Nowlan Could Use Some Help From Readers [or, Have we given up?]

News Progress Posted on by

•October 14, 2015• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist Shortly before this week’s deadline my column fell apart, so in its stead (out of mild desperation; can desperation be mild?) I offer below snapshots of important topics with which I am grappling, thus far without success. Am I on the right path with these topics and very preliminary thoughts? What suggestions might you have for both substance and policy suggestions? I can be reached at jnowlan3@gmail.com. The unraveling of the American family. According to Washington policy wonk Isabel Sawhill, 72 percent of black children live in single-parent families, up from … Read More

Bethany Featured at Historical Society

News Progress Posted on by

•October 14, 2015• The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society will hold their monthly general meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 16 in the Heritage Center located in Sullivan. The speaker for the evening will be Hollis Dick, longtime Bethany resident and owner of H.O. Dick Transfer in Bethany. He will be speaking about the main street of Bethany since 1940 and will have many pictures to share.  Those have interesting stories and/or pictures of Bethany’s main street may bring them to share. A social hour will follow the program and refreshments will be served. … Read More

Obituaries 10-14-2015: Jackie Brown

News Progress Posted on by

Jackie Brown Memorial services for Jackie E. Brown, 72, of Boody were held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Zion Chapel United Methodist Church in Boody. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home in Decatur handled arrangements. She died at 11:03 p.m. Sunday Oct. 4, 2015 in Decatur Memorial Hospital. … Read More

Obituaries 10-14-2015: Bill Fortner

News Progress Posted on by

Bill Fortner William L. “Bill” Fortner, 79, of Dalton City, passed away at 7:40 a.m. Saturday, October 10, 2015, in his home in Dalton City. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Southern Baptist Church in Sullivan. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery in Bethany. Bill was born November 30, 1935 in Decatur, a son of Archie W. and Luella M. Ramseyer Fortner. He married Helen E. Walters June 3, 1956 in Dalton City, and she survives. He retired from Union Iron Works in 1996. He was a member of Southern Baptist Church in Sullivan where he was … Read More

SOV Cross Country Boys Take Second at Tabor

News Progress Posted on by

•October 14, 2015• Sullivan Okaw Valley cross country boys competed at Tabor Park Tuesday, October 6 taking second place with a 59 behind Shelbyville’s 30. The Arthur Lovington/Atwood Hammond team placed third with 87; Tuscola fourth at 89 and Villa Grove fifth with 114. SOV runners included JT Bland 10th in 18:30; Jadon Nuzzo 11th in 18:51; Isaiah Plank 15th in 19:21 and Charlie Goss 16th in 19:30. ALAH runner Logan Hall was first with a 16:09 time followed by Tyler Pasley from Shelbyville running 16:26; Ryan Skowronski of Shelbyville was third in 16:39; Jordan Seeger Shelbyville ran fourth in … Read More

Safe Trick or Treats

News Progress Posted on by

•October 14, 2015• Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development is once again sponsoring Safe Trick or Treat 4-6 p.m.Friday October 30. The AmBucs Halloween parade will follow. Participating locations treating those dressed for the occasion will have an orange jack-o-lantern in their windows. It is not just a night of treats for the kiddies. SCED is handing out adult treat bags full of coupons and special offers. Businesses wishing to participate should contact the Chamber office by Thursday, October 19. … Read More

Remember When? 10-14-2015

News Progress Posted on by

Compiled By Bekki Ferguson-Stevens 25 Years Ago This Week Lovington High School’s 1990 homecoming court includes one male and female attendant from the freshmen and sophomore classes and two each from the junior class. They are freshmen Michelle Geiling and Jeremy Tarr; sophomores Joy Day and Matt Powell; juniors Chasity Smith, Paula Reser, Justin Mechling and Heath Wilson. Lovington High School’s homecoming king and queen candidates are Kassandra Staples, Christy Mueller and April Markham, Greg McCoy, John Renfro and Chad Uphoff. Kristy Sims of Sullivan, a freshman majoring in music business at Elmhurst College, has already been recognized for her musical … Read More

Sullivan American Legion Gets a Little Brighter

News Progress Posted on by

Home Depot Grant Helps •October 14, 2015• By Mike Brothers Sullivan American Legion Post 68 is a brighter place after this week. With funding from a $9500 Home Depot Foundation grant and a lot of volunteer hours the Legion has all new T-8 Energy Star lighting, a new ceiling and new carpeting in the lounge. It didn’t come easy as Mike Keown explained. About a year ago a member noticed the Home Depot grant program information in the American Legion magazine. “This building is 20 years old, and we were hoping the grant would help us get a new HVAC … Read More

Appreciate Principals

News Progress Posted on by

•October 14, 2015• Lifetouch, Inc. and the Illinois Principals Association (IPA) encourage all communities in Illinois to celebrate Principal Appreciation Week October 18-24 and Principal Appreciation Day October 23. This state-endorsed recognition was first approved by the Governor of Illinois in 1990 and is annually celebrated. … Read More