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Temporary Recreation Area Closings

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•October 4, 2023•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a youth deer hunt at Lake Shelbyville on October 7 & 8, 2023. The hunt will be conducted in portions of recreation areas previously closed for the season. As a safety precaution, Sullivan Beach, Whitley Creek Recreation Area, Coon Creek & Opossum Creek campgrounds, and the entire Wilborn Creek park will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from 2:00 p.m. October 6, 2023, until 8:00 p.m. October 8, 2023.

These closings include boat ramps located within Opossum Creek, Coon Creek, and Wilborn Creek Recreation Areas. Ramps remaining open during this period include those in Dam West, Lone Point, Lithia Springs, Whitley Creek and Bo Wood Recreation Areas, Wolf Creek and Eagle Creek State Parks and all secondary ramps.

For more information contact the Lake Shelbyville Environmental Stewardship Department at (217) 774-3951 ext. 7049.

Lake Land College to Host Laker Visit Day

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•October 4, 2023•

Lake Land College will host Laker Visit Day from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, Oct. 9 in the Luther Student Center. This event provides students and parents with the opportunity to learn about The Laker Advantage and how it can guide them on the path to success.

Attendees will tour campus with a student ambassador, who will share information from a student perspective. Participants can learn more about Lake Land’s wide range of academic programs, ranging from short-term certificates to two-year degrees. Students can choose among career, university transfer, trade and technical programs to link their interests with a matching profession. Read More

Up Your Taco Ante with Homemade Tortillas

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•October 4, 2023•

Tacos are a beloved comfort food. While the true origins of tacos are unknown, they are believed to have originated in Mexico long before the Spanish arrived. Ancient Mexicans made soft, flat corn tortillas and filled them with various ingredients, including cooked organ meats and fish. Read More

Brush Pile Fire

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•October 4, 2023•

Commissioner Doug Shook is asking that residents not set fire to brush piles on the property where residents are allowed to bring tree limbs and brush for the city to eventually turn into mulch. On the afternoon of Tuesday, September 26, someone set a brush pile on fire and that spread to a mulch pile setting it on fire as well. Shook wants to let residents know that they should not be doing that. He noted that the city cannot put a gate on the property or close it because the right of way becomes blocked on the weekends by people bringing their brush there when that action had been taken previously.

B. Bushue Advances to Sectionals as Individual, Team Concludes Season

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•October 4, 2023•

by E. Scott England

The boys golf season came to an end in regional play last Tuesday. With the top three teams advancing to sectionals, the Redskins placed sixth out of 13 teams. Brett Bushue was the regional champion and advanced to the sectionals as an individual. Drew Woolen ended up in a three-way playoff but came up one shot short.

The boys also played a round against Teutopolis on Monday. Bushue shot a team low of 40 with Woolen, Caden Saul, and Camden Watkins all tying with a 49. The solid effort fell short though against a strong Teutopolis team. The team finished 8-9 on the year.

Bushue competed Monday at the Edgewood Golf Club in Auburn. Results will be provided in next week’s News Progress.

Lady Redskins Win Golf Regionals, First Time Since 1986

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•October 4, 2023•

by E. Scott England

There was no need to be alarmed when the fire truck rolled through town last Thursday with sirens blaring. They were just escorting the Sullivan High School Lady Redskins golf team back to SHS. In just the second time in school history, the Lady Reskins golf team are regional champions. Read More

Redskins Volleyball Drop Three on the Week

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•October 4, 2023•

by E. Scott England

The Redskin volleyball team had three matches last week. The week began with two conference matchups, first on the road against Argenta-Oreana and then at home against Cerro Gordo/Bement. They finished the week with a matchup against Chrisman in non-conference play.

The matchup with the Bombers saw two close sets, with the Redskins falling 19-25, 21-25. Aeralyn Thrasher recorded five of the 14 team kills for the evening. The sophomore would also lead the team in serving with three aces. Senior Paige Connor had four kills with one ace. Senior Tessa Seeley and junior Mayci Strauf combined for five kills. Read More

SOV Create Storm of Their Own, Blank Sangamon Valley/Tri-City

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photo by Greg Floyd. Aiden Ballinger tracks the ball carrier during last Friday’s SOV game against Sangamon Valley/Tri-City.

•October 4, 2023•

by E. Scott England

The Redskins traveled to Niantic last Friday to spoil the homecoming festivities for Sangamon Valley/Tri-City. The shutout victory moved SOV to 6-0 on the season.

As they have all season, the Redskins wasted no time getting to work in the first half. Aian Fryman helped put SOV on the board in the first quarter with a seven yard rushing touchdown. The Storm started to put together a decent drive that came to an abrupt halt when their running back lost control of the ball. Fryman added a 14 yard rushing touchdown on SOV’s next possession. The junior running back had 71 yards rushing for the game. Read More

Bethany High School Alumni Banquet Held

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photo by Crystal Reed
Bethany High School alumni surround Chris Davis, a Bethany High School alum, Class of 1983, during the 92nd Alumni Banquet held Saturday, September 30. Davis was the guest speaker at the banquet held in the Okaw Valley High School gymnasium.

•October 4, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Bethany High School Alumni gathered on Saturday, September 30, for the 92nd Alumni Banquet at Okaw Valley High School. Six classes were recognized, classes of 1953, 1963, 1973, 1983, 1993 and 1998. Prior to the dinner there was a social hour in the gymnasium and interested alumni could also take a tour of the high school.

Dinner music was provided by David Hagerman, class of 1984. Terry Muzzy, class of 1966 addressed the alumni in regard to the military recognition and encouraged those who know of alumni who have served to submit photos and information so they can be on the wall in the high school. There was also a roll call of classes where alumni introduced themselves and the year they graduated. Read More

SHS Homecoming Candidates 2023

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photo furnished Sullivan Homecoming Attendants From left to right: Freshman Julia Moody and Avram Bates, Sophomores Mikaela Guest and Josh Cremeens, and Juniors Katilyn Kirby and Rhett Lehman.

photo furnished
Sullivan Homecoming Queen and King Candidates
Senior Queen Candidates (front row, left to right): Paige Conners, Ruby Haegen, Triniti Preyer, and Tessa Seeley. Senior King Candidates (back row, left to right): Kyle Corkill, Davis Diepholz, Hayden Moody, Raymond Yang.