Category Archives: News Section

An Incumbent Kind of Night

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Nearly every race re-elects candidates

April 8, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

In all but one of the five contested races Tuesday incumbents were all re-elected according to unofficial final tallies. Moultrie county clerk Georgia England says that final results will not be available until a canvass is completed on April 21, which will include any provisional and absentee votes remaining. However, England said she does not imagine the canvass to result in any change in the unofficial results. Overall voter turnout came in at just 15.76 percent, which the clerk described as low compared to previous consolidated elections. ElectionTABLE Read More

Aiming High for Food for Golf Day

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Fundraiser for the Moultrie County Food Pantry April 24

April 8, 2015

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

Golfers at the Sullivan Country Club won’t be “puttering around” when it comes to donating food for the Moultrie County Food Pantry later this month. In fact, they will be having their own kind of drive–one that will be aiming for more than just a hole-in-one or under-par as the community will have a chance to enjoy a few rounds of golf while helping donate to a good cause.
“This has been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” said the Sullivan Country Club golf pro Andy Wagner. “I know from personal experiences that there are a lot of unexpected things in life and things get tough so I thought what a great opportunity to help the food pantry so they can help others who are in need. Our community really stands together and helps when called upon. Both the Country Club and I feel this is a way for us to contribute.” Read More

The Calm Before the Storm

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Photo by RR Best The Calm Before the Storm Hundreds of kids and adults stand behind caution tape Sunday afternoon at Wyman Park just moments before being let loose to raid hundreds of Easter eggs of their goodies. The Easter egg hunt was sponsored by the Sullivan Fire District, which also gave the following children baskets after drawing their names: Charlie Conlin, Emma Clevenger, Aidan Coil, Elona Halili, Teagan Born, McKinlee Nunamaker, Lane Nowlin, Josie Herschberger, Trey Grimm, Autumn Shinn, Wyatt Miller, and Maelyn Gaithes. In addition, the following children were drawn to receive a bike: Jesse Russell, Addison Cole, Bryson Beckwith, Sophia Thomas, Nikolas Rubush, Tessla Ashbrooke, Jacob Collins, Kailen Scribner, Rhyland Brady, Kenadi Wyrozumski, Ethan Brinkman, and Kinley Hill.

Photo by RR Best
The Calm Before the Storm
Hundreds of kids and adults stand behind caution tape Sunday afternoon at Wyman Park just moments before being let loose to raid hundreds of Easter eggs of their goodies. The Easter egg hunt was sponsored by the Sullivan Fire District, which also gave the following children baskets after drawing their names: Charlie Conlin, Emma Clevenger, Aidan Coil, Elona Halili, Teagan Born, McKinlee Nunamaker, Lane Nowlin, Josie Herschberger, Trey Grimm, Autumn Shinn, Wyatt Miller, and Maelyn Gaithes. In addition, the following children were drawn to receive a bike: Jesse Russell, Addison Cole, Bryson Beckwith, Sophia Thomas, Nikolas Rubush, Tessla Ashbrooke, Jacob Collins, Kailen Scribner, Rhyland Brady, Kenadi Wyrozumski, Ethan Brinkman, and Kinley Hill.

2015 Miss Lovington Pageant

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Photo by Kent Stock 2015 Miss Lovington Pageant The 2015 queens that were crowned March 28 were Jr. Miss Lovington Kenli Nettles (left), daughter of Ryan Nettles and Christi Yielding and 2015 Little Miss Lovington Morgan Casteel (right), daughter of Brock and Erica Casteel. Outgoing queens (back row) are 2014 Jr Miss Lovington, Natalie Lambdin (left) and 2014 Little Miss Lovington, Halle Wardrip (right).

Photo by Kent Stock
2015 Miss Lovington Pageant
The 2015 queens that were crowned March 28 were Jr. Miss Lovington Kenli Nettles (left), daughter of Ryan Nettles and Christi Yielding and 2015 Little Miss Lovington Morgan Casteel (right), daughter of Brock and Erica Casteel. Outgoing queens (back row) are 2014 Jr Miss Lovington, Natalie Lambdin (left) and 2014 Little Miss Lovington, Halle Wardrip (right).

