Okaw Valley Teaches Drone Technology

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•December 2, 2015• By Derek Pope For the News Progress Agricultural technology has undeniably come a long way since its humble beginnings, perhaps more so in recent decades than at any other time in its history. But this year could mark the advent of one particular technological wonder in agriculture that, before now, hadn’t quite taken off—the drone. With Moultrie County being the seat of some of the best farming in Illinois, it only seems appropriate that Okaw Valley High School’s ag department is poised to make the most of this emerging commercial technology. Thanks to a grant from the … Read More

Obituaries 12-2-2015: Richard Lucas

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Richard Lucas Funeral services for Richard Wayne Lucas, 77, of Shelbyville were held at 2 p.m. Sunday in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home in Shelbyville. Burial was in Glenwood Cemetery in Shelbyville. He died at 9:05 a.m. Wednesday Nov. 25, 2015 in Eastview Terrace in Sullivan. … Read More

Civil War Historian Reflects on the Soldier’s Life

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•December 2, 2015• By Nick Fiala for the News Progress The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society’s annual dinner at the First United Methodist Church in Sullivan featured guest speaker Gary Blessman of Minnesota. Blessman is a Civil War historian who recently authored a book on the 126th Illinois Infantry Regiment of Illinois, entitled Three Years Off the Farm. His great-great-grandfather, Edwin R. Grubbs of Hillsboro, was a private in Company D of that regiment. Blessman began his research for what became Three Years Off the Farm in 2010. After the passing of his  last maternal aunt, Blessman’s family stumbled … Read More

Understanding Illinois: State Suffers from Rauner-Madigan Machismo

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•December 2, 2015• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist Gov. Bruce Rauner and Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan are taking themselves way too seriously over the state budget impasse—and in the process (or lack of it) they are seriously messing with the lives of seniors, the mentally ill, domestic abuse victims, and college students. We can help resolve the stand-off by putting pressure on our local lawmakers to force their leaders to craft a budget now—if the lawmakers have the courage to stand up to their bosses. I participated this past week on a panel discussion in Aurora on the … Read More

Harnessing Nature in Medicine at Lake Land College

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•December 2, 2015• Lake Land College Library to present National Library of Medicine’s traveling exhibit: From DNA to Beer: Harnessing Nature in Medicine and Industry The Lake Land College Library will host the National Library of Medicine’s most recent traveling exhibit, From DNA to Beer: Harnessing Nature in Medicine and Industry, throughout the month of January. The exhibit will be housed on the main level of the Judge Learning Resource Center on the Lake Land College campus, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon. This exhibition explores some of the processes, problems and potentials inherent in technologies that use life and how … Read More

Director Retires, Prairie Winds Blow On

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•December 2, 2015• For 30 amazing years Virginia Darnell directed the Prairie Winds from Sullivan as they performed for seniors in Moultrie, Douglas, Shelby and Coles counties. Last week Virginia directed her final performance at Courtyard Estates in Sullivan, announcing it was time to step aside and do other things. Darnell, Theresa Shaw, Anna Ruscin, and Mike Grose are all retiring from the group with a dinner reception in their honor set for Monday, December 7 at the First Christian Church in Sullivan. While working as activity director at an area nursing home in 1986, Darnell noticed the folks there … Read More

Secret Santa Uses Donations for Others

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•December 2, 2015• Secret Santa of Sullivan was presented a check for $500 from Sullivan IGA last week. Accepting on behalf of the communitywide help organization was Greg Foster left and Police Chief John Love (right). IGA manager Pat Stinson presented the annual donation. Chief Love said that 100 people have signed up for Secret Santa so far this season. “People can still sign up for Secret Santa until Dec 5,” Love said, noting that the police department is handling all registrations for the program. “Donations like the one from IGA help us bring Christmas to people who can’t otherwise … Read More

One Book, One Sullivan Unveils Community Read

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•December 2, 2015• By Mike Brothers Sullivan Middle School students greeted the One Book, One Sullivan novel unveiling with a standing ovation Nov 25. Michael Vey-The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans was announced to the schoolwide assembly following a trailer prepared by the One Book One Sullivan group for the second year in a row. One Book One Sullivan volunteers then handed out copies of the book to students with the following instructions: Read it. Enjoy it. Talk about it. Share it. Rikki Ray teaches Language Arts and has spent the past nine years as coordinator of … Read More

ALAH FFA Members Join 65,000 Others Painting Louisville Blue and Gold

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•November 25, 2015• By: Keegan Morfey FFA Reporter Nine Arthur-L/Atwood-Hammond FFA members traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, joining a record 65,173 FFA members, advisors, and guests from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands attending the annual National FFA Convention. Janette Comstock, Zane Crist, Katie Gingerich, Makenna Green, Adam Hingson, Jordan Jent, Josiah Kinert, Keegan Morfey, and Colton Romine, along with FFA advisor Wendy Leenerts and chaperone Monica Green, participated in the event on October 28-30. The opening session included introductions from all six national FFA officers, the national FFA band and chorus performed, celebrating 50 years of the … Read More