Sullivan Couple Rescued from Kaskaskia River Near Allenville Last Week

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After falling out of kayak, couple clings onto tree June 18, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com A week ago Thursday Illinois Conservation Police rescued a Sullivan couple after they became stranded in the Kaskaskia River near Allenville. According to Captain Jim Mayes with the Illinois Conservation Police, around 1:47 p.m. Thursday, June 11, the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office received a call from an 11-year-old boy reporting that his grandparents, William and Madeline VanKeuren, had become stranded on the Kaskaskia river after they along with the boy, himself fell out of their kayaks. The boy was able to make it to … Read More

Harlin Heads to Nashville for Greener Greens

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Okaw Valley graduate to play golf at TSU June 17, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com When it comes to golf, Paige Harlin has for most of her high school career, been a big fish in a small pond. Well, now she is ready for more open waters. On Tuesday, April 21, the 2015 Okaw Valley graduate signed off on her official intent to play division-one golf at Tenneesee State University starting this fall. “It means a lot because for the longest time everybody would ask me where I’m going, and I’d say, ‘Probably Tennessee, but I don’t really know,” said … Read More

Still Playing

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OV baseballer to continue sport at Lake Land June 17, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com It’s true that Devon Still has played golf and basketball throughout his high school career and excelled in both. But neither compares to his love for baseball. The sport is less a game to him than more a necessity. And for the recent Okaw Valley graduate, not to mention member of the school’s fourth place state finishing team, that necessity has been extended two more years. “I’ve always loved baseball. It was a couple years ago that I figured out if I worked hard enough … Read More

Bethany Celebration Begins Friday with Young Miss Bethany Pageant

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June 17, 2015 The Young Miss Bethany Contest will take place on the evening of Friday, June 19 at Crowder Park following opening ceremonies. Contestants are incoming 5th-7th graders in the Okaw Valley School District.  Each contestant is actively involved in at least one extracurricular activity and was required to submit a letter of recommendation from from a school, church, or community leader.  The contestants for 2015 are:  Lexie Bartimus, daughter of John and Brooke Bartimus; Avery Bruns, daughter of Brad and Heidi Bruns; Delaney Click, daughter of Justin and Beth Click; Jaylyn Roberts, daughter of Mari Brown and Mark … Read More

One Flower at a Time

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New Wyman park display arrives in time for Relay for Life June 17, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com Close to five years ago, Kay Aldridge arranged for a memorial in Wyman Park for her late husband Harris after his fight with cancer. The memorial, three crabapple trees and a stone plaque in the middle, was placed just south of Wyman Lake near the north parking lot pavilion. Kay herself passed away last August, she too after battling cancer, but her memory was commemorated and the chance seized to raise awareness about the awful disease that took her life when her … Read More

Elzy Performing Mentorship at Oklahoma School

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Hilari Elzy of Sullivan is performing a mentorship at Mustang Public Schools, Mustang, Okla., June 6 – July 18 through a fellowship she received at Eureka College. Elzy’s mentorship is with the school district’s coordinator of special education programs and with the director of student services. … Read More

Pedal and Garden Tractor Pull July 11 at Tabor Park

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Free family event from the Christian County Tractor Puller Association June 17, 2015 by Ariana Cherry Arthur/Sullivan Reporter The Christian County Tractor Pullers Association is pulling in some family entertainment for everyone to enjoy come Saturday, July 11, at Tabor Park in Sullivan where the association will be putting on a free pedal and garden tractor pull. “We are a family-based group from kids to 88-plus year-old guys and gals,” explained Ed Righter, a member of the association. “It is family-based club. We even have some ‘groupies’ that follow us.” The association actually began 30 years ago and was started … Read More

Motorcycle Pursuit Ends in Crash in Allenville

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Suspect wrecks, suffers minor injuries June 17, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com A 23-year-old man was arrested in the early morning hours last Wednesday after he fled police on a motorcycle. Chris Tomasello, 23, of Decatur, was arrested last Wednesday morning for not only driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured vehicle, but for also exceeding the speed limit by as much as 35 miles per hour. According to Sullivan police officer Adam Collins’ report, at approximately 12:53 a.m. June 10, county deputy Clint Walker advised Sullivan PD that a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed … Read More

2015 Moultrie Douglas 4-H Fair

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•June 17, 2015• With over 500 exhibits to view, the Moultrie and Douglas county 4-H’ers would like to invite the general public to attend the 2015 Moultrie Douglas 4-H Fair’s following days/events: Wednesday, July 1 Otto Center All Foods, General Projects & Public Presentations Judging 5:00 p.m. Monday, July 6 Moultrie-Douglas Fairgrounds Rabbit Show 8 a.m. Poultry Show will start one half hour after the conclusion of the rabbit show. … Read More