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Called to Reading, One Word at a Time

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Photo by Florence Hallford Pictured, left to right, are Lovington Grade School librarian Karen Smith-Cox, Joshua Zander holding his prize, fifth grade first-runner up Alyssa Thompson, and fourth grade, third place Emma Edwards.

Photo by Florence Hallford
Pictured, left to right, are Lovington Grade School librarian Karen Smith-Cox, Joshua Zander holding his prize, fifth grade first-runner up Alyssa Thompson, and fourth grade, third place Emma Edwards.

School reads more than 67 million words during contest

June 3, 2015

by Florence Hallford
& Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

As Amazon’s great text stats have calculated, the average length of a book is around 64,000 words. But for Lovington seventh grader Joshua Zander, that’s hardly a big deal.
And he would know.
Zander recently won a reading contest at the grade school after totaling 5,148,507 words read throughout the school year.
That came to 75 books, but even that was an easy feat after learning what the prize was.
“Once Josh found out the “Call of Duty” was involved, it was easy for him to take the tests in AR to document his accomplishments,” said Karen Smith-Cox, the grade school’s librarian for the past 12 years. “I noticed Josh was a reader last year when discussing books with him. I was impressed with his reading level and types of books. I would order through Illinois Heartland Library System books we did not have in our library for him. He also goes to the public library a lot to order even more books.”
Word count was verified through a test system called AR (accelerated reading). The student would enter the book he or she read and the AR system would test them on the book to assure they read it. Read More

Inaugural Runners on a Mission 5K Winners Announced

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June 3, 2015

The Smyser Christian Church women’s ministry hosted their inaugural “Runners on a Mission 5K” with this year’s mission and focus being the Sullivan and Windsor backpack programs, which both received $400. The top four runners from the 5k were Cheryl Jestis, 27:59 (female master’s winner); Steve Lawhorn, 27:42 (men’s master winner); Lacey Lawhorn, 27:42 (female overall winner); and Raymond Miller, 20:04 (male overall winner).

Spencer Family Recognized by C.E.F.S.

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Submitted C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation recognized the Serena Spencer family of Sullivan with the 2015 Family of Distinction Award. Pictured (Left to Right) Serena Spencer receives plaque and certificate from C.E.F.S. Board Chairperson Jean Finley.

Submitted
C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation recognized the Serena Spencer family of Sullivan with the 2015 Family of Distinction Award. Pictured (Left to Right) Serena Spencer receives plaque and certificate from C.E.F.S. Board Chairperson Jean Finley.

June 3, 2015

As part of National Community Action Month, C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation recently honored a local family for their personal achievements demonstrating the fact that community action helps people and changes lives. The Serena Spencer family of Sullivan was recognized at the May C.E.F.S. Board of Directors meeting as the 2015 Family of Distinction for exemplifying the spirit of hope and success that C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation offers to all families in its mission to provide opportunities for people through education and support to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.
The Spencer family was nominated for the award by the C.E.F.S. Moultrie County Outreach Office staff for the significant strides the family made in their pursuit of self-sufficiency since first seeking help from the agency. The family was also recognized and honored along with other families from across the state on May 3 by the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies in Springfield as one of the outstanding Illinois families for their personal achievements to improve their lives. Read More

Yeakley Makes it to Finals in Two Events Saturday

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Photo by Keith Stewart Colton Yeakley prepares to release during Saturday’s shot put finals at O’Brien Stadium in Charleston. The junior qualified in both the shot and discus finals, ultimately finishing 11th and 12th respectively.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Colton Yeakley prepares to release during Saturday’s shot put finals at O’Brien Stadium in Charleston. The junior qualified in both the shot and discus finals, ultimately finishing 11th and 12th respectively.

