Category Archives: News Section

Seth Dunscomb 14th Annual Opener

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Submitted Seth Dunscomb 14th Annual Opener The Sullivan Blue Dophins entered 58 swimmers in the 14th annual Seth Dunscomb New Year’s Opener in January. Pictured left to right are Connie Dunscomb, Dalace Ray, Brodie Goss, Dylan Sanders, McKenna Kull, Brynna Sentel, Calista Clark, Charlie Goss, Anna Wooter, and coach Jason Drury (not pictured is Noah Spain). Seth Dunscomb began his swimming career with the Sullivan Blue Dophins when he was just a boy. Each year, the dolphins remember him when they attend the Seth Dunscomb New Year’s Opener in Decatur. Dunscomb was a record-setting swimmer who died suddenly of a heart ailment in 1997 during a practice for the University of Kansas swim team. Dunscomb was a state champion in the 200-yard individual medley while at Sullivan High School and still holds 16 records with the Sullivan Blue Dolphins that have not been broken in more than 15 years. This year marked the 14th year the meet has been held at Millikin University’s Griswold Center. With ages ranging from 5 to 18 years old in a total of 506 races, the Dolphins brought home a hefty amount of hardware, with the following swimmers receiving overall trophies: Open Division - Brynna Sentel 1st place; Charlie Goss 2nd place; Dalace Ray 3rd place.13-14 age group - McKenna Kull 1st place; Anna Wooters 2nd place;  Brodie Goss 2nd place; Dylan Sanders 3rd place. 11 - 12 age group - Calista Clark 3rd place. 9 -10 age group  - Noah Spain 3rd place.

Submitted
Seth Dunscomb 14th Annual Opener
The Sullivan Blue Dophins entered 58 swimmers in the 14th annual Seth Dunscomb New Year’s Opener in January. Pictured left to right are Connie Dunscomb, Dalace Ray, Brodie Goss, Dylan Sanders, McKenna Kull, Brynna Sentel, Calista Clark, Charlie Goss, Anna Wooter, and coach Jason Drury (not pictured is Noah Spain). Seth Dunscomb began his swimming career with the Sullivan Blue Dophins when he was just a boy. Each year, the dolphins remember him when they attend the Seth Dunscomb New Year’s Opener in Decatur. Dunscomb was a record-setting swimmer who died suddenly of a heart ailment in 1997 during a practice for the University of Kansas swim team. Dunscomb was a state champion in the 200-yard individual medley while at Sullivan High School and still holds 16 records with the Sullivan Blue Dolphins that have not been broken in more than 15 years. This year marked the 14th year the meet has been held at Millikin University’s Griswold Center. With ages ranging from 5 to 18 years old in a total of 506 races, the Dolphins brought home a hefty amount of hardware, with the following swimmers receiving overall trophies: Open Division - Brynna Sentel 1st place; Charlie Goss 2nd place; Dalace Ray 3rd place.13-14 age group - McKenna Kull 1st place; Anna Wooters 2nd place;  Brodie Goss 2nd place; Dylan Sanders 3rd place. 11 - 12 age group - Calista Clark 3rd place. 9 -10 age group  - Noah Spain 3rd place.

SHS Boys’ Basketball Banquet 2015

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Submitted by Charles Brown SHS Boys’ Basketball Banquet The SHS boys’ basketball banquet was recognized March 18 at their banquet. Pictured, left to right: Nick Frerichs (defensive award), Jacob Piper (practice player award), Alec Ballinger (free throw award), Ty Molzen (rebounding award, most outstanding player), and Zach Hrvol (most improved).

Submitted by Charles Brown
SHS Boys’ Basketball Banquet
The SHS boys’ basketball banquet was recognized March 18 at their banquet. Pictured, left to right: Nick Frerichs (defensive award), Jacob Piper (practice player award), Alec Ballinger (free throw award), Ty Molzen (rebounding award, most outstanding player), and Zach Hrvol (most improved).

