ALAH FFA Competes in Section 17 Agriculture Business and Horticulture CDE

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Photo furnished ALAH FFA Competes in Section 17 Agriculture Business and Horticulture CDE Two ALAH FFA members traveled to Parkland College in Champaign to compete in the Section 17 Agriculture Business and Horticulture Career Development Events (CDEs). Competing were Josiah Kinert in the Agriculture Business CDE and Jordan Jent in both Horticulture and Agriculture Business CDEs. The Agriculture Business CDE consisted of a 50 question test that had various questions on agriculture business such as net worth, budgeting, and marketing. The horticulture CDE included identifying 50 plants from a list of 300, a test, six judging rings, a landscaping practicum, and identifying plant disorders and diseases. Pictured are ALAH FFA members Josiah Kinert and Jordan Jent who participated in the Section 17 Agriculture Business CDE at Parkland College. 

Photo furnished
ALAH FFA Competes in Section 17 Agriculture Business and Horticulture CDE
Two ALAH FFA members traveled to Parkland College in Champaign to compete in the Section 17 Agriculture Business and Horticulture Career Development Events (CDEs).
Competing were Josiah Kinert in the Agriculture Business CDE and Jordan Jent in both Horticulture and Agriculture Business CDEs.
The Agriculture Business CDE consisted of a 50 question test that had various questions on agriculture business such as net worth, budgeting, and marketing. The horticulture CDE included identifying 50 plants from a list of 300, a test, six judging rings, a landscaping practicum, and identifying plant disorders and diseases.
Pictured are ALAH FFA members Josiah Kinert and Jordan Jent who participated in the Section 17 Agriculture Business CDE at Parkland College.

ALAH FFA Competes in State Livestock Judging

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Photo furnished ALAH FFA Competes in State Livestock Judging The ALAH FFA competed in the State FFA Livestock Judging Contest April 23 with a team of four consisting of Josiah Kinert, Makenna Green, Adam Day, and Katie Gingerich. The contest was held at the U of I beef farm. The students judged four placing classes, three keep and cull classes, and one grading of beef steers class. They judged beef cattle, sheep, swine, and meat goats. One hundred three teams and 458 individuals competed with the local team placing 21st in the state. Green, Day and Gingerich each earned “A” ratings, and Kinert earned a “C” rating. Pictured are ALAH FFA members who competed at the State Livestock CDE held at the University of Illinois. From L to R  Josiah Kinert, Katie Gingerich, Makenna Green, and Adam Day. 

Photo furnished
ALAH FFA Competes in State Livestock Judging
The ALAH FFA competed in the State FFA Livestock Judging Contest April 23 with a team of four consisting of Josiah Kinert, Makenna Green, Adam Day, and Katie Gingerich. The contest was held at the U of I beef farm. The students judged four placing classes, three keep and cull classes, and one grading of beef steers class. They judged beef cattle, sheep, swine, and meat goats. One hundred three teams and 458 individuals competed with the local team placing 21st in the state. Green, Day and Gingerich each earned “A” ratings, and Kinert earned a “C” rating.
Pictured are ALAH FFA members who competed at the State Livestock CDE held at the University of Illinois. From L to R  Josiah Kinert, Katie Gingerich, Makenna Green, and Adam Day.

ALAH FFA Member Competes in First Ever FFA Dairy Handlers CDE

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Photo furnished ALAH FFA Member Competes in First Ever FFA Dairy Handlers CDE Katie Gingerich of the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond FFA chapter attended the State Dairy Handlers Contest April 8 at Kaskaskia College in Centralia. She and the other 11 contestants led their cows in the ring while the contestants in the State Dairy Judging Contest judged the cows. Gingerich, leading a Holstein cow and a Brown Swiss cow, was judged based on her appearance, calmness, ability to handle the animal, and how well she was able to set up her animals. She received a score of 89 out of 100. Pictured is ALAH FFA member Katie Gingerich leading a Brown Swiss cow in the FFA State Dairy Handlers CDE. 

