•April 12, 2017•
The Lovington Sons of the American Legion is hosting a golf outing at Timberlake Golf Course Saturday, June 24.
Shotgun start is 8 a.m. Four man scramble is $40 per player with sign up sheet at the American Legion Post 429.
Food is provided by the women’s auxiliary.
Photo by Jason Brown
Josh Ernst tosses the discus.
•April 12, 2017•
The SOV boys’ track and field team won the Shelbyville meet with 88 points Friday, defeating St. Teresa (74), Shelbyville (73), and Central A&M (32).
SOV had several top three finishers.
Isaiah Plank won the 800 meter with a time of 2:14.0, and J.T. Bland ran the 1,600 meter in 5:10.
Logan Pedigo pole vaulted 12’9” for first, and Luke Bowman high jumped 5’7” for first.
Bowman also took second in the 100 meter and third in the 200 with times of 11.46 and 23.44, respectively.
Jadon Nuzzo pole vaulted 12 foot for second place, and Brodie Goss ran the 110 hurdles in 19.08 for second. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan Police Chief Jim Waggoner (middle) is pictured with two new police officers, Vincent Trapani (far left) and Tom LeHew (far right).
•April 12, 2017•
Sullivan police department is up to full force with the addition of two new officers.
Chief of Police Jim Waggoner said the new patrolman fill vacancies created with the retirement of John Love and one officer who accepted a position in state law enforcement.
“We are glad to attract good talented young officers,” Waggoner said, explaining Vincent Trapani and Tom LeHew’s prior police experience will benefit the force and the city.
Trapani is originally from Decatur, graduating from Argenta-Oreana High School.
He joined the National Guard with his parents permission at 17 and is based with the National Guard military police in Springfield. Read More
Photo by Jason Brown
Maddie Perrine watches a pitch against ALAH Friday.
•April 12, 2017•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports
The Okaw Valley softball team finished the week 1-2 with a win against Paris and losses to Effingham St. Anthony and Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond.
Saturday against Paris in game one of a double header, the Timberwolves scored three runs in the first inning and two in the third and fourth innings to take a 7-1 lead.
Paris scored two and OV tacked on another for the 8-3 win.
“I was impressed with how we started the game with a strong rally,” said Dave Benning. “We had contributions up and down the lineup and built on our lead throughout the game. I thought we could have added more in the sixth and seventh innings when we left the bases loaded.”
In the first, Grace Harlin led off the game with a double to right center. Read More
•April 12, 2017•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports
The Sullivan baseball team won four straight games this past week to improve its overall record to 7-3.
Sullivan was winning its fifth game Monday against Warrensburg-Latham when the game was stopped after the top of the third inning because of rain.
Saturday, the Redskins bookended two big innings in the first and seven for a 5-3 win over Salt Fork.
Payton Taylor homered and had two RBIs for the Storm.
Sullivan scored three in the first to take a 3-1 lead and two in the seven.
Bryce Farris and Tommy Schibur each had two hits and scored two runs. Read More
•April 12, 2017•
By G. Ford
for the News Progress
Carriage Crossing Assisted Living Center located at 909 Green Mill Road in Arcola hosted a dinner and presentation on The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease to announce the reopening of the assisted living and memory care facility.
Brenda Hearn, Executive Director of Carriage Crossing, expects the reconstruction and renovation to be completed within the next two weeks, followed by inspection and licensing by the state of Illinois.
The residents who were moved to other facilities last June will be returning, and the staff is currently scheduling tours for interested new residents. Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
Bethany village board looked into hiring two full time policemen rather than one full time and two part time officers. Larry Hutchcraft is the full time officer with the village board offering a full time position to part-time officer Gary Carroll.
Lovington village board voted to increase treasurer Alma Fair’s salary and approved a 27 page police manual prepared by trustee Mike Daily.
Joe and Joan Pound visited Adelaide, Austrailia where aborigines burned out gum tree trunks for shelter.
Louise Kirby of the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society presented a slide show and displayed gifts from her two month stay in Osaka, Japan.
One hundred children and parents gathered at the Elizabeth Titus Library to participate in the Night of 1000 Stars Great American Read Aloud. Guest readers included Cindy Welty, Melissa Dolan, Michael Williamson and Lisa Muirheid. Read More
•April 12, 2017•
With spring cruising in and motorcycle season shifting into top gear, the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police remind motorcyclists to “Gear Up–Ride Smart” to ensure their safety before taking the first ride of the season. The annual campaign urges riders to take precautionary measures before getting back on their bikes by conducting pre-ride safety inspections of their equipment and refreshing their skills with a motorcycle training class offered by IDOT.
“Motorcycles are only on the road for part of the year, yet account for almost 14 percent of all traffic fatalities,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn. “By choosing the proper safety equipment, performing routine safety checks and brushing up on their skills, riders can make 2017 safer for motorcycles.”
Proper protective gear is essential to safe riding. Motorcyclists are encouraged to wear the right safety equipment and accessories, including high-visibility (Hi-Viz) clothing, eye protection, gloves, jackets, pants, boots and a U.S. DOT-approved helmet, at all times. Drinking alcohol and riding is to be avoided at all costs.
Illinois is one of two states that offer free motorcycle training classes to licensed residents. Since the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program began in 1976, more than 400,000 riders have learned the basics of motorcycle riding or taken advantage of the opportunity to learn more about motorcycle safety.
The program is available throughout the state for all skill and experience levels. Classes teach riders how to safely operate a motorcycle and sharpen their knowledge and riding skills. The program is funded by Illinois motorcyclists through a portion of their license and registration fees. For more information, visit StartSeeingMotorcycles.org.
“Riding a motorcycle is a perishable skill, even for the most experienced riders,” said ISP Director Leo P. Schmitz. “We strongly encourage all riders to attend a motorcycle safety course and take the necessary precautions to ensure they are visible to other motorists by wearing DOT-approved helmets and protective body wear, such as boots and gloves. Remember, alcohol and motorcycle riding do not mix. So, Gear Up–Ride Smart, and stay safe.”[/s2If]
Photo by Jason Brown
Knight Logan Kauffman pushes off the first base bag as Okaw Valley’s Jess Robinson readies for the pitch.
•April 12, 2017•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports
The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond softball team finished the week with a 2-1 record.
The Knights defeated rival Okaw Valley and Champaign Central but lost to Windsor Stew/Stras.
Against Okaw Valley Friday, the two teams totaled 33 hits, 33 runs and nine errors in a slugfest.
ALAH scored the first eight runs in the first two innings, but OV cut that lead in half with four runs in the third. Read More
Multi-Year Search for Medal Ends for Former Illinois Resident
•April 12, 2017•
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today returned a Purple Heart medal to Vietnam War veteran Harold J. Walker.
The Purple Heart is one of the most recognized and respected medals awarded to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. Frerichs also returned a Vietnam Service medal and a National Defense medal for Walker’s service in Vietnam. The honors were discovered in a safe deposit box that was surrendered to the treasurer’s office as unclaimed property.
Born in Mississippi, Walker moved to Chicago at the age of 18 to live with his mother. He was later drafted into the Army and served as an infantryman in the Vietnam War from 1969-1970 where he earned his Purple Heart. Read More