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City Council Looks at Community Revitalization

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan City Council: (from left) Public Health and Safety Charles Woodworth, Streets and Public Improvements Peggy Hargis, Accounts and Finances Abbey Sherwood, Mayor Richard Glazebrook and Public Property Mike Fowler.

•May 15, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

Sullivan’s new mayor and city commissioners kicked off their first official meeting May 13 discussing a community revitalization program.
Mayor Richard Glazebrook explained blighted neighborhoods could be addressed, but noted the commissioners should determine how the revitalization is funded, the amount of reimbursement and how the program is administered.
City Administrator Dan Flannell was directed to prepare a resolution for consideration at the May 28 city council meeting.
Flannell updated the new board on the previous revitalization plan which was operated and funded through the Public Property Dept. and was limited to individual residences. Read More

Okaw Valley Softball Ends Season at Nokomis

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•May 15, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley softball team ended its season against Nokomis in the Okaw Valley Regional at Nokomis, Monday.
Nokomis plated two runs in the second inning, and OV scored its lone run in the fifth inning when Paige Coleman batted in Kailyn Walker.
Grace Bunfill suffered the loss in 2-1 pitchers’ duel. She allowed two unearned runs on three hits in six innings and struck out eight.
Both teams recorded three hits.
Last week, before the regional, OV lost to Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond twice and to Blue Ridge on a walk off hit.
In the Blue Ridge game Thursday, OV ended up on the wrong end of a slugfest. Read More

Rob and Rebels in Bethany

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•May 15, 2019•

Rob and the Rebels are performing free shows the second Tuesday of the month at Marrowbone Library in Bethany and the Allenville Community Center the last Friday of each month.
Performances are from 6-8 p.m. at Marrowbone Library and 7-9:30 p.m. in Allenville.
The band plays many of the old classic country tunes in a mix with standards.

Eleven Straight Wins Close Regular Season for ALAH Softball Team

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•May 15, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond softball team won its 11th straight game to end its regular season with a 22-6 overall record.
The Knights knocked off Okaw Valley in a regular season game last Tuesday and again in the Sullivan Invitational, Saturday.
In its last game of the regular season, ALAH defeated the Timberwolves 17-3 in a 5-inning game before the Sullivan Invite was cancelled due to inclement weather.
The Knights exploded for nine first inning runs, then tacked on more runs in each of the other four innings.
At the plate, ALAH recorded nine hits. Read More

OVHS Baseball Team Topples Knights on Senior Night

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Photo by R.R. Best
Kayden Miller takes out a runner at first base.

•May 15, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley baseball team toppled the Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond baseball team 5-1 in Bethany on senior night Friday but lost to LeRoy in the last regular season game of the year Monday.
The Timberwolves finished their last year in the Little Okaw Valley Conference 10-2 for their sixth-straight conference championship.
OV took a 1-0 lead with a run in the third inning, but it was OV’s four runs in the fifth inning that extended the lead and put the game away for eventual 5-0 win.
ALAH totaled seven hits, while OV had only three in the errorless game.
For ALAH, Logan Brough and Brayden Fay each went 2-for-3, and Cody Miller and Brady Borntreger each had a hit.
Ryan Yeakley was the losing pitcher for the Knights with 4 1/3 innings pitched, giving up four earned runs on two hits and six walks. He struck out five.
Borntreger closed out the game, pitching with 1 2/3 innings pitched and giving up one earned run on two hits. He struck out one.
For OV, two pitchers combined for the shutout.
Camden Coleman pitched 5 1/3 innings and totaled seven hits and six strikeouts. Read More

Obituaries 5-15-2019: Sandi Wirth

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Sandi Wirth

Sandi Wirth, 81, of Sullivan, passed away at 6:28 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2019 in Mason Point in Sullivan.
Celebration of Life services were 10:30 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Bob Vail officiating. Burial was in Resthaven Cemetery in Mattoon. Read More

ALAH Boys Track Ninth in Shelbyville

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•May 15, 2019•

The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond boys’ track team competed in the Shelbyville Open Saturday.
The Knights placed ninth out of 23 teams with a score of 34.
Layton hall took first place in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 9:45.11 and second in the 1,600-meter run at 4:40.14.
Austin Romine placed third in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:02.00.
ALAH is set to enter the Sullivan sectional meet Thursday, May 16.

Macon Speedway Driver Spotlight I

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Macon Speedway Driver Spotlight I
Driver: Brian Dasenbrock; Hometown: Decatur; Age: 43; Family: Wife, Stephanie Dasenbrock, three boys, two girls; Day job: Concrete Foreman; Car Model and Number: Monte Carlo 08; How did your racing career start? Watching his uncle;
Racing history & accomplishments? Track Champion in 2017, been racing over 15yrs; Racing idol & why? Shannon Babb, cause he’s a good driver, and has many fans; Who’s your biggest fan? My wife; Can’t miss TV show?: Simpsons; Favorite movie? Six Pack; Any hobbies in addition to racing? Bowling, and hunting.

Superintendent-Y Stuff: A Walk with Mr. Walk

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•May 15, 2019•
By Supt. Ted Walk,
Sullivan CUSD #300

I wanted to take the opportunity this week to share some information about different pieces of legislation at the state level that could affect local school districts.
There are a number of bills that are currently circulating in Springfield, some of which have passed either the House or the Senate, and some which are still in various committees.
The purpose of this article is simply to inform, and I will be as objective as possible regarding the various proposals.
One of the bills that could have the most significant effect on local school districts is SB 10 and HB 2078, which would increase the minimum teacher salary to $40,000 over the next five years.  Read More