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ALAH High School Grads Ready to Change the World

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•June 5, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

On a very warm spring Friday evening May 24, the ALAH gym was packed to the brim with family, friends, teachers and school staff all ready to bid adieu to another graduating class.
This year it was 78 excited seniors from the class of 2019 ready to turn their tassels. As “Pomp and Circumstance” from the ALAH High School band filled the air, relieved and happy students began filing down the aisle two by two, while a few teardrops fell from parents’ eyes, and cameras flashed. It would be “another one for the books.”
Before the ceremony began, as tradition, all stood in honor of the flag for the “Star Spangled Banner.” Afterward valedictorian Makenna Green took the podium to open with her welcome speech mentioning that it “seemed like just yesterday that our parents kissed our cheeks as we went to kindergarten, and it seemed just like yesterday that they dropped us off for our freshman year as we were all afraid to meet the kids from the other schools.” Afterward, four graduating seniors from the ALAH chorus sang a beautiful rendition of John Denver’s “Country Roads” as their farewell. Read More

Sullivan City Council Greeted by Public

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•June 5, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

The new Sullivan City Council was greeted with public participation at their second session May 28 with a variety of items discussed. After mayor Richard Glazebrook called the meeting to order, the first 20 minutes were filled with questions from the public and suggestions for the Council to improve transparency.
Land acquisition discussion in closed session was raised concerning the Titus Trust, hiring the former city clerk as consultant and retiree health benefits were all aired during public comments.
City administrator Dan Flannell explained that Busey Bank of Decatur controlled decisions concerning the Titus Trust which includes Titus Manor at Wyman Park and 900 acres of farmland. He noted potential land acquisitions have been discussed by commissioners during closed session in the past.
Mayor Glazebrook assured the audience in the Elizabeth Titus Library meeting room that any action by the council would be made in public session. Read More

Illinois House Sends Marijuana Legalization to Gov. Pritzker

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Legal retail sales could begin Jan. 1, 2020

•June 5, 2019•
By Peter Hancock
Capitol News Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House on Friday passed a bill legalizing adult recreational marijuana in the state.
The 66-to-47 vote sends House Bill 1438 to Gov. J.B. Pritzker who campaigned in 2018 on a platform that included legalizing marijuana. The Senate approved the bill on Wednesday, 38-17.
“The state of Illinois just made history, legalizing adult-use cannabis with the most equity-centric approach in the nation,” Pritzker said in a statement released after the vote. “This will have a transformational impact on our state, creating opportunity in the communities that need it most and giving so many a second chance. In the interest of equity and criminal justice reform, I look forward to signing this monumental legislation.”
Friday’s vote, however, came after a marathon debate that lasted nearly four hours, leaving lawmakers with less than 10 hours to complete the rest of their business for the session. That forced leaders to announce the House would continue meeting Saturday and Sunday.
With passage of the marijuana bill, Illinois is poised to become the 10th state in the nation to legalize its use by adults for recreational purposes. But it would be the first to do so by a comprehensive statute enacted by the legislature rather than through a ballot initiative.
Vermont legalized marijuana through legislation in 2018, but that law covered only personal use and cultivation. It did not include retail sales. Read More

Remember When? 5-29-2019

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25 Years Ago This Week

Tom Wopat and his Full Moon Band gave an outstanding performance on the main stage during the Festival of Stars. Wopat brought a huge following of fans with him, which helped the Festival greatly. Eight-year-old Cortney Rauch said she enjoyed the Festival because of the carnival. “I liked the Cobra ride and all the prizes.”
Eighty-six participated in the 5K run/two mile run during the Festival of Stars. The overall winner for males was Mark Avery of Decatur with a time of 16:12, and Lisa Hale of Lovington was the overall winner for females with a time of 21:46. In the two-mile walk, Audrey Harshman took first place with a time of 24:45, Jan Dust was second and Pat Flannell was third.
Shannon Phillips was named valedictorian and Melanie Harlin was salutatorian for Lovington High School. Among other things Phillips was class president, an All-Conference volleyball player, and a recipient of 11 awards and scholarships this year. Harlin’s highlights included being class vice-president, prom queen and she was also the recipient of 11 scholarships and awards. Read More

Spark Presents Art in Tabor Park

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•May 29, 2019•
Sullivan Spark Culture and Entertainment Committee will bring Art in Tabor Park June 7 from 6-8 pm .
On the first Friday of each month during spring and summer, Mason Point will present musical entertainment to the public from 6-8 pm.
Free popcorn and water will be provided to all who attend. Read More

Celebration of Life Services for Nina Martin

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Nina Martin

A gathering in celebration and remembrance of the life of Nina Tabor Martin, who died January 28, 2019, will be held by her family at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 29, 2019 in the Mason Point Banquet Hall (Knight Building), One Masonic Way in Sullivan.
Reminiscences by Nina’s family and friends will be followed by a buffet lunch. To aid the family in planning, persons intending to come are cordially asked to call 847-287-5094 or email philmart8@yahoo.com by June 21, 2019.

Obituaries 5-29-2019: Cheryl Reed

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Cheryl Reed

Cheryl R. Reed, 56, of Portage, Wis. passed away Wednesday, May 22, 2019 in her home surrounded by her loving family.
Cheryl was born August 30, 1962 in Paris, Ill., a daughter of Ed and Lela Rose. Cheryl enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Read More

SHS Track and Field Awards

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Photo furnished
SHS Track and Field Awards
The awards cookout for the SHS boys’ track team was held recently. The award winners include All Conference Awards Jadon Nuzzo in Pole Vault and Brodie Goss in 300m Hurdles. Team Awards went to Jadon Nuzzo: Team Captain; Leighton Burcham: Varsity Points Leader; Brodie Goss: Team Captain, Most Improved Athlete, Redskin Award; Cullen Dyer: Team Captain; Jon Mathias: Team Captain.

ALAH Softball Ends Season at Sectionals

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•May 29, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

After winning the Class 2A Newton Regional, the Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond softball team lost to Breese Mater Dei in the Newton Sectional Semifinal last Wednesday.
ALAH took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Molly Day scored, but Breese Mater Dei tied the game with a run in the third.
ALAH took the lead in the fourth inning when Marissa Herschberger scored, but again Breese tied the game 2-2 in the fifth inning.
Breese pulled away with two runs in the sixth inning and a run in the seventh for the final 5-2 score. Read More

WHS Class of 2019

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Photo by R.R. Best
WHS Class of 2019
The Windsor High School commencement was held Friday, May 24 with Supt. Erik Van Holveln presenting the 26 seniors. Class president Beau Bennett welcomed a capacity crowd to the WHS gymnasium for the 7:00 p.m. ceremony. Valedictorians are Logan Greuel, Lauren Hendershot and Maranda Tarvin. Carson Cole presented the class history. Bennett, Cole, Greuel, Hendershot, Liam David Horenstine, Rachel Ann Miller, Payton Christopher Nichols, Logan Curtis Stremming and Tarvin are National Honor Society members. Junior attendants were Ava Bennett and Hannah Reed.