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Sullivan Community Education Foundation Awards Over $40,000 In Grants

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Major grant winners

•April 25, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

On Thursday, April 5 the Sullivan Community Education Foundation (SCEF) awarded more than $40,000 in mini and major grants for various academic and community projects.

The awards ceremony at Sullivan First United Methodist Church marked the Foundation’s 14th year of improving the lives of others through education.

Mini grants are awarded in amounts less than $1,000, and there were 14 recipients in this category including $420 to the Mid-Illinois Senior Services for educational programs.

Major grants are for more than $1,000, and there were eight awards with $12,000 going to re-purpose the middle school library. Read More

Bomb Threat Defendant Makes Bond

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•April 25, 2018•

Jalon Warren, 18, of Sullivan was released from Moultrie County jail after his bond from $100,000 to $40,000 in circuit court Thursday, April 19.

Honorable Judge Hugh Finson reduced the bond which allowed the family to post $4000 for his release that afternoon.

Charged with making a terrorist threat at Sullivan High School on March 23, Warren appeared with attorney Phillip Tibbs, who asked the court to release the defendant on recognizant bond, called two witnesses and submitting letters from teachers on Warren’s behalf. Read More

Tough Week for Sullivan Softball Team

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•April 25, 2018•

The Sullivan softball team finished a tough week 0-5 with losses to Meridian twice, Warrensburg-Latham twice and Tuscola.

Monday night Sullivan dropped both games in a double header to Meridian.

Meridian scored two runs in the second inning, three runs in the fourth inning and five runs in the fifth inning for the 10-0 win in the second game.

Gwen Diepholz and Sarah Green each had one hit.

Madison Wall pitched four innings and struck out three in the loss. Read More

OV Baseball has a Three for Four Kind of Week

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R.R. Best Photo
Austin Harshman takes an inside pitch.

•April 25, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports

Now that the weather has warmed up, the Okaw Valley baseball team played four games this week and won three of them to improve its record to 14-1 on the season.

“I’m very happy with how we have played so far this season,” said OV coach Andrew Hagerman. “The pitching and defense have been solid, except for the game at Effingham where we couldn’t do anything right.”

The Timberwolves knocked off Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond, Judah Christian, Decatur Lutheran and Arcola but lost its first and only game of the year to Effingham.

Against ALAH in an Okaw Valley Conference Northwest Division matchup, OV jumped out early with a run in the first inning, six runs in the second inning and three runs in the third inning.

Neither team scored after that, so the game ended in a 10-0 shutout in five innings. Read More

ALAH Softball Team Scores Big Wins Over Week

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•April 25, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond softball team finished a strong week of play with a 4-1 record.

The Knights knocked off Arcola, Leroy and Okaw Valley twice but lost to Argenta-Oreana.

ALAH used huge scoring innings to help sweep the doubleheader against Okaw Valley Monday evening.

In the second game, ALAH plated nine runs in the fourth inning to blow the game open for the eventual 13-2 win.

Every starter for ALAH scored a run, and Marissa Herschberger scored three times, including twice in the fourth inning.

She also had two hits and two RBIs, and Reagan Miller was 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a runs scored. Read More

Lovington Has Rabies Clinic

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•April 25, 2018•

The annual rabies clinic is at the Lovington Fire Department Saturday will be held 12:30-2:30 p.m. May 5.

Sponsored by Graham Veterinary Clinic’s Dr. Heidi Grooms D.V.M., the clinic gives Lovington pet owners a chance to take care of needed services while raising funds toward the Lovington Summer Youth Meals and Recreation program. The event is organized by the Lovington Revitalization Coalition.

The clinic offers the one and three year rabies vaccine, K9 virus and Bordetella (kennel cough) for dogs and rabies vaccine, feline virus and feline leukemia vaccination for cats.

County tags required for dogs are available for Moultrie and Douglas counties. Microchip services are also available.

Clinic questions may be texted or called to Tamara McRill Chambers at 217-273-6349.

Hatchets Knock Down Three Wins; Hillsboro Slips Away

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•April 25, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports

The Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg softball team finished with a 3-1 record on the week with one postponed game.

The Hatchets knocked off Dieterich, St. Anthony and Altamont but lost a hard-fought game in extra innings to Hillsboro.

“It was a good week,” said coach Craig Moffett. “The Hillsboro game slipped away due to some mistakes, but we’ll learn from that and continue to improve.”

Saturday against Hillsboro, WSS took an early lead with a run in the first inning and tacked on a run in the fourth for a 2-0 lead.

Hillsboro tied the game in the fifth inning with two runs, but the Hatchets answered with a run in the bottom of the inning to retake the lead 3-2.

The Hilltoppers tied the game at four with a run in the top of the seventh to send it into extra innings. Read More

OVHS Hosts Blood Drive 

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•April 25, 2018•

An American Red Cross blood drive will be held 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, April 30 in the Okaw Valley High School gym in Bethany.

Any healthy individual, 16 through 75, who meets weight requirements may donate blood. Donors should eat a healthy meal and drink an extra 16 oz. of water and fluids before donating, and they must bring identification showing a picture and a signature.

All blood types are needed, especially Types 0- and 0+. Every 2.5 seconds someone needs blood.

You can save up to 15 minutes when you donate blood by using RapidPass! Visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass for more information.

The drive is sponsored by the Okaw Valley High School Student Council. For more information or to make an appointment, contact Okaw Valley High School at 665-3631. Appointments may also be made online at www.redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are welcome.

A Two Game Sweep For Sullivan Redskins Baseball

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Photo by R.R. Best
Sullivan batter Ian Hill takes a look at this pitch during the Meridian game, Monday.

•April 25, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports

After three straight losses, the Sullivan baseball team swept Meridian in a double header Monday, April 25.

In the first game of the double header against Meridian, Sullivan plated three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to complete an improbable 5-4 comeback win.

Sullivan had a 2-1 lead after the first inning, but the Hawks tied the game at two in the second inning.

Meridian took the lead with a run in the fifth inning, then extended that lead to 4-2 with a run in the sixth inning.

Ian Hill and Luke Harlin recorded two hits each, and Harlin also added two RBIs and a run scored.

Hill also had a run scored and drew two walks.

Spencer Johnson stole two bases and scored two runs, and Dalton Rogers reached base three times. Read More

Obituaries 4-25-2018: Sam Buxton 

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Sam Buxton 

Samuel David Buxton, 79, of Charleston and formerly of Sullivan, passed away in the comfort of his home Thursday, April 12, 2018. Per his request there will be no visitation or services. Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston is assisting the family with arrangements.

Samuel was born November 12, 1938 in Pierson, Illinois, a son of the late Wilbur Rolland and Ethel Riddle Buxton. He married Claudette W. Oliver, and she preceded him in death June 29, 2008. He was also preceded in death by a granddaughter Paige Buxton and a brother Wilbur Rolland Buxton, Jr. Read More