•March 6, 2019•

Eighteen Okaw Valley band and choir students participated in the IHSA State Solo & Ensemble contest held at Millikin University. Overall, Okaw Valley students received eight first place ratings, six second place ratings and one third place.
All soloists are required to perform a musical selection as well as prepared scales and tonal skills in front of a judge. This is the highest competition available to musicians in IHSA member schools. Judges shall award Division I ratings to only those competitors manifesting the very highest level of achievement as stated in the Terms & Conditions set forth by the IHSA.
Students receiving first place ratings include Bella Benning and Kaylee Taylor vocal duet, Ethan Suarez snare drum solo, Bella Benning vocal solo, Haven Caulfield vocal solo, Clayton Bone snare drum solo, Madeline Ray piano solo, Connor Powers, Bella Benning and Shelby Hagerman trumpet trio and Kaylee Taylor vocal solo.
Second place ratings were received by Haven Caulfield and Shaukana Tipsword vocal duet, Baylee Suarez flute solo, Savannah Hagerman trombone solo, Alesia Smegal, Macie Fleshner, Calleigh Foster and Mikhayla Ward flute quartet, Connor Powers baritone solo, Shaukana Tipsword vocal solo. Third place rating was received by Caleb Hildebrandt horn solo.
Also participating were Addison Webner and Chloe Harris saxophone ensemble. Students were accompanied by Theresa Colclasure and Vicki Osman. Okaw Valley students are under the instrumental direction of Erin Bozek and vocal direction of Kathy Doty.

•March 6, 2019•

Clifford L. Endsley, 64, petition for recovery and discharge, was continued to 1:30 p.m. March 19, 2019.
Endsley is serving time in Big Muddy Correctional facility in Ina for a 2002 conviction in Moultrie County of sexual assault of a child and child pornography. Classified as a sexually dangerous person, Endsley enrolled in a group treatment program at Big Muddy and is requesting release from prison.
Valery Strawn, Endsley’s attorney, explained to the court before the Honorable Judge Hugh Finson that they are not asking for release outright but one that requires particles conditions with monitoring.
Special prosecutor Charles Zalar along with State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver’s case centered on psychologist Dr. Kristopher Clounch’s evaluation of Endsley.
Clounch explained Endsley’s behavioral control problems have not significantly improved, and he determined the prisoner has pedophilic disorder.
Dr. Clounch explained the risk assessment looked at 10 items related to the offense to determine risk, and he felt that Endsley would be likely to re-offend.
Dr. Leslie Cane performed a risk assessment for the defense and recommended the early release with condition options.
Closing arguments and judgement will be determined at 1:30 p.m. March 19.

•February 27 2019•

The Findlay Fire Department is coordinating Eagle Creek Resort clean up and fire training along with the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources and the Illinois Fire Service Institute.
In addition to the fire departments previously mentioned in the Feb. 20 front page story in the New Progress firefighters from Assumption and Moweaqua participated in the Feb. 16 clean up.

•February 27 2019•

The Moultrie Douglas Farm Bureau is hosting a saturated buffer field day at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 20.
The location is west of Timberlake Golf Course at 957 CR 700E, Sullivan. During this unique field day speakers from Illinois Farm Bureau Assn., Illinois Land Improvement Assn., SIU Dept. of Forestry and Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources will offer updated information on conservation.

•February 27 2019•

There will be an informational meeting regarding the building referendum at 6:30 p.m. March 6 in the Okaw Valley Middle School Media Center in Findlay.
The meetings is intended to provide the community with information about the proposed projects, give residents a chance to provide feedback, and ask questions.
The project architect, Damien Schlitt of BLDD, will be present to discuss building plans and how much it could cost. Tom Crabtree from the investment banking firm Stifel will also be present to discuss financing and the impact on local taxpayers.