2015 SHS Girls’ Basketball Banquet

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Submitted by Emily Neuhauser SHS Girls’ Basketball Banquet The SHS girls’ basketball banquet was held March 10 at the VFW. Pictured, left to right: Chloe Riley (most improved award) Emily Neuhauser (most outstanding player award and offensive award) Brittin Boyer (rebound award and Lady Redskin award) Elisss Stewart (hustle and heart award) and Alyssa Marshall (defense award). Boyer also previously received First Team All-State honors from the Associated Press and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, while also being unanimously named to the all-Central Illinois Conference first team. Neuhauser received Third Team All-State from the IBCA and Honorable Mention from the AP as well as unanimous all CIC first team. Stewart earned second team all CIC honors.

Submitted by Emily Neuhauser
SHS Girls’ Basketball Banquet
The SHS girls’ basketball banquet was held March 10 at the VFW. Pictured, left to right: Chloe Riley (most improved award) Emily Neuhauser (most outstanding player award and offensive award) Brittin Boyer (rebound award and Lady Redskin award) Elisss Stewart (hustle and heart award) and Alyssa Marshall (defense award). Boyer also previously received First Team All-State honors from the Associated Press and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association, while also being unanimously named to the all-Central Illinois Conference first team. Neuhauser received Third Team All-State from the IBCA and Honorable Mention from the AP as well as unanimous all CIC first team. Stewart earned second team all CIC honors.

12th Annual Busterball Tourney

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Photo by RR Best 12th Annual Busterball Tourney Fourth grader Wyatt Miller ducks while clutching two balls during the Sullivan Blue Dolphins 12th annual busterball tournament, Saturday March 28 at Sullivan High School. There, 56 teams played with more than 400 participants from ages kindergarten to adult. Teams came from Okaw Valley, Shelbyville, Lovington, and Sullivan. Trophies were given to first place team winners, medals to the second place team winners and a free snow cone was the prize for the team members that exhibited the best sportsmanship for each grade level. A lot of new activities were also available during the event as well, including games, face painting, and a raffle table with a wide variety of prizes.  A full list of winners is posted at http://sbdbusterball.weebly.com/.

Photo by RR Best
12th Annual Busterball Tourney
Fourth grader Wyatt Miller ducks while clutching two balls during the Sullivan Blue Dolphins 12th annual busterball tournament, Saturday March 28 at Sullivan High School. There, 56 teams played with more than 400 participants from ages kindergarten to adult. Teams came from Okaw Valley, Shelbyville, Lovington, and Sullivan. Trophies were given to first place team winners, medals to the second place team winners and a free snow cone was the prize for the team members that exhibited the best sportsmanship for each grade level. A lot of new activities were also available during the event as well, including games, face painting, and a raffle table with a wide variety of prizes.  A full list of winners is posted at http://sbdbusterball.weebly.com/.

2015 Sparrow’s Easter Bike Giveaway

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Submitted Sparrow’s Easter Bike Giveaway Sparrow’s Unlimited Inc. once again gave away bikes to children during the Lovington Easter egg hunt Saturday morning at Tom Conn Park. Those who received bikes were Griffin Hilton, Kamayah Parker, Cannon Doggett, Norma Mendoza, Daylin Doggett, Athena Helmuth, Devon Barron, Rylin Young, Robbie Le Cates, and McKenzie Erixon.

Submitted
Sparrow’s Easter Bike Giveaway
Sparrow’s Unlimited Inc. once again gave away bikes to children during the Lovington Easter egg hunt Saturday morning at Tom Conn Park. Those who received bikes were Griffin Hilton, Kamayah Parker, Cannon Doggett, Norma Mendoza, Daylin Doggett, Athena Helmuth, Devon Barron, Rylin Young, Robbie Le Cates, and McKenzie Erixon.

