If You Can Choose to be Anything, Choose to be Kind

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Mirror Images Celebrates 30 •January 23, 2019• By Imagene Mears for the News Progress At the end of this year’s Mirror Images’ show, Mr. Newman says, “…if you can choose to be anything, choose to be kind.” His student Jasmine replies, “Yup…and spread happiness like glitter.” Spreading happiness and kindness, are in essence, what this year’s original play is about. The public performance of If You Could Choose To Be Anything will be Saturday, January 26, at 7 p.m. at the Little Theatre on the Square. Tickets are $5 and will be sold only at the theater prior to the … Read More

Eden Martin Continues Supporting the Educational Mission of Sullivan

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•January 23, 2019• By Ellen Ferrera for the News Progress Eden Martin recently published a new book, “Fragments of the History of Sullivan”. Martin has donated 100 copies of his book to the Sullivan Community Education Foundation, and all proceeds from the sales will go to the Foundation. Copies are $35 and may be purchased in the high school office during regular business hours. The following is an email interview with Martin: Ellen: You have written several books on the history of Sullivan and maintain an informative local history website, edenmartin.com. What motivated you to research and write these histories? … Read More

Ellis’ Extreme Efforts Not Quite Enough for Redskins Win

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•January 23, 2019• By Jason Brown NP Sports Editor Despite losing two close Central Illinois Conference games this past week, Redskin senior Caden Ellis combined for a total of 63 points, 24 rebounds, 10 steals and four assists. The Sullivan boys’ basketball team lost to Meridian last Tuesday and Clinton Friday, Jan. 18. Against the Maroons, Clinton extended a 3-point lead after the first quarter during a 16-9 second-quarter run. In the second half, Sullivan stayed close and in the fourth outscored Clinton 11-7 but eventually came up short in the 47-42 loss. Caden Ellis recorded 23 points, nine rebounds … Read More

ALAH Girls Basketball Team’s Balanced Attack Leads to Wins

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•January 23, 2019• By Jason Brown NP Sports Editor From the first day of practice, Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond girls’ basketball coach Mac Condill wanted his team to improve every day. “That is truly my goal as a coach,” Condill said. “To continue improving and taking advantage of every opportunity we have in practices and games to gain a better understanding of the game of basketball and improve our skills. We have modified practices and how we approach things in order to try and continue to improve.” It seems to be working. “You never know until the season actually gets into the last … Read More

Candidates Nominated for Military Academy Consideration

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•January 23, 2019• Congressman John Shimkus, nominated 17 bright young men and women from around the 15th District who are considering a military academy for their college choice. The nominees include Broderick Goss and Spencer Johnson of Sullivan. U.S. 15th District Rep. Shimkus recognized students who were unable to attend the reception including Trenton Butler of Dahlgren, Conrad Ebbecke of Mahomet, Augustus Heal of Effingham, Walter Jackson of Danville, Dylan Pattison of St. Jacob, and Robert Rardin of Charleston. Anna Freeland of Mount Carmel, Gianna Vacca of Iuka, Marvin Abernathy of Ashmore, Will Schleper of Breese, Justin Del Rosario of … Read More

VOD Essayist is State Bound

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•January 23, 2019• Sullivan high school senior Paige McLaughlin’s essay on “Why My Vote Matters” has won her first place at the local and district level, and she is heading to state. On February 8 she will travel to Springfield to compete in the VFW’s 72nd State of Illinois Voice of Democracy Contest and the chance to win $1,000 in scholarship funds. If she is successful, her next journey will be to the national competition in Washington, D.C. where a $30,000 scholarship will be awarded to the winner. McLaughlin is editor of the school newspaper and involved in National English … Read More

OV Girls Bounce Back for Two Wins

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•January 23, 2019• By Jason Brown NP Sports Editor After losing to No 6 seeded Argenta-Oreana 61-38, No. 3 seeded Okaw Valley bounced back the next two games to win the Little Okaw Valley Conference Northwest Division Tournament consolation championship. OV defeated Decatur LSA 60-27 last Tuesday to make the consolation championship game, then knocked off Cerro Gordo/Bement 46-31 last for consolation title Wednesday. The Timberwolves parlayed those two games into their third-straight win against Blue Ridge/Deland-Weldon Monday night. Against Cerro Gordo/Bement, OV outscored the Broncos in every quarter. After taking a 7-point lead, 22-15, in to halftime, the Timberwolves … Read More

Obituaries 1-23-2019: Polly Shaw

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Polly Shaw Alice ‘Polly’ Shaw, 84, of Sullivan passed away at 11:46 p.m. Saturday, January 19, 2019 in The Crossings At Victory Station in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Celebration of Life services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, January 25 in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Charliam Renner officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. View complete obituary and send online condolences at reedfuneralhome.net. Also see complete obituary in next week’s News Progress.[/s2If] … Read More

An Eventful Week for the Sullivan Girls’ Basketball Team

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Miller Hits 1000 •January 23, 2019• By Jason Brown NP Sports Editor It was an eventful week for the Sullivan girls’ basketball team. The Redskins defeated Central A&M to stay undefeated in the Central Illinois Conference, earned top seed in the CIC Tournament, moved up to the No. 3 team in the Associated Press Class 2A state rankings and knocked off Shelbyville in first round of the tournament. Thursday, Jan. 17, the Redskins defeated the Raiders with the help of 16 points, nine rebounds and three assists from freshman Lilly Null. “Lilly Null played her best game of the season,” … Read More