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Knights Bring Big Bats Out for Bulldogs

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•March 29, 2017•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond baseball team kicked off its season with a 1-2 record, winning over St. Teresa and losing to Monticello and Central A&M.

Against the Bulldogs of St. Teresa, the Knights exploded for 12 runs in the fifth inning to overcome a 6-3 deficit and blow the game open.

ALAH went on to win 20-12.

Shandon Herschberger recorded a game-high six hits (6-for-6) and four runs scored. He also knocked in three runs.

Lucas Otto recorded three hits, two runs scored and three runs batted in. Read More

You Know You’re in a Small Town

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•March 29, 2017•

You know you are in a small town when.... Every sport is played on dirt.  Third street is on the edge of town.

You are run off the street by a combine. You miss church on Sunday and receive get-well cards. The biggest business in town sells farm machinery.

You dialed the wrong number and talked for 15 minutes anyway. You write a check on the wrong bank, and it covers for you.   Read More

Obituaries 3-29-2017: Glenn Austin

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Glenn Austin

Glenn Eldon Austin, 83, of Bethany, passed away from this life to his eternal home Friday, March 24, 2017. His wife and children were at his side.

Celebration of life memorial services were held at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday, March 29) in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bethany with the Reverend Stephen Guarneros and the Reverend Gail Allen officiating and John Schwartz giving the eulogy. Arrangements were made by McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany. Read More

Diabetes Tips at Senior Center

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•March 29, 2017•

Take Charge of Your Diabetes.

The diabetes self-management program is coming to the Mid-Illinois Senior Center 1-3:30 p.m. Fridays, April 21-May 26. Cheri Burcham of the University of Illinois Extension and Penny Arthur of the Moultrie County Counseling Center will be the instructors for the program.

The participants will learn tools such as healthy eating, stress management, exercise (flexibility and endurance), monitoring blood sugar, medication management, working with their doctor and problem solving around their health condition.

The cost for those who complete the program will be covered by a generous grant from the Administration for Community Living.

To register for the course and receive additional information, call 217-728-8521 or 217-543-3755 or e-mail Burcham at cburcham@illinois.edu.

Understanding Illinois: Just When You Think It Can’t Get Any Worse

News Progress Posted on by

•March 29, 2017•

By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

Just when you think it can’t get any worse, it gets worse. I’m talking about the Illinois state budget, of course.

Actually, there are two state budgets, the operating budget and the separate capital, or infrastructure, budget. Let’s talk about the latter, which is also in woeful shape.

In normal times, the operating budget pays the year-to-year expenses for schools, universities, health care providers, pensions, and the running of state agencies.

These are not normal times, however. There are absolutely no dollars going to state colleges and universities, for example, and our unpaid bills now amount to $1,000 for every man, woman and child in Illinois. Read More

Sullivan Baseball Splits Pair of Games

News Progress Posted on by

•March 29, 2017•

The Sullivan baseball team split a pair of games this week, defeating Villa Grove-Heritage and losing to Neoga.

Against Villa Grove-Heritage last Wednesday, the Redskins scored five runs in the third inning and seven in the fourth to blow the game open for the 14-4 win.

Heritage scored one run in the first inning, two in the second and one in the fifth.

Brett Tuttle recorded four hits, two RBIs and two runs scored.  Read More

Sullivan Council Considers Additional Water Tower

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•March 29, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

City council members weighed in the options for building another water tower at the most recent council meeting.

After conducting a few tests, it was found that building a water tower north of Hydro-Gear would be the city’s best location option. A tower at this location would increase water distribution ability throughout the city.

Sullivan uses more than 400,000 gallons per day. The current tower holds 500,000 gallons – increasing the capacity by another 250 – 500,000 gallons would better prepare the city if emergency usage was required or the city experienced growth. Currently tower water storage is enough for Sullivan’s current usage.

The council noted it would be beneficial but was also was a large financial investment- an estimated million dollars.  Read More

Oh Brother: Afraid of Heights? Why Not Climb the Clock Tower

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•March 29, 2017•

By Mike Brothers
NP Managing Editor

I am not very good with heights; my palms start sweating when I hear someone talking about mountain climbing or looking over a cliff’s edge.

So when it was time to move the clocks forward an hour for spring, I have no idea what got into me.

Maybe it was curiosity as I looked out my apartment building and the clock on the Moultrie County Courthouse had not yet leaped forward.

I called Rick Matthews who is responsible for all things related to the 1904 building that houses the giant clock tower.

From north, south, east or west of the Sullivan square the time shines night and day. Except this one day the four faces needed to gain an hour.

Rick explained that since it had snowed Sunday night, he needed to clear access to the courthouse for the public before attending to the time change. Read More

Obituaries 3-29-2017: Walter Turnbow

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Walter Turnbow

Walter A. Turnbow, 60, of Lovington passed away at 7 a.m. Saturday, March 25, 2017 in his home in Lovington.

Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 2 in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation will be held one hour before the services. Masonic services by the George A. Sentel Lodge #764 will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Inurnment will be at a later date in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. Read More