Understanding Illinois: Illinois School Finance and the Struggle to Educate Equally

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•June 27, 2018• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist When I was Gov. Jim Thompson’s aide for education in the late 1970s, there was an adage that only six people in Illinois understood the state school aid formula—and they weren’t allowed to fly on the same plane. There is a new formula today, just as complicated. And state senators Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill, Macoupin County) and Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) would be among those six experts today. Andy and Jason are highly capable, earnest Eagle Scout types. Over five years of hard work, they have taken the lead, along with scores … Read More

SMS Science Trip – Accidentally Learning While Having Fun

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•June 27, 2018• By Mike Brothers The fifth annual Sullivan school science trip was taken to Tampa, Fla. June 11-14 with 24 students attending. “It was a way for the kids to have four days of fun while accidentally learning something along the way,” said science teacher Troy Rogers who leads the every other year trip for interested middle school students. He explained the trip is through World Strides and is not a school district function. Rogers and his wife Kari chaperoned along with Aaron Kirk and Kimberly Wallace who had attended the 2010 trip. Geared for those interested in … Read More

Sullivan FFA Honored At State Convention

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•June 27, 2018• Members of the Sullivan FFA chapter attended the 90th annual Illinois State FFA Convention June 12-14 along with more than 5,000 other FFA members, advisors, and guests. During the convention, the following award was presented to the Sullivan FFA chapter: Building Communities National Chapter Award Section Winner: As part of the National Chapter Award program and the chapter’s program of activities, Building Communities is designed to encourage the local development of FFA partnerships with alumni affiliates and other organizations while taking a leadership role in making the community a better place to live and work. … Read More

Newspaper Deadline Friday

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•June 27, 2018• Deadlines for news and advertising to be in the Thursday, July 4 edition of the Moultrie County News Progress and the July 5th edition of The Fish Wrap are noon Friday, June 29. Thank you and enjoy America’s Independence celebrations. … Read More

Obituaries 6-27-2018: James Leach

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James Leach James Porter Leach, 100, of Decatur, died at 7:50 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, 2018 in Decatur Memorial Hospital. Private family graveside services will be held in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan with McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan handling arrangements. … Read More

OV Athletes Robinson and Fritz Win Espy Award

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•June 27, 2018• by Jason Brown NP Sports The 2017-18 sports year is over, but Okaw Valley athletes are still accumulating awards. Recent graduates Paige Robinson and Garrett Fritz won the 10th annual ESPN Decatur Espy Award during the ceremony at Richland College, Sunday. Paige Robinson Robinson took home the prize for Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year for the second straight year. Fritz took home the prize for Baseball Player of the Year. Robinson set several school records and collected even more accolades. Robinson was named to the 15-member Illinois Girls’ Basketball Coaches All-State Class 1A/2A first team. The … Read More

Most of Illinois has Warmer than Normal Soils

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•June 27, 2018• The warmer weather has led to higher than normal soil temperatures for the first two weeks of June, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois. Soil temperatures at depths of 4 inches under sod averaged 75.5 degrees in Illinois during the first half of June, 2 degrees higher than last year and 5 degrees higher than the long-term average. Highs reached into the mid-90s with lows in the 60s. Southern Illinois had the warmest soils with an average of 77.3 degrees for the … Read More

Sullivan Celebrates

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Ferris Wheel Debuts •June 27, 2018• Sullivan’s 4th of July Celebration begins June 30 and runs through July 4th in Wyman Park with a Ferris Wheel featured at the carnival. Conner Family Amusements, Inc. is setting up a 55 foot Ferris wheel, requested by the Sullivan American Legion last year. The giant wheel joins a variety of family friendly rides and amusements provided by Conner Amusements. Carnival action begins June 30 from 1-5 p.m. Saturday and again from 6-10 p.m. (Sunday through Tuesday 5-10) The Beardstown based company is bringing their family friendly carnival back for a second year. The … Read More