Finishes 11th, 12th in shot put and discus

June 3, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond high school’s boys’ track and field team sent three athletes to the IHSA state track meet this past week, with two individuals participating in Saturday’s finals.
Leading the pack was junior Colton Yeakley who made his second consecutive trip to state following last year’s seventh place medal in the discus. But despite coming into the meet tied for second after his sectional throw of 165 feet, 10 inches, the ALAH junior just barely qualified out of the preliminary on Thursday, throwing just 146-3.
Things didn’t overly improve for him on Saturday as he finished in 12th with a throw of 147-1.
The silver lining was that Yeakley did break through in the shot put, qualifying for both the prelims and finals. He would eventually finish 11th on Saturday with a throw of 50-3. Read More

Aikman Files Permit Application for Zoo

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Public hearing Friday at 9 a.m.

•June 3, 2015•

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Following the county board amending the zoning ordinance to allow for special use permits for zoos this past April, one such application has been filed.
Aikman Wildlife, LLC. filed their application May 15 requesting a special use permit for a zoo for a tract of property located one mile west of The Great Pumpkin Patch, southwest of Arthur.
The driving force behind the project, James Aikman of Arthur, has proposed a park that would initially span 45 acres and include both a drive-through area where patrons may feed animals and a walk-through that would be similar to a zoo but with much larger habitats. There would also be a 7,000 squared foot walk-through aviary featuring different species of birds that patrons could feed. Read More

2015 Mo-Do Legion Baseball Set-up for Power Pitching

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Still, Hrvol part of five-man pitching rotation

June 3, 2015

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

This year’s Moultrie Douglas Legion baseball team has a set of arms any coach would envy. The squad will feature five starting pitchers all throwing more than 80 miles per hour including two local products in Devon Still and Zach Hrvol. Altogether Moultrie County has four possible starters on this year’s senior ball team with the other two being Sullivan’s Dylan Hart and Alec Ballinger. The junior team also has a local flavor featuring three Sullivan products in Brett Tuttle, Zach Sowers and Tommy Schiber.
Duff Hoel who will be the head coach for the junior ball team and an assistant on the senior team has big hopes for this year’s crop of players.
“It is very competitive every year,” he said. “This year with our five arms we will be competitive. Devon Still will be our number one lefty, but we have five top of the rotation pitchers. Zach Hrvol is eligible to pitch junior, but we are going to pitch him in senior so he can face some better competition.” Read More

Sullivan City-wide Clean-up June 20, Recycled Tech July 18

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June 3, 2015

The Sullivan city-wide clean up day has been scheduled for June 20, and the city is asking that residents do not put out items such as tires, car parts, liquids such as paint thinners, oils or fuels. Other prohibited items include concrete, bricks, dirt, burnt materials and fluorescent light bulbs as well as any electronics. A full list may be viewed on the city of Sullivan’s website (http://www.sullivanil.us/), and an ad will be placed in the newspaper.
To dispose of appliances, a sticker must be purchased at the city building. Call 728-4383 for details. Items should be placed on the curb by 7 a.m. June 20
Almost a month after the city clean-up, electronics will be accepted and recycled. Residents may bring their electronic items such as computer monitors, desktops, laptops, televisions, CDR’s, video equipment, paper shredders, cameras and MP3s to the Wyman Park parking lot just south of the lake on Saturday, July 18. Drop off will be scheduled from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. According to Commissioner Mike Kirk , the city set a record last year by collecting six tons of recyclable technology. To see a full list of acceptable electronic items, citizens may view the list on the city of Sullivan’s website.

Farmers’ Markets Arrive in June

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KimForColumnJune 3, 2015

by Kim Riedel
N•P Columnist

June is going to be great! I am thinking about going back out to some of the farmers markets as I did a handful of years ago when I had my worm farm, though this year I will be taking my plants that I have grown and some of my produce. Well, maybe I’ll even take some of my red worms as long as the days don’t get scorchingly hot enough to bake the worms like what happened last time.
Farmers markets are good for a community and a great place to incubate small businesses for producers. Besides the classes and workshops that I helped with through the MG program, the farmers markets were a great way to get the word out that I offered worm castings and live worms for fishing or for adding to the garden. Each market is unique…some are large, structured and more competitive, and some are more laid back. They are a good place for the smaller grower (anyone with a few acres and the ability to grow good crops) where there is minimal start up costs, little or no packaging, advertising or promotion costs, and immediate and direct feedback about price, quality, variety, preferences and ideas. Farmers may talk about their product and meet those who use their product, and the consumers may find out how the produce is grown–a win-win situation. Read More

