Life Was Different After the Move to Christian 40

News Progress Posted on by

•January 23, 2019• By Evelyn Burtcheard NP Guest Columnist One year and one week after the twins were born, the smaller of the two babies passed away in his sleep. His condition with his heart was called a “blue baby”, and he was not as active as Jerry. He had a quick smile and seldom cried unless he was picked up. Dad put a bed in the living room so he could be with the rest of the family. Carold wanted to be left alone on the bed and watch the other boys. Jerry on the other hand loved life … Read More

Obituaries 1-23-2019: Jerry Spicer

News Progress Posted on by

Jerry Spicer Jerry Lee Spicer, 82, of Bethany, passed away at 6:20 a.m. Wednesday, January 16, 2019 in Eastview Terrace in Sullivan. Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, January 18 in Marrowbone Township Cemetery in Bethany. McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany handled arrangements. … Read More

Obituaries 1-23-2019: Michael Morton

News Progress Posted on by

Michael Morton Michael Floyd Morton, 66, of Decatur, formerly of Sullivan, passed away at 9:15 p.m. Friday, January 18, 2019 in Mason Point in Sullivan. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, January 25 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation will be an hour prior to the service Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan at a later date. … Read More

Obituaries 1-23-2019: Charles Kinkade

News Progress Posted on by

Charles Kinkade Charles Newton Kinkade, 98, of Lovington, passed away at 4 a.m. Monday, January 21, 2019 in his home surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 24 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Lovington. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Keller Cemetery in Lovington with military rites by the Lovington American Legion Post #429. … Read More

Understanding Illinois: Dot Foods—Good Place, Good People, Good Pay

News Progress Posted on by

•January 23, 2019• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist I have written about how rural Illinois seems to be dying. Not everywhere. Approaching Mt. Sterling IL (pop. 1,900) from the east, one sees the typical football field bleachers and church steeples. But my eyes are compelled to the south edge of town. A massive, pure white complex rises six stories or more, sprawling from additions over the years—like a modern-day castle, protecting its town and the rolling countryside, which it does, in its way. This has to be Dot Foods. Only recently had I heard about this colossus in rural … Read More

Zancha’s Guns & Ammo Becomes U-Haul Dealer

News Progress Posted on by

•January 23, 2019• U-Haul Company of Illinois, Inc.has announced that Zancha’s Guns & Ammo has signed on as a U-Haul® neighborhood dealer to serve the Lovington community. Zancha’s Guns & Ammo at 108 E. State St. Lovington will offer U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, moving supplies and in-store pick-up for boxes. Normal business hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Reserve U-Haul products at this dealer location by calling (217) 873-6963 or visiting https://www.uhaul.com/Locations/Truck-Rentals-near-Lovington-IL-61937/049248/ today. Zancha’s Guns & Ammo partners Ralph Zancha and Tracy Bettinger have teamed with the industry leader in do-it-yourself moving and self-storage … Read More

A Busy Year For SFPD

News Progress Posted on by

•January 23, 2019• Emergency Medical Services continue to be most in demand as Sullivan Fire Protection District closes 2018. Ambulance calls and transports totaled 1290 in 2018 up from 1214 in 2017. Since 2000 the most ambulance calls reported were in 2002 with 1332. The fewest calls were 967 in 2012. Rescue calls were the second busiest in 2018 with SFPD responding to 770 calls. In 2017 SFPD responded to 792 calls. During the past decade 833 calls were made in 2011 for the high and 416 calls in 2000 for the low. Rescue calls includes non-transport EMS services where … Read More

ALAH District Staff Completes Training

News Progress Posted on by

•January 23, 2019• By Ariana Cherry for the News Progress Members of the ALAH School District faculty completed ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training. Police officers from three nearby towns (Arthur, Lovington and Atwood) and assistant principal Jared Vanausdoll helped lead the training. ALICE is a nationwide program that is used to help civilians handle possible violent threats. “I want my teachers to feel empowered and know they are doing the right thing,” remarked Vanausdoll. Within the next mont, the district will have information available for both students and parents. … Read More