Sec. of State Unit at Library 

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•July 5, 2017• Secretary of State Jesse White, in cooperation with Sullivan Library, 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 in Sullivan, on July 20 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. “I am pleased to work with the Sullivan Library to bring my office’s services directly to the people,” said White. “This is another example of how my office continues to use technology as an … Read More

A Warm Reception for a Cold War Veteran

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•July 5, 2017• By Mike Brothers Bill Zoetvelt hadn’t thought about taking the Lincoln Honor Flight for veterans in June until he met Marsha Bowyer. Bowyer from Sullivan, a nurse who has been on six honor flights as guardian, saw Zoetvelt’s hat from his Iron Angel’s Navy squadron and asked if he had considered going on the June flight. He explained they were both at Dr. Dennis Costerisan’s office in Mt. Zion so he went home, discussed it with his wife Marilyn, and decided to go. “It was fantastic, from the reception at the airport in Springfield to the memorials … Read More

Inaugural Steam Threshing Show at Amish Heritage Center, July 21-22

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•July 5, 2017• The Illinois Amish Heritage Center will host its inaugural steam threshing show Friday and Saturday, July 21-22 at its new location on Illinois Route 133, three miles east of Arthur and one mile west of Chesterville. Steam threshing was a common summertime activity on almost every farm in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The threshing machines separated the wheat grain from the chaff and straw and were initially powered by large steam engines. By the 1920s and 30s, however, early gas tractors provided the power source and were connected to the threshing machine by a … Read More

Remember When? 7-5-2017

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25 Years Ago This Week World War II medal of valor recipient Oliver Walker was Grand Marshall of the Sullivan Fourth of July parade. A two car accident just before the annual parade knocked out the month-old patrol car when it was struck at Water and Van Buren streets. In B.B.’s column Bob Best recognized Wayne Smith of Bethany for having the first ripe tomato of the season. He paid tribute to next door neighbor Zac Horn and his landscaping assistant Clyde Thompson for taking care of all things lawn related on the Best property. “If the horticulture department at the … Read More

ALAH Amended Budget Approved, State Owes $1.4 Million

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Student fees announced By Ariana Cherry for the News Progress Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School Board approved an amended 2017-18 budget at the June 21 meeting. Superintendent Kenny Schwengel reported the total of all the funds in the ALAH district was $3,279,199.97. This past month, there were $128,887 in bills, and the transportation fund had a deficit of $290,000. In order to bring the fund out of debt, the district borrowed $325,000 from the Education Fund. Presently, the state of Illinois owes $1,437,592.48 to the ALAH school district. The board also discussed the new rates for the 2017-2018 school year. Students in grades … Read More

Broadband Expansion Gets a Boost in Lovington

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•July 5, 2017• High speed internet is coming to Lovington in a big way with the kickoff of a $5 million Fiber to the Home project announced by the Moultrie Independent Telephone Company June 29. Matt Johnson, VP of parent company Shawnee Communications, explained fiber optic service will expand to 800 customers by adding 80 miles of line. The Fiber build-out is made possible with a $1 million capital investment by Shawnee and a $4 million loan through Rural Utilities Service, a division of U.S.D.A. Keith Adams, the USDA assistant administrator of telecommunications programs, emphasized the importance of connecting rural … Read More

Local Insurance Agent Graduates From Leadership Development Program

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•July 5, 2017• The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) has announced that Elizabeth Houser graduated from the Leadership in Life Institute held in Springfield, Illinois. Sponsored by NAIFA, this prestigious program accepts a limited number of carefully selected applicants from among its members nationwide. Elizabeth completed the intensive course of study over a six-month period and was honored at commencement exercises held in Springfield, IL. Based on the leadership writings of Stephen Covey, Jim Collins, John Maxwell, and Kouzes and Posner, the Leadership in Life Institute encourages personal growth and exploration. Students leverage new insights about themselves … Read More