Photo furnished
ALAH FFA Member Competes in First Ever FFA Dairy Handlers CDE
Katie Gingerich of the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond FFA chapter attended the State Dairy Handlers Contest April 8 at Kaskaskia College in Centralia. She and the other 11 contestants led their cows in the ring while the contestants in the State Dairy Judging Contest judged the cows. Gingerich, leading a Holstein cow and a Brown Swiss cow, was judged based on her appearance, calmness, ability to handle the animal, and how well she was able to set up her animals. She received a score of 89 out of 100.
Pictured is ALAH FFA member Katie Gingerich leading a Brown Swiss cow in the FFA State Dairy Handlers CDE.

SES Monster Mash

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Photo furnished SES Monster Mash The Monster Mash took place October 26 at Sullivan Elementary School. Students pictured from left to right: Zoey Stovall (3rd Grade), Addison Brush (3rd Grade), Jazzlynn Coe (3rd Grade), Ann Camren (4th Grade)

Photo furnished
SES Monster Mash
The Monster Mash took place October 26 at Sullivan Elementary School. Students pictured from left to right: Zoey Stovall (3rd Grade), Addison Brush (3rd Grade), Jazzlynn Coe (3rd Grade), Ann Camren (4th Grade)

Talent Management Pipeline Program Fills Skill Gap

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Photo furnished Culvert Replacement Sullivan Township Road Commissioner Elmo Weaver explained Moultrie County Road 1100N, south and east of Kirksville will need to be closed a couple days when weather permits. Then this drainage improving 50 foot long, six foot tall culvert can be installed. Above Township operator Rich Rutledge puts pressure on end loader tires as he unloads the five ton culvert, which was trucked from Kirksville, Missouri to Kirksville, IL.

Photo furnished
Culvert Replacement
Sullivan Township Road Commissioner Elmo Weaver explained Moultrie County Road 1100N, south and east of Kirksville will need to be closed a couple days when weather permits. Then this drainage improving 50 foot long, six foot tall culvert can be installed. Above Township operator Rich Rutledge puts pressure on end loader tires as he unloads the five ton culvert, which was trucked from Kirksville, Missouri to Kirksville, IL.

•May 11, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

Those attending the No Job Left Behind May 3 session at Yoder’s Kitchen in Arthur learned the value of the Talent Management Pipeline.

Guest speakers Vicky Haugen, Executive Director and Kim Kuchenbrod, Workforce Development of Vermillion Advantage presented the Talent Management Pipeline Program.

Several businesses were in attendance: Hydro-Gear, Agri-Fab, GSI, IHI Turbo, Moultrie County Counseling Center, MasterBrand Cabinets, U of I Extension, several school officials and business teachers, Arthur Tourism and the City of Arcola.

The Talent Management Pipeline Program was put into movement in 2014 to help an American economy  facing threats with a skill gap that is hindering growth and competitiveness of companies. A growing number of students are finding trouble managing their transition to employment and business. In a troubling economy, there are businesses who are in need of new workers with fresh talent. Read More

Street Closings Accompany Square Improvements

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Photo by Mike Brothers New curbs, gutters and ADA approved sidewalks in Sullivan are nearing completion by Walker Construction of Mattoon. Work has begun milling pavement around the square with motorists dealing with street closings and detours for awhile.

Photo by Mike Brothers
New curbs, gutters and ADA approved sidewalks in Sullivan are nearing completion by Walker Construction of Mattoon. Work has begun milling pavement around the square with motorists dealing with street closings and detours for awhile.

Time and Patience Required

•May 4, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

The good news is the streets and sidewalks around the Sullivan square will look great when finished.

And the bad news has already hit some of the businesses around the square.

Starting Wednesday, May 4 the north and west sides of the square are closed.

On Thursday, May 5 the east and south sides of the square are being closed for more extensive construction.

