A Look Back…12-3-2025

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2015 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. Sullivan Middle School students greeted the One Book, One Sullivan novel unveiling with a standing ovation on November 25. “Michael Vey-The Prisoner of Cell 25” by Richard Paul Evans was announced to the school-wide assembly following a trailer prepared by the One Book, One Sullivan group for the second year … Read More

City approves health insurance, discusses zoning changes 

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•December 3, 2025• by Sharon Barricklow Sullivan city employees will have Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance during 2026 under a plan approved last week by the city council. The council learned health insurance costs would be rising 6.1 percent under the new plan, a lower-than-expected increase. The lower rate is partially because Sullivan had only five claims the previous year, costing more than $50,000. We need to go ahead and get this done,” said Mayor Mike Mossman.  … Read More

One Book, One Sullivan selects book of the year

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•December 3, 2025• Photo by DM WilliameeSullivan’s One Book, One Sullivan group at Tuesday’s announcement at Sullivan Middle School. Front row, L-R: Mrs. Rebecca Powell, Noah Davis, Ezekiel Walk, Edith Gibbons, and Mrs. Rikki Ray. Center, L-R: Bentley Meadows, Gideon Walk, Hazel Crothers, Nora Becker, Ava Warren, Libby Wall, Scarlett Perrott, and Aubrey Fultz. Back row, L-R: Violet Cohan, Mitchell Wesselman, Emma Drake, Sarah Windhorst, Michaela Blickensderfer, and Charlotte Martin. by DM Williamee On Tuesday, November 25th, in the Sullivan Middle Gymnasium, the air was crackling with excited energy as students and other attendees awaited the announcement of the book … Read More

Santa’s coming to Lovington 

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•December 3, 2025• On December 14th, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., Santa Claus will be at the Lovington American Legion Post #429, 1985 State Highway 32, Lovington. Each child will receive a gift from Santa, with cookies and drinks provided by the Lovington Women’s Auxiliary. … Read More

Holiday shopping event

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•December 3, 2025• The Sullivan American Legion, 8 East Strain Street, Sullivan, is hosting a Holiday Shopping Event on Friday, December 5th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be home-crafted items, direct sales, Christmas greenery, baked goods, boutique items, and more. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome. Those interested in having a booth at the Holiday Shopping Event can contact Tina Bolsen at (217) 620-8185. Highway Heartburn will be in the parking lot serving smashburgers. … Read More

Letters to Santa 

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•December 3, 2025• The News Progress will be printing Letters to Santa in our December 17th issue. If your child would like to write a letter to Santa, it can be e-mailed to santa@newsprogress.com. It must be received by noon on Wednesday, December 10th. … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Michael Christian Duvall

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Michael Christian Duvall of Aurora, Illinois, passed away at the age of 50 on November 24, 2025. Michael was born on March 22, 1975, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Donald Edward and Sandra Paulette (Woolridge) Duvall. Michael graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School in June 1993. He attended Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, where he became a member of the Gamma Zeta chapter of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. Michael ultimately received his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Sociology from Northern Illinois University in May 2007. Michael was a life-long Chicago Cubs fan and a life-long … Read More