Scott State Celebrates 130 years with Picnic
•August 23, 2017• Scott State Bank will be celebrating 130 years of banking with a picnic in the park 5-8 p.m. Thursday, August 31 in Bethany’s Crowder Park. … Read More
Okaw Valley volleyball
Obituaries 8-23-2017: Joseph Abbott
Joseph Abbott Joseph E. “Gary” Abbott, 69, of Decatur, formerly of Sullivan, passed away at 11 p.m. Thursday, August 17, 2017 in Decatur Memorial Hospital. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. today (Wednesday, August 23) in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. No services will be held. … Read More
Understanding Illinois: Is the Sun Setting on Rural Illinois? A Tough Row to Hoe
•August 23, 2017• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist I gave a talk this past week about the future of rural Illinois to a gathering of presidents of Illinois community foundations. Never above getting a twofer out of a talk, I penned this column. I write because I believe rural communities have contributed much to the development of America and of Americans. I think presidents from Eisenhower to Reagan and Carter reached the pinnacle of public life in good part because they learned in their small towns that we’re all in this together, and that working together makes sense. After … Read More
Oil Rises to Top of City Council Discussion
•August 23, 2017• By Ariana Cherry for the News Progress City commissioners revisited the discussion concerning cooking oil dumped into the city’s sewer system back in July. Commissioner Grant Wade reported that the city ran tests to determine the type of oil clogging the sewer system. A portion of the cooking oil partially clogged the system and then came through later. Wade stated that it had taken at least three truckloads to remove all of the oil. Presently, there has been no more disposing of the oil. A motion was made to give the Sullivan Blue Dolphins a $3400 donation … Read More
Letters to the Editor 8-23-2017
Stained Glass Memory a Thousand Miles Away Editors Note: The August 9, 2017 edition of The News Progress ran a page 12 story by Ellen Ferrera on stained glass in two churches. This is one reader’s response. Dear Editor, I am a great great grandson of Jonathan and Perlina Patterson. … Read More
Remember When? 8-23-2017
25 Years Ago This Week Bethany School District 301 has 31 teachers on strike, enrollment falling below 400 and a budget with nearly a $200,000 deficit. Bethany schools did not start with others in Moultrie County. It’s 1992, and the presidential election was among topics discussed by Bob Best in B.B.’s. He pointed out his long time Republican cousin had abandoned party and posts to switch parties. “The Bible thumpers have taken over my party,” Cuz is quoted. “And I don’t like what they are doing.” Smith Cruit of Dalton City was appointed campaign coordinator for U. S. Senate candidate Rich … Read More
OVHS Coop Program
OV Golfers Swing to Win
•August 23, 2017• The Okaw Valley golf team extended its winning streak to six matches without a loss to start the season. The Timberwolves won dual meets against Villa Grove Thursday and Pana last Tuesday. Okaw Valley defeated Villa Grove 162-189 at Eagle Creek. Case Crawford shot a team best 39. Tanner Coleman followed with a score of 40, and Austin Harshman posted a 41. … Read More
No Bats Nesting in Civic Center
•August 23, 2017• There have been some rumors circulating concerning bats at the Sullivan Civic Center. According to Civic Center Director Sue Weaver, occasionally over the last year bats have made it into the pool area. It was determined that the bats live outside of the building and are slipping inside. They are NOT living inside the roof. Weaver assured the public that personnel at the Civic Center are constantly fixing holes and cracks where it may be a potential sight for the bats to enter. … Read More