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Renewables May Get Boost

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•February 15, 2017•

Legislation designed to grow Illinois’ bio-based economy has been introduced by Senator Chapin Rose and Senator Andy Manar. Senate Bill 1656 provides incentives to Illinois businesses to produce and sell new renewable products made from biomass and other renewable sources.

The legislation builds upon Illinois’ strong agricultural base and seeks to provide new products and markets derived from grain commodities and their by-products. Universities and private companies are investing in a race with other states in research and development to introduce these products to the marketplace.

“This legislation is all about the jobs that will be created in this potential $20 billion new industry,” State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) said. “Central Illinois is perfectly suited to be the center of this new industry with the production and shipping capacity of Decatur on one side, the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Lab (IBRL) in Urbana on the other side, and the best corn and beans in the world in between. The potential for jobs is here - we have something no one else has to offer. This bill will help us capitalize on this and bring these jobs to Central Illinois.”

The legislation compliments Senator Rose’s leadership in securing a $26 million research investment in the University of Illinois’ Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory to work with the industrial biotechnology sector to accelerate growth of this rapidly emerging biotechnology sector.

“Illinois is strategically positioned to lead in the development of these new renewable products. We have leading biotechnology companies, large and small, that are leading research and development efforts on these innovative products and we have critical mass in infrastructure to produce and transport these renewables around the world,” said Senator Manar.

Industrial Biotechnology is enabling the production of a new generation of renewable chemicals, biobased materials and bioplastics produced from biomass. These can serve as a replacement or supplement to traditional fossil fuel-based chemicals and products. The emergence of this technology represents a historic opportunity to reverse job losses in the chemicals and plastics sectors, increase energy security, replace fossil fuel-derived chemicals, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, maintain U.S leadership in clean energy and chemistry, and build domestic renewable chemicals and biobased production facilities.

“We applaud the leadership of Senator Rose and Senator Manar to introduce this legislation to advance the innovative agricultural biotech sector in Illinois. These new bio-based products offer great potential to the Illinois economy across the entire State. We need to lead now by leveraging our tremendous assets or forever be playing catch-up,” said Warren Ribley, President and CEO of iBIO.

SB 1656 provides a state tax credit to Illinois companies that produce and sell new manufactured products made from manufactured bio-based molecules of biomass feedstocks. These products represent the next generation of advanced biofuels and include renewable chemicals and food additives.

Iowa and Minnesota have already established these state incentives and legislation is pending in Congress to establish a similar credit at the federal level.

OV Girls Knock off Nokomis, Fall to CAM at Regionals

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Photo by Jason Brown
During the regional championship game against Central A&M Feb 10 Jesse and Paige Robinson work the ball around Raiders defense.

•February 15, 2017•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team defeated Nokomis on a last second shot Wednesday to reach the Class 1A regional championship game but lost the title match to Central A&M at Bethany Friday, Feb 10.

“We played well, well enough to win, which makes it tough,” said Okaw Valley coach Brad Ackers. “We had one of our better offensive halves of the season in the first half. That’s a credit to Central A&M that they were able to withstand it and keep it a 5-point game.”

Against CAM, the Timberwolves’ offense was hitting on all cylinders in the first half.

Okaw Valley jumped out to a 5-0 lead and kept a 2-5 point lead through the first quarter.

With less than five minutes left in the second quarter, Paige Robinson scored to take a 32-24 lead.

CAM hit a shot at the buzzer to make it 39-34 at halftime.
Read More

SHS Presents The Burden of Silence at The Little Theatre

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•February 15, 2017•

Sullivan High School presents The Burden of Silence at 7 p.m. Friday

Feb. 17 at the Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan.

This original script prepared and performed by Rebecca L. Lawson’s Mirror Images class explores the theme: “If you don’t speak up when you see things that are wrong, you may suffer ‘the burden of silence’ for the rest of your life.”

“We had a lot of ideas for the title and narrowed it down to this one because it fit perfectly,” Colleen Miller said. “Lots of characters in the play were silent and some were for too long.”

Lawson explained that all class members helped with the writing. “ We started writing in October and finished most of the play by December. Read More

Wizards in Sullivan Wednesday

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•February 15, 2017•

The Sullivan High School boys’ basketball team will host the Harlem Wizards for an exhibition fundraiser game against Sullivan teachers, coaches and community.

