Understanding Illinois: Chicago: A tale of two or more cities

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•September 28, 2016• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist I took the #20 Chicago CTA bus recently, starting from a canyon of towering office and residential buildings in the central Loop, exuding wealth. The bus traveled along Madison Street straight west to the depleted Austin neighborhood on the far edge of the city, 60 blocks away but within the long shadow of the Sears Tower, still visible. I was going to meet my friend Berto Aguayo, a former Latino gang member who went straight, recently graduated from college, probably headed to law school and city politics. Berto is working for … Read More

Vote Now In Moultrie County

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•September 28, 2016• First day of Early Voting and Vote by Mail for the November 8 General Election begins Thursday, September 29 in the county clerk’s office. Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England would like to remind voters that Illinois no longer requires an excuse to vote early or by mail. If a person has already decided how they wish to vote, now would be a good time to avoid the possible long lines on election day. … Read More

Knights Tie for All-Time Best Finish at Arcola Volleyball Invite

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•September 28, 2016• Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond volleyball turned some heads and got revenge Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Arcola volleyball invitational. Whether it was an 8 a.m. start or defeating arch-rival Tri-County, the day was something to behold. The Knights got the taste of loss from Sept. 22 against Argenta-Oreana out of their mouths and fast. Avenging their first loss of the season, they took down the Titans 14-25, 25-12, 15-11 in three sets. The Knights worked their way through pool play to the tourney final against Marshall, before falling in three sets 24-26, 25-17, 11-15. … Read More

OVHS Teacher Featured

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•September 28, 2016• Okaw Valley High School has a spotlight a couple of times a month with science  teacher Sarah McDowell featured this month. In her interview by Kyra Jackson McDowell explained she joined OVHS this year to teach physics, biology, anatomy and physiology. She is also science club sponsor and in charge of the Eco-team. The interview reveals that McDowell grew up in Decatur and participated in softball, volleyball, basketball, National Honor Society and the science club in high school. … Read More

Kids Fishing Rodeo

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•September 28, 2016• The second annual Kids Fishing Rodeo at Wyman Park Lake starts at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2. Presented by the Central Illinois Crappie Club the event is free for kids 15 years old and under. Registration and demos are 12:30 p.m., fishing begins at 1 p.m., and kids should bring their own fishing gear. Weigh in for ages 0-9 is at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. for ages 10-15. Sponsors include IGA, Monical’s Pizza, Steak and Shake, Chip’s Marine,  Brush pile jigs, Mt. Zion Braves and US Army Corp of Engineers. … Read More

Timberwolves Take Down Edinburg, Ramsey; Fall Thursday to Arcola

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•September 28, 2016• Kirk Whitaker NP Sports After taking down Edinburg in three sets earlier, the Okaw Valley volleyball team was looking for more momentum going into conference play with a win against Ramsey Sept. 20. Play started out rough for the Lady ‘Wolves, but OV got back into synch taking the game in two sets 25-20, 25-16. The early parts of both sets saw several unforced errors for the Timberwolves–Ramsey started out with a 7-3 lead with all but one point coming from Timberwolves errors. That was before Kristy Burford had three kills, Paige Coleman added another, and Kate … Read More

ProBono Work Brings Honor To Former Sullivan Resident

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•September 28, 2016• Leslie Wood, a former Sullivan resident, will be honored as the 2016 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year for her work in Madison County. Wood is an SHS alumna of the class of 1985. She attended the University of Illinois in Urbana and SIU Carbondale School of Law. She is the daughter of Steve and Kathy Wood of Sullivan. “She’s a good girl,” father and Sullivan attorney Steve Wood said. “We are extremely proud of her.” Leslie has provided many of her legal services such as pro bono bankruptcies and divorces for Land of Lincoln clients, handled … Read More

Obituaries 9-28-2016: Janet Craig

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Janet Craig Celebration of Life services for Janet Kay Craig, 64, of Sullivan were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial was in Marrowbone Township Cemetery in Bethany. She passed away at 10:48 a.m. Friday, September 23, 2016 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur. Janet was born October 9, 1951 in Decatur, the daughter of Warren G. and Luzetta Gaston Ferguson. She had worked at the Gaddis Home in Lovington, GE in Decatur, McDonald’s in Sullivan, Hardee’s in Mt. Zion and Casey’s in Bethany. She was a member of Grant Street Church of Christ in … Read More

Obituaries 9-28-2016: Bill Rankin

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Bill Rankin Billie G. “Bill” Rankin, 74, of Sullivan died at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016 in Sullivan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. Graveside services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26 in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan with Pastor Grant Wade officiating. Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan was in charge of arrangements. Mr. Rankin was born July 14, 1942 in Ash Grove Twp., Shelby County, Ill., the son of Eugene W. and Alice L. Day Rankin. Bill worked for the city of Sullivan as plant operator with the sewer department. He was a member of Odd Fellows and … Read More