SCED Is Reaching Out

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For Community Input •May 17, 2017• Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development is ready to help accelerate area growth by becoming an information hub for the community. “We have always tried to gather information about what is going on, utilizing social media, the web page and print media to get the word out,” Executive Director Laurrie Minor explained. In an effort to best utilize the resources of the Sullivan area and its potential for increasing tourism income, SCED is reaching out for ideas from the community including civic organizations, ministerial alliances and individuals who have information to share about themselves and … Read More

Last Inning Score Pushes OV Softball Past Sullivan

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•May 17, 2017• By Jason Brown NP Sports The Okaw Valley softball team finished a busy week at 3-1 with wins over Sullivan and Argenta-Oreana twice and losses to Mt Zion and Neoga. Saturday against Sullivan, OV and the Redskins went back and forth, but with a 3-3 score going into the last inning, OV scored two. Sullivan couldn’t answer in its half of the inning and lost 5-3. For OV Kailyn Boyer had three hits, and Kailey George and Natalie Jeffers each had two and one RBI. Kayla Wheeler had two RBIs. … Read More

Scholarships Received

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•May 17, 2017• In the May 10 News Progress front page story: Sullivan Honors Students article two scholarship award winners were unintentionally omitted: Tatum Ellis was awarded the Barbara Steffens Scholarship and Jonathan Gavin was awarded the David Elzy Memorial Scholarship. … Read More

Free Tomato Plants- Who Can Resist?

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•May 17, 2017• By Ellen Ferrera for the News Progress A neatly drawn sign in the Senior Center in Sullivan offers Peter Spencer’s tomato plants for free. Any tomato-loving person could not resist such a generous offer. Spencer was in his wheelchair on his front lawn next to an amazing array of tomato plants – red and yellow cherry tomatoes, red and yellow beefsteaks and others. A couple arrived to select tomatoes as Spencer told his story. “A few years ago I suffered a stroke, and everyone was so kind and helpful so this is one way I can repay … Read More

All-American Cookout

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•May 17, 2017• Eastview Terrace in Sullivan is hold the All-American Cookout at 12 noon Friday, May 19. As National Nursing Home Week comes to an end everyone is invited to enjoy a cook out and great music from The Rauch Band. Come to 100 Eastview Place in Sullivan and noon and bring a lawn chair, for a great a hot dog, potato salad, baked beans and apple pie for dessert. For more information call 217/728-7367. … Read More

ALAH Runner Takes First

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•May 17, 2017• Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond distance runner Logan Hall took first place in three events at the Little Okaw Valley Conference Championships in Toledo last Tuesday. … Read More

Understanding Illinois: “Politics of blame” Game Diminishes Us All

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•May 17, 2017• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist I fear that the 2018 election contests for governor and legislature, already underway, will be ugly, brutal affairs. Unprecedented millions of dollars will be focused laser-like on convincing voters that the opposition bears all the blame for the incredible mess the state is in, with nary a sou spent on discussion of constructive, though painful, options for getting us out of our mess. If I am right about this, we will all come out of the process feeling a little grimy and less positive about our state. All this during our … Read More

Obituaries 5-17-2017: Sally Jacobson

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Sally Jacobson Sarah “Sally” Tabor Jacobson, 78, passed away in Naples, Florida May 2, 2017 after a brief battle with cancer. She was comforted by the loving presence of Paul, her husband of 56 years, and her family. Sally was born in Decatur July 29, 1938 to Purvis and Roberta Tabor and was the elder of two daughters. She grew up in Sullivan where she developed a love of music. Sally had a beautiful soprano voice and sang in both formal church choirs and in informal settings with friends and family. She also was an accomplished pianist and played throughout … Read More

Obituaries 5-17-2017: Ezra Plank

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Ezra Plank Ezra J. Plank, 97, of Lovington died at1:45 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, 2017 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur. Funeral services were held at 9 a.m. May 14 in the HCK West Building near Arthur. Burial was in Otto Cemetery in Arthur. Edwards Funeral Home in Arcola assisted with arrangements. … Read More

Local Varsity Players Join Challenger League Fun

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•May 17, 2017• Okaw Valley and Paris high school baseball players dusted off their uniforms following the May 5 game in Bethany and went to work for a great cause. The OV/Paris game was the ultimate road trip for the Challenger League, when the group of special needs ball players was greeted by two varsity baseball teams as “Buddies”. As the high school players did the year before following the game at Paris, they stayed around as “Buddies” for the Challenger League game playing along side the Little League visitors. The Challenger division in Douglas County Little League started with … Read More