Illinois’ Budget Standoff Must be Resolved

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•June 29, 2016• Illinois’ budget standoff must be resolved, and must be resolved now. For a year, our state’s elected leaders have engaged in what can only be called political malpractice. Illinois is the only state in the country that doesn’t have a budget. For a year, because of that failure, it has stiffed small businesses, social service agencies and its higher education system, leaving them trying to operate without money they’re owed. State operations have been cobbled together through a patchwork of court orders, and the mounting backlog of money owed gets deeper by the minute. On Monday, Gov. … Read More

Yantis Swinging Away at Illinois College

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•June 29, 2016• Kirk Whitaker NP Sports Noah Yantis Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond class of 2014, golf, Illinois College Football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball. Those are the sports that normally get the limelight in the summer at any level, but who could forget it is prime golfing season? ALAH 2014 grad Noah Yantis sure hasn’t forgotten. The Knight turned to-be junior at Illinois College has seen steady improvement and is looking to improve off a low score of 81, a 3-1 record in match play and a highest individual finish of third.  … Read More

From Board to ALAH High School Principal

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•June 29, 2016• By Ariana Cherry For the News Progress After serving on the district school board for seven years, a strong dedication to education pushed Steffanie Seegmiller toward Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond’s new high school principal position. “I’m excited to have this opportunity,” she said. “I’m invested in this district and community. I believe we are fortunate when students call our high school home, and it’s our job to provide them with the best education possible,” she said. Her educational background began with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southern Illinois University, Master of Science in Educational Administration from the U … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Oliver McDevitt

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Oliver McDevitt Oliver E. “Bud” McDevitt, 84, of Sullivan passed away 2:30 a.m. Thursday, June 23, 2016 in his home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, June 26, 2016 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan with Military Rites by the Sullivan American Legion Post # 68 at 5:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Bud was born March 3, 1932 in Hysham, MT the son of William and Helen (Palmer) McDevitt. He married Ellen Rose White on April 6, 1951 in Piggott, AR. She preceded him in death on February 11, … Read More

Reflecting on Sullivan Singers’ Progress

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•June 22, 2016• Brynna Sentel For the News Progress Last year the Sullivan High School Administration brought in a new director for the Chorus/ Singers program, Jeff Thomas. Thomas, took a different approach to the Singers show this year. “The Sullivan Singers put together a mini, story based musical that contained elements of Jekyll/Hyde and Frankenstein’s monster.” Thomas, incorporated many props and flashy backdrops as well as lead characters to help the story line along. However, with every new teacher comes new challenges to overcome. “Balancing all my responsibilities across the district.” was one of the biggest challenges Thomas faced … Read More

Host Foreign Exchange Families Sought

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•June 22, 2016• Foreign exchange student host families are being sought for area foreign exchange students for the upcoming school year. Area coordinator for the foreign exchange student program in this area is Cindy Yoder who explained that 100 English speaking students from various foreign countries are available for host families in the area. … Read More

Obituaries 6-22-2016: Tammy Smith

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Tammy Smith Tammy L. Smith, 51, of Dalton City passed away at 9:02 p.m., June 18, 2016 in Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. A service to celebrate Tammy’s life will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 24, in Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home in Mt. Zion. Burial will be in Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Decatur. The family will receive friends for visitation from 5-7 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.  … Read More