George Garden Tools Started 70 years ago

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Photo furnished Gary Davis of Herrick will display his George Garden equipment collection at the 70th anniversary open house at Agri-Fab July 2.

Photo furnished
Gary Davis of Herrick will display his George Garden equipment collection at the 70th anniversary open house at Agri-Fab July 2.

•June 22, 2016•

What began as a small garden tool company in 1946 became the seeds for Agri-Fab of Sullivan today.

On Saturday, July 2 Agri-Fab will open the doors at 303 West Raymond St. to observe the 70th anniversary of George Garden Tools.

From 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Agri-Fab is dedicating a building to display their historic collection of the George Garden Tools line from the Sullivan factory that employed as many as 450 people during the mid-1960s.

The Church of Christ on S. Hamilton St. started three industries in the present Agri-Fab location; Felicity Fashions, Lucy Ellen Candies and Creative Designs, to help members of the congregation find work.

By 1946  George Garden Tools took off growing across the country through vendors with sales and its innovative garden equipment. Read More

Clearing Needed at Sullivan Utility Distribution Locations

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Sul garden overOvergrowth Creates Hazard

•June 22, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

An issue with the Sullivan utility department electrical sectionalizers were brought to attention at the last city council meeting.

Many of them are close to 40 years old which has left time for trees, plants and weeds to grow around them.

When these sectionalizes, which distribute 7200 volts of electricity, have overgrowth around them, they overheat and do not perform at their highest quality.

Recently, there was a power outage which lasted an hour and a half because utility workers were having problems getting to a sectionalizer. Commissioner Mike Kirk presented several photos which showed a number of them which were blocked with shrubbery, trees and various other items.  Read More

Relay’s 20th Anniversary

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Photo furnished Relay’s 20th Anniversary Relay for Life participants Emily Crosier, Jamie Crosier, Diane Waggoner and Jessi Jess take a moment during the 20th anniversary event held June 11 at Wyman Park.

Photo furnished
Relay’s 20th Anniversary
Relay for Life participants Emily Crosier, Jamie Crosier, Diane Waggoner and Jessi Jess take a moment during the 20th anniversary event held June 11 at Wyman Park.

American Legion has Veterans Display at Bethany Celebration

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Photo by Mike Brothers Terry Muzzy prepares Honor Guard uniform that is part of the military memorabilia display at Bethany Celebration this weekend.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Terry Muzzy prepares Honor Guard uniform that is part of the military memorabilia display at Bethany Celebration this weekend.

•June 22, 2016•

By Kennedy D. Nolen
for the News Progress

War photos and memorabilia from local veterans will be on display at the Bethany Celebration this weekend, June 24 and 25, at Crowder Park.

The American Legion of Bethany has sponsored this event to honor veterans in the area.

Terry Muzzy is assembling uniforms, weapons, photos and a variety of items loaned by families of Bethany area veterans.

“The response has been great,” Terry said, noting he already has 75 photographs and he is still taking calls from people with items to display.

With help from Steve Sowers Muzzy has assembled hundreds of military items ranging from the civil war to present day.

“Bethany American Legion is also one of the oldest in the nation,” Muzzy said. That long time commitment (Chartered in February 1920) makes the Veterans display so important to share with the next generation.  Read More

Sullivan District #300 Board Approves Security, Communication Upgrades

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Health Life Safety Approved

•June 22, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

Upgraded security cameras and phone systems were approved by the Sullivan District #300 school board at the June 13 meeting.

Supt. Brad Tuttle explained the enhanced phone service allowed 911 calling capability from every classroom.

District IT director Mark Waelde checked into vendors for Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) systems. Frontier Communications $63,724.10 proposal for a complete VOIP system was recommended by the administration and approved unanimously.

Additional security camera locations and upgraded units also were approved under Health Life Safety, with existing provider Dynamic Controls projecting $78,944 to complete.

Travis Bushue of Bushue Human Resources presented bids for the district’s insurance coverage, excluding worker compensation and health. He recommended the Mattoon based First Mid Insurance Group/Arthur Gallagher Agency bid of $50,348.65. Read More

Secretary of State Mobile at Titus Library July 21

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•June 22, 2016•

Secretary of State Jesse White, in cooperation with Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library in Sullivan, is offering drivers a chance to renew their driver’s license or vehicle registration renewal sticker, obtain a duplicate or corrected license, or obtain an Illinois identification card.

White’s mobile unit will be available at the Sullivan Library, located at 2 West Water 10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 21. Read More

New Visitors Center

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Photo by Mike Brothers New Visitors Center Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development and The Little Theatre are cooperating to move the Sullivan visitor and welcome center to the Little Theatre where office hours will be more accommodating.

Photo by Mike Brothers
New Visitors Center
Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development and The Little Theatre are cooperating to move the Sullivan visitor and welcome center to the Little Theatre where office hours will be more accommodating.

Horse Chestnut Blossoms

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Photo by Mike Brothers Horse Chestnut Blossoms This was the season for the Warren’s Horse Chestnut tree in Sullivan to have a bountiful year. Timely rains and warm weather covered the tree with blooms and yielded bushels of the lucky but poisonous horse chestnuts.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Horse Chestnut Blossoms
This was the season for the Warren’s Horse Chestnut tree in Sullivan to have a bountiful year. Timely rains and warm weather covered the tree with blooms and yielded bushels of the lucky but poisonous horse chestnuts.

Coles-Moultrie 911 Grant Progresses to Final Stage

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•June 15, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

Moultrie County Board members learned the $196,000 grant to complete enhanced 911 for Coles-Moultrie County has reached the final stage.

Arlene Aschermann, chair of the public health and safety committee, reported the good news to the whole board, stating she learned of the award earlier June 9.

Kevin McReynolds, committee member and Coles County Regional Planning representative, explained the finalist stage of the grant is usually an assurance of approval.

In the June 8 News Progress it was incorrectly reported the grant was for $196,000,000. This figure was far more generous than the state could ever afford. We apologize for the additional zeroes and the error.

An agreement with Computer Information Concepts to upgrade hardware, software and peopleware for Moultrie County was approved unanimously. Read More

Sons of American Legion District Officers

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Photo furnished Sons of American Legion District Officers The Sons of the American Legion is an organization of the American Legion and consists of the male descendants of veterans of the US military. They proudly boast of more than 15,000 members in Illinois and more than 350,000 members nationally.The 4th Division of the Detachment of Illinois is comprised of 75 individual squadrons across 22 counties in central Illinois with a combined membership in excess of 3,500 members. The newly elected 4th Division officers for the membership year 2016-2017 are pictured left to right Commander Paul Garrett Squadron 27 of Tuscola, Sr. Vice Commander James Peters Squadron 32 of Springfield and Jr. Vice Commander Dennis Fedie squadron 429 of Lovington.

Photo furnished
Sons of American Legion District Officers
The Sons of the American Legion is an organization of the American Legion and consists of the male descendants of veterans of the US military. They proudly boast of more than 15,000 members in Illinois and more than 350,000 members nationally.The 4th Division of the Detachment of Illinois is comprised of 75 individual squadrons across 22 counties in central Illinois with a combined membership in excess of 3,500 members. The newly elected 4th Division officers for the membership year 2016-2017 are pictured left to right Commander Paul Garrett Squadron 27 of Tuscola, Sr. Vice Commander James Peters Squadron 32 of Springfield and Jr. Vice Commander Dennis Fedie squadron 429 of Lovington.