Category Archives: free news stories

Prayer Vigil on Life Chain

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•September 23, 2015•

Members of Sullivan Life Chain will gather at the corner of Harrison and Jackson streets in Sullivan for a prayer vigil 2-3 p.m. Sunday Oct. 4.

As part of  “National Life Chain Sunday” local committee members will have signs for participants to hold while standing along these streets as they pray for abortion to end. Women who are considering having an abortion will be included in the prayer.  This is a peaceful prayer vigil while taking a stand against abortion.

Questions may be directed to Life Chain committee members at 232-8881 or 433-7767.  Those having a large group should notify the committee soon in order to have ample signs.The event will be held rain or shine.  Those unable to stand may bring lawn chairs.

Police Warn of IRS Scam

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•September 23, 2015•

Sullivan Police Department has issued an IRS scam warning to residents.

Chief John Love explained some residents have been called by someone claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). “They’re telling people they owe the IRS money and should send a cashier’s check or money order to keep local police from being sent to arrest them.” Love explained.

“It just isn’t true, that’s not how we operate,” he said, noting anyone receiving one of these calls should call local police to report the scam.

LLC, EIU Host Alumni Events

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•September 16, 2015•

Lake Land College and Eastern Illinois University are hosting two joint alumni events this month and alumni who graduated both institutions are welcome to attend.

A joint reception will be held on Thursday, Sept. 17 at the Mattoon Golf and Country Club, 6700 N. Country Club Rd., Mattoon, from 5-7 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet administrators and trustees from both institutions. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. Lake Land College President Josh Bullock and EIU President David Glassman will speak at approximately 6 p.m. regarding the current state and the partnership of both institutions.

On Friday, Sept. 25, join fellow alumni, friends and family for the Coles County Clash Tailgate from 5-7 p.m. at O’Brien Field in Charleston. Tickets for the tailgate cost $10 each and a portion of those proceeds will go toward a scholarship fund for Lake Land College students transferring to EIU. Please RSVP by Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Introduction to Digital Photography Workshop

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•September 16, 2015•

The Lovington Public Library District is offering “Introduction to Digital Photography Workshop” 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday September 29 in the library meeting room. It is being conducted by Lovington resident Alma Fair. There is a preregistration requirement deadline of Friday September 25, and participants are asked to call the library at 873-4468 or stop in to register. There is no cost for the workshop, but participants are asked to bring their digital camera, questions they may have and the camera manual.

Timberlake Scramble Results

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•September 16, 2015•

The Monday night scramble results for Timberlake Golf Course:

Sept. 7, 2015: First place with five under par and winning playoff hole: Brent Effner, Josh Thouvenin, Kevin Elder and Gage Elder.

Second place with five under par: Shane Russell, Tim Coy, Adam Dillard and Clint Marshall.

Bagpipe Music is a Tradition

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Photo by RR Best Bagpiper Paul Hinson

Photo by RR Best
Bagpiper Paul Hinson

•September 16, 2015•

Paul Hinson played the “Flowers of Forest” on Scottish Highland bagpipes for the Patriot Day assembly in Sullivan Friday, Sept. 11.

For Hinson, who lives in Oakland, his interest in the bagpipe started when he heard his first one played in St. Louis.

“That was 37 years ago,” Hinson said, noting he started buying records and then gained enough skills to start playing.

He explained the pipe’s sound comes from the blend of reeds from the clarinet, saxophone and oboe teamed with the consistency of the player in controlling the air flow through the bag.

Mutual friends connected Hinson with Rebecca Lawson which resulted in his performance at the Sullivan Patriot Day assembly.

“Bagpipes are experiencing a bit of a revival,” Hinson continued. The history of the bagpipe started in India and North Africa and was brought to the Irish and Scots by the Greeks and Romans.

Although there are several styles, Hinson plays the fuller sounding Scottish Highland bagpipe because of its superior sound outdoors.

LLC Summer Graduates

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•September 16, 2015•

Included among the 155 summer graduates at lake Land College are these area students: Kelsey Ward of Findlay, AA in art; Danielle Morr of Lovington, certificate in practical nursing; Samantha Tilford of Windsor, certificate in practical nursing and Alexander Bailey, AS in business administration, Tracy Carrington, certificate in practical nursing, Natasha Foley, AS in business administration, Kimberli Hollingsworth, certificate in office assistant/receptionist, Alexandrea Robinson, certificate in practical nursing and Scott Stokes, certificate in cosmetology, all of Sullivan.

Sullivan Band Hosts Competition

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•September 16, 2015•

The Sullivan High School Marching Redskins hosted the second annual marching band competition Saturday.

Mt. Zion High School and Paxton-Buckley-Loda were class winners of the competition. The Marching Redskins performed in exhibition.

Sullivan Scavenger Hunt

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•September 9, 2015•

Sullivan’s Scavenger Hunt is growing up and on October 10 the Adults Only version will be kicked off.

Jeri Davis  explained that the adult hunt is held on homecoming weekend, and the group will be part of the parade.

It’s adult only because some of the prizes contain alcohol, she explained. Some 60 prizes are anticipated with clues posted every half hour on facebook

The hunt area will include surrounding areas of Sullivan with searches extending to the Bruce Findlay road south, Lovington north and Mason Point east.

SOL Member Drive Underway

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•September 9, 2015•

The Sons of the American Legion member drive is underway with National Commander Kevin Collier noting the group currently has a 358,000 nationwide membership.

He explained that the SAL squadron at the local American Legion Posts has men who joined to honor fathers/mothers or grandfathers/grandmothers service in the US military.

By being a member of the SAL and paying your dues annually, you receive benefits such as discounted prescription and eye glass care, car rental and hotel discounts, access to life and health care insurance, and many more.