Spring Forward

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•March 7, 2018• Spring is almost upon us, meaning longer days and more sunlight. It also means the start of Daylight Saving Time causing the loss of an hour of sleep. Daylight Saving Time often referred to as “spring forward” — begins Sunday, March 11, 2018, at 2 a.m. — when people should set their clocks ahead an hour to 3 a.m. Though your cellphones and smart devices should change automatically, don’t forget to turn those manual bedside alarm clocks forward, or you could risk oversleeping and being late the next day. … Read More

Understanding Illinois: Could This be Mike Madigan’s Last Hurrah? A Half Century May be Enough

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•March 7, 2018• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist My Springfield insider friends say I am loony to think 2018 will be Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s last hurrah. Yet I think it will be. I array my arguments below; first a little history. Democrat Mike Madigan has been representing the once-Irish Southwest Side of Chicago for half a century. Madigan was elected a delegate to the Illinois Constitutional Convention in 1969 and then immediately moved to the state House. He has been there ever since, the last three decades as Speaker. I served with Mike back in his early … Read More

Area Players Make All-Conference Teams 

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•March 7, 2018• By Jason Brown NP Sports Okaw Valley and Arthur-Lovington-/Atwood-Hammond represented the All-Little Okaw Valley Conference Northwest Division basketball team with eight players, and three Sullivan players earned All-Central Illinois Conference honors. Okaw Valley seniors Paige Robinson and Natalie Jeffers were unanimous selections for first-team all-conference honors. Robinson and Jeffers also earned first team honors last season, and this was Robinson’s third-straight first-team selection. Jeffers earned second-team honors as a sophomore.  … Read More

Obituaries 3-7-2018: Charles Stiles

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Charles Stiles Charles E. “Chuck” Stiles, formerly of Bethany, passed away suddenly from a heart attack on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at the age of 58. A celebration of Chuck’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home located at 1800 Eastland Drive in Bloomington. After graduation from Bethany High School in 1977, Chuck lived in the Bloomington and Normal, Illinois area while serving his community as a trusted and skilled auto mechanic for nearly four decades. He and his wife Mary were the owners of Stiles’ Automotive in Bloomington. … Read More

Sullivan Women’s Civic Club News

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•March 7, 2018• Dakota Radford of the Douglas Hart Nature Center in Coles County was guest of the Sullivan Women’s Civic Club at their February meeting to review the center’s programs for adults, scout troops, youth groups, volunteer and family programming and the Friendship Garden Program.  … Read More

Obituaries 3-7-2018: Recile Maycroft

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Recile Maycroft E. Recile Maycroft, 100, of Sullivan passed away at 2:55 p.m. Sunday March 4, 2018 in Mason Point in Sullivan. Graveside services were at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Arthur Cemetery with John Plummer officiating. Arrangements were by Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. Recile was born April 6, 1917 in Mt. Zion, a daughter of Charles E. and Luda Greenfield Epling. … Read More

Workshop for Sullivan Art’s Club

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•March 7, 2018• Sullivan Art Club’s first painting workshop of the 2018 season will be held Saturday, March 17 at the St. Columcille Church hall located on the east end of the church at the corners of W. Jackson and McClellan streets.  There is a dedicated entrance to the hall adjacent to the parking lot. The workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an hour break for lunch. Participants may bring a sack lunch or dine at one of the area restaurants. … Read More

Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Future Discussed

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•March 7, 2018• The Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance will host a public meeting at the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center at 6 p.m. March 20 to discuss the status and upcoming fish habitat projects. Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance (LSFHA) is made up of fishing clubs, individuals, businesses, government agencies, and organizations looking to improve fishery at Lake Shelbyville.   … Read More

Arthur Author Speaks at Convention

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•March 7, 2018• Local author Ariana R. Cherry will speak at the first Art in Equality Convention Saturday, March 24 at the Savoy Recreation Center in Savoy. It is a convention and film festival focusing on Equality for all: LGBTQ, all races, all religions, all sexes. “We are all human, let’s stop the hate. We will provide an environment that welcomes everyone with open minds and open hearts. We will embrace knowledge, love and understanding.” … Read More