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Undefeated WSS Softball Team Takes Three Game Sweep

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•April 17, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg softball team stayed undefeated on the season after sweeping three games to win the Ramsey Tournament Saturday.
WSS defeated Ramsey, Hillsboro and Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond.
Against the Knights in the last game of the day, WSS plated three runs in the fourth inning which was the difference in the 3-0 pitchers’ duel.
Hatchet Karlie Bean pitched a one-hit shutout in seven innings with no walks. She struck out 18.
Addi Tinkle had the Knights’ lone hit. Read More

Menu 4-17-2019

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Senior Peace Meal

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

Monday, April 22 - BBQ pork sandwich, lemon pepper peas, wax beans w/pimento & onion, bun, apricots
Tuesday, April 23 - Baked ham, corn casserole, brussels sprouts, whole grain wheat, applesauce
Wednesday, April 24 - Chicken broccoli alfredo, mixed vegetables, dinner roll, peaches
Thursday, April 25 - Goulash w/beans, veggie cheese bake, dinner roll, mandarin oranges
Friday, April 26 - Country fried steak, mashed potatoes w/gravy, Harvard beets, dinner roll, graham crackers, banana

Obituaries 4-17-2019: Zelpha Smith

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Zelpha Smith

Zelpha Marie “Sammie” Smith, 89, of Lovington died at 1:28 p.m. Monday, April 15, 2019 in Aspen Creek in Sullivan surrounded by her children and several grandchildren.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 22 in Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mt. Zion. Burial will be in Keller Cemetery in Lovington. Visitation will be held 4-6 p.m. Sunday at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Lovington. Read More

Three Straight Wins for Baseball Timberwolves

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•April 17, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Okaw Valley baseball team rattled off three straight wins this past week.
OV defeated Shelbyville 9-1, Cerro Gordo/Bement 11-0 and Neoga 5-0.
Saturday against Shelbyville, OV took advantage of six runs in the second inning to help pull away from the Rams.
The Timberwolves tacked on three more runs in the next two innings for the eventual 9-1 win.
Kadan Miller and Cale Roley each recorded two hits, and Dalton McGill, Camden Coleman and Roley each walked twice.
Cameron Sharp and Roley each had two RBIs and McGill had one.
Eli Hagerman pitched six and 2/3 innings and struck out seven. Read More

Knights Bring Big Bats to Beat Arcola

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•April 17, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond baseball team defeated Blue Ridge and Arcola but lost two to Casey-Westfield in a doubleheader Saturday.
Against Arcola on a windy day, the Knights blew a 5-4 game open with seven runs in the top of the seventh inning for the eventual 12-4 win.
Ryan Yeakley picked up the win in relief, pitching two 2/3 innings. He gave up no runs on two hits and no walks. He struck out five.
Dario Ayala pitched four and 1/3 innings and gave up three earned runs on four hits and three walks. He struck out eight.
Ten Knights recorded at least one hit. Read More

Obituaries 4-17-2019: Nita Cherry

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Nita Cherry

Nita D. Cherry, 91, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed away in Rogers, Ark. April 6, 2019.
She was born June 4, 1927 in Lovington to Willis and Fern Dawson.
Nita was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Richard Keith Cherry, parents Willis and Fern Dawson, brothers Kent E. Dawson and Dean H. Dawson and sister Ellen D. Thomas. Read More

Correction

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•April 17, 2019•

In the front page story entitled Swan Song for Bethany Foods April 10, 2019 I made an error in the photo cutline. As most of you know Ata Abbed was pictured with former employee Lois Traster of Bethany. I apologize to Lois, Ata’s wife Linda, Ata and to Ellen Ferrera for the mistake.

ALAH Hires New Supt.

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•April 17, 2019•

The Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond CUSD #305 Board of Education is announcing the hiring of Shannon Cheek as the next superintendent of schools starting July 1, 2019 to succeed Kenny Schwengel, who is retiring at the end of the school year.
After completing a nationwide executive search through the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB), Cheek was selected from a pool of 32 applicants. The search process was initiated by the board at the end of December, 2018.
Cheek is the current principal of Mahomet-Seymour High School, a position he has held since 2011. Prior to that he served as assistant principal for five years and was a teacher and coach in the district beginning in 1999. He also taught for a year at Heritage High School before moving to Mahomet-Seymour. Cheek received his Specialist in Education with Superintendent Endorsement from Eastern Illinois University. He received his Master of Educational Administration from the University of Illinois and also a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology. Cheek and his wife, Kim, have two daughters, Morgan who is a sophomore at the University of Kentucky and Raegan who is a sophomore in high school.
“We are extremely excited to have Mr. Shannon Cheek as the new leader for CUSD #305 and feel he is a great fit for the district and communities,” said Jake Kamm, board president. “The board would like to thank the nearly 300 community members and district staff who completed a survey in conjunction with the search to help provide guidance to the board on what criteria to use in the selection process.”
The Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond school district encompasses 252 square miles and has more than 1200 students. “I am extremely grateful and excited to be given the opportunity to lead a district where its students, staff and communities are dedicated and passionate about education,” said Cheek. “My family and I are looking forward to becoming active members of the district.”
An open house will be held at a later date to welcome him to the district.

Recent Obituaries: Magalene Linville Jackson

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Magalene Linville Jackson

Magalene Linville Jackson, 95, of Sullivan passed away Sunday, April 14, 2019 at her home in Sullivan.
Funeral services will be held 12:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held one hour before the services at the funeral home in Sullivan. Burial will be in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to the Lovington First Baptist Church.
Magalene was born August 4, 1923 in Scottsville, KY, the daughter of Oscar and Lilly (Pruitt) Witt. She married Samuel Hatten Linville in 1941; he preceded her in death in 1960. She later married Elbert Jackson in 1997; he preceded her in death in 2006. She retired from Brachs Candy Factory and was a member of the Lovington First Baptist Church. She enjoyed quilting, gardening and loved canning and cooking for her friends and family. She was also an avid bird watching enthusiast.
Magalene is survived by her son, Sam (Teri) Linville of Sullivan; daughters, Shirley Ernst of Sullivan, Darlene (Dave) McFarland of Mattoon and Patty Linville of Colorado Springs, CO. She is also survived by six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents four brothers and three sisters.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com