The Little Theatre Opened Sullivan Homes to the Stars

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•January 31, 2018• By Ellen Ferrera for the News Progress In the summer of 1967 Lee Norton made the decision to close the Grand Theater for the summer in order to concentrate on his drive-in. He had heard that a young man (Guy Little, Jr.) was looking for a venue for summer musicals so Lee rented out the Grand. This one decision ultimately paved the way for a considerable economic ripple in Sullivan as Jibby’s restaurant flourished, the Ace Hardware prospered, hairdressers and manicurists tended to the movie stars, David Mobley found a career as the Little Theatre’s photographer and … Read More

Remember When? 1-31-2018

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25 Years Ago This Week The Sullivan Fire Protection Dist. will ask voters to approve a 33 percent increase in its allowable tax levy in the April election. If approved, the 10¢ per $100 valuation will generate about $40,000 a year in additional revenue. Some 660 area fans previewed the Sullivan Singers at the annual dinner theater. Supt. Harold Edwards was recognized for his 13 years of program support with Jim Standerfer and principal Dan Hoefler announcing the Sullivan Invitational Trophy would be named in his honor. Griz England was master of ceremonies. Village board candidates were selected by caucus. Allenville … Read More

OV Girls Win Little Okaw NW Division Championship

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•January 24, 2018• By Jason Brown NP Sports The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team knocked off Argenta-Oreana and Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond to win the Little Okaw Valley Conference Northwest Division championship. OV advanced to the LOVC Tournament championship game but came up short against No. 7 state ranked Tri-County, Saturday, Jan 20. To finish the busy week, OV again defeated ALAH in a regular season LOVC game at Arthur Monday, Jan 22 to stay undefeated in the LOVC at 2-0. In the LOVC NW Division championship game, OV guard Paige Robinson scored a career-high 40 points to help the Timberwolves top ALAH … Read More

Obituaries 1-24-2018

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Arlie Waggoner Arlie Waggoner, 92, of Mattoon, died at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, January 20, 2018 in Mattoon Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. Graveside services were at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Branch Side Cemetery in Gays with Pastor Kevin Wolfe officiating. Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan was in charge of arrangements.   … Read More

Obituaries 1-25-2018: Sam Graber

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Sam Graber Samuel J. (Sam) Graber, 82, of Kissimmee, Florida went peacefully with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at 2:07 pm. Sam was born January 11, 1936 in Hindsboro, Illinois, a son of Amos and Anna Graber. Sam was a building contractor in Sullivan from 1955 -1984, building such projects as the Sullivan Civic Center renovation in 1973, Fields-Wright Medical Center and numerous new homes. Sam became a Florida building contractor in 1988 to 2018 with son Ric and grandson Brandon in Kissimmee building numerous churches, metal office complexes, and custom homes till his last days on … Read More

Obituaries 1-24-2018: David Schreiber

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David Schreiber David Allen ‘Dave’ Schreiber, 75, of Sullivan passed away at 10:23 p.m. Friday, January 19, 2018 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur. Memorial services were at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Joe Stephens officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan.  … Read More

A Good Week for ALAH Knight’s Basketball

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•January 24, 2018• By Jason Brown NP Sports The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond boys’ basketball team finished one of its best stretches of the season this past week. The Knights finished the week 3-0, including an opening win in the Little Okaw Valley Conference. “It was a really good week for us,” said ALAH coach Dale Schuring. “We played probably our best two games of the season this week, and we were also able to pick up the win to start conference division play.” The Knights knocked off Tri-County, Argenta-Oreana and Cerro Gordo-Bement. ALAH defeated Tri-County 61-49 last Wednesday.  … Read More

ALAH Girls Advance to OV Northwest Division Championship

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•January 24, 2018• By Jason Brown NP Sports Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond girls’ basketball team defeated Arcola to reach the Little Okaw Valley Conference Northwest Division championship but lost to Okaw Valley at Decatur LSA Thursday night. ALAH lost the third-place game against Villa Grove/Heritage Saturday and then lost a rematch to OV Monday, Jan 22. Wednesday, Jan. 17, ALAH knocked off Arcola 52-38 to send them to the LOVC NW Division championship game. After falling behind a point in the first quarter, ALAH outscored Arcola 18-5 to pull away for a 30-18 halftime lead. The Knights held on in the third and … Read More

Obituaries 1-24-2018

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Alyne White  Opal Alyne White, 99, of Sullivan, formerly of Flora and Decatur, passed away at 12:25 p.m. Monday January 22, 2018 in Mason Point in Sullivan. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Flora Garden of Memories in Flora with the Rev. Grant Wade officiating. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan.  … Read More