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Understanding Illinois: “Rome is Burning”

News Progress Posted on by

•January 18, 2017•

By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

Reader alert/warning—another state budget impasse column!

There are reports that Illinois State Senate leaders from both political parties are close to unveiling a tax increase proposal that would raise about $5 billion a year to address the lack of a balanced state budget.

Unfortunately, this alone will not get the job done. Bitter medicine, probably undrinkable to most, is required to rescue the state.

Our lawmakers have never contemplated actions—all politically painful—of the magnitude the economists suggest will be necessary.

I recently wrote a piece for the Taxpayers’ Federation of Illinois, a business group, in which I review a paper by state budget experts David Merriman and Dick Dye.

The two economists say the state has a $13 billion gap between $73 billion in annual expenditures and $60 billion in revenue. Read More

T-Wolves Face Knights At LOVC Tournament

News Progress Posted on by

•January 18, 2017•

Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team is scheduled to play Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond in the first round of the Little Okaw Valley Tournament at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

The Timberwolves are ranked No. 3.

Certification Class For Foodservice Managers

News Progress Posted on by

•January 18, 2017•

There will be a foodservice sanitation manager’s certification course offered on February 20 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at ILEAS Training Center, (former Champaign Co Nursing Home), 1701 E Main St in Urbana. with an exam immediately following. There is a cost for certification and recertification class including course materials and ServSafe exam. The class is also available online. A new two-hour food handler class is offered at svilleco.com.

To register, contact Sue Summerville, 217-684-2435.

Lady T-Wolves Extend Winning Streak

News Progress Posted on by

•January 18, 2017•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team toppled two Little Okaw Valley Conference teams last week to extend its winning streak to six games.

The Timberwolves defeated Argenta-Oreana and Cerro-Gordo/Bement last week and hope to take that momentum into the LOVC Tournament semifinals today.

Last Tuesday against Argenta-Oreana, the Timberwolves jumped out to a 21-6 first quarter lead, and the T-wolves defense did not allow Argenta-Oreana to score more than eight points in any quarter. Read More

OVHS Player Signs with Lake Land

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
OVHS Player Signs with Lake Land
Okaw Valley High School volleyball team leader Kristy Burford signed a letter of intent to play volleyball with the Lake Land Lakers next season. The high school gathered in the OVHS gymnasium January 12 in support of Burford’s future choice. Pictured seated from left: father Paul Burford, Kristy, mother Elizabeth; Timberwolves’ head coach Jay Potter and Lake Land Lakers head coach Ashli Robison. Robison, a former Laker, noted Lake Land is fortunate to find such a good utility player locally and looks forward to OVHS fans watching Kristy in action with the Lakers.

What Keeps Readers Reading After They Move Away?

News Progress Posted on by

•January 18, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

There is something almost ethereal about Thursday mornings when I bring in the paper, grab my pot full of tea, snuggle into the couch and settle down for a good read.

At my age, it is news of a deceased classmate or friend, an 80th birthday party, what poor soul got caught speeding on Route 121, and good stories that either bring tears or make the heart go pitty-pat.

What interests former residents who live thousands of miles away and keeps them subscribing year after year? I caught up with two sisters who grew up in Bethany and have subscribed to the News Progress for many years.

Audrey Oathout Gasdorf was a classmate who went to college, married and for many years has lived in Michigan.  Read More

Menus 1-18-2017

News Progress Posted on by

Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Monday, Jan. 23 - Ham & beans, copper carrots, cornbread, pears,
Tuesday, Jan. 24 - Meatloaf, frosted sweet potatoes, seasoned green, whole grain wheat, applesauce.
Wednesday, Jan. 25 - Taco salad w/beans, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream and taco sauce, taco chips, cake.
Thursday, Jan. 26  - Roast beef, mashed potatoes w/gravy, tomatoes & celery, Texas toast, overnight fruit salad.
Friday, Jan. 27 - Cheesy turkey burger, German potato salad, cauliflower &  pea salad, Texas toast, scalloped pineapple.

Sullivan Pre-School Breakfast
Monday, Jan. 23 - Granola bars, peach juice, milk.
Tuesday, Jan. 24 - Waffles, peach juice, milk.
Wednesday, Jan. 25 - Coffee cake, peach juice, milk.
Thursday, Jan. 26  - Biscuits & gravy, peach juice, milk.
Friday, Jan. 27 - Pop tarts, peach juice, milk.

Sullivan Pre-School Lunch
Monday, Jan. 23 - Hot dog on bun, tater tots, Mandarin oranges, milk.
Tuesday, Jan. 24 - Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, peaches, dinner roll,  milk.
Wednesday, Jan. 25 - Popcorn chicken, corn, pineapple, bread & butter, milk.
Thursday, Jan. 26  - Sloppy Joe on bun, green beans, pears, milk.
Friday, Jan. 27 - Fish sticks, mixed vegetables, mixed fruit, bread & butter, milk.

ALAH Girls Handle Arcola

News Progress Posted on by

•January 18, 2017•

The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond girls’ basketball team took care of Arcola 50-32 in a Little Okaw Valley Conference game Friday night.

Megan Fifer lead the Knights with 15 points and had three rebounds, and Liz Shipman followed with 12 points and six rebounds. Read More

Enhanced 911 Ready for Test

News Progress Posted on by

•January 18, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Coles-Moultrie 911 coordinator Bernie Buttram reported at the January 4 Moultrie County Public Health and Safety Committee meeting that a few landline connections are holding up the initial test for the new Emergency 911 system.

Designed to pinpoint emergency call locations for all Coles and Moultrie counties, Buttram explained the enhanced system was prepared for testing February 1, 2017.

He explained INdigital Telecom, which coordinates E911 in Indiana, is coordinating the effort for Coles and Moultrie to get emergency 911 in operation. Some delay occurred when Consolidated Communications, the original coordinator for landline service, backed off the project. INdigital took over with  the initial test moved from December 2016 to February 2017.

Moultrie County board member Kevin McReynolds and Sullivan firefighter Larry Edwards, who have been involved in the 911 program since it began, are the Moultrie County representatives on the nine person bi-county board. Read More

Remember When? 1-18-2017

News Progress Posted on by

25 Years Ago This Week

The Tower Hill Tigers took the tip from Bethany, but that was the only time they had the advantage over the Mustangs as the Bethany cagers won the uneven contest modestly with a score of 68-46. Bethany junior Phillip Dickens took the tip away from the Tigers for the first two points, and Mustang senior Chris Smith stole the ball again to answer with his own top points. Ben Osman added all eight of his points in the first period, and Dave Snyder put in six of his 16 for the evening in the first period. The second period resulted in fairly even scoring for the Mustangs as Ryan Martin and Steve VanLoon added their evenings points before going to the bench in favor of the substitutes. “I was pleased to get to play all of the players on the team,” said Mustang coach Brent Phillips.

Former Lovington prep volleyball standout Jennifer Cochran recently completed her first season as a member of the College of St. Francis Fighting Saints. A junior-transfer student from Parkland College, Cochran saw considerable playing time as an outside hitter and back row player. She was fifth on the team in digs per game with a 2.15 average and also scored 52 service aces and second best on the team with a serving percentage of 88.5 percent.  Read More