens paid the sum with the understanding that when the structure was torn down, they would get the material for salvage. Our arch had a short history. The top of the structure was seriously damaged the following November by a prairie wind storm and the structure had to be torn down. The merchants who had made up the deficit drew lots to see who would get the material. A. D. Miller was the winner. I appreciate Pat Cribbet at the Historical Society for her invaluable assistance in the preparation of this article. I have become a regular at this incredible repository of all things Moultrie County — and so should you!

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•February 22, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Next year in February Moultrie County will celebrate its 175th anniversary of incorporation (1843). Sullivan was incorporated in 1850. There are various plans afoot for a celebration and, in that spirit, we revisit stories of Sullivan’s interesting past.

The famous Arc d’Triomphe in Paris was commissioned in 1806 after the victory of Austerlitz but was completed between 1833 and 1836. One of the world’s most beautiful monuments, it is 164’ high, 148’ wide and 22’ deep. It was used for victory and Bastille Day parades until Armistice Day, 1920, when the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was erected under the arch.

Parades now go around the arch rather than under it. A biplane was actually flown under the primary vault in 1919. Read More

ALAH School District Approves New Security Cameras

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•February 22, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School Board voted to install security cameras in all of its four buildings after choosing the lowest bid of $56,966 from Barbeck Communications of Decatur.

The district received two other bids – one from QNS for $72,615 and Heart Technologies for $78,134. Funds from the Health/Life Safety money will assist in paying for the cameras once it has been approved by the State Board of Education. Read More

A Soldier Remembered-The Past Recalled

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Gene Denton next to the new plaque honoring Sgt. Wayne Bathe (inset) at Sullivan American Legion Post #68.

•February 22, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Out of the blue on June 15, 2015, Sullivan resident Gene Denton received an email from a Daniel Fonner who was researching his grandfather’s WWII experience and was seeking pictures and information.

Fonner’s grandfather, Frederick Allen Fonner, had been close friends with a Sgt. Wayne Bathe of Sullivan, Ill. and knew Wayne’s fiance was Ola Denton - Gene’s sister. Fonner had found Gene’s name in Ola’s obituary.

The unfolding story is one of love, deep friendship, bravery, profound grief and sadness ending with a plaque which Gene Denton has placed in memory of Sgt. Wayne Bathe at the American Legion Hall. Read More

Pulitzer Prize Winner Andy Schneider’s Death Touches Best Newspapers

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File Photo
Kathy and Andy

•February 22, 2017•

By David McCumber
Special to the News Progress

Andrew Schneider, an acclaimed investigative reporter and public-health journalist, died Friday. He was 74.

Mr. Schneider, who lived in Missoula, Montana, died of heart failure in Salt Lake City, where he was being treated for pulmonary disease.

For several years, he worked at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and was remembered by colleagues Saturday as a relentless, inspiring reporter who built indelible relationships with people from all walks of life.

Mr. Schneider won two Pulitzer Prizes, journalism’s highest honor, while at The Pittsburgh Press — one for specialized reporting in 1986 and another for Public Service in 1987.

The public service Pulitzer was for “Danger in the Cockpit,” co-written with Matthew Brelis and photographed by Vincent Musi, a story revealing dangerous gaps in airline safety, including that pilots with alcohol and drug issues were not prevented from flying. The 1986 winner, written with Mary Pat Flaherty, detailed violations and failures in the organ-transplantation system in the U.S. Read More

Commissioner Bill Hagen Retires from Sullivan Council

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•February 22, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

“It has been my pleasure to sit on city council and with all the commissioners....I wish the council good luck on behalf of the city residents,” said commissioner Bill Hagen as he announced his retirement, effective March 27, 2017.

Health and Safety Commissioner Hagen began working for the city of Sullivan at the age of 13 and later enlisted in the Army.

After returning from the Army, Hagen returned to work for the city once again. “The city has been very good to me,” he concluded.

Mayor Ann Short and the council thanked Commissioner Hagen for his time on the council and wished him well in retirement.

