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Obituaries 1-25-2017: Gary Ray

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Gary Ray

Gary Ray, 61, of Mt. Auburn passed away at 10:45 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 in his residence.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 in Calvary Baptist Church in Taylorville with Pastor Steve Switzer officiating. His ashes will be spread in Wyoming and California. Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.

He was born Nov. 23, 1955 in Monterey, Calif., the son of John and Beatrice King Ray. He married Nadine Turnbow March 5, 1977 in Sullivan. Gary worked as an architectural draftsman and later at MasterBrand Cabinets in Arthur. Read More

Tough Week for Redskins

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•January 25, 2017•

The Sullivan boys’ basketball team suffered two Central Illinois Conference losses this past week.

The Redskins lost the two road games to Decatur St. Teresa Friday and Meridian last Tuesday.

Against St. Teresa, the Bulldogs used a 19-6 third quarter to pull away from the Redskins for a 34-23 and kept the lead around 10 points for the eventual 54-33 win.

Quentin Britton led Sullivan with 13 points. Read More

Windsor Students of December

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•January 25, 2017•

Photo furnished

Windsor Jr./Sr. High School has announced their December Students of the Month.  Gillian Sanders, daughter of Greg and Heidi Sanders, is the high school recipient.   She is involved in basketball, yearbook, FFA, student council, art club and is senior class president.  Sanders plans to attend Lake Land College to study criminal justice.  The Junior High honor went to Madison Pfeiffer, a seventh grader, who is the daughter of Stacy Quigley and Tony Pfeiffer. She plays volleyball and softball.

Menus 1-25-2017

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Sullivan Pre-School Breakfast
Monday, Jan. 30 - Toast, watermelon juice, milk.
Tuesday, Jan. 31 - Bagel, watermelon juice, milk.
Wednesday, Feb. 1 - Cereal, watermelon juice, milk.
Thursday, Feb. 2  - Donuts, watermelon juice, milk.
Friday, Feb. 3 - Muffins, watermelon juice, milk.

Sullivan Pre-School Lunch
Monday, Jan. 30 - Burritos/cheese, lettuce salad, pineapple, milk.
Tuesday, Jan. 31 - Chicken strips, tater tots, Mandarin oranges, bread & butter, milk.
Wednesday, Feb. 1 - Pork fritters, green beans, applesauce, dinner roll, milk.
Thursday, Feb. 2  - Hamburger bake, corn, peaches, bread & butter, milk.
Friday, Feb. 3 - Chicken patty on bun, mixed vegetables, mixed fruit, milk.

Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Monday, Jan. 30 - Chicken & noodles, mashed potatoes, seasoned green beans, whole grain wheat, apricots.
Tuesday, Jan. 31 - Swissed beef patty w/green peppers, onions & tomatoes, brussels sprouts, macaroni & cheese, whole grain wheat, applesauce.
Wednesday, Feb. 1 - Saucy ham loaf, creamed peas, baked squash, whole grain wheat, strawberry oatmeal bar.
Thursday, Feb. 2  - Settlers beef & beans, corn, roll, warm sliced pears w/raisins.
Friday, Feb. 3 - Beef tips in gravy, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, roll, graham crackers, fresh fruit.

Free Tax Preparation for Low Income Families

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•January 25, 2017•

Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary James Dimas today announced free income tax preparation and electronic filing is available for low income workers and families. The services are provided free of charge at locations across the state to families with incomes up to $55,000 and individuals with annual incomes up to $30,000.

“Many low income families don’t have access to affordable, professional tax preparation,” said Dimas. “Filing tax returns can be complicated, and we want as many Illinois workers as possible to be made aware of this free service.” Read More

Timberwolves Open Little Okaw Tourney with a Win

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Photo by Martin Call
Connor Cloyd goes up for two of his game high 27 points during LOVC tournament play against the ALAH Knights over the weekend.

•January 25, 2017•

by Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team won the Little Okaw Valley Conference NW Tournament opener in Bethany Jan. 25.

The Timberwolves, the No. 3 seed, defeated the Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond boys’ basketball team 56-36 to advance to the second round.

Okaw Valley took a four-point lead into the half, but it was a 17-7 Timberwolves run in the third quarter that proved to be the difference.

Okaw Valley doubled the Knights score 12-6 in the fourth period for the final score.

The Timberwolves out-rebounded ALAH 41-28, including 20 offensive boards.

For the Timberwolves, Connor Cloyd scored a game-high 27 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks.

Austin Hill and Taylor Coleman followed with seven points each, and Hill added two steals and two rebounds.

Jared Bunfill tallied four points, two steals and two assists, and Trey Yarnell and Cole Nichols each contributed three points.
Read More

State Treas. Seeks Banking Directive to Protect Medical Marijuana Patients

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•January 25, 2017•

The availability of medical marijuana in Illinois is in jeopardy depending upon how the President Donald Trump administration approaches the enforcement of marijuana and banking laws, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said.

Current federal law prohibits banks from processing money used in the legal marijuana industry, even state-licensed medical marijuana in Illinois. This makes it difficult for businesses to secure loans and restricts customers to cash-only transactions.

The legal marijuana industry has operated with limited confidence it will not face criminal prosecution after President Barack Obama’s Justice Department stated it would not prioritize the enforcement of federal marijuana laws knowing that many states have legalized some marijuana use. Read More

Final Shot Captures Third for Timberwolves in Arthur

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Photo by Jason Brown
Paige Robinson drives to the basket in the Little Okaw Valley Conference NW Tournament against ALAH Knights.

•January 25, 2017•

 

by Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

Timberwolves junior guard Natalie Jeffers drained a corner 3-pointer with three seconds left in the game to defeat Villa Grove/Heritage 50-49 to capture third place in the Little Okaw Valley NW Conference Tournament in Arthur, Saturday.

The winning shot started with Jeffers taking the ball out of bounds with 9.1 seconds left in the game.

Jeffers passed to junior guard Paige Robinson, who dribbled the ball down court and found Jeffers in the corner with five seconds left.

“Good decision, good feet, good shot,” said Okaw Valley coach Brad Ackers. Read More

Judicial Steering Commission Screens Judge Applicants

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Six Express Interest in the Sixth

•January 25, 2017•

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman has selected the judicial screening committee for the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

The screening committee was formed for the purpose of assessing the qualifications of those persons who have applied for appointment to the Office of Judge of the Circuit Court for the Sixth Judicial Circuit created by the resignation of Chief Judge Daniel Flannell on January 12, 2017.

Under the Illinois Constitution, the vacancy will be filled by Supreme Court appointment. Read More

Sullivan and Moultrie Traced to Deeper Historic Origins

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Name Rooted in 17th Century

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

If you have looked at the city of Sullivan web page you know that Sullivan was named for Sullivan Island and Moultrie County was named for Ft. Moultrie, both in Charleston, S.C.

But the names have a deeper history than you realize.

Fort Moultrie was originally named Fort Sullivan as the first fort built on Sullivan Island. It was an incomplete log fort built of Palmetto wood. When it was attacked by British forces in 1776,  the soft Palmetto wood absorbed the cannonballs, and the British were forced to retreat. Charleston was saved, and the fort was renamed for its commander, Colonel William Moultrie.

After the war, the fort was neglected and by 1791 little remained. A second Fort Moultrie was completed in 1798, but it was also neglected and eventually destroyed by hurricane in 1804. A third and better reinforced fort was built in 1809 and was further modernized in 1885. It was one of 19 forts along the Atlantic coast.  Read More