Illinois Dept. of Agriculture and Racing Board Announce Patron Free Live Racing

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•June 3, 2020• Horse racing is returning to Illinois tracks in June. The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) worked with various stakeholders to bring patron free standardbred and thoroughbred racing back on tracks around the state while adhering to the social distancing guidelines. The move is an effort to provide economic relief to the horse racing industry, as other states have done. “These conditions necessitate changes to keep horse racing going in Illinois” said Domenic DiCera, Illinois Racing Board, Executive Director. “The return of live horse racing in Illinois is welcomed by many hardworking men and woman that work and … Read More

Townwide Rummage

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•June 3, 2020• The Sullivan Townwide Rummage Sales are Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6 with sale locations listed in this week’s edition of the News Progress. Habitat for Humanity ReStore will be open until 2:00 p.m. Saturday to accept non clothing items. ReStore is closed Monday and reopens Tuesday. … Read More

Obituaries 6-3-2020: Joyce Harpster

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Joyce Harpster Joyce Harpster, 84, of Sullivan, passed away at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 2020, in her residence. Private family services will be held in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Chaplain Jan Dial officiating. Burial will be in Dodge Grove Cemetery in Mattoon. … Read More

Country Financial Supports Local Fire Department with Equipment Funding Through Donation

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•June 3, 2020• Country Financial Representative Elizabeth Houser announced Sullivan Fire Protection District as the 2020 recipient of her Country Financial Operation Helping Heroes donation. Houser presented the donation for $1,500.00 to Sullivan Fire Protection on Tuesday, May 19th, to assist with the purchase of digital thermometers and blood pressure cuffs. “As I live and work in our community, I have seen firsthand the selfless acts of our first responders at the Sullivan Fire Department”, said Houser. “This donation is our way of giving back to our first responders and honoring their dedication to our community. I appreciate all they … Read More

Campgrounds Open at Lake

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•June 3, 2020• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville would like to announce Coon Creek, Forrest W. “Bo” Wood, Lithia Springs, and Opossum Creek campgrounds are now open. Lone Point Campground and Wilborn Creek Group Camp are closed until further notice. There is no change to reservable and non-reservable sites at Bo Wood, Coon Creek and Lithia Springs from previous seasons. All payments at fee booths are by credit or debit card only. Opossum Creek Campground is now 100% reservable and campers must have a reservation through R1S prior to setting up on a campsite. Campers are … Read More

Superintendent-Y Stuff: A Walk with Mr. Walk – Meal Program Continues

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•June 3, 2020• By Ted Walk, Supt. Sullivan CUSD #300 Throughout the school closure, Sullivan staff made it a priority to ensure that our students had access to meals at no cost to the student. This was achieved by scheduling daily opportunities to pick up food at school, utilizing locations in town for meal distribution, and even running bus routes to deliver to our rural residents. We were thrilled that we were able to provide over 30,000 meals from mid-March through the month of May. … Read More

County Graduates Receive Captured Moments

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•June 3, 2020• By Mike Brothers Moultrie County graduates received a special gift this year – 175 years of county history. Captured Moments, the pictorial history of Moultrie County 1843-2018, was given to some 225 graduating seniors from Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond, Sullivan and Okaw Valley high schools. Moultrie County Historical and Genealogy Society representative Paul Stone explained the pictorial history can give the graduates some insight into the county’s history. Stone noted that the early settlers faced obstacles and, as the county grew, the people faced physical and health challenges which may help put the current pandemic in perspective. … Read More

Emergency Order Helps Open Sullivan for Business

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•June 3, 2020• By Mike Brothers Restaurants are serving food and alcohol in designated outdoor areas following an executive order issued by Mayor Richard Glazebrook. During the May 26 city council meeting the mayor explained that the order approving outdoor dining and drinks is to facilitate the June 1 phased opening in Illinois. Under the order declaring an emergency the mayor acted to facilitate the businesses in town by designating parking spots in front of establishments for outdoor dining with the city exploring the option of relocating picnic tables from Wyman Park to establish outdoor gathering zones. Traffic barriers are … Read More