•August 30, 2017• The Moultrie County News Progress office will close Monday, September 4 to observe Labor Day. Early deadline for the September 6 edition of the News Progress is noon Friday, September 1. This includes all advertising and news items. Thank you and enjoy the holiday. … Read More
•August 30, 2017• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist There is an old saying that only six people in Illinois understand the state’s school funding formula, and they can’t fly on the same plane. So, now that the topic is in the news, let’s stand back and try to grasp the underlying fundamentals of school finance, which are all about money and politics, that is, the struggle over who gets what. Illinois schools overall spend more per pupil statewide than the national average, and much more than neighboring states. According to Governing magazine, in 2014 Illinois spent $13,077 per pupil … Read More
•August 30, 2017• Hullabaloo on the Square in Sullivan is coming 2-5 p.m. Sunday, September 17. This event is free and will feature live entertainment, inflatables, rock climbing wall, carnival games and contests, candy and prizes, and face painting. Area vendors will have food and beverages for sale. Beginning in 2010, Hullabaloo has been sponsored generously by local businesses and organized by New Life Church. The attendance for this successful event was nearly 2000 last year. Tiffany Burgess of New Life, who spearheads the event, encourages the public to attend hours of unlimited use of the games and inflatables. “Throughout … Read More
•August 30, 2017• Faith Lutheran Church in Sullivan will sponsor a benefit cookout 10 a.m.-2 p.m. September 9 and 16. All proceeds will directly benefit Pastor Paul McGhghy to make their home handicap accessible and help cover medical expenses. Funds to assist for the benefits will come from Thrivent Financial. Make check donations payable to Faith Lutheran Church. Also indicate McGhghy Benefit on the memo line. Donations may also be mailed to Faith Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 109, Sullivan, IL 61951. For questions or more information contact the church office at 217-728-7711. … Read More
•August 30, 2017• Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond’s lone female cross country runner Makenna Green placed fourth in a five-team meet in Sullivan Thursday and 17th in the Saber Kickoff Classic last Tuesday. At the Sullivan meet, she ran a 22:37, and at the Saber Kickoff Classic, she finished in 22.43. She is scheduled to enter the Chrisman Invite at 9 a.m. Saturday. … Read More
•August 30, 2017• Kari Rajkumar, a portrait artist from Paris, Ill., was chosen as the recipient of the Governor’s Choice Award (aka Best in Show) in the Professional Art Exhibition held in conjunction with the 2017 Illinois State Fair, for her oil painting titled “Autumn Walk.” Her award-winning piece measures 5 ft x 3 ft and features a young man in princely attire alongside a glossy black horse. At only 28 years of age, Rajkumar is one of the youngest recipients of this award in the Professional Division. … Read More
•August 30, 2017• By Jason Brown NP Sports With a complete new coaching staff and a young team, Okaw Valley volleyball head coach Sarah McDowell has had to shuffle several new situations before her team even took the court. In her first year as head coach, McDowell has been joined with first-year junior varsity coach Kirsten Durflinger and first-year assistant coach Maggie Luckenbill. “We have three new coaches to the high school program,” said McDowell, “so it has taken time for our players to get comfortable with our style of coaching. We are…challenging the players every day in practice to … Read More
•August 30, 2017• SBL Lincolnland Home Care and Lincolnland Hospice will conduct a free blood pressure clinic from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday, September 21in the Senior Center in Sullivan. For more information, call Lincolnland Home Care at 1-800-879-3212. SBL Lincolnland Home Care, Lincolnland Hospice and Lincolnland Home Medical will sponsor bingo from 9–10 a.m. following the blood pressure clinic. … Read More
•August 30, 2017• By Jason Brown NP Sports The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond football team dropped its season opener 34-28 against Tri-County at home Friday night. In the first quarter, a fresh ALAH team executed well and took a 14 point lead in the first quarter. But in the second quarter, Tri-County scored 21 unanswered points to take the lead. “We lost momentum when we started turning the ball over,” said ALAH coach Dale Schuring. Tri-County added seven more in the third. “Second and third quarters, we played undisciplined football and turned the ball over repeatedly,” said Schuring. The Knights battled back with … Read More