Robinson Advances in Shootout

News Progress Posted on by

•February 22, 2017• Okaw Valley guard Paige Robinson advanced to the IHSA Class 1A shootout state finals at Redbird Arena Thursday. Robinson advanced from a shootout with three other shooters, hitting 6-of-10, after hitting 6-of-15 to get to the shootout in the sectional round. She is one of 28 shooters left. The junior guard finished the season with 21.6 points and had a season high 35 points against rival Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond in the Little Okaw Valley Conference tournament. She finished with four 30-point games and 18 20-point games. She shot 48 percent from the field and 37 percent from behind the … Read More

Obituaries 2-22-2017: Randy Crowe

News Progress Posted on by

Randy Crowe Randy Lee Crowe, 59, of Flora, formerly of Sullivan, passed away at 7:47 p.m. Tuesday, February 14, 2017 in Carbondale Memorial Hospital. Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, February 18 in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial with military rites by Sullivan American Legion Post #68 was in French Cemetery in Allenville. Randy was born August 1, 1957 in Mattoon, a son of Hue Tim and Ruth (Moran) Crowe. His family was an important part of his life as was his relationship with Christ. He served in the United States Navy. … Read More

Pulitzer Prize Winner Andy Schneider’s Death Touches Best Newspapers

News Progress Posted on by

•February 22, 2017• By David McCumber Special to the News Progress Andrew Schneider, an acclaimed investigative reporter and public-health journalist, died Friday. He was 74. Mr. Schneider, who lived in Missoula, Montana, died of heart failure in Salt Lake City, where he was being treated for pulmonary disease. For several years, he worked at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and was remembered by colleagues Saturday as a relentless, inspiring reporter who built indelible relationships with people from all walks of life. Mr. Schneider won two Pulitzer Prizes, journalism’s highest honor, while at The Pittsburgh Press — one for specialized reporting in 1986 … Read More

Commissioner Bill Hagen Retires from Sullivan Council

News Progress Posted on by

•February 22, 2017• By Ariana Cherry for the News Progress “It has been my pleasure to sit on city council and with all the commissioners….I wish the council good luck on behalf of the city residents,” said commissioner Bill Hagen as he announced his retirement, effective March 27, 2017. Health and Safety Commissioner Hagen began working for the city of Sullivan at the age of 13 and later enlisted in the Army. After returning from the Army, Hagen returned to work for the city once again. “The city has been very good to me,” he concluded. Mayor Ann Short and … Read More

Obituaries 2-22-2017: Johnny B. Ralph

News Progress Posted on by

Johnny B. Ralph Johnny B. Ralph, 91, of Decatur died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017 in his home. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Friday in Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home in Decatur. Burial with military rites by Macon County Honor Guard was in Friends Creek Cemetery in Argenta. … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Mary Jane Harshbarger

News Progress Posted on by

Mary Jane Harshbarger  Mary Jane Harshbarger (affectionately known as “Teeter”), 90, of Springfield, IL, originally of Atwood, IL passed away gracefully at 3:50 a.m., Friday, February 10, 2017 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, IL. Mary Jane was born on December 25, 1926, the adopted daughter of Leslie and Alta (Green) Collins. She married Robert E. Harshbarger in 1962 and he later preceded her in death in addition to her parents and sister, Martha Jean Swartz. Survivors include her nephew, Eric “Nick” Swartz, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews. Once a Candy Striper, Teeter is known to those … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Randy Lee Crowe

News Progress Posted on by

Randy Lee Crowe Randy Lee Crowe, 59, of Flora, formerly of Sullivan, passed away 7:47 p.m. Tuesday, February 14, 2017, at Carbondale Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Saturday, February 18, 2017, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held one hour before the services. Burial will be in French Cemetery, Allenville, with Military Rites by the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Memorials may be made to the Prairie Heart Institute. Randy was born August 1, 1957, in Mattoon, the son of Hue Tim and Ruth (Moran) Crowe. His family was an important part of his … Read More

Obituaries 2-15-2017: Paul Stone

News Progress Posted on by

Paul Stone Paul Stone, 101, passed away February 11, 2017 in his home in Sullivan. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, February 17 in McMullin-Young Funeral Home, 503 W. Jackson in Sullivan with Masonic Rites at 7 p.m. by the George A. Sentel Lodge #764 of Sullivan. Services to celebrate Paul’s life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 18 in Sullivan First United Methodist Church, 216 W. Jefferson in Sullivan. Burial will follow in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. … Read More

Local Players Advance in Three Point Competition

News Progress Posted on by

•February 15, 2017• Okaw Valley junior guard Paige Robinson and Sullivan junior guard Lizzie Green advanced out of their respective regionals to the IHSA sectional Three Point Showdown competition next week. Robinson enjoyed home court advantage and made 10-for-15 in her competition at the Class 1A regional at Bethany, Thursday. Robinson is scheduled to shoot at 5:30 p.m. in Arcola Thursday, Feb 16. … Read More