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The Calm Before the Storm

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Photo by RR Best The Calm Before the Storm Hundreds of kids and adults stand behind caution tape Sunday afternoon at Wyman Park just moments before being let loose to raid hundreds of Easter eggs of their goodies. The Easter egg hunt was sponsored by the Sullivan Fire District, which also gave the following children baskets after drawing their names: Charlie Conlin, Emma Clevenger, Aidan Coil, Elona Halili, Teagan Born, McKinlee Nunamaker, Lane Nowlin, Josie Herschberger, Trey Grimm, Autumn Shinn, Wyatt Miller, and Maelyn Gaithes. In addition, the following children were drawn to receive a bike: Jesse Russell, Addison Cole, Bryson Beckwith, Sophia Thomas, Nikolas Rubush, Tessla Ashbrooke, Jacob Collins, Kailen Scribner, Rhyland Brady, Kenadi Wyrozumski, Ethan Brinkman, and Kinley Hill.

Photo by RR Best
The Calm Before the Storm
Hundreds of kids and adults stand behind caution tape Sunday afternoon at Wyman Park just moments before being let loose to raid hundreds of Easter eggs of their goodies. The Easter egg hunt was sponsored by the Sullivan Fire District, which also gave the following children baskets after drawing their names: Charlie Conlin, Emma Clevenger, Aidan Coil, Elona Halili, Teagan Born, McKinlee Nunamaker, Lane Nowlin, Josie Herschberger, Trey Grimm, Autumn Shinn, Wyatt Miller, and Maelyn Gaithes. In addition, the following children were drawn to receive a bike: Jesse Russell, Addison Cole, Bryson Beckwith, Sophia Thomas, Nikolas Rubush, Tessla Ashbrooke, Jacob Collins, Kailen Scribner, Rhyland Brady, Kenadi Wyrozumski, Ethan Brinkman, and Kinley Hill.

2015 Miss Lovington Pageant

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Photo by Kent Stock 2015 Miss Lovington Pageant The 2015 queens that were crowned March 28 were Jr. Miss Lovington Kenli Nettles (left), daughter of Ryan Nettles and Christi Yielding and 2015 Little Miss Lovington Morgan Casteel (right), daughter of Brock and Erica Casteel. Outgoing queens (back row) are 2014 Jr Miss Lovington, Natalie Lambdin (left) and 2014 Little Miss Lovington, Halle Wardrip (right).

Photo by Kent Stock
2015 Miss Lovington Pageant
The 2015 queens that were crowned March 28 were Jr. Miss Lovington Kenli Nettles (left), daughter of Ryan Nettles and Christi Yielding and 2015 Little Miss Lovington Morgan Casteel (right), daughter of Brock and Erica Casteel. Outgoing queens (back row) are 2014 Jr Miss Lovington, Natalie Lambdin (left) and 2014 Little Miss Lovington, Halle Wardrip (right).

Knights Baseball Drops Two in Doubleheader

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April 8, 2015

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond baseball lost back-to-back games Saturday, the first 6-3 followed by a 9-4 loss to the undefeated Indians from Neoga.
Avery Schrock pitched the opener for the Knights, hurling five innings of two-run ball until a blown fair foul call cost the pitcher two runs and possibly the win.
Chris Davis started the second game for the Knights and showed he can be unhittable at times with his curve but also struggled with control issues. Regardless of the outcomes in both contests, one thing is for sure, the Knights’ bats are heating up. And head coach Craig Moffett was upbeat about how his players approached their at bats and the higher contact rate in both games.
“We are getting our timing down, and I think we are going to keep getting better as the year goes on.” Although the wins were not there this weekend, the effort from the Knights’ players was everything the coach wanted. Read More

2015 SHS Girls’ Basketball Banquet

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Submitted by Emily Neuhauser SHS Girls’ Basketball Banquet The SHS girls’ basketball banquet was held March 10 at the VFW. Pictured, left to right: Chloe Riley (most improved award) Emily Neuhauser (most outstanding player award and offensive award) Brittin Boyer (rebound award and Lady Redskin award) Elisss Stewart (hustle and heart award) and Alyssa Marshall (defense award). Boyer also previously received First Team All-State honors from the Associated Press and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, while also being unanimously named to the all-Central Illinois Conference first team. Neuhauser received Third Team All-State from the IBCA and Honorable Mention from the AP as well as unanimous all CIC first team. Stewart earned second team all CIC honors.

Submitted by Emily Neuhauser
SHS Girls’ Basketball Banquet
The SHS girls’ basketball banquet was held March 10 at the VFW. Pictured, left to right: Chloe Riley (most improved award) Emily Neuhauser (most outstanding player award and offensive award) Brittin Boyer (rebound award and Lady Redskin award) Elisss Stewart (hustle and heart award) and Alyssa Marshall (defense award). Boyer also previously received First Team All-State honors from the Associated Press and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, while also being unanimously named to the all-Central Illinois Conference first team. Neuhauser received Third Team All-State from the IBCA and Honorable Mention from the AP as well as unanimous all CIC first team. Stewart earned second team all CIC honors.

