Photo by Mike Brothers
OVHS agriculture teacher and ag complex creator Wes Wise explained the inspiration for the collegiate styled facility and thanked all those who helped make this day possible. In background high school principal Matt Shoaff and Supt. Ken Stauder listen along with students, Corp representatives and community representatives gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony.

“Some men see things as they are and say, ‘Why’? I dream of things that never were and say, ‘Why not’?”
Robert F. Kennedy.

•May 23, 2018•

Why not OV? Reflects on the possibilities referred to by Kennedy. Okaw Valley CUSD #302 is a school district willing to dream.

On Thursday, May 17 Okaw Valley High School entered a new era of education breaking ground on a new 5000 sq. ft. agricultural complex.

Along with a classroom and lab the school will initiate animal husbandry, putting the 170 student high school in Bethany in the collegiate level of agricultural learning.

Supt. Kent Stauder told a crowd of students, educators, U.S. Corps partners and members of the community of how the school board asked him to come up with a “dream project”following the district’s success as a U.S. Corps of Engineers partner.

Stauder went to agriculture teacher Wes Wise, who came up with a hands on agriculture concept that incorporates the classroom and real learning modeled from a collegiate approach to learning natural resources, agronomy, animal husbandry and much more. Read More

•May 16, 2018•

Storms wreaked havoc in Moultrie County with a cell hitting Bethany around 3:45 Tuesday afternoon, breaking a utility pole causing traffic delays on Hwy 121 then moving on toward Sullivan with high wind and water damage reported.

A slow-moving cold front triggered widely scattered strong to severe thunderstorms across south-central Illinois during the afternoon of May 15th.  One of the most significant cells formed over southern Macon County at around 3:30pm...then tracked SE across portions of Moultire, Coles, and Clark counties.  This particular storm downed numerous trees, large tree branches, and powerlines in Sullivan and Mattoon...and overturned three semis on I-70 near Martinsville.

The Mattoon Airport measured a wind gust of 71mph as the storm blew through.  Other cells impacted portions of Christian, Sangamon, and Dewitt counties with strong winds and heavy rain.  Due to the very slow movement of the storms at only 10-20mph, copious amounts of rain fell in a short period of time, creating flash flooding in a few locations.

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Members of the Sullivan Lions Club at the reception they hosted for Mid-Illinois Senior Services.

•May 16, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for  the News Progress

Sullivan Lions Club hosted a cake reception at the Mid-Illinois Senior Services Monday, May 7. Lion Verna Tice introduced the 12 members and then made a presentation on the work of the Lions Club.

While their main focus is on vision and hearing assistance to low-income people, the club also sponsors several fund-raisers and programs throughout the year. Their Turkey Bingo at the American Legion in November is a popular event, and all proceeds go directly to the Lions Club.

They also make substantial contributions to Toys for Tots, Pinto League Baseball, the Moultrie County Food Pantry and the Boy Scouts to name a few.  Read More

•May 9, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

The city of Sullivan has received positive responses from donors for the new pavilion to be built on the square which has been widely discussed at recent city council meetings. The pavilion was first brought up when an anonymous donor offered a monetary donation to build a structure that would “house” farmers’ markets and other sales during the warmer seasons of the year.

From there, the council has discussed a variety of building possibilities.

Since then, different individuals have stepped forward offering donations to help fund the new pavilion. City administrator, Dan Flannell has met with two possible donors noting the Lions Club has shown interest in the project.  Read More

•May 9, 2018•

Graduation time approaches for area high school seniors.

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond schools observe baccalaureate service  at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 20 with 63 high school seniors scheduled to graduate outdoors at 7 p.m. Friday, May 25.

Okaw Valley High School has 47 senior candidates for graduation. The commencement ceremony is 2 p.m. Sunday, May 27 in the OVHS gymnasium. Quinn Michael Brooks is valedictorian. Grace Catherine Harlin, Hannah Beth Landreth, and Ethan Johannes Macklin are salutatorians. Read More