•September 9, 2015•
Arcola/Arthur-Lovinigton/Atwood-Hammond hosted Oblong and Villa Grove in a triangular at Kaskaskia Country Club last Thursday. Arcola placed first shooting a 161 followed by Oblong with a 196 and Villa Grove with a 219. Clayton Miller was the medalist shooting a two under 33. The runner up was Blake Lindenmeyer, shooting an even par 35. Arcola/ALAH improves their record to 8-1. Read More
•September 9, 2015•
The Lake Land College Community Choir will begin its fall rehearsals Tuesday, Sept. 29. Rehearsals are held 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesday nights in the Lake Land College Theatre.
The choir is a group of approximately 50 mixed voices including students, college employees, and members of the community. All singers age 18 and older are welcome to participate. No audition is required.
Choir members may earn one hour of college credit for singing in the choir. Interested singers may complete a registration form at the first rehearsal or register online. Registration for college credit is not required, however, and participation in the choir is free for those who do not register. Read More
•September 9, 2015•
By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist
The state of Illinois typically lurches from year to year, focusing on its annual budget, never looking to the horizon. At present, operating without a formal budget as Gov. Rauner and Speaker Madigan wage their war of political attrition, the state is operating month to month, even day to day, as the courts step in to tell Comptroller Leslie Munger which bills to pay and when.
Given our grim budgetary situation and sullied state reputation, we almost desperately need to do some long-term thinking about Illinois, or we may crash. We don’t know where we are going.
I still recall from a 1970s book the lament of then North Carolina governor Terry Sanford that there is no one in the governor’s office whose only job is to gaze out the window and brood about the problems of the future.
More recently, former governor Jim Edgar told a group of up-and-coming Illinois leaders that, “Once you come into the governor’s office, there is no time for ‘the vision thing.’”
To put a point on Edgar’s remark, I remember when I was helping with the transition of new governor Jim Thompson into office in 1976, his chief of staff came into my office late one afternoon. He slumped in a chair and sighed that he had 400 telephone message slips(!) on his desk from mostly influential people who wanted something or to tell Thompson how he should run things. Read More
•September 9, 2015•
SAIL, Soyland Access to Independent Living, will host a workshop introducing the 2016 Updates to Medicare Part D 9:30-11 a.m. Monday, September 14 at the Mid-Illinois Senior Center Services, Inc. located at 114 E. Jefferson Street in Sullivan. The presenter is Deb Groendal, Mid-Illinois Senior Services Inc., Senior Health Insurance Program Coordinator. The workshop is free; reservations are not required. For more information call Betty Watkins or Lou Anne Banks at 774-4322.
•September 9, 2015•
An appreciation dinner for all military personnel, veterans and their families is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 at the Sullivan VFW.
This free meal is provided by Randy Binder and Pastor Paul McGhghy and will include pulled pork, beans, chips and beverage.
Everyone is urged to attend this free event to show support for those in the military now and those who have served in the past.
Photo by RR Best
An Indiana couple was on their way home from Lake Shelbyville when the boat they were pulling went out of control; dragging the camper, the truck that was pulling it and the couple into a roadside ditch near the lake bridge on the Findlay Road. According to the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department when Jason Burdge went over the bridge pulling the camper and boat, the truck bounced and the chain reaction led to the boat careening into the ditch while pulling everything else along. No one was injured and damage was limited to the Burdge vehicles. The driver was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident in the Monday afternoon accident.
•September 9, 2015•
Okaw Valley’s Lady Timberwolves took Neoga 2-0 Thursday, Sept. 3.
Brianna Creviston provided a dig; Charli Uhlrich had two kills; Dani Dick supplied a dig; Kailyn Boyer served an ace while giving one assist and a dig. Read More
Moultrie Moment of the Week
Pictured here are second semester students from the Sullivan High School Student Council. This photo was taken in 1927. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.
•September 9, 2015•
With the closing of ShopKo Police Chief John Love explained shopping for children in need who are older than seven is a challenge.
“We try to shop locally, but we don’t have a way to buy clothes and boots for older kids,” Love said, noting that Dollar General in town has been great for children six to seven years old.
”We’re taking Secret Santa back to its roots,” he continued. “We will seek out those in need throughout the year and help the best way we can.”
For the past few years people receiving Secret Santa help around Christmas would start filing into the police department to sign up in September and October. He explained with the way Secret Santa has grown that has to change. Read More
•September 9, 2015•
A wildlife park rejected by Moultrie County in June found new life at the former Rockome Gardens site south of Arcola.
James Aikman’s dream of a drive through wildlife park, a walk through petting zoo and aviary got a second wind with a $506,794 loan from the city of Arcola to help get things rolling.
“The Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development is thrilled to hear that Aikman Wildlife Park will be located within our region and that the Rockome site will be repurposed,” said Stepheny McMahon of the Sullivan Chamber. “We wish the Aikman’s much success.” Read More