12th Annual Busterball Tourney

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Photo by RR Best 12th Annual Busterball Tourney Fourth grader Wyatt Miller ducks while clutching two balls during the Sullivan Blue Dolphins 12th annual busterball tournament, Saturday March 28 at Sullivan High School. There, 56 teams played with more than 400 participants from ages kindergarten to adult. Teams came from Okaw Valley, Shelbyville, Lovington, and Sullivan. Trophies were given to first place team winners, medals to the second place team winners and a free snow cone was the prize for the team members that exhibited the best sportsmanship for each grade level. A lot of new activities were also available during the event as well, including games, face painting, and a raffle table with a wide variety of prizes.  A full list of winners is posted at http://sbdbusterball.weebly.com/.

Photo by RR Best
12th Annual Busterball Tourney
Fourth grader Wyatt Miller ducks while clutching two balls during the Sullivan Blue Dolphins 12th annual busterball tournament, Saturday March 28 at Sullivan High School. There, 56 teams played with more than 400 participants from ages kindergarten to adult. Teams came from Okaw Valley, Shelbyville, Lovington, and Sullivan. Trophies were given to first place team winners, medals to the second place team winners and a free snow cone was the prize for the team members that exhibited the best sportsmanship for each grade level. A lot of new activities were also available during the event as well, including games, face painting, and a raffle table with a wide variety of prizes.  A full list of winners is posted at http://sbdbusterball.weebly.com/.

2015 Sparrow’s Easter Bike Giveaway

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Submitted Sparrow’s Easter Bike Giveaway Sparrow’s Unlimited Inc. once again gave away bikes to children during the Lovington Easter egg hunt Saturday morning at Tom Conn Park. Those who received bikes were Griffin Hilton, Kamayah Parker, Cannon Doggett, Norma Mendoza, Daylin Doggett, Athena Helmuth, Devon Barron, Rylin Young, Robbie Le Cates, and McKenzie Erixon.

Submitted
Sparrow’s Easter Bike Giveaway
Sparrow’s Unlimited Inc. once again gave away bikes to children during the Lovington Easter egg hunt Saturday morning at Tom Conn Park. Those who received bikes were Griffin Hilton, Kamayah Parker, Cannon Doggett, Norma Mendoza, Daylin Doggett, Athena Helmuth, Devon Barron, Rylin Young, Robbie Le Cates, and McKenzie Erixon.

Lady Red Post Strong Performances at Top Times Meet

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April 8, 2015

Competing in the Illinois Top Times meet in Bloomington March 27, the SOV girls’ track team had several strong finishes.
Amanda McClain tied the meet record and set a new school record in the long jump with her first place jump of 18 feet, 4 3/4 inches. McClain didn’t stop there as she went on to win the 400m dash in a time of 57.52 seconds. She then made it three top medals with a win in the 200m dash (26.26). Just two Read More

Lady Knights get Signature 7-3 Win in Extras

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Photo by Keith Stewart When Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond’s second baseman Brooke Tabb wasn’t making back-to-back ending inning double plays, she was stepping to the plate to crush an in-the-park grand slam to win the game in extra innings last Thursday.

Photo by Keith Stewart
When Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond’s second baseman Brooke Tabb wasn’t making back-to-back ending inning double plays, she was stepping to the plate to crush an in-the-park grand slam to win the game in extra innings last Thursday.

Brooke Tabb’s inside-the-park grand slam earns ALAH win

April 8, 2015

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond softball was down to their last out versus Oakwood trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh last Thursday. In their first year under head coach Jerry Lane the young Knights quad showed off some moxy and wisdom beyond their years. Seeing Oakwood’s pitcher tiring, the Lady Knights started to work the count, crowd the pate—anything to see more pitches.
“We could tell that she was getting tired, and we were trying to do some things to get runners on and rattle her,” said Lane. “That was our main thing; we had to get runners on.”
The bottom of the seventh inning started with a leadoff walk and a fielder’s choice advancing the runner to third. With one out, a ground ball back to the pitcher sent the runner home, but she was cutdown at the plate maintaining Oakwood’s one run advantage. Heads up base running kept the Knights’ hopes alive by advancing to second on the throw, keeping the tying run in scoring position. Enter stage right Madison Brown who came up with a clutch RBI single to center tying the game and ultimately forcing extra innings. Read More

