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Why Start a Business When You Can Start a Movement?

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•December 4, 2019•
By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

This column proposes a powerful, practical, if highly unconventional, way to start a national conversation, even a movement, that could possibly help restore a healthy American democracy and solid economic future, and maybe even replace one of our two bankrupt political parties.
Politics and policy are today focused on supporting old coots like me (I’m 78), and the boomers who followed, through oppressive government debt, mountainous student loan burdens, inadequate investment in research and higher education, and generally listless K-12 education. The consequences of our selfish, debt-fueled pandering to my generation will be paid by those who are in college today. Embarrassing.
In the present era, national politics are shaped by winning intra-party primary elections, which are largely captured by activists at polar extremes. The great swath of us in the middle are marginalized, having little impact on who become candidates. Read More

One Hundred People Who Care

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•December 4, 2019•

The ALAH CUSD #305 Education Foundation has started a new fund-raising group to support educational opportunities for the students in the Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond district.
The group, called One hundred People Who Care ALAH District #305, will meet for the first time Thursday, December 5, at 6:30 at La Cascada in Arthur.
Members and those wishing to join will gather to socialize with other people who care, to hear from teachers and students who have already benefitted from foundation grants and scholarships, and to aid in funding future events.
Those who have not yet joined can donate $200 a year individually, as couples, or in groups of up to four friends by making four $50 donations at the meetings each year or can donate the entire $200 at the first meeting.
The $20,000 raised by members will go a long way to support senior scholarships, faculty mini-grants, 1-to-1 Chrome Books, cultural excursions, and much more.
At the April meeting, members will enjoy food and fellowship; then the Foundation Board will announce the new scholarship and faculty mini-grant recipients.
Members of the Foundation Board look forward to seeing at least 100 people at the meeting Thursday night.

ALAH Girls Basketball Team Outscores Rams

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•December 4, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond girls’ basketball team finished the week 1-2.
The Knights defeated Shelbyville, but lost to Salt Fork and Oakwood.
Against Shelbyville last Monday, the Rams took a 12-10 first quarter lead, then extended that lead to six at halftime, 22-16.
ALAH came out in the second half a different team, outscoring the Rams 15-9 to tie the game at 31.
The Knights pulled away in the fourth for the 48-41 win. Read More

Obituaries 12-4-2019: Norma Thompson

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Norma Thompson

Norma P. Thompson, 90, of Bethany, formerly of Bloomington passed away at 8:15 a.m. Sunday, December 1, 2019 in her home.
Celebration of Life services will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 7, 2019 at the Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington with Rev. Dr. Charles Witte officiating. Entombment will be in Park Hill Mausoleum, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Saturday morning at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN. Read More

Shelby Christian Christmas Fair

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•December 4, 2019•

The Shelby Christian Church, 200 North Hickory Street, Shelbyville is having a Christmas vendor and craft fair Saturday, Dec. 14 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Over 25 vendors are featured along with a silent auction with many items and a bake sale with a lot of goodies
Rork’s Pork Barbecue will start serving lunch at 11:00 a.m.
The proceeds from entry fees, bake sale, & silent auction will go to Shelby Christian Church Mission Trip.

Safe Shopping Guide Offers List of Unsafe Holiday Buys

News Progress Posted on by

•December 4, 2019•
By Rebecca Anzel
Capitol News Illinois

The office of Illinois’ top lawyer has released its annual safe shopping guide ahead of the holiday season to alert families about recalled children’s toys, clothing and furniture.
The report includes information about goods that are a safety hazard and have been linked to infant deaths. Some of the items featured include choking hazards, articles of clothing that do not meet the government’s flammability standard and furniture that can injure children if not assembled correctly. Read More

Sullivan and OV Players Earn CIC Honors

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•December 4, 2019•
The Central Illinois Conference announced all conference teams last week.
Two Sullivan/Okaw Valley players earned honors.
Junior Luke Vander Burgh earned second team all-conference honors as linebacker.
He was named to the honorable mention team the last two years.
Ian Plank was named to the honorable mention team as a wide receiver.
The Redskins finished the season 0-9 for the second straight season.

Letter to the Editor 12-4-2019: Habitat ReStore Supports Military

News Progress Posted on by

•December 4, 2019•

Dear Editor,

My husband and I have two grandsons who are both currently deployed overseas.
One grandson is in Kuwait and the other is in Germany. We are very proud of both boys and their service to their country.
I have begun gathering items for each of their Christmas boxes. As I was checking for Christmas decorating at the Habitat ReStore in Sullivan I found two identical nine inch Christmas trees. Read More

Obituaries 12-4-2019: Timothy King

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Timothy King

Timothy Andrew King, 81, of Mt. Zion, passed away 11:40 a.m. Monday, December 2, 2019, at Sullivan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 6, 2019, at Life Builders Church of God, Decatur. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Friday at the church. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to Life Builders Church of God: 833 W. Pershing Rd, Decatur, IL 62526.
Timothy was born September 3, 1938, in Windsor; the son of William “Bill” and Olive (Rawlings) King. He married Anita Dianne Maxedon on June 16, 1962 in Sullivan; she survives. Read More

Remember When? 12-4-2019

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25 Years Ago This Week

Marion Best took over BB’s a year ago and she has learned that the News Progress partnership with the Sullivan High School Signal was recognized at the Fourth Annual Illinois State Council on Business Education Partnerships Conference in Chicago. Signal advisor Becky Lawson was responsible for the nomination. Marion commended the Signal staff for helping out with sports and computer issues at the News Progress.
Shannon Phillips of Sullivan has been awarded a Merit Recognition Scholarship for there 1994-95 year. Phillips is the daughter of Cheryl and Bill Rich and David and Donna Phillips and is a freshman majoring in English at Lake Land College.
Moultrie County Sheriff Russ Moore was appointed sheriff in 1981 and was elected three times, now he is stepping down to be a Dept. of Children and Family Services investigator. Rieck Kendall was appointed his successor. Read More