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Sparrows receives grant

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Sparrows receives grant
Sparrows Unlimited Inc. was one of the recipients of an Orange Krush Foundation Grant this year. Orange Krush is a branch of the registered student organization (RSO), Illini Pride, at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. In its current form, the Organization has two faces. First, the Orange Krush is the student cheering section for the University of Illinois men’s basketball team. Second, the Orange Krush exists as a charitable organization known as the Orange Krush Foundation. Kelly Creek and Pam Anklam attended their awards ceremony on April 23 representing Sparrows.

Benefit held

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Benefit held
A pancake and sausage benefit was held Saturday at the Lovington Firehouse to help a fellow resident acquire some specialized equipment. Jason Brown has been quadriplegic for over 20 years and needs this equipment to help him move more freely around his house. Pictured is Jason, center, speaking with a couple of the supporters.

Under The Sea 1

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Photo courtesy of Grant Wade Photography
Under The Sea
Sullivan High School hosted their 2024 Prom at Building 1225 on Saturday, April 27th with the theme, Under the Sea. The Prom Court was: Davis Diepholz, Marissa Fleshner, Kaden Guest, Taylor Lingafelter, Owen Hussong, Triniti Preyer, Raymond Yang, and Emily Ray.

Retirement celebration

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Retirement celebration
Well-wishers gathered at the Church of God Community Building Saturday to celebrate Pastor Rodney and is wife, Charlene, Houser on retirement. Pastor Houser and his wife have dedicated 35 years to the Lovington Church of God and community. Pictured is Pastor Houser speaking with a couple of the attendees.

Tick Season: What you need to know 

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   It’s tick season in Illinois—Protect yourself and your loved ones from tick bites.

•May 1, 2024•

by Angela Hogan

What are ticks, and why are they a health concern?

Ticks are small parasitic arachnids that belong to the same family as spiders. Due to their small size and eight legs, ticks are often difficult to see and can be mistaken for spiders. 

Ticks thrive in environments with tall grass, shrubs, and leaf litter. They can also live in your yard and on your pets. Tick exposure can occur year-round, but is most likely during warmer months when ticks are active (April – September.)

Ticks carry a variety of illnesses that can be transmitted to humans through their bite. Fortunately, there are proactive measures you can take to mitigate your risk of tick-borne illness. Read More

Remembering Who We Are… 7     

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Considering the Lilies

•May 1, 2024•

by Janet Roney

“That’s a clump of big bluestem grass over there in the road ditch by the goldenrod,” said Jennie Collier, who was on our county history tour in the late 1960s.   

“What? Bluestem! I thought it all was plowed up long ago!”  

“Oh, no,” she said. “It’s still here if you know where to look. It still grows in the un-mown road side ditches, along railroads, and in the dredge ditches in Eagle Pond. You can find it everywhere.” 

Jennie’s comment opened a whole new world to me. I knew that many of our prairie wild flowers, the “lilies of the field”, were still here, but big bluestem? Once I knew what it looked like, I began seeing it everywhere. Big bluestem was the dominant grass that grew in the native prairie that covered central Illinois.   Read More

Sullivan softball pick up two wins in three games

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•May 1, 2024•

by E. Scott England 

After struggling the week prior, Sullivan softball regrouped and started putting pieces together. Last week consisted of two conference matchups and one non-conference game. The week began on the road in Arcola.

Bested by Purple Riders

In a conference matchup against Arcola, Sullivan was looking to add another conference win. Arcola struck early with two runs in the first. Sullivan would post their first run the following inning and then tied it in the top half of the third. Arcola went back up by one before adding a big four run inning in the fourth. Sullivan responded with three runs in the fifth but just couldn’t find enough to catch Arcola. After an insurance run was added by the Purple Riders, Sullivan lost 5-8. Read More

Sullivan baseball falls to Arcola; Goes on a 3-0 run to end the week

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•May 1, 2024•

by E. Scott England 

The bats came alive for Sullivan baseball last week. They dispensed with two of their victims in shortened 10-run rule games. It moved them 9-13 on the season, 5-4 in conference play.

Routed by Purple Riders

The week got started with a home conference match against Arcola. Arcola is having a great season, only losing two of the eighteen games they’ve had. They’re undefeated in conference play. The Purple Riders’ offense is led by Brevyn Whisman who is batting .597 on the year. He also leads the teams in home runs, adding another against Sullivan that netted him two RBIs.  Read More