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Two Wins for OVHS Timberwolves at Vandalia

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•January 1, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team finished the Vandalia Holiday Tournament 2-2 this week with the chance to play for third place.
The Timberwolves defeated Cumberland and Patoka but lost to Flora and Pana.
To open tournament action Thursday, OV overwhelmed Cumberland 49-37.
Okaw Valley held a four-to-six point lead in the first half and extended that lead to 38-28 in the third quarter.
Cameron Sharp scored a game-high 21 points, including ten points in the first quarter. Read More

Legion Delivers

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•January 1, 2020•

The Bethany American Legion Post 307 and Auxiliary recently collected more than $1000 from the community which went to residents at the Danville Veterans Administration Hospital.
Bethany Post members Sam Scott, Punch Martin and Mike Brewer delivered the assortment of tennis shoes, sweat suits, and other requested items to the Danville veterans the week before Christmas.
Since it was Punch Martin’s first visit VA staff members gave the group a tour of the facility explaining how the gifts for the resident veterans are collected and distributed.
The members of Post 307 would like to thank all those who contributed to this annual event, which helps make the season brighter for the residents at Danville VA.

Social Security Questions Answered

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•January 1, 2020•
Question: Is it illegal to laminate your Social Security card?
Answer: No, it is not illegal, but we discourage it. It’s best not to laminate your card. Laminated cards make it difficult — sometimes even impossible — to detect important security features and an employer may refuse to accept them. The Social Security Act requires the Commissioner of Social Security to issue cards that cannot be counterfeited. We incorporate many features that protect the card’s integrity. They include highly specialized paper and printing techniques, some of which are invisible to the naked eye. Keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Question: How do I schedule, reschedule, or cancel an appointment with Social Security?
Answer: For many things, you don’t need an appointment to transact business with Social Security. For example, you don’t need an appointment to file for benefits or appeal a disability decision. You can file for the following benefits online at www.socialsecurity.gov:
• Retirement;
• Medicare;
• Spouses; and
• Disability. Read More

Second for ALAH Knight Basketball at St. Teresa Tournament

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•January 1, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond boys’ basketball team placed fourth in the Decatur St. Teresa Christmas Tournament, Saturday.
After defeating Heyworth in the first game of the tournament last week, the Knights lost to Riverton last Monday, knocked off Hartsburg-Emden Friday and lost to Mt. Pulaski Saturday.
Against Hartsburg-Emden Friday, ALAH outscored the Stags 9-4 in overtime to win the back-and-forth game 50-45.
The Knights took a six-point lead in the first, but Hartsburg-Emden took the lead in the second with a 16-6 run for a 25-21 halftime score. Read More

All-Tourney Honors for OVHS Girls at Meridian

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Kate Jeffers and Mia Harris earned all-tournament team honors.

•January 1, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team finished runner up to Warrensburg-Latham in the Meridian Holiday Tournament Saturday, and Kate Jeffers and Mia Harris earned all-tournament team honors.
To reach the championship game, the Timberwolves finished pool play with a 3-0 record.
OV defeated Meridian, Martinsville and Blue Ridge.
Friday, the Timberwolves defeated Blue Ridge 43-36 with a strong second-half comeback. Read More

LEtter to the Editor: 1-1-2020

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Dear Editor,

I was shopping in the Thrifty Boutique on Dec. 20 and a very nice woman approached me. She handed me a $50 bill and said she was “Christmasing”.
I was shocked at her kindness. I have been going through some tough times and this was very welcome.
I said “Thank you, Merry Christmas” as she disappeared.
I would publicly like to thank my “Christmas Angel”!

Sincerely,
Anonymously grateful!

Obituaries 1-1-2020: Richard Casteel, Jr.

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Richard Casteel, Jr.

Richard “Rick” Casteel, Jr., 69, of Lovington got his angel wings at 5:21 p.m. December 23, 2019 at home.
Minister Steve Ingram did the Celebration of Life services at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, December 28th, 2019, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan; visitation was held from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home in Sullivan. Burial will follow at Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to SIU Alumni Association or Cancer Care Specialist of Decatur; 210 W. McKinley Ave Suite 1, Decatur, IL 62526. Read More

Toy Drive Brings Cheer to Children at SBL

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Leslie Taggart (left) and Haley McQueen (right), accompanied by their seven children and two cousins, delivered toys to the SBL Pediatric Clinic on Monday. The two families also delivered toys for kids in the Women and Children’s Center and the Emergency Department during the holidays.

•January 1, 2020•
Two Sarah Bush Lincoln employees and their families are going the extra mile to bring joy to children receiving care during the holidays.
Physical Therapist Haley McQueen, DPT, and Women’s Healthcare Nurse Practitioner Leslie Taggart, APRN, and their children, delivered 160 toys on Monday for girls and boys who are hospitalized in SBL’s Women and Children’s Center or receiving care in the Emergency Department or Pediatric Clinic after hosting an impromptu toy drive.
McQueen and Taggart both serve as home distributors for Matilda Jane Clothing in their free time and they are amazed by the overwhelming response they received when they invited friends and community members to sponsor a Matilda Jane doll at a reduced price to bring joy to a girl in the hospital at Christmas time. In return, McQueen and Taggart agreed to match each doll sponsorship with a toy truck or tractor purchase to provide cheer to a boy receiving care. Read More

Sullivan Girls’ Basketball Team Finishes Strong at Knights Classic

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Photo by Jason Brown
Jerra Goad (#25) and Avery Still (#11) get into a scrum for the ball against Flanagan/Woodland in the Knights Classic Holiday Tournament in Arthur Friday.

•January 1, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Sullivan girls’ basketball team finished 3-1 in the Knights Classic Holiday Tournament and Emily White was named All-Tournament MVP.
“I thought Emily White played exceptionally well for us once again, and I am proud of her for being nominated All-Tournament MVP,” said Sullivan coach Sheri McCain. “It is well deserved. She has done an amazing job for us both offensively and defensively.”
The Redskins lost to Mt. Zion in the championship game 49-44 Saturday night.
After a first quarter tie at 5-5, Mt. Zion pulled ahead by five points in the second and extended that lead to nine at the end of the third quarter, 42-33.
Sullivan could not cut the lead to less than three in the fourth for a full comeback.
“Mt. Zion outplayed us tonight and wanted it more than we did,” said McCain. “They executed the little things and they played great team defense. Once again, you can’t beat good teams turning the ball over 21 times and shooting 59 percent from the free throw line.”
Emily White recorded a team-high 17 points, seven steals and two assists. Read More