Category Archives: News Section

Miss Lovington Pageant 2014

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Photo by Keith Stewart Miss Lovington Contestants The Miss Lovington Pageant will be held this Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Lovington Methodist Church. Pictured from left to right: Beth Lambdin, daughter of Tom & Jennifer Lambdin; Ally Irwin daughter of Jon & Kelly Day; Cassandra Lambdin, daughter of Tom & Jennifer Lambdin; Nikki Evans, daughter of Jadon & Rosemary Evans; Mackenzie Williams, daughter of Larry Williams and Kim Willams; 2013 Miss Lovington Brittany Rader, daughter of Robert & Sheila Rader, is pictured center.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Miss Lovington Contestants
The Miss Lovington Pageant will be held this Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Lovington Methodist Church. Pictured from left to right: Beth Lambdin, daughter of Tom & Jennifer Lambdin; Ally Irwin daughter of Jon & Kelly Day; Cassandra Lambdin, daughter of Tom & Jennifer Lambdin; Nikki Evans, daughter of Jadon & Rosemary Evans; Mackenzie Williams, daughter of Larry Williams and Kim Willams; 2013 Miss Lovington Brittany Rader, daughter of Robert & Sheila Rader, is pictured center.

Photo by Keith Stewart Junior Miss Contestants Pictured, from left to right: Natalie Lambdin, daughter of Tom & Jennifer Lambdin; Kenli Nettles, daughter of Ryan Nettles and Christy Nettles; 2013 Jr Miss Lovington Janette Comstock, daughter of T.G. & Dawn Redfern and Willie Comstock; Jessica Renfro, daughter of Jim & Jennifer Erixon; Calista Clark, daughter of Chris & Michelle Clark.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Junior Miss Contestants
Pictured, from left to right: Natalie Lambdin, daughter of Tom & Jennifer Lambdin; Kenli Nettles, daughter of Ryan Nettles and Christy Nettles; 2013 Jr Miss Lovington Janette Comstock, daughter of T.G. & Dawn Redfern and Willie Comstock; Jessica Renfro, daughter of Jim & Jennifer Erixon; Calista Clark, daughter of Chris & Michelle Clark.

Photo by Keith Stewart Little Miss Contestants Pictured, front row, left to right: Krystina Myers daughter of Nena & Timothy Fridge; Kikyo Brent, daughter of Jennifer Martin & Kevin Brent; Teagan Murphy, daughter of Wyatt & Tiara Murphy; Delanie Yantis, daughter of Rusty & Ali Yantis; and Halle Wardrip, daughter of Brad & Andrea Wardrip; Sammie Hawn, daughter of Cassandra Hawn; 2013 Little Miss Lovington Brynlee Moore, daughter of Jake & Jenny Moore; Makayla Hays, daughter of Tera Newberry & Tyler Hays.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Little Miss Contestants
Pictured, front row, left to right: Krystina Myers daughter of Nena & Timothy Fridge; Kikyo Brent, daughter of Jennifer Martin & Kevin Brent; Teagan Murphy, daughter of Wyatt & Tiara Murphy; Delanie Yantis, daughter of Rusty & Ali Yantis; and Halle Wardrip, daughter of Brad & Andrea Wardrip; Sammie Hawn, daughter of Cassandra Hawn; 2013 Little Miss Lovington Brynlee Moore, daughter of Jake & Jenny Moore; Makayla Hays, daughter of Tera Newberry & Tyler Hays.

Sullivan Electric Department Forgoes Rate Increase Again

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Also approves debt service charge for sewage improvements

by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter

Electric utility and gas rates were discussed a week ago Tuesday in Sullivan.

City ordinances allow each department to have an automatic four percent increase unless directed otherwise. Commissioner Mike Kirk noted that “the last electrical utility increase was May 1, 2010; although increases are passed along from the energy cost adjustment cost of power minus basic power cost. Again this year the electrical department will not request a rate increase.” Read More

Area High School Graduating Classes

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Photo by Phil Dickens/Dickens’ Studio Sullivan Sullivan Class of 2014 Pictured is this year’s Sullivan high school graduating class. For more photos from the graduation ceremony, visit www.dickensstudio.com.

Photo by Phil Dickens/Dickens’ Studio
Sullivan Class of 2014
Pictured is this year’s Sullivan high school graduating class. For more photos from the graduation
ceremony, visit www.dickensstudio.com.

 

Photo by the Tintype, Arthur, Ill. Arthur-Lovington Class of 2014 Pictured is this year’s Arthur-Lovington high school graduating class.

