Photo by R.R. Best On Friday, December 5th, at Sullivan’s Christmas parade on the Square, 1st Community Bank of Moultrie County, handed out candy to attendees. Pictured L-R: Aeriana Bacon, Kim Smith, Diane Waggoner, and Cindy Richardson. … Read More
•December 10, 2025• HICF Philanthropic Advisor for Moultrie County, Grant Wade, presents a check to Pam Anklam and representatives of Sparrows Unlimited, Inc. Lovington residents saw a familiar story of kindness continue the weekend before Thanksgiving as Sparrows Unlimited delivered 173 fruit boxes to seniors throughout the community. The effort came on the same day the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation presented the organization with a one-thousand-dollar grant to support its ongoing work. The gift was part of a larger celebration within the Foundation. As the Foundation surpassed 5,000 followers on social media, $5,000 in grants were awarded across Macon, … Read More
•December 10, 2025• On December 24th at 7:00 p.m., there will be a Christmas Eve service at the Allenville Christian Church, located at 201 Allen Street in Allenville. They will be portraying the Christmas Story as well as serving communion. All are welcome to attend. For further information, contact Pastor Bob Vail (217) 254-3433. … Read More
•December 10, 2025• Solid Rock Chapel, located at 1213 E. Jackson Street in Sullivan, will be providing a free Christmas Dinner to all who are interested on December 25th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. This meal is available to be eaten at the church or for pickup/delivery between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. for residents of Sullivan. The meal is ham, green beans, scalloped potatoes, a roll with cinnamon butter, and a dessert. RSVP’s are requested by calling (217) 259-6736 by December 19th. … Read More
•December 10, 2025• The Village of Bethany is continuing their tradition of the Christmas Light Contest. For those who would like to participate, visit the Village Hall at 201 W Main St, Bethany, or call the Village Hall at (217) 665-3351 to get your name on the list From the time you sign up until December 25th, make sure your Christmas light display is on from dusk until 9:00 p.m. The judges will come by at some point in that time frame to judge all the displays and will choose the winners This year’s prizes are: 1st Place: $100 Utility … Read More
•December 10, 2025• The Sullivan News Progress offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 24th, Thursday the 25th, Wednesday the 31st, and January 1st for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Due dates for submission for the weekly December 24th edition are as follows: advertising and article submissions, Friday, December 19th at noon; Obituaries, Sunday, December 21st by 5:00 p.m. The weekly edition of the News Progress will be delivered on Tuesday, December 23rd. Submission due dates for the New Year’s holiday are as follows: advertising and article submissions, Friday, December 26th at noon; Obituaries, Sunday, December 28th by 5:00 … Read More
Eric Michael Gabbard, 36, of Sullivan, peacefully passed away at 7:15 a.m. Friday, December 5, 2025 in his residence. Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 10, 2025 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in the Mackville Cemetery in Atwood. Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. Eric was born October 12, 1989 in Decatur, the son of Michael Gabbard and Debra Creek. He was a woodworker for Monarch Manufacturing in … Read More
•December 3, 2025• 4th: 4-H Fair events planning meeting held at 3:45 p.m. at Arthur Christian School in Arthur. 5th: Emerging Leaders shop for and pack holiday food bags at the Extension office. … Read More
•December 3, 2025• by E. Scott England The Sullivan boys basketball team has officially kicked off their 2025-2026 season. Under new leadership this year, the boys are looking to improve from last season where they finished 11-18 overall and 6-5 in their conference. Spencer Plank, in his first year as head coach, has a positive outlook for this season, “Our goal every year is to play in a Regional Championship and be playing our best basketball in February.” Plank, a 2010 graduate of Arthur Christian School, has previous head coaching experience. He served as the head coach for Red Oak … Read More
•December 3, 2025• by E. Scott England The Sullivan Lady Redskins hosted two games last week prior to the Thanksgiving holiday. The first one was against a notoriously sound Mt. Zion Lady Braves while the second game was host to the Robinson Lady Maroons. … Read More