SOV Girls Take First, Boys Finish Second at First Outdoor Meet

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April 8, 2015

Hosting what was their first outdoor meet of the year, the Sullivan/Okaw Valley track team boasted a first place finish for its girls while the boys took second.
The Lady Red finished with 84 team points, ahead of both Tuscola (52) and Cerro Gordo-Bement (34). SOV took first in 12 events, including Amanda McClain’s top finishes in the long jump (17 feet, 6 inches) and 400m dash (59.32 seconds). Also nabbing two top individual medals was Emily Neuhauser in both the 100m dash (12.50) and 200m dash (26.03). Along with McClain, they joined Ashlynd Risley and Read More

2015 SCEF Awards

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Photos by RR Best SCEF Awards The Sullivan Community Education Foundation held its annual District Staff Appreciation Dinner funded by the SCEDF on March 19 where $26,897 in grants were awarded to the Sullivan community and school district. Pictured, above, (from left to right) are the major grant award winners which included the Moultrie County Counseling Center represented by David Cole and Katrina Shain ($1,250 for basic self-defense and personal safety classes); SHS science teacher John Bertetto ($2,000 for human anatomical models) and the SES second grade teachers represented by Leslie Auten, Melissa Haegen, Ashley Christensen, and Danielle Braiding ($14,969 for 30 iPad air tablets with cases and charging cabinets). Pictured, below, are the minor grant award winners, which included student Wesley Standerfer and SES teacher Lynette Rotramel ($650 for a Nikon camera, tripod, and replacement insurance for school newspaper); Elizabeth Titus Library represented by Michelle Nolan ($500 Summer Reading Program); SMS teacher Marissa Wright ($900 for Canon T3i for SMS yearbook); SES social worker Poppy Graham ($800 for iPad and apps); SES second grade teachers represented by Haegen, Braiding, Christenson and Auten ($990 for Lexia Core 5 software for second graders); the Moultrie County Beacon represented by Kari Ruppert ($998 for two Wi-Fi iPad tablets); SHS athletic department represented by Chester Reeder ($501.38 for upgrade of SHS weight room); SES speech and language teachers represented by Jessica Reeder and Ann Osthoff ($930 for two iPad Air Tablets); Central Illinois Public Transit represented by Jennifer Moore ($960 for one day bus trips for senior citizens); SES special education teacher Christine Grohler ($950 for Hand in Hand Kids Summer Autism Camp); and the Sullivan preschool represented by Tonya Rose ($500 for two iPad minis). The Sullivan Community Education Foundation was formed in 1995. The mission statement of the Foundation is “to promote lifelong learning opportunities in its community and schools”.  The board is comprised of community and school district men and women who oversee the awarding of major and mini grants each year.  Since the formation, the SCEF has awarded more than $450,000 in grants.  This money is not tax money but funds obtained by donations and fund-raising.

Photos by RR Best
SCEF Awards
The Sullivan Community Education Foundation held its annual District Staff Appreciation Dinner funded by the SCEDF on March 19 where $26,897 in grants were awarded to the Sullivan community and school district. Pictured, above, (from left to right) are the major grant award winners which included the Moultrie County Counseling Center represented by David Cole and Katrina Shain ($1,250 for basic self-defense and personal safety classes); SHS science teacher John Bertetto ($2,000 for human anatomical models) and the SES second grade teachers represented by Leslie Auten, Melissa Haegen, Ashley Christensen, and Danielle Braiding ($14,969 for 30 iPad air tablets with cases and charging cabinets). Pictured, below, are the minor grant award winners, which included student Wesley Standerfer and SES teacher Lynette Rotramel ($650 for a Nikon camera, tripod, and replacement insurance for school newspaper); Elizabeth Titus Library represented by Michelle Nolan ($500 Summer Reading Program); SMS teacher Marissa Wright ($900 for Canon T3i for SMS yearbook); SES social worker Poppy Graham ($800 for iPad and apps); SES second grade teachers represented by Haegen, Braiding, Christenson and Auten ($990 for Lexia Core 5 software for second graders); the Moultrie County Beacon represented by Kari Ruppert ($998 for two Wi-Fi iPad tablets); SHS athletic department represented by Chester Reeder ($501.38 for upgrade of SHS weight room); SES speech and language teachers represented by Jessica Reeder and Ann Osthoff ($930 for two iPad Air Tablets); Central Illinois Public Transit represented by Jennifer Moore ($960 for one day bus trips for senior citizens); SES special education teacher Christine Grohler ($950 for Hand in Hand Kids Summer Autism Camp); and the Sullivan preschool represented by Tonya Rose ($500 for two iPad minis). The Sullivan Community Education Foundation was formed in 1995. The mission statement of the Foundation is “to promote lifelong learning opportunities in its community and schools”.  The board is comprised of community and school district men and women who oversee the awarding of major and mini grants each year.  Since the formation, the SCEF has awarded more than $450,000 in grants.  This money is not tax money but funds obtained by donations and fund-raising.

Mini Grant SCEF