Photo by the Tintype, Arthur, Ill.
Arthur-Lovington Class of 2014
Pictured is this year’s Arthur-Lovington high school graduating class.

Photo by Jeni Yantis Okaw Valley Class of 2014 Pictured is this year’s Okaw Valley high school graduating class.

Photo by Jeni Yantis
Okaw Valley Class of 2014
Pictured is this year’s Okaw Valley high school graduating class.

Not One for Plot, but “42nd” Big on High Energy Numbers

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Photo by Keith Stewart Heather Dore Johnson (left) as Gladys and Alex Jorth (middle) as Billy Lawlor dance away in the Little Theatre’s season opener “42nd Street.”

Photo by Keith Stewart
Heather Dore Johnson (left) as Gladys and Alex Jorth (middle) as Billy Lawlor dance away in the Little Theatre’s season opener “42nd Street.”

By Dan Hagen
NP Theatre Critic

When you think of the generic term “Broadway musical,” the Little Theatre’s 2014 summer season opener — “42nd Street” — is probably the kind of show that springs to mind.

It’s that “You’re going out there a youngster, but you’re coming back a star!” musical. Yes, that very bit has been a cliché for 70 or 80 years now, at least since the deep Depression debut, in 1933, of the Dick Powell/Ruby Keeler film that inspired this 1980 stage musical. 

And that’s the problem I always have with this show, the paper-thin plot we’re stuck with. It’s not so much a plot, in fact, as a skeletal dramatic scaffolding on which to hang a number of crowd-pleasing tap-dance numbers.  Read More

Saluting, Memorializing

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Photo by Keith Stewart Saluting, Memorializing During the Memorial Day Service at Greenhill Cemetery Monday, members of Boy Scout Troop 39 salute those veterans who gave their lives while serving their country.

Photo by RR Best
Saluting, Memorializing
During the Memorial Day Service at Greenhill Cemetery Monday, members of Boy Scout Troop 39 salute those veterans who gave their lives while serving their country.

Arthur-Lovington Acquires More Parking, Begins Planning for New Roof

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Board passes own sales tax resolution, in step with Sullivan

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

The Arthur-Lovington School District acquired extra parking space at their regular meeting on Wednesday, May 14.

An additional city lot, located at the corner of Park and Ash Street, was purchased for $34,500. Recently, this spot became available for sale, and the district found that it would be a convenient area for parking space. Funds from the district farm that was previously sold will be used to help pay for the additional lot. Read More

Moultrie Moment of the Week

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KMBT_C364e-20140523101939Moultrie Moment of the Week
Pictured above is the Lovington High School. It was built in 1907. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728-4085.

Little Theatre Brings its 57th Season of Shows to Sullivan

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Photo by Keith Stewart Pictured is the 2014-2015 Little Theatre cast, which will begin the season June 4 with “42nd Street.”

Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured is the 2014 Little Theatre cast, which will begin the season June 4 with “42nd Street.”

Doors open June 4 with first production

By Mallory Murphy
Sullivan Reporter

Sullivan’s square gained more than 50 new faces this week as The Little Theatre brought in its cast and crew for their 57th summer season of shows. A total of 112 actors, designers, directors, technicians, and staff members from all over the United States will come to town during the 10 weeks of shows.

“To have so many great actors and technicians back again this year who have made The Little Theatre their second home makes putting these shows together so much fun,” said executive director and producer John Stephens.  Read More

Children at Play, Drivers Beware

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Photo by Keith Stewart Signs like the one above are scattered throughout residential areas, but parents say drivers are still being reckless while children are outside playing.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Signs like the one above are scattered throughout residential areas, but parents say drivers are still being reckless while children are outside playing.

Parents cite speeding cars in residential areas

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur Reporter

It’s that time of year when the weather is warmer, and children are spending time outside playing or walking or riding their bike home from school. As a result, it is important for drivers to be extra aware of children in school-zone and residential areas, but according to some parents, there are some who aren’t taking the extra precaution.

“There are drivers who are driving too fast. People are just zooming around the curves, and they aren’t stopping at stop signs,” noted Heather Casteel, a parent in Sullivan.

Casteel lives just past the golf course and has noticed an increased number of speeding drivers in her area.

“There’s a speed limit sign near the golf course. It is supposed to be 30 miles per hour, and people are driving at least 50,” she explained. “I have to warn the kids to stay away from the roads when they are outside. But if they are playing basketball and the ball goes out in the road, then they have to go out there and get it. Drivers need to be aware that kids might go out in the road.” Read More