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Blue Dolphins Break Team Records at Champaign Winter Heat

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Picture of Dolphins in 9-10 and 11-12 age divisions who qualified for finals.
Front row: Johnathan Iacobazzi, Aidan Melvin, Logan Booker, Cadence Schmohe, Emily Crosier Back row: Logan Booker, Kaiden Smith, Kennedy Fultz, Libby Henry, Alivia Melvin
Blue Dolphins Break Team Records at Champaign Winter Heat
The Blue Dolphins Swim Team competed at the Champaign Winter Heat 2020.
Ethan Schmohe broke four team records at the meet in the 13-14 age division. 50 freestyle new record 22.76, 100 freestyle 50.27, 100 backstroke 55.67, 100 butterfly 54.81.
The 13-14 boys relay team of Miles Kersten, Isaac Chambers, Matthew Wesselman and Ethan Schmohe broke the 200 Medley Relay with a new time of 1:52.05 and the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:40.98.

Remember When? 1-29-2020

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25 Years Ago This Week

The Sullivan Singers were named Grand Champions in the Milton Choraltion Invitational in Milton, Wis. In addition to Grand Champion honors Angela Mossman was awarded Outstanding Female Vocalist. The Singers are one of three Sullivan show choirs under direction of David Mollenkamp.
Traci Sebright of Lovington received an associates in applied science degree from Robert Morris College in Springfield. Sebright majored in the legal secretarial field and participated in the Student Ambassador Program. She is the daughter of Tina Sebright of Lovington.
Erin Parsons scored 16 points and added six steals for Bethany as the Fillies rolled to a 48-30 victory over Niantic-Harristown. Micki Winskill and Brandi Moody scored ten points apiece. Erin Yarnell chipped in eight points and Moody added 11 rebounds. Read More

Illinois Sheriffs’ Association Announces Scholarships

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•January 29, 2020•
The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association announces that it will be awarding over $58,000 in college scholarships throughout the State of Illinois to students wishing to pursue higher education during the 2020-2021 academic year. The scholarships are to be applied to tuition, books and fees only.
The student must be enrolled full-time at a certified institution of higher learning within the State of Illinois. Read More

SHS Girls Basketball Strong in CIC Tournament Play

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•January 29, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Sullivan girls’ basketball team improved its Central Illinois Conference record to 5-0 against Central A&M last Thursday, then entered the CIC Tournament Saturday with a win against Meridian.
Against the Hawks in Macon, the Redskins won its first game of the CIC Tournament 61-37.
Sullivan wasted no time taking a lead with a 23-7 first-quarter run and never looked back.
“The ladies started off really well tonight,” said Sullivan coach Sheri McCain. “I think we relaxed a little bit in the third quarter when Lilly went out with an injury. They did a nice job pushing the ball up the floor in transition and causing turnovers on defense.”
Emily White exploded for 27 points, including three 3-pointers, nine rebounds and six steals. Read More

Menu 1-29-2020

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Senior Peace Meal

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

Monday, February 3 - Beef stew w/potatoes, carrots & onions, seasoned greens, biscuits, tropical fruit

Tuesday, February 4 - Chili mac, tossed salad, dinner roll, warm cinnamon peaches

Wednesday, February 5 - Chicken tetrazzini, peas and onions, seasoned green beans w/pimentos, whole grain wheat (1), chunky applesauce

Thursday, February 6 - Roast beef in gravy, mashed potatoes, cabbage tomato au gratin, dinner roll, overnight fruit salad

Friday, February 7 - Baked ham, frosted sweet potatoes, midori blend vegetables, whole grain wheat (1), pears

Thompson Focuses on Ways to Tackle Teacher Shortage

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•January 29, 2020•
As Illinois leaders work on solutions, ROE #11 Regional Superintendent Kyle Thompson is teaming with area legislators to make the path to becoming a teacher easier.
Thompson believes one barrier that should be removed is the relatively new edTPA.
Short for Education Teacher Performance Assessment, the edTPA was written into the Illinois School Code in 2015.  It requires student teachers to complete a series of arduous tasks while they are student teaching, most notably videotaping themselves while teaching in the classroom.  Upon completion, the student teachers are required to submit their evidence to Pearson, a third-party evaluator. Read More

Democratic Forum for 15th Congressional District held in Charleston

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Forum for the 15th Legislative District candidates from left: Erika Weaver, Dr. Craig Morton, John W. Hurley, Jr., and Kevin Gaither.

•January 29, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

The primary elections are just months away and the first Democratic candidate forum for the 15th Congressional District kicked off at the Charleston Carnegie Public Library January 26 at 2:30pm. The public meeting room was filled to capacity.
The Democratic candidates seeking the nomination are Kevin Gaither, John W. Hursey, Jr., Dr. Craig Morton and Erika Weaver.
Kevin Gaither grew up in Sullivan, IL where he was involved in his grandfather’s farm, was a journalist, played the pipe organ for church and was actively engaged in efforts to pass a school referendum.
He served in AmeriCorps in poverty-stricken neighborhoods in Indianapolis and was elected to serve on federally mandated healthcare advisory boards there. Moving back to the 15th District in 2013 Gaither returned to community involvement. In 2018 he ran for the Democratic nomination for the 15th District. His grassroots campaign won 62% of the vote through common sense messaging focused on the entire 15th District. Read More

Optometrist Joins Dr. Boyd at Sullivan Eye Care

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•January 29, 2020•
Dr. Robert Blumthal, O.D. joined Dr. Jamison Boyd at Sullivan Eye Care Clinic recently.
Bringing 39 years experience serving central Illinois patients Optometry needs Dr. Blumthal sees patients in Sullivan on Wednesdays and at Tuscola Eye Clinic on Thursdays.
Last fall Dr. Boyd ran into Blumthal at a meeting in Champaign and explained he could use another doctor at the Sullivan and Tuscola clinics.
Always active in the area Optometry Association Dr. Blumthal knew Dr. Boyd and his practice, even back in the days when Dr. Best was still active. So he agreed to help out.
Not only is Dr. Blumthal serving Sullivan and Tuscola patients but he keeps an active practice in Paris while also keeping office hours at Prairie Eye and Lasik Center in Springfield. Read More

Sullivan Dance Studio Previews Show

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Sullivan Dance Studio Previews Show
On Sunday, February 2, 2020, Sullivan Dance Studio Competition Team will hold their annual Preview Show in the Sullivan Elementary School Gym. The public is invited to see the dancers perform their competition routines. Doors open at 1:00 p.m. and the showcase will begin at 1:30 p.m. A free-will donation is being accepted for admission. Members of the SDS Competition Team are from Sullivan, Shelbyville and Arthur. Dancers range in age from 4 to 14 and include: Michaela Blickensderfer, Gabrielle Carpenter, Synthea Doss, Avery Florey, Oliver Florey, Adalee Foster, Sophie Foster, Alexa Gaede, Lillian Hood, Aleena Ingram, Kimberely Krutsinger, Emma Lawrence, Charlotte Martin, Elizabeth Owns, Avery Renfro, Macie Rodgers, Korry Thilker, Miah Voegel, Sarina Voegel, Lily Woolery and Lyla Wright. The team will compete in four different competitions between now and April. They will end their season with the Sullivan Dance Studio Spring Recital in June.