The Okaw Valley High School 2016 Homecoming Court
Homecoming is Sept. 17 for Okaw Valley High School. Front row (L to R): Brianna Creviston, Kristy Burford, Madison Uhlrich, and Jasmine Baumbarger. Back row (L to R): Evan Blakey, Brendon Lane, Ty Nichols, and Skyler Birch.

•September 7, 2016•

Okaw Valley High School Student Council is announcing the annual Homecoming Week September 12-17. The overall theme to this year’s festivities is “Dr.Seuss”. Each day will highlight a special theme at OVHS, and students are encouraged to participate accordingly.

The week kicks off Monday as “Pass the Yawn Day” in which students will wear pajamas. Monday evening the Okaw Valley Lady Timberwolves volleyball team will host the Hawks from Heritage High School.

Immediately following the matches, there will be a Fall Sports Rally on the OVHS football field that will highlight the Marching Timberwolves along with introducing the fall sports teams. The rally will end with a victory march to the bonfire. All OV and SOV supporters are encouraged to attend this spirited event.

Tuesday students will dress for “Thing One and Thing Two Day”, where they will be encouraged to dress as twins.

Wednesday’s theme is “Maisy Head Daisy Day” with the “Powder Puff” football games beginning at 11:40 am.  Read More

Father Steve Arisman

•August 24, 2016•

by Mike Brothers

St. Isidore Catholic Church, one of the oldest parishes in the area, has one of the youngest priests in the Springfield diocese.

The rural Bethany parish established in 1864 welcomed Father Steve Arisman to his first assignment as a priest from the bishop of the Springfield diocese recently.

Father Arisman at 35, serves St. Isidore, Holy Family in Mt. Zion, is chaplain at St. Teresa High School and for all scouting programs within the 28 counties of the Springfield diocese. Arisman is also one of four assistants assigned to travel with the bishop while visiting parishes within the diocese.

“I had only been here for two weeks when the McCabe family invited me to their family reunion,” Father Steve said, noting that early acceptance into the church family was a gift.

“When I had spoken with other visiting priests who have served St. Isidore, they said everyone sings there,” he recalled, noting each would have been honored to receive his assignment. Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers SES playground got a free map of the United States thanks to some team work from left photo: Elementary teacher Nichole Hendry (left) and student Bella Brownlee (right). After receiving Bella’s letter “Mr. A” traveled from Benton to paint a USA map for Sullivan students.

Retired Educator Donates Fun

•August 17, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

After spending 26 years on playgrounds, you would think Gene Alexander would look for another place to play.

Instead this 81 year old retired teacher and principal of Benton visited the Sullivan Elementary School playground August 9, leaving a generous gift.

For the past 26 years Alexander “Mr. A” has been painting maps of the United States on playgrounds and in parking lots all over the state.

As school was closing last year Nichole Hendry and her fifth grade class began searching for a way to get a map of the United States placed on the playground at SES.

“One of the classes painted a map on the old playground that had faded away,” Hendry said, noting they were looking at making it a class project.

Patterns for such a project plus materials were costly. Hendry said she shared the idea with elementary school administrative assistant Ann Sanner.

Sanner ran across a story in Outdoor Illinois about Alexander’s mission to place maps of the United States on school playgrounds free of charge and passed it along to Hendry.
Student Bella Brownlee was given the assignment of contacting “Mr. A” and requesting one of his maps for Sullivan Elementary School. Read More

Sullivan Resale Shop recently opened at the corner of Harrison and Van Buren streets downtown offering a variety of electronic equipment.

Owner Ross O'Dell brings ten years experience to the electronic resale business, offering everything from old Atari games and equipment to the most recent game offerings. Computer's, players, televisions and everything from DVDs to VHS tapes and CDs to LP albums are available.

Sullivan Resale is open 11-6 Monday thru Thursday, 11-7 Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday.

•August 10, 2016•

A Moultrie County jury found Lyle Roger Harrison, 43, of Evanston guilty of theft on Friday, August 5.

The jury’s verdict was returned on two counts, ending a week long trial and a case that began with the arrest of Harrison in November 2013.

From 2011-2013 Harrison Farm Management handled 640A in Moultrie and Piatt counties, including the Whiteman tracts. Moultrie County Sections 19 & 20 were under disputed ownership.

In 2013 Harrison sold grain from Section 19 and 20 under contract to Okaw Farmers Coop in Cadwell, Topflight Grain in La Place and Cargill Grain in Tuscola.

After Harrison was paid $8900 by Cargill, the remaining grain harvested from Section 19 and 20 was seized and Harrison arrested by the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Dept. on the theft charge. That grain has remained in storage at Topflight and Okaw Farmers Coop since 2013. Read More