OVHS Girls’ Basketball Season Ends at Home

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•February 13, 2019• By Jason Brown NP Sports Editor The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team ended its season with a 52-36 loss to Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg in the semifinals of the Class 1A Bethany Regional last Wednesday. This season the team was led by seniors Madison Vogel, who averaged 11.8 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game, and Bella Benning, who made 52 3-pointers and averaged 7.7 points per game. Kate Jeffers led the team with 9.4 rebounds per game to go with 9.2 points per game. The Timberwolves season ended with a 10-20 overall record and a Little Okaw Valley … Read More

Okaw Valley Timberwolves Take Broncos and Rams

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•February 13, 2019• By Jason Brown NP Sports Editor After losing in a heartbreaker in overtime to Decatur LSA Friday, the Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team defeated Cerro Gordo 47-37 Friday and Ramsey 61-45 Saturday. Against LSA, the Timberwolves took a 11-9 first quarter lead but fell behind 26-24 by halftime. The teams played the second half to a tie, and in overtime Decatur eked out a 55-52 win. … Read More

Understanding Illinois: Revisiting the Founding Era for Lessons Learned

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•February 13, 2019• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist I have been asked by the Kewanee (IL) Library, near my residence in central Illinois, to lead discussions on “Revisiting the Founding Era.” What lessons might there be for us today, and what might we do today to honor those who made our nation possible? Library director Barbara Love was awarded one of a very few grants from a New York City foundation to explore the topic. Over the coming six weeks, I will sit in the moderator’s chair at sessions in the library, and in classes at the local community … Read More

OVES Students Earn and Learn with Pennies for Patients

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Giving Back but Looking Forward •February 13, 2019• By Ellen Ferrera for the News Progress OVES Principal, Heidi Vander Burgh has a theme this year of “Giving Back but Looking Forward” for her 157 students. When the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) contacted her with their program, she saw an opportunity to implement her theme. The LLS’s program is called Pennies for Patients, and each student is given a little cardboard box to fill with 500 pennies each of four weeks. There are various prizes the students may win depending on how much they raise each week. … Read More

Obituaries 2-13-2019: Wilma Alexander

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Wilma Alexander Wilma Alexander, 83, of Sullivan passed away at 10:38 p.m. Saturday February 2, 2019 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan is in charge of arrangements. Wilma was born October 2, 1935 in Coles Station, a daughter of William and Edith Welbaum Rowland. Wilma married Frank Alexander in 1957 in El Paso, Texas, and he preceded her in death November 19, 2004. … Read More

Obituaries 2-13-2019: Gene Montgomery

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Gene Montgomery Gene Montgomery, age 84, of Charleston passed away after a courageous battle with cancer Saturday, February 9, 2019 in his home surrounded by his loving family. The funeral service honoring and celebrating his life began at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday, February 13) at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston, Ill. with Pastor Ray Finney officiating. Burial followed in Mound Cemetery in Charleston. It is requested that donations in his honor be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105. Gifts may be left at the visitation/service or mailed in care of Adams Funeral … Read More

It Isn’t How You Start. It’s How You Finish

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•February 13, 2019• By Jason Brown NP Sports Editor During the IHSA Class 2A girls’ basketball tournament, so far, the Sullivan girls’ team has been a team of two halves. In the semifinal of the regional, the No. 1 seeded Sullivan team trailed No. 7 seeded Warrensburg-Latham by one at halftime. In the regional championship game, Sullivan and No. 4 seeded Villa Grove were tied. In the semifinal of the sectional, the Redskins committed 15 turnovers and trailed Edwards County by five points at halftime. But Sullivan coach Sheri McCain’s motto all along has been, “It isn’t how you start; … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Gene Montgomery

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Gene Montgomery CHARLESTON, IL – Gene Montgomery, age 84 of Charleston, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be held from 4 – 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL. The Funeral Service honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 with Pastor Ray Finney officiating. Burial will follow at Mound Cemetery, Charleston, IL. It is requested that donations in his honor be made to St. Jude Children’s … Read More

Obituaries 2-6-2019: Ronnie Greeson

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Ronnie Greeson Ronnie Golden Greeson, 68, of Toledo, Ill., beloved brother of Suzanne Greeson Cummings, passed away on February 2, 2019 at Eastview Terrace in Sullivan. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 7 at Barkley Funeral Chapel in Toledo. Visitation will be from 12 p.m. to service time on Thursday in the funeral chapel. Burial will be in Toledo Cemetery. Ronnie was born July 7, 1950 in Mattoon to Golden and Mary Todd Greeson. He is survived by a sister Suzanne (Ron) Cummings of Moweaqua. He was preceded in death by his parents. … Read More