by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
A new school name has been chosen for next year’s annexation of Arthur-Lovington and Atwood-Hammond school districts, and the victor isn’t much of a stretch.
According to Arthur-Lovington superintendent Travis Wilson, students voted last week on four possible school names, including Grand Prairie High School, Heartland High School, John A. Timm High School, and, the eventual winner, Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond. Read More
High-voltage transmission line approved to run through county
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
The future location of a high-voltage transmission line has been moved back into Moultrie County after a hearing last Thursday.
Known as the Illinois Rivers Transmission Project, the $1.1 billion, 375 mile long, 345 kV transmission line, Ameren’s largest-ever transmission project, will span from near Quincy, Ill. and the Mississippi River all the way across the middle of the state to the Indiana border near Terre Haute. The project, which is the longest single transmission line project in state history, also represents four of six multi-value project here in Illinois that will allegedly strengthen the reliability of the power-grid within the Midcontinent Independent System Operation’s north and central regions, which is a regional transmission organization that serves all or parts of 11 states. Read More
Submitted by Don Rousser
Arctic Blast
Swim Meet
The Sullivan Blue Dolphins traveled to Terre Haute, Ind. Feb. 14-16 to compete in the Arctic Blast Meet hosted by the Terre Haute Torpedoes at Terre Haute South High School. High point winners included: 6 and Under–1st place Mason Booker, 2nd place Jonathan Iacobazzi. 7-8 year old division–1st place Ethan Schmohe, 2nd place Madalyn Booker. 9-10 year old division–1st place Gabrielle Spain, 2nd place Noah Spain. 11-12 division–1st place Natalie Drury. 13-14 division–1st place McKenna Kull, 2nd place Dylan Sanders; Open Division–1st place Brynna Sentel, 2nd place Michaela Donnel, 1st place Grant King, 2nd place Bryce King.
The next stop is Regionals February 28 – March 2 for swimmers who qualified and then on to State Age Group March 13-16.
by Joash Tiarks
Bethany Reporter
The Okaw Valley school board voted to accept the resignations of two staff members, effective at the end of this 2013-14 school year; that of cheer coach Jennifer Crowder and that of long time school librarian Sharon Lowry as she retires. Read More
Submitted by Nichole Hendry
Moultrie County Spelling Bee Winner
The 2014 Moultrie County Spelling Bee was February 12 at the Little Theatre on the Square. Six students from Lovington and six students from Sullivan advanced from their school district spelling bees to participate in the county competition.
The Moultrie County Spelling Bee champion is Dylan Sanders (pictured right). The alternate is Spencer Johnson (pictured left).
Judges for the county spelling bee were Karen Smith-Cox of Lovington, Eudora Drollinger and Jonathan Harwood, both of Sullivan. Nicole Garrett, a Sullivan Middle School teacher, served as the pronouncer.
The regional spelling bee is scheduled for Saturday March 22, at Eisenhower High School in Decatur.
Photo by RR Best
Lines Down
An employee with Coles-Moultrie is seen in the middle of Route 32 between Sullivan and Lovington Monday afternoon after several power lines were downed due to ice.
Photo by Keith Stewart
SHS student volunteer Cadisen Nuzzo helps Avery Florey balance on an exercise ball last Thursday during the third annual Family Fit Night.
PTO organized event enjoys third year in promoting healthy living
by Christina Whitford
Sullivan Reporter
The obesity rate in children is an issue that is on the minds of many. In response, Sullivan Elementary School PTO found a way to promote both healthy living and families spending time together with a family event aimed at healthy activities.
“It’s a great opportunity for families to get out and burn off some cabin fever from the weather,” volunteer Jennifer Voegel said.
This was the third year for the Family Fit Night event at the school. A variety of organizations were on hand to teach students and their families about healthy activities they can enjoy. Read More
Submitted by Britney Cowan
Section 16 Proficiency Awards
The following members of Windsor’s FFA competed in proficiency awards February 10:
Autumn Bennett - 4th place Beef Production Entrepreneurship; Katie Cline - 4th place Goat Production; Sarah Hostetter - 3rd place Agriculture Sales Placement; Spencer Blackburn - 2nd place Turf Grass Management; Tristan Warner - 1st place Diversified Crops Placement; Allie Bridges - 1st place Nursery Operations; Sydney Boehm - 1st place Equine Science Entrepreneurship; Hayden Cole - 1st place Agriculture Mechanics Repair & Maintenance Placement.
Warner, Bridges, and Boehm will compete at the district competition March 12 at Sullivan.
Pictured left to right are Allie Bridges, Tristan Warner, Autumn Bennett, Mitchell Haddock, Sarah Hostetter, Spencer Blackburn, Sydney Boehm, Hayden Cole, Katie Cline
Submitted
Pictured is the Sullivan WYSE team: Row 1, from left: Ross Metzger, Jacob Cameron, Shawn Cody, Alex Davison, Tori Floyd and Rachel Stutzman. Row 2, from left: Ryan Baker, Alex Harvey, Emily Stutzman, Travis Hanson, Chandler Weber, Adam Davis and Brent Mauck. Row 3, from left: Keegan Kruckeberg, Charlie Emel, Zane Uphoff, Sean Johnson, Nicholas Kelsey, Patrick Hogan and Reagan Miller.
Arthur-Lovington takes fourth
Submitted by Jennifer Forneris
What happens when you take some of the most brilliant minds from area high schools and put them under one roof? Nothing other than an academic face off, where teams are pitted against each other in eight subject areas in order to take home the regional Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) championship title.
The regional WYSE Academic Challenge was recently held at Lake Land College and 24 schools, registering 401 students came together to battle in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering graphics, English, mathematics and physics. Read More
by Joash Tiarks
Reporting in Sullivan
The topic of sandwich boards was resurrected earlier this month when local business owners came before the Sullivan city council to ask for help in promoting their businesses.
Cathrine Craig, owner of Cathrine’s Custom Framing, was one such entrepreneur to appeal to the council for “some type of cooperation to make our businesses more appealing.” Read More