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Sullivan Girls Basketball Team Finishes Season with Conference Best Record

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Photo by R.R. Best:
Taylor Orris hugs Avery Still after the season-ending loss at home Friday.

•February 19, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Sullivan girl’s basketball team defeated Fairfield in the semifinal of the Sullivan Class 2A Regional Friday, but could not overcome a No. 2 state-ranked Paris team in the championship game.
In the regional championship, the Redskins fell behind four points after the first quarter, but it was a 16-8 second-quarter run that put Paris on top 36-20 at half.
In the second half, Sullivan was unable to recover and eventually lost 71-46 to the undefeated Tigers (33-0).
For Sullivan, Emily White recorded 16 points, six rebounds and two steals, and Avery Still finished with 10 points, two blocks and six rebounds. Read More

ALAH Boys’ Basketball Team Wins Two Road Games

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•February 19, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond boys’ basketball team won two road games last week against Blue Ridge and Oblong, then lost at home to Arcola Saturday.
Against the Knights of Blue Ridge last Tuesday, ALAH fell behind in the first half 21-19, but came back with a huge 17-5 third-quarter run that put ALAH up 36-26 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, ALAH held off Blue Ridge for the 53-44 win. Read More

Remember When? 2-19-2020

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25 Years Ago This Week

Thanks to the Sullivan School Board the high school track and field will have new look. The board approved $5400 for the renovation and relocation of the high school discus, shot put, long jump, and triple jump areas at the track.
In BB’s column, publisher Marion Best discusses spending one of the coldest weekends of the year out and about. “Friday night was a party at Guy Little’s in honor off his 60th birthday then Saturday we enjoyed an afternoon at Jibby’s listening to Dixieland jazz performed by the Merchant Street Rowdies from Decatur. Arlene alphabet came over to listen to the Rowdies and participate in the Little Theatre’s mystery dinner theater.” Read More

State Police Director Backs FOID Fingerprinting

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•February 19, 2020•
By Jerry Nowicki
Capitol News Illinois

The Illinois State Police director said this week that his department has stepped up illegal firearm ownership enforcement methods, but it needs greater resources to continue the job — including fingerprints of Firearm Owner Identification Card applicants.
During a news conference Thursday, ISP Director Brendan Kelly gave an update about enforcement efforts and announced support for Senate Bill 1966, a measure that would increase FOID card fees and mandate fingerprinting of applicants.
The House passed the bill in May, but a Senate measure to agree with that final language stalled before a vote. It remains in the Senate assignments committee but could be taken up this legislative session.
Under the bill, sponsored in the House by Rep. Kathleen Willis, D-Addison, new applications for FOID cards and renewals — which would be required every five years — would cost $20, up from the current cost of $10. The fees would fund law enforcement revocation efforts for those not legally allowed to own FOID cards or guns. Read More

Moultrie Moment of the Week

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Pictured above is Minor school, which was located on the Birch farm in Jonathan Creek Township and north of Two-Mile school. The date of this photo is unknown. The women pictured are Ella Collins, Jenne, Nellie Kenney, Grace Bracken Dolan, Lucy Dolan and Zora Kenney. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.

Central A&M Blocks ALAH Girls’ Team in Regional Action

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Photo by Jason Brown
Players on the bench cheer during the championship game of the IHSA Class 1A Arthur Regional Thursday night.

•February 19, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

After knocking off Arcola in a come-from-behind victory, the Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond girls’ basketball team could not overtake Central A&M in the IHSA Class 1A Arthur Regional Thursday night.
In the championship game, the Raiders went on a 12-3 run during the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second to take a 27-21 halftime lead.
The Knights kept the game within ten points for the rest of the third but in the fourth Central A&M eventually pulled away for the 63-39 win.
Mallory Nichols, who advanced to Casey for the Three-Point Contest, recorded 10 points and three rebounds, and Makenzie Brown had six points and six rebounds.
Kailee Otto added seven points, three rebounds and two assists, while Charley Condill contributed four rebounds and four points. Read More

Supreme Court Justice Thomas Announces Retirement

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•February 19, 2020•
By Capitol News Illinois

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Robert Thomas, a former placekicker with the Chicago Bears, will retire from his seat on the bench effective Feb. 29.
In a news release Monday, Feb. 10, Thomas said “the Lord has truly blessed me” with family — his wife, three kids and soon-to-be nine grandchildren; a former college and professional football career; and the “tremendous honor and privilege of serving as chief justice.”
“While I will miss the collegial atmosphere with my colleagues on the court, I am ready to return to the practice of law and help clients achieve justice,” he said.
He plans to join the Chicago-based Power Rogers law firm, which successfully represented him in a defamation suit against the Kane County Chronicle in 2006.
First elected to the high court in November 2000, and voted chief five years later, he was instrumental in opening its activities by allowing the online publication of video and audio from oral arguments. Thomas also supervised a mandatory continuing education program for Illinois lawyers and judges and established the court’s Commission on Professionalism. Read More

Sunday Brunch at the Sullivan Legion Post

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•February 19, 2020•

Sunday brunch is offered from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. February 23 at Sullivan American Legion Post 68.
This special Sunday brunch offers a varied menu including breakfast favorites pancakes, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon, cheesy hash browns plus meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, drinks and desserts.
Reservations are encouraged by calling 217/728-4612. First Community Bank is a participating sponsor of the Sunday Brunch.

Menu 2-19-2020

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Senior Peace Meal

For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

Monday, February 24 - Savory sausage stew w/beans, seasoned carrots, biscuits, spiced apple rings
Tuesday, February 25 - Fried chicken, mashed potatoes w/gravy, breaded tomatoes, dinner roll, seasonal dessert
Wednesday, February 26 - Cheese manicotti, broccoli, corn, whole grain wheat (1), pudding
Thursday, February 27 - Salisbury beef pattie, mashed potatoes, spinach, dinner roll, banana bread w/cream cheese
Friday, February 28 - White fish burger w/condiment, baked beans, fruit juice, bun, scalloped pineapple

Okaw Valley Boys Team Picks Up Conference Wins

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•February 19, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team picked up two more Lincoln Prairie Conference wins to stay undefeated at 8-0 this past week.
The Timberwolves defeated Arcola Friday and Sangamon Valley Saturday.
Against Arcola, the Timberwolves fell behind two points after the first quarter, but in the second quarter, OV outscored Arcola 13-6 for a 23-18 halftime lead.
OV continued the pressure in the third quarter with a 14-9 run.
The Timberwolves held on in the fourth quarter for the 51-40 win. Read More