Timberwolves are watching from everywhere at the new Okaw Valley school district’s athletic complex. Contractor Joe Leanard gets ready to place one of the backstop Timberwolves at the new artificial turf baseball diamond.
•January 2, 2019•
By Mike Brothers
Okaw Valley High School’s building program is ambitious with a major agriculture dept. expansion plus the addition of outdoor athletic facilities.
Principal Matt Shoaff pointed out the Okaw Valley school district is progressive by taking instruction beyond the testing focus to the practical. “We have already been contacted by Lake Land College exploring the use of the new agriculture lab and learning center,” Shoaff said, noting the school anticipates having the that facility in operation by January.
“This is about the next generation of kids coming up,” Shoaff continued. “We are providing them with facilities that no other district offers.” Read More
Photo by Señora King Sullivan High School Spanish Club members delivered boxes of food, toys and caroled at local nursing homes during the club’s annual holiday community cheer program.
•January 2, 2019•
By Seth Mayberry
For the News Progress
On Friday, December 14 the Sullivan Spanish Club traveled to nursing homes in the community and caroled to the residents.
Afterwards, some members helped deliver food donations to families in need.
As the final service project of the semester, the Spanish Club sang carols in Spanish to the residents of two retirement homes in town. This is a yearly event for the club.
Members of the club were glad to boost the spirits of the elderly citizens by spreading some holiday cheer in the music.
Along with caroling, members of the Spanish Club donated boxes of food and other items to four families in need—as they did on Thanksgiving. Toys for the children of these families were included as well.
For two years, SHS student council has worked with the Spanish Club to collect and give toys to the children of families in need. Read More
Secret Santa and Sparrows Limited helped 365 less fortunate Moultrie County families have a better Christmas this year.
For the past 70 years the U.S. Marine Reserve sponsored Toys for Tots program has helped the less fortunate all over the world.
The idea started with a handmade doll in 1947 by Marine Major Bill Hendricks has grown to provide more than 8,000,000 toys to children for Christmas in 2018.
Eric Kenney of Sullivan is the area coordinator for Toys-For-Tots, and 723 area children received two or more gifts this season.
“Every child deserves a little Christmas,” Kenney said, noting that 756 children had originally signed up with two families receiving Secret Santa gifts, 15 children removed from the Cerro Gordo list and two who signed up on the website proved fictitious. Read More
Seventy pieces of art created by area school-aged children were entered in the Sullivan Area Arts second Youth Art show held at Elizabeth Titus Library. K-5 grade students with awards presented to Macey Boddy, Lovington; Isabella Manna, Lovington; Zoey Crothers, Sullivan; Addisyn Ploski, Lovington; Austin Bates, Lovington; Elise Fleming, Sullivan; Connor Edmonds, Lovington; Janae Hopper, Sullivan; Karsyn West, Sullivan and Jessica Voyles, Sullivan.
Sullivan High School student Katie Webb was chosen one of 10 state winners in the Illinois Public Radio essay contest. Webb’s composition “This I Believe” competed with 200 entries, with the author receiving a $100 prize.
The Findlay High School Alumni banquet will honor the classes of 1948,58,68,78,88 and 98. The Distinguished Alumni award recipient is Chris (Eadie) Tippit for her service to the community.
Maranda Tarvin, a junior at Windsor High School recently made varsity first team all conference (NTC) in Scholastic Bowl. Sophomore Max Carr made the fresh-soph first All Scholastic Bowl conference team.
Sullivan High School juniors Spencer Johnson and Brody Goss have been selected by the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 to attend the Illinois Premier Boys State program at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston during the summer. Post 68 and the Sons of American Legion are co-sponsors for Johnson and Goss. Read More
Have you heard about the 100 Women Who Care group in Sullivan? They have been in existence since July 2016 and have given over $39,000 to worthy organizations in the community. The best news is that they have done it by meeting for 30 minutes or less four times a year, and any woman is welcome to join.
100 Women Who Care is a nationwide initiative started by women who want to help their communities but don’t want to sell items or spend hours working fundraisers. Locally organized groups meet four times a year and ask women to commit to giving $100 each quarter, either as an individual or part of a team. Read More
An American Red Cross blood drive will be held 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Friday, January 11 in the Okaw Valley High School gym in Bethany. Any healthy individual, age 16 through 75, who meets weight requirements may donate blood. Donors should eat a healthy meal and drink an extra 16 oz. of water and fluids before donating, and they must bring identification showing a picture and a signature.
