Larry Clagg
Larry Gordon Clagg, 75, of Sullivan, passed away at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at Mason Point in Sullivan.
Memorial services were held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, September 1 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Read More
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Sparrow’s Toy Run is Coming
•September 4, 2019•
Sparrow’s Toy Run is Saturday, Sept. 21 with sign in at Rusty’s in LaPlace from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Signup fee is a new unwrapped toy with all toys given to Lovington area children.
A limited edition T-shirt will be made available to Toy Run participants.
This year’s theme is White Trash: (come dressed in your favorite white trash ensemble…bartenders at each stop will pick a favorite.
Those five stop winners will be judged at the final stop, Jerry’s East End, Lovington, to determine the top prize winner.
There are two free food stops along the route: one is at the third stop-sloppy joes and chips, the second is at the last stop-hot dogs and chips. In addition food will be available for purchase at Wayside.
DJ and slide beer pong is after the run at East End.
Windsor FFA Had Tractor Raffle
•September 4, 2019•
The Windsor FFA Chapter had their Tractor Raffle drawing on August 29th at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur. Many members of the FFA went to the Half Century of Farm Progress Show in Rantoul, IL and the Farm Progress Show to sell tickets. Read More
Arts in Central Park Offers Exhibits and Kids Activities
•September 4, 2019•
The Decatur Arts Council is bringing the arts to Central Park September 20th - 22nd.
Decatur hosts one of Central Illinois’ finest juried art shows on the third weekend of September. Featured are more than 60 exhibiting artists from several states. They provide a variety of artwork for sale including jewelry, pottery, metal sculptures, blown glass, fiber arts, paintings, and more. Read More
SOV Redskins Battle Nokomis at Victory Field
Photo by Leslie Caulfield
Ian Plank lines up on defense.
•September 4, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
The Sullivan-Okaw Valley football team dropped its season opener to Nokomis 31-24 at Victory Field Friday night.
With 9:19 left in the first quarter, Luke Vander Burgh broke a couple of tackles and ran the ball from the Sullivan’s own 32-yard line into the end zone.
An Ian Plank kick gave Sullivan a 7-0 lead.
Around the seven minute mark in the second quarter Nokomis tied the game with a run up the middle.
Sullivan answered with a little more than three minutes left in the second quarter when Dillon Wallace scored on a 5-yard run.
The extra point kick was good and Sullivan took a 14-7 lead into the half.
Nokomis tied the game at the 4-minute mark in the third quarter with a screen pass from the 4-yard line. Read More
IDNR Activities Abound into Fall
•September 4, 2019•
Bobcat Permits: Hunters and trappers may apply for a 2019-2020 Illinois Bobcat Hunting and Trapping Permit online through Sept. 30. Applicants must submit a $5.00 non-refundable fee. A total of 1,000 permits will be allocated during a lottery and mailed to successful applicants. Successful applicants who receive a permit for the 2019-2020 season will NOT be able to receive a permit the next year to allow unsuccessful applicants a better chance to get a permit. The area open to bobcat hunting and trapping for the 2019-2020 season will be the boundary from the 2016-2017 season (see the map on Page 44 of the Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/HuntTrapDigest.pdf). Season dates are Nov. 10, 2019 through Feb. 15, 2020. Bobcat hunting is closed during firearm deer season in counties open to firearm deer hunting. Bobcat research projects in central and southern Illinois are ongoing. IDNR asks that successful permit holders submit the lower jaw from harvested bobcats for this research. Details will be included with the permits. IDNR appreciates the cooperation from hunters and trappers in efforts to learn more about bobcat populations in Illinois. To apply for a 2019-2020 bobcat permit, go to the DNR Direct license and permit system at https://www.il.wildlifelicense.com/start.php. Read More
Good Day for a Ride
Photo by R.R. Best
Good Day for a Ride
The streets of Bethany were cleared of traffic over the weekend allowing cyclist Ren Ruppert to cruise his neighborhood. The three year old Bethany biker was given a little assistance from his co-pilot mother, Hope.
Lake Shelbyville is Filling Up, But Not With Water
Photo by Mike Brothers
Andy White of Hydro Gear attended sedimentation discussion with Congressman John Shimkus Aug. 27 at the North End Grill. The following day Shimkus announced he is retiring from Congress.
•September 4, 2019•
By Sed E. Ment
for the News Progress
How long will boats be able to navigate the Sullivan Marina?
That was the unanswered question at a meeting concerning sedimentation filling the north end of Lake Shelbyville.
It was attended by U.S. Congressman John Shimkus, the U.S. Corp of Engineers and about 25 concerned local citizens at the North End Grill at Sullivan Marina Aug. 27.
John Fayhee, who operates the marina, explained to the congressman and Corp representatives the marina level reaches four feet during the lake draw down.
“Docks require five feet of water,” he emphasized, noting the marina would not be in business if the lake fills to three feet.
U.S. Corp engineer Eddie Brauer reported the Kaskaskia River sedimentation from farmland runoff aggravates the issue for the north end of Lake Shelbyville with the affects showing up at the marina.
He explained the rate of sedimentation is affected by variables ranging from the amount of rainfall to the degree farmers engage in soil and water conservation measures. “There is no self-sustaining cost effective fix,” Brauer said, discussing various options to slow the rate of sedimentation. Read More
Okaw Valley Boys Golf Team Returns with Experience
•September 4, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
In his first year as Okaw Valley boys’ golf coach, Andrew Fultz returned top golfers Addison Webner, Miles Harlin, Hayden Carleson, and Seth Webner.
It will be difficult for OV to replace last season’s top scorer, Case Crawford, but the team did return several players with match experience.
“My hopes are that they are ready for the year a year older and a year wiser,” Fultz said. “They have been there before since there were only six by the end of the year last year. That experience will help us win matches early on in the year. We can build on that and it carries us and helps out the new golfers.”
For this season, Fultz is looking for solid scores out his top two golfers. Read More
Sports Briefs 9-4-2019
Knights’ Volleyball Team Falls to Tuscola
The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond volleyball team fell to Tuscola 25-20, 25-20 in Arthur Thursday, Aug. 29.
Michaela Powell had two aces and five digs, and Mackenzi Bowles recorded five kills.
Sarah Rafferty dished out 10 assists and had three digs, and Kaylee Teakel had three kills.
Addi Trikle collected to kills and two digs and Charley Condil had four digs. Read More