New Board Member for Sullivan Schools

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•August 10, 2016• Sullivan Community Unit #300 board appointed Ann Wheeler to serve as new member of the board during the August 8 meeting. Wheeler will serve until the spring 2017 school board elections. She replaces board member Scott Atchison, who resigned earlier this year. The retired Arthur school district English teacher applied for the opening after 11 years of retirement. “I would like to give something back to the community,” she explained of her application. Sullivan veterinarian Justin Florey also applied for the opening. Both candidates were interviewed by the school board in executive session following the regular business … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Linda L. Breedlove

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Linda L. Breedlove Linda L. Breedlove, 76, of Lovington, passed away 11:20 p.m. Monday, August 1, 2016, at Decatur Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2016, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Lovington. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home in Lovington. Burial will be in Arcola Cemetery, Arcola. Memorials may be made to the Lovington Ambulance Service, Kaskaskia Valley Animal Hospital or to the donor’s choice. Linda was born April 4, 1940, in Charleston, the daughter of Russell and Freda (Carter) Huey. She married Robert W. Breedlove … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Juanita Grace Wilson

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Juanita Grace Wilson Juanita Grace Wilson, 83, of Lovington, passed away 7:20 a.m. Monday, August 1, 2016, at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Effingham. Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Friday, August 5, 2016, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Lovington. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Friday at the funeral home in Lovington. Burial will be in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Decatur and Macon or to the donor’s choice. Juanita was born September 26, 1932, in Moweaqua, the daughter of Hazel Grace Carlyle. She married Millard E. Keeling in … Read More

Deer Farming Interest Grows With Upcoming Tours

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Animal Crackers Treat the Herd •August 3, 2016• By Stu D. Baker For the News Progress Travis Phelps Moultrie County Monsters Deer Farm northwest of Sullivan is anything but scary. To prove his point Phelps scooped a cup full of animal crackers up and headed in to the eight foot high corral that’s home to five young deer. As the yearling does and bucks gathered around the cups of animal crackers, Phelps pointed out one of the his favorite benefits of deer farming. “It doesn’t matter how rough work has been,” Phelps, a veteran Illinois Department of Corrections employee, said, … Read More

Ballistic Vests Donated to State Police K-9s

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•August 3, 2016• Illinois State Police District 10 Captain Louis Kink is announcing the arrival of new ballistic vests for the two canines (K-9) in District 10. A couple from Champaign County, who would like to remain anonymous, purchased new body armor specially made for each canine. Each one was fitted for his new protective gear which includes a removable reflective ID panel for enhanced visibility. K-9 Yadi is a four year old Dutch Shepherd. K-9 Edo is a two year old Belgian Malinois. They are two very talented resources in District 10’s Team of Troopers. Both Yadi and Edo … Read More

Letters to the Editor: 8-3-2016

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The News Progress Editor, Mr. Nowlan’s July 20 column states he now thinks there might be a way to properly fund state pensions, but why were they not funded before? Well, let’s see. I’ve been following Jim Nowlan’s column for a long time and finally emailed him awhile back as to what I see the problem is in Springfield (as well as in D.C.). Just two words explain it all, it’s very simple, “Vote Buying.” One party likes to buy votes by handing out massive taxpayer dollars, free gratis, and the other party wants to get government run-away spending under … Read More

Dental Health Fair Offers School Dental Exams

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•August 3, 2016• Parents and children are invited to a Community Dental Health Fair, co-sponsored by Sarah Bush Lincoln Dental Services and Seventh Day Adventist Church, from 4:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, August 9, in the Seventh Day Adventist Church located at 2120 DeWitt Ave. in Mattoon. The event is free and open to the public. … Read More

St. Columcille Church Welcomes a New Era

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Father Sohm is Pastor Emeritus •August 3, 2016• By Mike Brothers Father John Sohm spent years bicycling around town while serving the 100 families at St. Columcille Parish in Sullivan over the past 20 years. Father Sohm takes on a new role at St. Columcille as Pastor Emertis. He still resides in the rectory but has scaled back daily duties. “I am thankful to Bishop (Thomas John) Paprocki for this appointment which allows me to reside in the Sullivan  rectory,” Father Sohm said. The 84 year old pastor has been hindered by health issues over the past few years, limiting … Read More