Retiree Health Benefits to Remain the Same

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Dependents’ costs questioned

March 25, 2015

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

Discussions got heated when the question of health insurance coverage for retired employees came up during the regular meeting of the Sullivan City Council March 9.
Currently, all present employees pay 10 percent of the premium costs for their dependents (if they have any).
But in the city handbook, there is a clause stating that any employee who was employed with the city on July, 25, 1988 would have “comparable” health insurance paid for after retirement.
In 2013, when the city agreed to a new police union contract, one of the stipulations was that employees would begin paying a percentage of their dependents’ costs. Read More

Juvenile Falls from Third Floor of Courthouse Monday Afternoon

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Photo by Keith Stewart Sullivan paramedics are seen transporting a juvenile to a medevac helicopter Monday afternoon in Arthur after the boy fell from the third floor of the Moultrie County Courthouse in Sullivan.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Sullivan paramedics are seen transporting a juvenile to a medevac helicopter Monday afternoon in Arthur after the boy fell from the third floor of the Moultrie County Courthouse in Sullivan.

Boy then transported by
helicopter from Arthur

March 25, 2015
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

A boy was being treated for injuries he received after he apparently jumped from the third floor of the Moultrie County Courthouse onto the first-floor rotunda a week ago Monday.
The boy, shackled and clad in an orange jumpsuit, had just left a courtroom about 3:15 p.m. Monday when he went over the railing.
Because the incident involves a juvenile, authorities are not releasing his name.
The boy was treated at the scene by Sullivan paramedics, who then rushed him by ambulance to Arthur, where a makeshift helicopter pad was set up in Eberhardt Park across from the fire station Monday afternoon. There, a medevac helicopter landed and transported the child to Carle in Urbana.
State’s attorney Jeremy Richey, who is handling all media requests regarding the incident, declined to comment about the boy’s condition or provide any details about the incident. Read More

State Behind on Transportation and Special Education Payments

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ALAH district still in the black, for now

March 18, 2015

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond superintendent Kenny Schwengel informed the board at its regular meeting last Wednesday that the state was behind on several payments to the transportation and special education funds. The transportation fund has been prorated at 71 percent and on top of that has received just one payment of $126,000. The amount includes one regular payment and a special education payment for Arthur-Lovington and Atwood-Hammond. Payments are still being made to Atwood-Hammond since the state was previously behind on them.
The district has received only one of the four payments that were expected. In the special education fund, only $85,800 of the $246,500 have been received. According to Schwengel, there has been some speculation that only two payments will be received in both the transportation and special education funds. Read More

Lovington Pageant 2015

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Photo by Darian Hays Little Miss Lovington Pageant The 2015 Jr. Miss and Little Miss Lovington Pageant will be held March 28 at 7 p.m. at the Lovington Grade School gym. This year’s pageant has three Jr. Miss contestants and seven Little Miss contestants. The competition includes a four minute interview that will take place in the afternoon, on stage introductions, a pop question, speech, and formal wear. This year there will be a People’s Choice Award, where anyone may vote for his or her favorite contestant at the pageant. A 50/50 raffle is this year’s fundraiser, which will be sold at the pageant or by all of the contestants prior to the pageant. Pictured, in the front row, from left to right are: Abby Turnbaugh, daughter of Jennifer Franklin & Luke Turnbaugh; 2014 Little Miss Lovington Halle Wardrip, daughter of Brad & Andrea Wardrip. Back row: MaKayla Hays, daughter of Tera Newberry & Tyler Hays; Kikyo Brent, daughter of Jennifer Martin & Kevin Brent; Morgan Casteel, daughter of Brock & Erica Casteel; Saveah Gabbard, daughter of Eric & Haylee Gabbard. Not pictured is Krystina Myers, daughter of Nena & Timothy Fridge.

Photo by Darian Hays
Little Miss Lovington
The 2015 Jr. Miss and Little Miss Lovington Pageant will be held March 28 at 7 p.m. at the Lovington Grade School gym. This year’s pageant has three Jr. Miss contestants and seven Little Miss contestants. The competition includes a four minute interview that will take place in the afternoon, on stage introductions, a pop question, speech, and formal wear. This year there will be a People’s Choice Award, where anyone may vote for his or her favorite contestant at the pageant. A 50/50 raffle is this year’s fundraiser, which will be sold at the pageant or by all of the contestants prior to the pageant. Pictured, in the front row, from left to right are: Abby Turnbaugh, daughter of Jennifer Franklin & Luke Turnbaugh; 2014 Little Miss Lovington Halle Wardrip, daughter of Brad & Andrea Wardrip. Back row: MaKayla Hays, daughter of Tera Newberry & Tyler Hays; Kikyo Brent, daughter of Jennifer Martin & Kevin Brent; Morgan Casteel, daughter of Brock & Erica Casteel; Saveah Gabbard, daughter of Eric & Haylee Gabbard. Not pictured is Krystina Myers, daughter of Nena & Timothy Fridge.

