Seventh Coldest February on Record Wraps Up Winter in Illinois

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March 11, 2015 The statewide average temperature for February was 18.6 degrees, which is 12.3 degrees below the 1981-2010 average and the seventh coldest February on record. In comparison, February 2014 was the ninth warmest at 19.5 degrees, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois. Snowfall for February in Illinois was widespread and well above average. Amounts of 15 to 20 inches were common in western and northern Illinois and 10 to 15 inches across central Illinois and parts of far southern Illinois. This was eight to 12 inches above average in many … Read More

Excellent Funding Levels for Rural Community Capital Improvements

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March 11, 2015 People may not expect building a firehouse, renovating a library or expanding a nursing home to have much in common. At USDA Rural Development in Illinois, they do. Each of these projects and countless others were made possible through a Rural Development Community Facility (CF) Program loan, guarantee or grant. Residents look for critical services from their community such as protecting life and property, ensuring education and providing health care or public services. Small, rural communities are often faced with steep challenges when it comes to funding costly, yet basic needed services. … Read More

Obituaries 3-11-2015: Mike Philpot

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Mike Philpot Friends celebrated the life of Billy Michael Philpot, 53, of Sullivan from1-3 p.m. Sunday at the Sullivan VFW Post. Arrangements were by Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. He passed away at 4:44 a.m. Tuesday March 3, 2015 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur. … Read More

Farm Bureau Update: Farm Tour Later this Month

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March 11, 2015 By Tyler Harvey Mo-Do Farm Bureau Manager On a county level, the Moultrie County Farm Bureau has been very busy with various meetings around the state. The annual Governmental Affairs and Leadership Conference was held February 25 and 26 in Springfield. This annual statewide conference is a great way for attendees to meet with their local legislators in Springfield. There are numerous workshops to attend on topics ranging from government, farmland assessment, the Farm Bill, and other topics of interest. … Read More

Obituaries 3-11-2015: Harold Curry

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Harold Curry Harold J. Curry, 97, of Mesa, Ariz., formerly of Lovington, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2015 in Mesa. Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 16 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Lovington. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 17 in Ash Grove Cemetery in rural Windsor. … Read More

Easter Services and Egg Hunts Requested

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March 11, 2015 The News•Progress is requesting that all churches in Moultrie County who have special services to mark the Easter holiday(including Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday), submit the times and days of their services by emailing them to keith@newsprogress.com. In addition, the NP is asking for any information regarding area Easter Egg Hunts by sending info to the same above listed email. The News•Progress will in turn print those in its March 25 issue. … Read More

Lady Redskins Compete at ISU Indoor Meet

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March 11, 2015 The Sullivan-Okaw Valley girls’ track team competed in their first meet of the season Saturday at the Illinois State University high school Indoor Invitational in Normal. Competing against several strong 2A and 3A schools, SOV had many top performances including Amanda McClain, who finished first in the long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 6 inches and first in the 200 in 26.23 seconds. Emily Neuhauser finished second in the 60 meter dash with a time of 8.12 and second in the 200 in 27.11. … Read More

Teen Dating Violence Awareness

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March 11, 2015 McGruff the Crime Dog and AlertID share warning signs and resources According to the National Domestic Abuse Hotline, each year 1.5 million high school students experience physical abuse from a dating partner. Only one-third of those victims seek help. Dating violence is the verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse of a partner. Teen victims of dating violence pose a higher risk of substance abuse, eating disorders as well as a risk of future abuse (National Domestic Abuse Hotline, 2015). To address this serious problem, The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and AlertID have joined forces to raise … Read More

Obituaries 3-11-2015: Phyllis Good

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Phyllis Good Memorial services for Phyllis Jeane Good, 84, of Sullivan were held at 1 p.m. Saturday in Mason Point Chapel with John Plummer officiating. Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan handled arrangements. She passed away at 10:10 p.m. Wednesday March 4, 2015 in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Coles County. … Read More