The fundraiser game, originally scheduled for Saturday January 14 will be played tonight (Wednesday) from 7-9 p.m. in the Sullivan High School gym. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Read More

Obituaries 2-15-2017

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Kathryn Armstrong

Kathryn C. Armstrong, 99, of Sullivan died at 2:30 p.m. Monday, February 6, 2017 in Sullivan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Mound Cemetery in Charleston. There will be no visitation. Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan is in charge of arrangements.  Read More

Recent Obituaries: Margaret June Grinslade

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Margaret June Grinslade

Margaret June Grinslade 93, of Lancaster, NY formerly of Dalton City, IL passed away at 7:54 a.m., February 8, 2017, in her daughter’s residence.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 14, 2017, at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion, IL. Burial will be in the Mt. Zion Township Cemetery. The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Bethel Free Methodist Church, 930 N. Range Road, Peoria, IL 61604. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.

Margaret was born April 11, 1923, in Decatur, IL the daughter of George and Leta Isabelle (Roney) Dickson. She married Phillip Ray Grinslade on March 15, 1943. He preceded her in death on September 13, 1993. Margaret had formerly worked as a butcher and grocery clerk for the grocery store in Dalton City.

Surviving are her children: Robert Ray Grinslade and his wife Shirley of Bradford, IL, Mary Jo Hill and her husband Michael of San Antonio, TX, and Margaret “Susan” Grinslade of Lancaster, NY; grandchildren: Scott Grinslade and his wife Sarah of Peoria Heights, IL, Bobbi Grinslade of Peoria, IL, Tracey Langsfeld of San Antonio, TX, Gary Langsfeld and wife Martha of Burlington, KY, Claudette Mabry or San Antonio, TX, Mary Ruotolo and her husband Chris of Hackettstown, NJ, Jeff Gossett and wife Lena of Bradford, IL, Kim Mitchell and husband Kevin of Clinton, IL and Gabriella Brueggemann of St. Louis, MO. Also surviving are twelve great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, her beloved son: Samuel D. Grinslade. brothers: George and Robert and her sister: Dorothy.

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Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Monday, Feb. 13 - Sausage pattie or links, egg, bacon and cheddar scramble, fruit juice, whole grain blueberry muffin, warm fruit strudel bites.
Tuesday, Feb. 14 - County beef stew with potatoes, carrots, onions, Mexi corn, roll, cherry pie.
Wednesday, Feb. 15 - Shepherd’s pie w/vegetables, broccoli, warm biscuits, Mandarin oranges.
Thursday, Feb. 16 - Fried chicken, mashed potatoes w/gravy, seasoned peas, Texas toast, fresh fruit.
Friday, Feb. 17 - Tuna noodle casserole, Harvard beets, warm black-eyed pea salad, whole grain wheat, pineapple pistachio dessert.

Sullivan Pre-School Breakfast
Monday, Feb. 13 - Nutri-grain bar, grape juice, milk.
Tuesday, Feb. 14 - Breakfast bites, grape juice, milk.
Wednesday, Feb. 15 - Warm apple, Ritz crackers, milk.
Thursday, Feb. 16  - Waffles, grape juice, milk.
Friday, Feb. 17 - Cereal, grape juice, milk.

Sullivan Pre-School Lunch
Monday, Feb. 13 - Macaroni & cheese, green beans, pineapple, bread & butter, milk.
Tuesday, Feb. 14 - Chicken salad sandwiches, carrot & celery sticks, banana, milk.
Wednesday, Feb. 15 - Cheese pups, peas, applesauce, milk.
Thursday, Feb. 16  - Fish on bun, carrots, Mandarin oranges, milk.
Friday, Feb. 17 - Chicken nuggets, mixed vegetables, mixed fruit, bread & butter, milk.

New AT&T Antenna

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Photo by Mike Brothers
New AT&T Antenna
The second largest crane in the state with a 400 foot reach hoisted the workers in the cage to the top of the AT&T Cellular tower in Sullivan earlier this week. The company was replacing the antenna at the top with a new and improved version.