Mo. Co. Spelling Bee Held at The Little Theatre

News Progress Posted on by

•February 22, 2017• The 2017 Moultrie County Spelling Bee was held on at 4 p.m. Wednesday, February 15 at the Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan. Six students from Lovington and six students from Sullivan advanced from their school district spelling bees to participate in the county bee. The Moultrie County Spelling Bee champion is Aastha Patel of Sullivan. The alternate is Emma Edwards of Lovington. Sullivan participants were Aarya Patel (fourth), Aastha Patel (seventh) , Reagen Crouse (eighth), Paul Bates (sixth) Nicole Lofland (fifth). Lovington participants were Marilyn-Jean Hill (fifth), Emma Edwards (sixth), Josie Hale (sixth), Wyatt Hilligoss (sixth), … Read More

SOV Swimmers Place at Sectionals

News Progress Posted on by

•February 22, 2017• By Jason Brown NP Sports Editor Sullivan-Okaw Valley-Shelbyville boys’ swim team placed fifth in the 29-school IHSA swimming and diving sectionals at Champaign Centennial High School Saturday. Sullivan’s 200 Medley Relay team placed second with a time of 1:47.66. The relay members included Charlie Goss, Brodie Goss, Bryce King and Aiden Short. … Read More

Obituaries 2-22-2017: Allison Moon

News Progress Posted on by

Allison Moon Allison Virginia Moon, 50, of Trenton, Ill., born November 29, 1966 in Red Bud, Ill., a daughter of Ernest “Leroy” and Lola Sauerhage Koch of St. Libory, Ill., passed away at noon, Monday, February 20, 2017 in Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. with her family by her side. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 25 in Moss Funeral Home, 105 S. Main St. in Trenton with the Rev. Timothy Moon presiding. Visitation will be 1-2 p.m. Saturday, February 25 in Moss Funeral Home. … Read More

Caregiving Services are Available at Senior Center

News Progress Posted on by

•February 22, 2017• Providing care for a parent, disabled child or spouse can often be a lonely and thankless job.  For many it can be an overwhelming responsibility. But, it doesn’t have to be a burden thanks to services provided by the Caregiver Advisory Services Program (CASP) available at the Senior Center in Sullivan. Those providing care for anyone over the age of 60 or for an adult disabled child over 18 are eligible for these services. The caregiver advisor is available to schedule home visits, help identify specific needs, advise of service options available, follow up with emotional and technical … Read More

Beat the Winter Blues, That is Inside Recess ALAH Kindergarten Project

News Progress Posted on by

•February 22, 2017• Emily Crossman, Arthur Elementary School kindergarten teacher is raising funds through DonorsChoose.org to help students beat the winter blues. The Beat the Winter Blues, That Is Inside Recess has a $1210 goal and needs some $920 more to purchase unit blocks, Playstix, and Magna-tiles for inside recess. “Kindergartners are energetic, motivated, and enthusiastic learners. They come into the room ready to learn, move, and interact,” Crossman said. “The students are eager to try new skills, learn new concepts, and participate in silly activities. Kindergartners soak up anything and everything you throw at them,” she continued. “Watching them … Read More

Menus 2/22/2017

News Progress Posted on by

Senior Peace Meal Monday, Feb. 27 – Chicken & noodles, mashed potatoes, Italian green beans, whole grain wheat, pineapple tidbits. Tuesday, Feb. 28 – Swissed beef pattie w/green peppers, onions, & tomatoes, brussels sprouts, macaroni & cheese, whole grain wheat, applesauce. Wednesday, March 1 – Salmon loaf, creamed peas, baked squash, whole grain wheat, strawberry oatmeal bar. Thursday, March 2 – Settlers beef & beans, corn, roll, warm sliced pears w/raisins. Friday, March 3 –  Beef tips in gravy, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, roll, graham crackers, fresh fruit. Sullivan Pre-School Breakfast Monday, Feb. 27 – Granola bars, peach juice, milk. … Read More

Obituaries 2-22-2017: Mary Harshbarger

News Progress Posted on by

Mary Harshbarger Mary Jane Harshbarger (affectionately known as “Teeter”), 90, of Springfield, originally of Atwood, passed away gracefully at 3:50 a.m., Friday, February 10, 2017 in HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Ill. Mary Jane was born 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.  … Read More

Sullivan School Board Proposes Property Tax Abatement

News Progress Posted on by

•February 22, 2017• By Mike Brothers The Sullivan CUSD #300 school board proposed a $250,000 annual tax abatement at the Feb 15, district board of education meeting. The proposed abatement could save Moultrie County property tax payers from $23 to $131 on annual tax bills. Property tax relief  would come for Moultrie, Coles, and Shelby county taxpayers in the event the County School Facility Occupation Tax is approved at the consolidated election Tuesday,  April 4, 2017. “The commitment by the board to abate taxes speaks for the integrity of everyone serving,” Supt. Brad Tuttle said following the unanimous approval of … Read More

Sullivan’s Victory Arch-A Brief Tribute to Veterans By Ellen Ferrera for the News Progress Next year in February Moultrie County will celebrate its 175th anniversary of incorporation (1843). Sullivan was incorporated in 1850. There are various plans afoot for a celebration and, in that spirit, we revisit stories of Sullivan’s interesting past. The famous Arc d’Triomphe in Paris was commissioned in 1806 after the victory of Austerlitz but was completed between 1833 and 1836. One of the world’s most beautiful monuments, it is 164’ high, 148’ wide and 22’ deep. It was used for victory and Bastille Day parades until Armistice Day, 1920, when the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was erected under the arch. Parades now go around the arch rather than under it. A biplane was actually flown under the primary vault in 1919. Meanwhile, back in Sullivan, Illinois in 1919 a fund was started to build a welcome arch for our returning local servicemen. It looks suspiciously like the famous Paris arch. Located in the NW corner of the square, it was built of wood and wallboard and was the most elaborate structure of its kind in central Illinois. Work was completed shortly before July 4, 1919 when a big celebration was held honoring the returned veterans. There was still a deficit of $100 for building the arch so several local citizens paid the sum with the understanding that when the structure was torn down, they would get the material for salvage. Our arch had a short history. The top of the structure was seriously damaged the following November by a prairie wind storm and the structure had to be torn down. The merchants who had made up the deficit drew lots to see who would get the material. A. D. Miller was the winner. I appreciate Pat Cribbet at the Historical Society for her invaluable assistance in the preparation of this article. I have become a regular at this incredible repository of all things Moultrie County — and so should you!

News Progress Posted on by

•February 22, 2017• By Ellen Ferrera for the News Progress Next year in February Moultrie County will celebrate its 175th anniversary of incorporation (1843). Sullivan was incorporated in 1850. There are various plans afoot for a celebration and, in that spirit, we revisit stories of Sullivan’s interesting past. The famous Arc d’Triomphe in Paris was commissioned in 1806 after the victory of Austerlitz but was completed between 1833 and 1836. One of the world’s most beautiful monuments, it is 164’ high, 148’ wide and 22’ deep. It was used for victory and Bastille Day parades until Armistice Day, 1920, when … Read More