by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

After enjoying a three-way tie for 10th place in class 2A last week, the Sullivan girls’ basketball team was booted by none other than Mt. Carmel, who boasts Tyra Buss, and who ousted Sullivan last year in the opening sectional.

“I guess I was a little surprised not to see us ranked in the top 10 anymore after only two losses for the year,” said Sullivan head coach Sheri McCain Thursday in an email.

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Freshmen orientation for next year’s freshman class will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 26 in the high school commons. For more information, contact the high school at 728-8311. 

The city of Sullivan in partnership with the Illinois Municipal Utilities Association (IMUA) is again offering a scholarship competition program for eligible high school seniors. Each eligible applicant is asked to submit an application and an essay of 500 words or less addressing their choice of one of four utility-related questions.

Applicants must be high school seniors whose parents or legal guardians are residential customers of the city of Sullivan municipal utility.

According to public property commissioner Mike Kirk, the program has a dual purpose: 1) to promote and recognize scholastic achievement; and, 2) to create greater awareness among young adults of the many issues facing consumers and public power municipalities today.

“Today’s energy providers, including municipally-owned and operated utilities, face a myriad of economic, environmental, and other challenges, which warrant creative and innovative solutions,” Kirk said. “Creating a great awareness of these issues among tomorrow’s leaders can be the first step in helping to determine effective, long-term solutions, both now and into the future.”

This will be the 14th year IMUA has offered the program.

“Since its inception in 2000, IMUA’s scholarship program has proven to be a very popular and successful program for IMUA, its members, and the communities it serves,” said Kevin M. Gaden, President and CEO of the IMUA. “Public power communities offer their customers a number of cost, service, and other advantages compared to those served by other energy providers. IMUA’s scholarship program is another example of how municipally-owned and operated utility systems can help return value to their communities while at the same time provide a measure of financial assistance to those students who wish to purse a college education.”

The deadline for submitting applications and essays is Friday, March 7. A committee of municipal utility officials will select a total of four finalists, each of whom will receive a certificate and $500 scholarship award. Winners will be announced sometime in April.

Organized in 1948, IMUA is a statewide trade association that represents the unified interest of, and provides services to, nearly 60 municipalities that operate their own electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, and wastewater treatment systems. Applicants may contact IMUA for more information at 217-789-4632.

Deadline to apply Jan. 24

Moultrie County has been chosen to receive $2,800.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter

programs in the county. The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Jewish Federations of North America, The Salvation Army; and, United Way Worldwide.

The Local Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

A Local Board is made up of made up of representatives from local government, Salvation Army, United Way, Catholic Charities and a former homeless person will determine how the funds awarded to Moultrie County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area. The Local Board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds made available under this phase of the program. Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Barbara Waymire at 217-728-7721 for an application. Applications must be received by January 24, 2014 at 9 a.m.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Moultrie County EFSP Local Board has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation participating. Last year C.E.F.S. was responsible for distributing $2,800.00; as a result C.E.F.S. provided 59 meals and 17 households received assistance for lodging, with another five households receiving help with their utility bills in Moultrie County.

The re-organizational meeting for this year will be held at the C.E.F.S. Moultrie County Outreach office in Sullivan on January 29 at 9 a.m. For additional information, contact Barbara Waymire at 217-728-7721 prior to the time of the meeting.

Photo by RR Best
Paige Harlin goes for the layup with Emily Seegmiller threatening the block from behind.

McClain leads way with 9 points, 3 blocks

by Kirk Whitaker
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

The last time Okaw Valley’s and Arthur’s girls played basketball, Karly Goodman went off for 25 points, and the Lancers dominated. This time was much different. The ‘wolves were ready.

“[Containing Goodman] was our goal,” said Timberwolves head coach Don Gardner stated. “We had a girl on offense last night in practice playing the role of Karly. Our goal was to shut her down, and she is a phenomenal athlete, kid, and shooter, and I didn’t want her to beat us again.”

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