Photo by Darian Hays Jr. Miss Lovington Pictured, from left to right are: Ciara Emrick, daughter of Martina Emrick & David Emrick; Kenli Nettles, daughter of Ryan Nettles & Christy Yielding; Jessica Renfro, daughter of Jessica & Jim Erixon; and the 2014 Jr. Miss Lovington Natalie Lambdin, daughter of Tom & Jennifer Lambdin.

Photo by Darian Hays
Jr. Miss Lovington
Pictured, from left to right are: Ciara Emrick, daughter of Martina Emrick & David Emrick; Kenli Nettles, daughter of Ryan Nettles & Christy Yielding; Jessica Renfro, daughter of Jessica & Jim Erixon; and the 2014 Jr. Miss Lovington Natalie Lambdin, daughter of Tom & Jennifer Lambdin.

Yost Arraigned Friday Afternoon

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Murder suspect requests public defender

March 18, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

A Sullivan man accused of first degree murder was officially arraigned Friday afternoon.
With visible stitches appearing on the left side of his neck, Michael S. Yost, 40, of Sullivan, went before the Hon. Judge Dan Flannell Friday afternoon and was formally read the four counts of first-degree murder for which he has been charged.
Friday’s hearing comes after Yost was arrested just three days prior following his release from St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur Tuesday afternoon.
According to court records, Yost was found a week ago Wednesday morning inside a Graham Street apartment in Sullivan with several stab wounds to both the front of his chest and neck, which according to rescue personnel appeared to be self-inflicted. Read More

Sullivan Scholastic Bowl Regional Champs 2015

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Submitted Sullivan Scholastic Bowl Regional Champs The Sullivan scholastic bowl team earned the regional title Monday evening with an overtime win over Marshall 130-120. The team started by defeating Shelbyville 220-90, then defeated Stew-Stras 210-60 to make it to the championship. Brent Mauck led the team with eight tossups, while Grace Mauck and Ryan Baker both added six. Luke DeLong added four, and Drew Harris contributed with one.  The team now travels to Cumberland Saturday to play in the sectional tournament.  Their record is currently 36-20. Pictured, back row left to right:  Ryan Baker, Blake Stewart, Nick Kelsey, Dakota Clayton, and Drew Harris. Front row: Grace Mauck, Luke DeLong, Brent Mauck, and Trevor Elder.

Submitted
Sullivan Scholastic Bowl Regional Champs
The Sullivan scholastic bowl team earned the regional title Monday evening with an overtime win over Marshall 130-120. The team started by defeating Shelbyville 220-90, then defeated Stew-Stras 210-60 to make it to the championship. Brent Mauck led the team with eight tossups, while Grace Mauck and Ryan Baker both added six. Luke DeLong added four, and Drew Harris contributed with one.  The team now travels to Cumberland Saturday to play in the sectional tournament.  Their record is currently 36-20. Pictured, back row left to right:  Ryan Baker, Blake Stewart, Nick Kelsey, Dakota Clayton, and Drew Harris. Front row: Grace Mauck, Luke DeLong, Brent Mauck, and Trevor Elder.

Lovington Gives Go-Ahead for Income Survey

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March 11, 2015

Will show if village qualifies for grant money to help complete second phase of drainage project

by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter

As spring approaches with rain and melting snow, the board heard guests Kelly Lockhart and Kevin McReynolds from the Coles County Regional Planning and Development Commission (CCRP) speak on the potential to get phase two of the drainage project completed.

The phase two area is east of highway 121. Lockhart and McReynolds requested that they begin an income survey of the area where the work would take place to see whether 50 percent of residents are listed at the poverty level. If so, Lockhart and McReynolds would proceed with a grant application, that if awarded, would earn the village of Lovington $450,000 for the project. The village, however, would be required to put in $150,000. Read More