Other news discussed or acted upon: Read More

Sullivan Pre School IGA Label Savers

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan Pre School IGA Label Savers
Store manager Pat Stinson conducted a front to back store tour for Sullivan pre school students Feb 7. At the end the kids received treats and set up a collection site at the customer service desk to collect IGA brand bar codes. Sullivan Preschool is now participating in the IGA Label Savers program. The preschool will receive $50 for every 500 labels collected. Cut out the barcode (starts with 41270) from an IGA brand product excluding aluminum products, store made products and fresh meat products. The money raised through this program can aid in purchasing new playground equipment, technology or even fund a field trip. There will be collection boxes available at IGA and the preschool. Back row (left to right): Stephanie Spellman, Pat Stinson, Casey Pruemer. Middle row: Harper Standerfer, Kennedy Graven, Connor Dagg, Hunter Walton, Ryleigh Force, Owen Moomaw, Briella Castle, Oliver Dean, Bentley Davis, Ainsley Winkels, Easton Spellman, Jackson Williamson, Miriam Parri, Cade Thompson. Front row: Landen Butler, RaeLynne Matherly, Auggie Foust, Carson Black, Channing Jensen, Michael Hawkins, Havyn Meador, Piper Fleener.

New Interceptor for Lovington

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Photo by Darian Hays
New Interceptor for Lovington
The village of Lovington recently placed its new 2017 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor in operation with help from the John E. Timm Charitable Trust of Arthur. The Trust donated $11,000 toward the vehicle purchase with the village paying the balance to Wright Automotive of Hillsboro after trading the 2010 Chevrolet squad car. Pictured are Chief of Police Christian Swisher, Pam Anklam Police Trustee, Arthur Mayor Matt Bernius Director of the Timm Trust and Lovington Village President Jim Minor. Rodney Stanfill of Central Service Center switched equipment from the old squad car, and past president Barry Morgan designed graphics installed by Dynagraphics of Decatur. Lovington has two full time and five part time patrolmen.

Lovington Village Board

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•February 15, 2017•

Jeremy Doggett, water and sewer superintendent, attended the meeting of the Lovington Village Board and distributed handouts from the engineering firm, Farnsworth Group, regarding the chlorine feed modification for the Chlorine Disinfection Exemption Revocation. The cover letter listed the requirements which need to be done by May 1, 2017. Doggett will try to have an estimation of the cost for the next meeting but believes it will be under $10,000. He is of the opinion that Roland Birt and Scott Connelly will be able to do the required work by April 1. Read More

Scary Bus Ride

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Photo by RR Best
Scary Bus Ride
Thirty-five passengers on a Teutopolis school bus took an unexpected detour on the way to a ball game Friday. At 3:19 p.m. the bus was struck on the driver’s side by a van driven by Scarlett McKenzie, 36, of Mattoon and turned over on its passenger side blocking Route 32 at the Bruce-Findlay road intersection. Moultrie County Sheriff Chris Sims reported the bus contained the Teutopolis basketball team, cheerleaders and coaches. Five students were taken to Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. McKenzie was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur and kept for observation. She was ticketed by MCSD for driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to yield. After her hospital release on Monday she was transported to Moultrie County Jail pending further charges from the states attorney. Robert Bothwell of Teutopolis was the driver of the bus. In addition to MCSD, Sullivan police and fire departments, Illinois State Police, plus ambulances from Sullivan, Lovington, Mattoon, Bethany, Windsor, Findlay and Arthur responded to the scene. Walker Wrecker Service uprighted the bus and towed it away. Traffic was detoured through Sullivan 66, Inc. (Howy’s) parking lot. Students were treated by area EMTs west of the parking lot. Sullivan school district dispatched a bus to transport the Teutopolis students. Surrounding school district administrators were on hand to offer assistance as well.

FUMC Tuesday Pancake Supper

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FUMC Tuesday Pancake Supper
Shrove Tuesday 2016: Pastor Charliam Renner (back) mixed batter and Joyce Shellabarger fried sausage to serve guests at the FUMC Shrove Tuesday pancake supper in Sullivan.

•February 15, 2017•

The third annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at the Sullivan First Methodist Church is 4:30-6 p.m. Feb 28 in the Fellowship Hall. This free event marks the end of Mardi Gras and the anticipation of Lent, which begins the next day on Ash Wednesday. Everyone is invited to the celebration, which will include pancakes with toppings, sausage and drinks. Since it is a party, all who come eat free of charge. Fellowship Hall will be decorated in purple, green and gold with lots of beads on display.

Trivia questions and festive music will add to the party atmosphere.

Pancake suppers are popular events on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and not just in New Orleans.

Since rich foods are often given up for Lent, the practice is to empty the pantry of flour and sugar by making pancakes. People enjoy the butter and syrup, knowing that during Lent they will eat a much blander diet, some even choosing to fast.