Robinson Sets School Scoring Record

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•January 31, 2018• By Jason Brown NP Sports Senior guard Paige Robinson added another accolade to her high school basketball resume. During the game against Cumberland at home Saturday, Robinson, at the top of the OV’s zone defense, stole the ball with 3:41 left in the first quarter and drove the ball for a layup and scored with 3:36 to set Okaw Valley’s all-time scoring record. “Paige is very deserving of breaking the record,” said OV coach Brad Ackers. “She is the best scorer of the basketball that I have ever been around, male or female.” Robinson surpassed the old … Read More

Sullivan Drive In was the Perfect Family Night Out

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•January 31, 2018• By Ellen Ferrera for the News Progress The Sullivan Drive in opened northeast of town on June 6, 1952 by Lee Norton, who had owned the Grand Theater on the square since 1944. With successful drive in theaters operating in Shelbyville and Mattoon Norton saw a chance to join the trend in Moultrie County. The opening Friday night feature was “At War with the Army” with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, and the Saturday late show was “Murder, My Sweet”.  Prices were 50 cents for adults and children under 12 free. Special favors were given to the … Read More

Through Many Decades Of Challenges, Newspapers Remain Strong Voice For Information, Democracy

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•January 31, 2018• By Tara McClellan McAndrew For the Illinois Press Association Like so much in Illinois, the origins of its newspapers were tied to politics and patronage. This land was a wild, largely unpopulated, western territory when its first newspaper sprang up – the single-sheet Illinois Herald, published in 1814 in Kaskaskia. Its proprietor landed the job of printing territorial and national business through his friend, the territorial governor, according to the July 1918 Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. Some early newspapers were created to support or oppose a political candidate or issue, like the anti-slavery Edwardsville Advocate. … Read More

Lovington Grade School Second Quarter Honor Rolls Announced

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•January 31, 2018• Lovington Grade School’s second quarter honor rolls include the following students who earned straight As: Max Allen, Quentin Day, Cassandra Diener, Reggie Edmonds, Delany Gillis, Gavin Mechling, Michaela Powell and Kaitlyn Zander, eighth grade; Kaci Beachy, Emma Edwards, Josie Hale and Austyn Scroggins, seventh grade and Nathan Tighe, sixth grade. … Read More

Defense Drives Timberwolves Past LSA Lions

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•January 31, 2018• By Jason Brown NP Sports The Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team won the Little Okaw Valley Northeast Conference championship by defeating Decatur LSA but could not carry that momentum into the LOVC companionship game against Cumberland Saturday. “We had a solid week going 3-1 and played three of the best defensive games in a row that I have been a part of,” said OV coach Brooks Inman. “We allowed 83 points total over the first three games of the week. Our effort and attention to detail was tremendous.” Against Decatur LSA, OV had to make a fourth … Read More

Globe Theater Draws Large Saturday Night Crowd

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•January 31, 2018• By Eden Martin NP Guest Columnist Editor’s Note: Former Sullivan resident and author Eden Martin has compiled a history of theaters in Sullivan. This second installment starts with the opening of the Globe Theater. On October 23, 1909, the Decatur Daily Review reported as follows: Sullivan is to have a new up-to-date moving picture show which will be absolutely fireproof and have a raised floor with opera chairs which is something better than has ever seen here before. S.T. Herman of Monticello is the manager, and it will be known as the Globe theater and will be … Read More

Sullivan Learns of a Way to Map Community’s Future

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•January 31, 2018• By Mike Brothers Sullivan City Council learned of a way to be proactive in planning the future of the community at a recent city council meeting. Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development Director Laurrie Minor explained the Management and Planning Programs Involving Nonmetropolitan Groups (MAPPING) starts with a community steering committee. … Read More

Two Big Tournament Wins for ALAH Knights

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•January 31, 2018• By Jason Brown NP Sports The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond boys’ basketball team defeated Arcola last Friday and Hutsonville/Palestine Saturday in the Little Okaw Valley Conference Tournament to earn fifth place. “We played well, especially offensively, this week,” said ALAH coach Dale Schuring. “Our defense hasn’t been as good as I would like, but we have rebounded very well with Colton Romine leading the way.” Against Hutsonville/Palestine, the Knights were tied early in the second quarter but took advantage of a 20-4 run to pull away for a 23-17 halftime lead. Hutsonville/Palestine could not get any closer. ALAH extended the … Read More

Elizabeth Houser Honored By Country Financial 

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•January 31, 2018• Country Financial Representative Elizabeth Houser of Sullivan has earned a position on the insurance group’s distinguished All American team. Houser is among a select group of top Country Financial agency managers and financial representatives who qualified for the award. Country Financial has more than 2,000 agency managers and financial representatives in 17 states.  … Read More