Submitted by Jeni Yantis
This year’s homecoming court includes: Front–Freshman attendant Chloe Weybright, Sophomore attendant Madison Fox, Senior Queen Candidates Shelby Dash, Abigail Weybright, Emily Scott, and Mollee Decesaro and Junior attendant Keeley Benning.  Back–Freshman attendant Brendon Lane, Sophomore attendant Brandon Peters, Senior King candidates Kainan Bushert, Luke Anstrom, Dillon Walker and Brody Sparks and Junior attendant Justin Vander Burgh.

by Bonnie Scott

The Okaw Valley High School Student Council has announced their annual Homecoming Week as September 16-21.

The overall theme to this year’s Okaw Valley homecoming festivities is “Rock of the Ages”. Each day will highlight a special theme at OVHS, and students are encouraged to participate accordingly. The week kicks off with Monday as “Dude Looks Like a Lady” day. Tuesday is “Rock Star Day”, where students are to dress as their favorite rock star. Wednesday’s theme is “Class Color Day” with the “Powder Puff” football games beginning at 7 p.m., and concessions will be available. Thursday is “International Music Day”, where students are to represent music from their favorite country. Read More

New Life Church in Sullivan will host  Hullabaloo 2-5 p.m. Sept. 15. The event offers free entertainment for families, and vendors will sell food and beverages. 

Activities will include laser tag, carnival games, contests, a cupcake walk, and inflatables such as bungee run, obstacle course, and a new feature “The Wrecking Ball.” There will also be candy, prizes, face painting, rock climbing and more.

Hullabaloo, sponsored by New Life Church and several local businesses, will host the event on the square. It has been a huge success year after year, and local law enforcement estimates that more than 1,000 people will attend. Read More

Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc. will host clinics 9-11:30 a.m. Sept. 18 at Marrowbone Public Library in Bethany and 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 20 in the Lovington Public Library on the BEAM applications, a program formerly known as the Circuit Breaker, to aid senior citizens in obtaining discounts on their license plate stickers.   Read More

Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) is now accepting applications from young men and women interested in attending one of the United States military academies. High school seniors, college students, and anyone interested should apply now for summer 2014 admission.

“As the school year begins, many students are thinking about what’s next. As a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, I am eager to provide information and assistance with nominations to the military academies,” Shimkus stated.

To be eligible for appointment, you must be a United States citizen; at least 17 and not more than 23 years of age on July 1, 2014; unmarried; not pregnant; have no dependents; and a legal resident of the 15th Congressional District of Illinois. Average acceptable ACT scores are 24 in English/reading and 25 in math.
Read More

Lake Land College Adult Education has redesigned its GED preparation classes into six-week modules for the fall 2013 semester. Mod II runs from September 30 – November 8 and Mod III from November 11 – December 20.

With the new format of the classes, it is important that students attend an orientation session to complete all intake paper work and pre-class assessments.

The following are the dates, times and locations for the upcoming required orientations: Read More