Moultrie Co. Encouraged Early Entrepreneurs

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•February 21, 2018• By Ellen Ferrera for the News Progress When the settlers began arriving to the vast prairies of central Illinois in the early 1800’s, they found a land of bountiful opportunity for their entrepreneurial spirits. By 1850 Sullivan was an incorporated village and already bustling with such tradesmen as millers, bakers, lawyers, carriage makers, blacksmiths, a dentist and Joel Earp’s saloon among others. Added to these were other businesses in Moultrie County with a coal mine in Lovington, a sorghum mill in Bruce and a bottle making plant in Sullivan. There was a very rich vein of coal … Read More

Obituaries 2-21-2018: Sam Kidwell 

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Sam Kidwell  Sam Kidwell, 80, of Sullivan passed away at 8:20 a.m. Thursday February 15, 2018 in the Arthur Home. Celebration of Life services were 11:30 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Chaplain Mark Maxey officiating. Burial was in Moultrie County Memorial Park Cemetery in Sullivan.  … Read More

Obituaries 2-21-2018: Paul Potter, Jr.

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Paul Potter, Jr. William Paul Potter, Jr., 46, of Sullivan passed away at 2:28 a.m. Sunday, February 18, 2018 in Sullivan. Celebration of Life services will be 7 p.m. Thursday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in New Hope Cemetery in Renick, Missouri.  … Read More

OV Boys Take Arcola in Conference Match

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•February 21, 2018• By Jason Brown NP Sports The Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team finished the week 2-1 with wins against Arcola and Sangamon Valley but a loss to Dieterich. Last Friday, OV knocked off Arcola 40-35 in a Little Okaw Valley Conference Northwest Division game. After a first quarter 7-7 tie, OV went on a 14-8 run to take a 21-15 at halftime lead. Arcola battled back to take the lead, 30-29, by the end of the third quarter. OV outscored the Purple Riders 11-5 in the fourth quarter to pull away for the win. … Read More

Celebrate Agriculture Breakfast in Atwood

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•February 21, 2018• The fifth annual Celebrate Agriculture Breakfast will be held Saturday, March 17 in Atwood. The breakfast featuring scrambled eggs, biscuits, gravy, sausage, milk, juice, and coffee will be served from 7-10 a.m. in United Church of Atwood, located at 210 N. Main Street. This is an opportunity to meet the FFA as they kickoff National Agriculture Week. The breakfast is sponsored by the ALAH FFA Alumni Chapter. Donations are encouraged and accepted. All funds raised help support the Agriculture Education Program and FFA Chapter at Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond High School. … Read More

Understanding Illinois: Business Group Prescribes Bitter Medicine for State Budget

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•February 21, 2018• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist In its just released report, the Civic Federation of Chicago prescribes bitter medicine as the only way to cure the state’s fiscal woes. The remedies offered are probably more than many or most readers can stomach. And please don’t shoot this messenger for what follows. I write this just before Gov. Bruce Rauner is to give his annual budget message. I will wager dollars to dimes he did not echo the Civic Federation. Founded in 1894, the Civic Federation of Chicago board is a roll call of Chicagoland’s leading businessmen and … Read More

Remember When? 2-21-2018

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25 Years Ago This Week The Okaw Valley Recycling Center in Sullivan will be placing recycling containers in surrounding communities this week. Thus far there are 15 communities participating in the recycling program that is set to begin March 1. Fire Chief Gerald Ward reports that Bethany Fire Protection Dist. responded to 60 incidents in 1992. His report included 12 fires, one of which was a combine fire, six medical emergencies, 12 vehicle accidents, three storm watches, five odor investigations, five appliance malfunctions, one missing person search and one alarm malfunction. Bill Graven was recently honored for 30 years of service … Read More