News Progress

Okaw Valley High School recognized the class of 2019 for their academic achievements and awarded several scholarships. Bella Benning and Kailynn Bobbett received their medals for earning the title of co-valedictorian as did Madison Vogel for earning the title of salutatorian. Bella Benning, Elizabeth Herbord, Kailynn Bobbett, Madison Vogel, Shelby Hagerman, and Sadie Zimmerman were honored as Illinois State Scholars.
Receiving Grade Point Average Honor Cords (3.5 and above) were Bella Benning, Kailynn Bobbett, Madison Vogel, Sadie Zimmerman, Shelby Hagerman, Molly Phillips, Sophie Zimmerman, Anna Wooters, Sidney Zimmerman, Kailey George, Kierston Kennedy, Elizabeth Herbord, Case Crawford, Angela Robinson, Talon Russell, Sam Hagerman, Shelby Harding, Gavon Hargrove, Jessica Ellis, Brayden Primmer, Parker Perrine, Amber Hastings, and Danielle Hill. Community Service Honor Cords (top 10% of class in Community Service Hours) were earned by Sophie Zimmerman, Elizabeth Herbord, Shelby Hagerman, and Bella Benning. American Red Cross Honor Cords were earned by Bella Benning, Shelby Hagerman and Anna Wooters.
The following are scholarships that were awarded at the program. Lake Land College presented Presidential Scholarships to Kailynn Bobbett, Connor Powers, Sadie Zimmerman, and Elizabeth Herbord. Lake Land College also presented the Jason Ray Endowment to Beau Atchison, the TRW Endowment to Danielle Hill, Leona Stanford Vollintine Scholarship Fund to Molly Phillips, and Mildred M. Starwalt Memorial Endowment to Sophie Zimmerman. Read More

Dear Editor:

“Adam and Eve” or “Adam and Steve”? What is so mistaken about that? The comment on this subject by a reader on May 22, responding to the sign reading, “Jesus made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.” I believe the writer, not the sign, is mistaken in his conclusions.
In the first place, who first has made the same-sex-marriage issue “political, divisive and discriminatory”? Throughout history marriage between a man and a woman was considered, according to the laws of nature and nature’s God, to be acceptable. It became “political, divisive and discriminatory” by those who ignored Bible teaching, deciding to make it such an issue, discriminating against those who maintain the Biblical stance of same-sex marriage. Now, Christian bakers, photographers, etc. must surrender their principles and, contrary to their conscience, perform services honoring what they consider an abomination to God. Read More

25 Years Ago This Week

Charley LeCrone, son of Larry and Reta LeCrone, is valedictorian, and Wes Baumgartner, son of Lyle and Judy Baumgartner, is salutatorian for the SHS graduating class of 1994. Both students will be attending the University of Illinois in the fall. LeCrone will major in animal sciences and agronomy, and Baumgartner will major in animal sciences.
Winners of the three categories in the Little Stars Photo Contest held in conjunction with the Festival of Stars have received $25 gift certificates from the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce. Brianna Baker and her cat was the winning photo in the Me and My Pet category. Erik Selby Scott, awaiting Santa Claus, was chosen as the winner of the Cutest Photo. In the Funniest photo, a photo of Britny Marie Phelps was the winner.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard “Ike” Boyd of Lovington have announced the engagement of their daughter, Julie Renee, to David Lynn Kinert, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mervin Kinert of Decatur. A July 2 wedding is planned.
John and Barb Neuhauser of rural Findlay are the parents of a daughter born May 26 in Coles County. She has been named Paige Leigh and is the couple’s first child. Read More

Legal retail sales could begin Jan. 1, 2020

•June 5, 2019•
By Peter Hancock
Capitol News Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House on Friday passed a bill legalizing adult recreational marijuana in the state.
The 66-to-47 vote sends House Bill 1438 to Gov. J.B. Pritzker who campaigned in 2018 on a platform that included legalizing marijuana. The Senate approved the bill on Wednesday, 38-17.
“The state of Illinois just made history, legalizing adult-use cannabis with the most equity-centric approach in the nation,” Pritzker said in a statement released after the vote. “This will have a transformational impact on our state, creating opportunity in the communities that need it most and giving so many a second chance. In the interest of equity and criminal justice reform, I look forward to signing this monumental legislation.”
Friday’s vote, however, came after a marathon debate that lasted nearly four hours, leaving lawmakers with less than 10 hours to complete the rest of their business for the session. That forced leaders to announce the House would continue meeting Saturday and Sunday.
With passage of the marijuana bill, Illinois is poised to become the 10th state in the nation to legalize its use by adults for recreational purposes. But it would be the first to do so by a comprehensive statute enacted by the legislature rather than through a ballot initiative.
Vermont legalized marijuana through legislation in 2018, but that law covered only personal use and cultivation. It did not include retail sales. Read More