Central Illinois Airmen Deployed to Mid-East

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•July 27, 2016• Approximately 80 airmen with the 183rd Air Operations Group in Springfield recently deployed to the Middle East. The airmen will be providing command and control of airpower throughout the Middle East region. Trained to synchronize the efforts of air component operations, the deploying members are specialists in a number of aircraft and systems. They will be responsible for day-to-day execution of combined air and space operations supporting Air Forces Central Command. Col. John Patterson of Springfield, commander of the 183rd Fighter Wing, referred to the group as, “great Americans,” praising their extensive preparation for this mission. He … Read More

A Floating Adventure Less than a Barrel of Laughs

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Oh Brother… •July 27, 2016• By Mike Brothers NP Managing Editor Growing up in the Saline River valley, summer rains were a time of great joy in a world of little or no air conditioning. As kids we didn’t realize the consequence of the rains ability to flood the streets of Harrisburg. Sure, we had heard our parents and grandparents talk about the great flood of 1937. The Saline River overflowed into Harrisburg, sparing only the few elevated blocks of the square. The only passage around town was by boat, and Hart’s Department Store led the nation in rubber boot … Read More

Pokemon Go Keeps Going in County

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•July 27, 2016• By Kennedy Nolen For the News Progress It’s like an invasion. As the sun sets in Sullivan the young people come on to the streets armed with smart phones as Pokemon Go takes them to stops all over town. Pokémon Go, a game/application by Niantic, has taken the world by storm since its July 6 release. This free application merges the Pokémon world with reality and gives players an opportunity to relive their childhood. The game uses players’ smart phone GPS locations and maps to track their current location. Based on the location, a range of 250 … Read More

Griffey Jr. and Piazza Officially Hall of Famers

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Cubs Snag Chapman from the Bronx •July 27, 2016• Kirk Whitaker NP Sports Columnist This week in sports was highlighted by the induction of longtime outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. and catcher Mike Piazza into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Griffey, the first overall pick in the 1987 MLB draft at the ripe young age of 18, led the American League in home runs from 1993 to ’99 maxing out at 56 bombs in ‘97 and ‘98 consecutively, part of 630 dingers over a 21 year career. “Junior” compiled a .284 batting average to boot, proving himself not just a power … Read More

Remember When? 7-27-2016

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Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens 25 Years Ago This Week Olympic weightlifting works, and Sullivan High School graduates Rodger DeGarmo, Brent and Braidy Miller and Matt Jenkins all brought home medals from the Prairie State Games to prove it. Me and My Girl, the smash 1930’s English musical comedy which was revived and brought to Broadway in 1986, will open at The Little Theatre on the Square Wednesday, July 24 and run through Aug. 4. Airman Colin E. Moon has graduated from Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The son of Larry E. Moon of Bethany and Mary … Read More

Obituaries 7-27-2016: Faye Walker

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Faye Walker Iryis “Faye” Walker (Pritts), of Morton, Illinois died Tuesday, July 19, 2016 in Evanston, Illinois, after a five-year battle with stomach cancer.  She was 76. Faye was born at home in Bethany, Illinois in 1939 to Doris Wilkinson and Norman “Buell” Pritts.  She was the oldest of four children. She married George Walker July 2, 1960 in Bethany, and they were married 51 years, until his death in July 2011. … Read More

Don’t Get Schooled – Be Prepared With Social Security

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•July 27, 2016• By Gerald Tilley Social Security District Manager Your summer job has ended so there’s no better time than now to start planning for retirement. You can easily be ahead of the game and secure your future with a few simple steps. As a millennial, you are in the best position for planning, investing, and saving for your retirement, growing that nest egg as large as it can be. The sooner you start, the more money you will have. There are two easy ways to prepare for retirement at a young age:  … Read More

Corn and Soybeans Ahead of Average

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•July 27, 2016• By Tyler Harvey Douglas-Moultrie Farm Bureau Manager As of Sunday, July 18, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has Illinois corn condition rated at 58% good and 22% excellent. Corn silking is at 77% which is above the five-year average of 68%. Soybean conditions include 59% good and 17% excellent. Soybeans are also ahead of the five-year average for blooming at 60% for 2016 compared to 54% for the five-year average. NASS comes out with a weekly updated crop report every Monday at 3 p.m. Driving between Tuscola and Sullivan and looking at various crops, the majority … Read More

Explosive Scare in Sullivan Neighborhood

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•July 27, 2016• A call to Sullivan police early Wednesday, July 20 led to a few tense hours in the neighbor surrounding 216 W. Harrison Street when a possible explosive was discovered. Chief of Police John Love explained the department received a report that what was believed to be dynamite was located in a shed at the residence. Chief Love reported the incident to the Secretary of State’s office with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency bomb squad dispatched to Sullivan immediately. “We were instructed to establish a 300 foot perimeter and wait for the bomb squad to arrive,” Love said, … Read More