August 20, 2014 by Jerry L. Ginther NP Guest Columnist Some of you may remember the old C&EI Railroad depot that used to sit alongside the tracks near the corner of Harrison and Fuller streets. Probably fewer will remember the name of that railroad before the Missouri Pacific purchased or merged with the former Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad. I remember and I suspect those my age and older may have a nostalgic moment as they read this. … Read More
August 20, 2014 The Okaw Valley boosters are holding an innaugural kickball tournament in recognition of school starting. The tournament will be held this Saturday at Crowder Park in Bethany with registration beginning at 10:30 a.m. Play will follow at 11 a.m. … Read More
August 20, 2014 Samantha Fenton of Sullivan has received a certificate of recognition and a monetary award to pursue educational training. Fenton is currently a Certified Nurse Assistant and plans to further her career in the medical field and become a Licensed Practical Nurse by attending Lake Land College. C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation Board of Directors recently awarded $8,000 in educational scholarships to 12 individuals who are pursuing post secondary education. The educational scholarships were made available through funding provided by the Community Services Block Grant Program from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. … Read More
August 20, 2014 With the upcoming Labor Day Holiday (September 1), the NewsProgress is announcing that the deadline for classified and display advertising as well as for legal notices for the September 3 issue will be the preceding Friday at noon. For more information, call our office at 728-7381. … Read More
August 20, 2014 Grease the likely culprit in cause by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com An investigation into the fire that ravaged the Sullivan Red Apple Family Restaurant in late July concluded last Wednesday citing the cause as accidental and with grease a probable suspect according to Sullivan fire chief Mike Piper. The investigation also concluded that the cause did not appear to be linked to anything electrical. “It was the hood vent,” explained Red Apple manager Tim Halili. “The grease collects in the vent hood, and it the fire started in the kitchen.” … Read More
Faith Lutheran Church in Sullivan will host a vacation bible school beginning Saturday with registration at 8:45 a.m. VBS will run from 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday with lunch served at 11 a.m. … Read More
August 20, 2014 Board cites Illinois school code in denial by Ariana Cherry Arthur/Lovington Reporter With 48 hours to go before demolition, 1966 Atwood High School graduate, Richard Price, who purchased the land on which the Atwood-Hammond High School sits, made a plea to the ALAH School Board to reconsider the decision to tear down the gym. “The building has a lot of use in it still,” he noted. “I could save it and use it and return some of the money to the school district for not tearing it down,” Price explained. “I do have the money to take … Read More
August 20, 2014 Left a Darker Side to the War 150 Years Ago This Summer by Tom Emery There are many inspiring stories of Civil War soldiers from Illinois. But 150 years ago this summer, the “hundred days” men left behind a checkered legacy that reflects a darker side of the war. The “hundred-days” movement arose from a need for more manpower in early 1864. Thousands of men were tied up in the campaigns on Richmond and Atlanta, and the recruiting pool was drying up after several calls by the President for more troops. … Read More
August 20, 2014 by Jim Nowlan Outside Columnist We cannot let investment in our strong transportation infrastructure go the way of state pensions, putting it off until tomorrow—until it’s too late. Our transportation system is the jewel in the state’s somewhat tarnished crown. We have 2,300 miles of interstate highways, more than any states but California and Texas. Six interstates radiate into Chicagoland and three into metro-East St. Louis. … Read More