2015 SCEF Awards

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Photos by RR Best SCEF Awards The Sullivan Community Education Foundation held its annual District Staff Appreciation Dinner funded by the SCEDF on March 19 where $26,897 in grants were awarded to the Sullivan community and school district. Pictured, above, (from left to right) are the major grant award winners which included the Moultrie County Counseling Center represented by David Cole and Katrina Shain ($1,250 for basic self-defense and personal safety classes); SHS science teacher John Bertetto ($2,000 for human anatomical models) and the SES second grade teachers represented by Leslie Auten, Melissa Haegen, Ashley Christensen, and Danielle Braiding ($14,969 for 30 iPad air tablets with cases and charging cabinets). Pictured, below, are the minor grant award winners, which included student Wesley Standerfer and SES teacher Lynette Rotramel ($650 for a Nikon camera, tripod, and replacement insurance for school newspaper); Elizabeth Titus Library represented by Michelle Nolan ($500 Summer Reading Program); SMS teacher Marissa Wright ($900 for Canon T3i for SMS yearbook); SES social worker Poppy Graham ($800 for iPad and apps); SES second grade teachers represented by Haegen, Braiding, Christenson and Auten ($990 for Lexia Core 5 software for second graders); the Moultrie County Beacon represented by Kari Ruppert ($998 for two Wi-Fi iPad tablets); SHS athletic department represented by Chester Reeder ($501.38 for upgrade of SHS weight room); SES speech and language teachers represented by Jessica Reeder and Ann Osthoff ($930 for two iPad Air Tablets); Central Illinois Public Transit represented by Jennifer Moore ($960 for one day bus trips for senior citizens); SES special education teacher Christine Grohler ($950 for Hand in Hand Kids Summer Autism Camp); and the Sullivan preschool represented by Tonya Rose ($500 for two iPad minis). The Sullivan Community Education Foundation was formed in 1995. The mission statement of the Foundation is “to promote lifelong learning opportunities in its community and schools”.  The board is comprised of community and school district men and women who oversee the awarding of major and mini grants each year.  Since the formation, the SCEF has awarded more than $450,000 in grants.  This money is not tax money but funds obtained by donations and fund-raising.

Photos by RR Best
SCEF Awards
The Sullivan Community Education Foundation held its annual District Staff Appreciation Dinner funded by the SCEDF on March 19 where $26,897 in grants were awarded to the Sullivan community and school district. Pictured, above, (from left to right) are the major grant award winners which included the Moultrie County Counseling Center represented by David Cole and Katrina Shain ($1,250 for basic self-defense and personal safety classes); SHS science teacher John Bertetto ($2,000 for human anatomical models) and the SES second grade teachers represented by Leslie Auten, Melissa Haegen, Ashley Christensen, and Danielle Braiding ($14,969 for 30 iPad air tablets with cases and charging cabinets). Pictured, below, are the minor grant award winners, which included student Wesley Standerfer and SES teacher Lynette Rotramel ($650 for a Nikon camera, tripod, and replacement insurance for school newspaper); Elizabeth Titus Library represented by Michelle Nolan ($500 Summer Reading Program); SMS teacher Marissa Wright ($900 for Canon T3i for SMS yearbook); SES social worker Poppy Graham ($800 for iPad and apps); SES second grade teachers represented by Haegen, Braiding, Christenson and Auten ($990 for Lexia Core 5 software for second graders); the Moultrie County Beacon represented by Kari Ruppert ($998 for two Wi-Fi iPad tablets); SHS athletic department represented by Chester Reeder ($501.38 for upgrade of SHS weight room); SES speech and language teachers represented by Jessica Reeder and Ann Osthoff ($930 for two iPad Air Tablets); Central Illinois Public Transit represented by Jennifer Moore ($960 for one day bus trips for senior citizens); SES special education teacher Christine Grohler ($950 for Hand in Hand Kids Summer Autism Camp); and the Sullivan preschool represented by Tonya Rose ($500 for two iPad minis). The Sullivan Community Education Foundation was formed in 1995. The mission statement of the Foundation is “to promote lifelong learning opportunities in its community and schools”.  The board is comprised of community and school district men and women who oversee the awarding of major and mini grants each year.  Since the formation, the SCEF has awarded more than $450,000 in grants.  This money is not tax money but funds obtained by donations and fund-raising.

Mini Grant SCEF

WHS Student of March

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Submitted WHS Student of March Windsor High School has named senior Melanie Adams, daughter of Robert and Ruth Adams, as March student of the month. She is involved in volleyball, dance, art club, Spanish club, physics club, scholastic bowl, student council, WYSE, national honor society, band, and 4-H and was named a State Scholar. She plans to attend Lake Land College and then transfer to a four year university majoring in psychology.

Submitted
WHS Student of March
Windsor High School has named senior Melanie Adams, daughter of Robert and Ruth Adams, as March student of the month. She is involved in volleyball, dance, art club, Spanish club, physics club, scholastic bowl, student council, WYSE, national honor society, band, and 4-H and was named a State Scholar. She plans to attend Lake Land College and then transfer to a four year university majoring in psychology.