•June 3, 2026• Beginning with the June 10 issue of NewsProgress, deadlines have been changed. All legal notices, classifieds (Rummage Sales, Help Wanted, etc.), display advertising and news submissions are due by noon on Friday. … Read More
•June 3, 2026• Photo by DM WilliameeLilah Wiltse with her colorful butterfly enjoys her snow cone in the shade. On May 29th, the Elizabeth Memorial Library kicked off its annual Summer Reading Program, and it was the place to be, where droves of community members, both large and small, were eager to sign up and partake of the opening festivities. On offer were free snow cones and cotton candy, bounce houses, a croquet match-up game with prizes, the ever-popular face painting, and the actual sign-up, which will reward readers with prizes for their summer reading accomplishments. The event was high-energy … Read More
Terry J. Phillips, 69, of Mattoon, passed away 10:01 a.m. Monday, June 1, 2026, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 4, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 5, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the Scholarship for Cole Burrell. Terry was born June 15, 1956, in Decatur, the son of Joe and Betty Jean (Chapman) Phillips. He married Terry Joanne Davisson on December 30, 1989, in … Read More
Colleen Brewer, age 69, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2026, at DMH, with her loving sister and brother-in-law by her side. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Todd’s Point Cemetery, rural Findlay. Memorials may be made to Moultrie County PAWS: PO Box 961 Mattoon, IL 61938 … Read More
•May 27, 2026• by DM Williamee In the early morning hours of Monday, May 25th, the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 held a Memorial Day ceremony at Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan, as well as at their Legion Hall, available for all to attend. The Legion’s Color Guard, Firing Squad, Chaplain, as well as Scouting America Troop number 39, somberly marched down East Water Street toward the cemetery, with police escort. The ceremony was solemn and reverent, which brought to the forefront that Memorial Day is a tribute; that it represents national unity, and the ceremony, as well as the day … Read More
On Wednesday, May 20th, both Lovington parents and grandparents join with their students at Lovington Grade School for the family-bonding ‘Lunch on the Lawn’ annual gathering, which signifies the end of the school year with a fun, picnic-style meal, leaving plenty of room for active kiddos to burn off calories and energy. … Read More
Last Wednesday at the Lovington school Lunch on the Lawn, Sparrows Unlimited held their yearly bike and gift card giveaway. All kids who attend Lovington grade school were entered to win a bike from Sparrows. The winners are as follows: Pre-K/K: Raiden Hutchcraft and Autumn Brown; 1st/2nd grades: Kane Comp, Carley Cummings; 3rd/4th grades: JW Shepard and Scarlett Franklin; and 5th/6th grade: Colton Harris (Pictured) and Sophie Utsler. The 7th/8th graders entered to win a $50 gift card, and the winners were Isaiah Shields and Jaselyn Helmuth. Sparrows Unlimited is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Lovington, Illinois, that … Read More
•May 27, 2026• by DM Williamee On Saturday, May 23rd, Sullivan’s First United Methodist Church held its annual ‘Burgers and Brats’ event, and Elvis was in the building! Just kidding, it was Dennise Ozier playing the king of rock-n-roll for the entertainment of locals driving by, and many a horn was honked in humorous recognition. Chip Hagen and Ellowyn Hagen were also at the roadside waving signage and wearing their delightful hotdog hats, enticing locals to stop and enjoy the goodies. Last year, this event helped raise funds that enabled the church to assist 56 children and eighteen families in … Read More
For Sullivan High School’s graduation Class of 2026, the Class President was Zaden Hussong, who also gave the official welcome. SHS Class Valedictorian was Mae Dawkins, and the Salutatorian was Madilyn Shonkwiler. A total of 77 students graduated this year, and 73 walked in the graduation ceremony. Graduation was held Sunday, May 17th. … Read More