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Seeley signs on to continue volleyball career with Lakers

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Seeley signs on to continue volleyball career with Lakers
Middle hitter Tessa Seeley signed last week to attend and play volleyball at Lake Land College next year. Seeley joined the varsity squad full time her sophomore year. Over those three years she accumulated over 350 kills. She also racked up close to a hundred blocks.
The Lakers are returning all but four players from last year. The team was 13-18 overall and 6-10 in their conference. Head coach Lainey Jackson looks to have a competitive team with the experience of returning players and the addition of key recruits.

Historical Society to present “My Memories of Growing Up in Bruce, Illinois”

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•May 8, 2024•

The Thursday, May 16th meeting of the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society will present “My Memories of Growing Up in Bruce, Illinois” by former Bruce resident, Jimmy Stevens. He has many good stories he wishes to share, and hopes other Bruce natives will join him and participate in this special program. 

The topic continues the series of entertaining programs about the small, but special country towns in Moultrie County. Previous programs about Lovington, Bethany, Arthur, and Allenville have been very well received.  

The public is invited to attend this meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 16 at the History Center at 1303 S. Hamilton in Sullivan.  

OV Senior honored 2024

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Senior honored
Okaw Valley High School celebrated senior track night on April 30. Garrett Ferguson was the only senior track member. Garrett is pictured here with his parents Mick and Julie Ferguson.

OV Baseball Seniors recognized 2024

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Seniors recognized
Okaw Valley High School Baseball held Senior Night last week to recognize seven seniors. Pictured are Ryan Forlines, Exchange Student Christian Reddavide, Aiden Williams, Dylan Miller, Gabe Benning, Gibson Dickens and Kaleb Burns.

Sullivan softball split a pair; Webb perfect against Hawks

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•May 8, 2024•

by E. Scott England 

Sullivan softball had a light week last week with just two games. They started on the road against Monticello before hosting Heritage on Thursday. 

Fall to Sages on the Road

The bats were alive for Sullivan against Monticello. They just couldn’t get the runners around the bases. Tabitha Webb and Taylar Mercer led the team in hitting with each going two for three. Nevaeh Dovell and Kylee Freese each added another hit. Webb would also score the team’s only run. Read More

Sullivan boys track easily capture Conference Championship

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•May 8, 2024•

by E. Scott England 

Sullivan boys track were heavily favored to win the Lincoln Prairie Conference track meet, and at the end of the night last Friday, it was easy to see why the odds were in their favor. They finished with 170 points. The second place finisher, Villa Grove, had just 76 points.

On top of many personal records set throughout the night, several conference records were broken as well. Mason Booker, who has been dominant all year in the 110m hurdles, did what he has done all year which is leave all the competitors behind him. His 16.90 is not his fastest this year, but it was enough to become the new LPC record. Brett Bushue also set the LPC record in pole vault with 3.80m.  Read More

The value of temporary food permits

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How does this permit process benefit Moultrie County residents, local events, organizations, and vendors?

•May 8, 2024•

by Angela Hogan

How do temporary food permits benefit Moultrie County residents?

Completing a Temporary Food Permit (TFP) might seem like a tedious procedure, but it serves an essential purpose. The TFP application process allows public health officials to ensure everyone’s best interests and safety are protected. Let’s consider how the TFP application process benefits everyone who organizes, serves, and participates in Moultrie County food events.

The TFP process assists the Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) in protecting the public’s health by ensuring that all food vendors in Moultrie County can: Read More

Arthur’s Strawberry Jam Festival/Social

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•May 8, 2024•

Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate with local festivals. For the first time in several years, the Strawberry Jam Festival in Arthur will be held Friday & Saturday, May 17 & 18, two weeks earlier than normal. You have to have strawberries to have a great festival and the strawberries should be ready by then.

While the festival will be early, the committee is ready to roll out the “strawberry” red carpet to welcome festival goers to a weekend of fun and sweet eating. What better way to celebrate late spring and early summer than with America’s favorite fruit. Adding excitement to the occasion with be pony rides (Saturday only), a variety of vendors and great food mixed together to create Arthur Amish Country’s Strawberry Jam Festival. Stores will have a wide variety of merchandise you won’t want to miss, along with crafts and of course food. You won’t go away empty handed or hungry. Read More

Grammar Moses: So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night

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•May 8, 2024•

Stick a fork in me, dear readers. I’m done.

Parting is such sweet sorrow, but after a decade of writing this column and four times as long (not four times longer) employed by this newspaper company, I have decided to hand in my press pass, hang up my spurs and, well, retire.

This is my final column.

Retirement is bittersweet for me. I will miss the amazing people I work with, and I’ll also miss all of you who faithfully read these weekly scribblings.

I’ve decided that once I hand the keys to the newsroom to my capable successor, I will focus on a different kind of writing ― namely fiction ― something that doesn’t mix well with newspapers. After a few aborted attempts at writing the Great American Novel over the past 20 years, I’m itchin’ to find out whether I finally can complete one. Read More