All blood types are needed, especially Types 0- and 0+. Every 2.5 seconds someone needs blood; a friend, a family member, or maybe even you. The need is real. By donating at this blood drive, you are helping one or more graduating senior earn a scholarship. You can save up to 15 minutes when you donate blood by using RapidPass! Visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass for more information.
The drive is sponsored by the Okaw Valley High School Student Council. For more information or to make an appointment, contact Okaw Valley High School at 665-3631. An appointment may also be made online at www.redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Photo furnished Arthur Fire District Delivers Members of the Arthur Fire Protection District and volunteers delivered 90 boxes of food and toys Saturday, Dec. 15 to families living in the fire district. Arthur FD has a roster of 34 firefighters, but on delivery day they got help. Most of the volunteers were college age young adults who have helped in the past and came back to assist again.
Sullivan’s City Council candidates’ list was finalized with three people seeking the Mayor’s office. A drawing held December 21 determined ballot placement for canddiates in the April 2, 2019 election. Filing for Mayor: Incumbent Ann Y. Short, Richard R. Glazebrook, and William “Bill” Burger, Accounts and Finance commissioner: Abbey Sherwood challenging incumbent Mike Mossman. Public Health & Safety commissioner: Chuck Woodworth is challenging incumbent Grant Wade. Public Property commissioner: incumbent Michael E. Kirk., and challengers Michael C. Fowler and Austin Hunter. Streets & Public Improvements commissioner seat is open with Jerry Risley not seeking reelection. Candidates are Peggy J. Hargis, Edna M. Bailey, and Nancy Barker. The petition filing period was December 10-17 for placement on the ballot of the Consolidated Election April 2, 2019.
File photo
Shawnee Donates $3,564
Shawnee Communications donates to Sparrows Unlimited. The check presentation was in the Lovington office (from left ) Shawnee customer service Jamie Franklin, Pam Anklam, Cheryl Murphy, representing Sparrows and Shawnee Communications President Mike Grisham.
Dalton City Monster truck driver Brianna Mahon designed the new Monster Jam “Whiplash” truck. In January Mahon debuted the 12 foot tall 10,000 lb. Monster truck in Anaheim,Calif. Mahon is a Sullivan High School graduate who raced dirt bikes until getting sidelined by injury in 2011. By 2013 she started driving for Monster Jam Trucks, winning rookie of the year honors in 2015.
Larry Edwards was promoted to assistant chief of the Sullivan Fire Protection District. A captain since 2005 Edwards started as a volunteer in 1997.
The Sullivan law offices of Wood and Mayberry merged with Decatur law firm Bolen, Robinson and Ellis as founding member Steven Wood began thinking about cutting back his schedule.
Pastor Paul McGhgy was recognized as 2017 Citizen of the Year during the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development annual awards luncheon.
During the ALAH Knights Classic Holiday tournament the team finished in second place with senior Hannah Wallen scoring her 1000 career point during the Cumberland game. In the championship game with St. Teresa Wallen tallied a team high 16 points including three 3-pointers, Marissa Herschberger scored five 3-pointers for 15, Janette Comstock tallied 12 points, Kyla Carson nine points, Marcy Petersheim six points, and Abi Duzan three points.
The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team won the 17th annual OV Holiday tournament, defeating Martinsville in the championship game 59-24. Paige Robinson scored 23 points, Danielle Hill and Kate Jeffers each scored eight, Ciera Perry seven, Natalie Jeffers added six and Hope Ruppert four points.
Photo furnished
Timberwolves Cheerleaders Compete
OVHS Cheerleaders competed in the Waterloo Regional on Saturday. They finished 10th. Cheerleaders Front row from left: Kailey George, Grace Bunfill, Marissa Bell, and Alyssa Nihiser.Back row from left : Riley Kesterson, Julia Hildebrandt, Lexi Roe, and Angela Robinson
January 10
The Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan started showing movies with Goodbye Christopher Robin playing the matinee and Murder on the Orient Express shown in the evening on the weekend.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Christmas Hams
Once again the generosity of Moultrie County residents was exhibited with the annual donation of 100 hams from Sullivan IGA to the Moultrie County Food Bank. The anonymous donor helps complete Christmas dinner once the staff at the Food Bank create the holiday boxes for families. Above Sullivan IGA meat department staff made the delivery to the Food Bank in plenty of time for Christmas dinner. Front Mason Harner, back from left Seth Cobb, IGA Meat Dept. manager Barry Golden and Emmalee Hortenstine.