Timberwolves Bag Sectional Championship

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School history-making continues

June 3, 2015

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

Okaw Valley baseball is in elite territory after defeating Blue Ridge 5-2 Monday, advancing to the team’s first ever super sectional. Peyton Hagerman took a no hitter into the fourth inning and struck out 10 batters in the victory.
Hagerman had what you would call an effectively wild day. The senior right hander did his best bulldog impression on the mound, working quickly and keeping the Knights’ hitters uncomfortable at the plate. Okaw Valley head coach Andrew Hagerman said it was a gutsy performance.
“Peyton pitched that game with his heart, not his arm. He threw a lot of gutty pitches in that game. It shows the heart of a champion to execute the way he did even though he hit half the town over there.”
Hagerman allowed a leadoff walk before hitting the opposing pitcher, setting up a two-on, no-out jam in the first inning. Hagerman got out of the threat thanks to a blown attempted squeeze by the Knights’ clean-up hitter. In the bottom half of the inning Hagerman led off the game for the Timberwolves by doubling to the wall in right field. The drive brought the crowd and his teammates to life giving the Timberwolves early confidence. Taylor Coleman followed with a walk, and Garrett Fritz smashed a single up the middle to load the bases for Devon Still. This time it was Okaw Valley’s turn to attempt the squeeze, and they did so to perfection as Still angled the ball to the third base line. Hagerman scored before the ball was fielded, and the ensuing throw to first got away, allowing Coleman to score–hustling all the way from second–spotting the Timberwolves a 2-0 lead and stunning the Knights.

Photo provided by Jennifer Fruchtl Make no mistakes about it, that isn’t a regional title, but instead the first ever sectional title for the Okaw Valley baseball team following their 5-2 win over Blue Ridge Monday in LeRoy.

Photo provided by Jennifer Fruchtl
Make no mistakes about it, that isn’t a regional title, but instead the first ever sectional title for the Okaw Valley baseball team following their 5-2 win over Blue Ridge Monday in LeRoy.

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OV Baseball Makes History with Trip to Sectional Championship

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Photo by Keith Stewart Okaw Valley pitcher Peyton Hagerman thrusts his fist into the air after tallying the game-winning strikeout of Wednesday's sectional semi-final against Oakwood.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Okaw Valley pitcher Peyton Hagerman thrusts his fist into the air after tallying the game-winning strikeout of Wednesday's sectional semi-final against Oakwood.

Staple T-Wolf defense and pitching keep hold of 1-0 win

May 27, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

In football, senior Joe Jeffers was known as “Jumping Joe” for his often aerial grabs as a tight-end. In baseball, he might as well be called “Jackrabbit Joe,” especially after his helmet flew off as he careened past second base Wednesday following his shot to deep right field for a triple. The next at-bat, Peyton Hagerman, sent Jeffers home on an RBI groundout, which would be the one and only run of the game as Okaw Valley defeated Oakwood 1-0 to advance to Saturday’s sectional championship.

“Joe’s triple was the offensive story of the game,” said Okaw Valley head coach Andrew Hagerman. “Devon (Still) was outstanding all day long. Peyton (Hagerman) had an outstanding game. You’re talking about a lot of seniors coming through today.”

Still took the mound for OV to start and would go 5 and 1/3 innings, throwing 85 pitches, which included eight strikeouts, one walk, one hit-by-pitch, and just four hits. Hagerman came in with a high-pressure situation at hand as Oakwood had bases loaded with just one out. The senior would strikeout the next batter in what may have been the second-most pivotal play of the game. The third out then came from the big glove of left-fielder Cody Drake, who had to track the fly ball in the wind. Read More