News Progress

•July 8, 2015•

The hottest days of summer are just around the corner, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies are offering heat safety tips to help people play it safe when temperatures rise.
“Warm weather is a welcomed relief after the long, cold winter we endured this year,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “But summertime comes with its own hazards, many related to excessive heat. We want to help people avoid these risks and enjoy a fun, safe summer.”
Joseph said one of the most important safety tips when temperatures rise is to never leave children, elderly people, disabled adults or pets in parked cars, even for a short time. Temperatures inside a parked vehicle can rapidly rise to dangerous levels even if the windows are slightly open, and can lead to brain damage or death. The effects can be more severe on children because their bodies warm at a faster rate than adults. Read More

July 1, 2015

More than 700 candidates received their degrees and certificates after the completion of the spring semester 2015. Degree abbreviations are as follows: AS-Associates of Science; AAS-Associates of Applied Science; AA-Associates of Art; Associate in Liberal Studies.
Area graduates included:

Bethany

Gene-Austin Birch, AS, Bioscience Non-Teaching; Ashton Doty, AS, Elementary Education; Leah Oathout, AA, Art; Taylor Piper, AAS, Nursing; Tamra Sims, ALS.

Findlay

Katelyn Coleman, AAS, Early Childhood Care and Education; Slade Keller, AAS, IT-Network Administration.

Gays

Cole McKimmy, AAS, CET/Advanced Technical Studies.

Lovington

James Bates, Certificate, Management; Nicholas Day, AAS, Agriculture Business & Supply; Brody Elder , AA, Liberal Arts; Colin Franklin, AS, Business Administration; Read More

July 1, 2015

Ancestry and Genealogy Workshop

The Lovington Public Library District has just subscribed to ancestry.com for a year and is offering a “Ancestry & Genealogy Workshop” on Friday July 17 from 1-3 p.m. The class is free but pre-registration is required by calling the library at 873-4468. Basic genealogy tips and web resources will be presented by Kaye Webb.

Bob Ross Painting

Jim Rhode will be offering the Bob Ross Painting class on Saturday July 18 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. There is a $35 charge that includes the canvas and paints needed. Each participant is asked to bring a light lunch and a roll of paper towels to the class. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lovington Public Library at 873-4468 by Thursday July 16. Read More

25 Years Ago This Week

Shannon Phillips and Ryan Nettles were the recipients of Lovington American Legion Post 429’s outstanding eighth grade student awards. Runners up were Rachel Casteel and Jeremy Tarr. The awards were presented by Don Bell during the eighth grade promotional program May 24.
Randol Protz received a bachelor of science degree in math May 20 from MacMurray College in Jacksonville. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Protz of Sullivan.
Pitcher Brett Robinson has been moved up to AA baseball and pitched 8 2/3 innings last Sunday in Knoxville, Tenn., not giving up a run until the eighth. Robinson, who was moved up to another Chicago Cubs farm team, the Charlotte Knights in North Carolina May 21, has pitched three games and led them to a 6-2 victory Sunday over Knoxville.
Five young Sullivan bowlers recently earned state champion honors after competing in the Young American Bowling Alliance Prep Mixed Division state tournament. They are David Montague, Keith Trussell, Amanda Foster, Valerie Denier and Matt Dyer. Read More

Submitted
Pictured, from left to right, are area residents who attended a rally on LIHEAP funding: Jean Landers, Shirley Cochran, Nylene Hughes, and Deb Groendal, Mid IL Senior Service Executive Director.

June 24, 2015

Four area residents recently attended an Action Day in Springfield for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Jean Landers, Shirley Cochran, Nylene Hughes and Deb Groendal, Executive Director of the Mid-Illinois Senior Service of Sullivan attended the Action Day on May 26 sponsored by the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies (IACAA).
The day started with a rally at the Statehouse Inn followed by a march to the Capitol where participants were able to meet with legislators and their staff to enlist their support of the LIHEAP program. Of particular concern for the group is Governor Rauner’s current plan to suspend the State Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (SLHEAP) as of July 1. This move would leave only federal funds available for the operation of the program and lead to reductions in the number of households local LIHEAP agencies will be able to assist. Read More