Remember When? 1-1-2020

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25 Years Ago This Week The Sullivan boys’ basketball team captured third place in the Clinton Tournament with a 77-71 victory over Addison Driscoll. The Redskins went 3-1 in the tournament losing along the way to eventual champion Clinton 71-63. The Lovington Public Library Trustees honored Janette Nash Saturday, Jan. 7. Nash has served as librarian since 1984 and has been credited with building the library to its present impressive status following a devastating fire in February 1985. The fire completely destroyed the building and contents of the former library as well as the Masonic Hall, a variety store and … Read More

Cunninghams Donate to SBL Mobile Miracles Campaign

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•January 1, 2020• Dan and Jeanne Cunningham of Mattoon recently donated $15,000 to the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Foundation to benefit “Mobile Miracles,” a campaign to fund the purchase of a new dental bus. The bus will travel across the region providing preventive and restorative care and oral hygiene education to underserved children up to age 18. … Read More

How to Help the Lost and Unconnected Among Us

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•January 1, 2020• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist In this season of joy, I am reminded, as we all are, fleetingly, that not all share our joy. Several years ago, for example, the circus came to my rural town. A friend and I decided to ensure that all kids could have the very few bucks needed for tickets and some cotton candy. Fifteen single-parent families were quickly identified by a local church group as needing such help. My first delivery was to a run-down small frame home. The young mother came to the screen door. The living room behind … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Nancy Miller

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Nancy Miller Nancy E. Miller, 83, of Sullivan, passed away at 3:55 a.m. Tuesday December 24, 2019 in her residence. Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Mark Bjornbak officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time on Friday. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan First Baptist Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. Nancy was born October 3, 1936 in Windsor, the daughter of Edward King and Ethel Harris King Colbert. She had worked at … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Richard Casteel, Jr.

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Richard Casteel, Jr. Richard “Rick” Casteel, Jr., 69, of Lovington got his angel wings at 5:21 p.m. December 23, 2019 at home. Minister Steve Ingram will be doing the Celebration of Life services at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, December 28th, 2019, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan; visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home in Sullivan. Burial will follow at Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to SIU Alumni Association or Cancer Care Specialist of Decatur; 210 W. McKinley Ave Suite 1, Decatur, IL 62526. Rick was born May 19, 1950, son of … Read More

Sullivan School Board Approves Tax Levy, Schools Report on Holiday Activities

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•December 25, 2019• By Ariana Cherry for The News Progress The cash balance for the Sullivan School District stated at the most recent board meeting was $335,169.88. The balance of the Education fund was $4,637,824.83 and transportation funds sat at $1,431,386.20. Bills totaling $155,675.75 along with the treasurer’s report was authorized. Last month, the board also authorized Superintendent Ted Walk to prepare the 2020-2021 annual budget. Supt. Walk presented the tentative tax levy mentioning that there would be a slight decrease in the IMRF, Social Security and Tort funds. The tentative tax levy for 2019 payable in 2020 is $4,780,928. … Read More

Obituaries 12-25-2019: Sondra Daily

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Sondra Daily Sondra J. Daily, 87, of Sullivan, passed away at 11:41 a.m. Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 21 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial was in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. … Read More

Remember When? 12-25-2019

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25 Years Ago This Week Pam Conley of Findlay won the $1000 overall prize in the Festival of lights Starflake Trail contest for homes. Conley’s home is west of the Findlay Bridge over Lake Shelbyville. Ella Davis won Zone 1 (Findlay – Sullivan) and Jeff and Judy Getz winners in Zone 7 (Shelbyville-Findlay area). Faced with a bad building condition report Bethany school supt. Marilyn Bayley pointed out the reorganization committee will face a school consolidation decision sooner than later. Lovington’s Josh Born and Chad Watkins scored 15 points apiece as Lovington beat Atwood-Hammond 65-54. Jim Minor added 12 points … Read More

News Year’s at Sullivan Legion

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•December 25, 2019• The Sullivan American legion is hosting a New Year’s Eve party beginning with dinner from 6:30 -8:30 p.m. Complete Pork chop or Steak dinners are offered at the Strain Street Post . Wreckless Whiskey plays from 9:00 to 12 midnight. Reservations deadline is Sat. Dec. 28. Call 217/728-4612 for reservation. … Read More