As the city’s complete resurfacing project continues, side street closings started May 3 and extend through Thursday, May 5.  Read More

Okay Valley Prom 2016

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Photo courtesy Jeni Yantis Okaw Valley Prom Race Underwood and Samantha Degenhardt were crowned as the 2016 Okaw Valley High School Prom King and Queen Saturday, April 30 at the Mt. Zion Park Foundation Community Center. Front from left - Crown bearer  Maggie Patient, 2016 queen Samantha Degenhardt, 2016 king Race Underwood and crown bearer Thiago Coney.  Back row- Junior class president Brianna Creviston, candidates Hannah Dicken, Brandon Poper, Charli Uhlrich, Nic Brown, Nicole Miller and Justin Johnson.

Photo courtesy Jeni Yantis
Okaw Valley Prom
Race Underwood and Samantha Degenhardt were crowned as the 2016 Okaw Valley High School Prom King and Queen Saturday, April 30 at the Mt. Zion Park Foundation Community Center. Front from left - Crown bearer  Maggie Patient, 2016 queen Samantha Degenhardt, 2016 king Race Underwood and crown bearer Thiago Coney.  Back row- Junior class president Brianna Creviston, candidates Hannah Dicken, Brandon Poper, Charli Uhlrich, Nic Brown, Nicole Miller and Justin Johnson.

ALAH Funds Technology with Outside Resources

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•May 4, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

No state funds force the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School District, teachers and other staff to look for other ways to pay for the tools they need to continue to educate students as well as cope with the rising costs of technological needs.

With the advancements in technology and learning, schools’ funding needs are more pressing. While ALAH is in good shape from a network point of view in the technology department, there are still several items the district needs to continue to grow.

“Over the last two school years Quality Network Solutions of Sullivan has done a great job of renovating the wired and wireless infrastructure in all four of our district’s buildings,” technology coordinator Jeremy Rodebaugh told the board. “This work has been done in large part due to a $119,698.34 federal grant we received this school year. This hard work has left our district in very good shape from a network standpoint for the foreseeable future,”  he added. He did state that the wiring in the high school and a server at Atwood-Hammond are in need of updating, which could cost approximately $15,000 for both projects.

Rodebaugh said, while it isn’t urgent, the district will need to look to grants and other outside funding in order to make those projects happen. Without funding from the state though, providing adequate bandwidth will be an issue for all of the schools within the district. Read More

Sullivan City Council Explores Recycle Options

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Civic Center Gets New Lockers

•May 4, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

At the most recent Sullivan City Council meeting, a few projects that had been set aside in the TIF budget were discussed. A bid of $20,775.95 was received from Salisbury Industries for new lockers at the Civic Center. Many of the older lockers have started to show their age and have started to rot out after long time usage. The bid will replace 116 lockers for the men and women’s locker rooms.

The old chiller at the Civic Center has also been removed to make room for a new one. Commissioner Mike Mossman also noted that the south side of the roof center has came loose. He will be in contact with an attorney and is moving forward with the suit and hopes to get the company back to repair it. Other TIF projects include the street pavement project (which is underway) and new canopies for the baseball park to help block out the sun.

Other news that was discussed or acted upon: Read More

Coroner Visits Statehouse

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Photo furnished Coroner Visits Statehouse State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) met with several coroners from across the state at the Statehouse in Springfield recently. That included Moultrie County Coroner Lynn Reed. From left to right: Sen. Chapin Rose, Richard Jorgensen (DuPage County Coroner), Lynn Reed (Moultrie County Coroner), Eric Jameson (McDonough County Coroner).

Photo furnished
Coroner Visits Statehouse
State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) met with several coroners from across the state at the Statehouse in Springfield recently. That included Moultrie County Coroner Lynn Reed. From left to right: Sen. Chapin Rose, Richard Jorgensen (DuPage County Coroner), Lynn Reed (Moultrie County Coroner), Eric Jameson (McDonough County Coroner).