Understanding Illinois: Can We reduce Prison Population 25 Percent? Should We?

News Progress Posted on by

•April 6, 2016• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist Gov. Bruce Rauner has a goal of reducing Illinois prison numbers by 25 percent in the coming few years. A blue ribbon group he set up is at work to make this a reality. Should we do so? When I was a back-bench state legislator a half century ago, there were 7,000 inmates in our prisons. Recently the number reached almost 50,000, though that has come back to 46,000; crime is down and the justice system is going lighter on drug crimes, I am told. During the 1980s, we got tough … Read More

Redskin Baseball Team Keeps the Hits Coming

News Progress Posted on by

•April 6, 2016• Sullivan Redskins baseball finished March with a 4-3 record and three players hitting over .500. Alec Ballinger’s 25 at bats yielded 16 hits, 16 runs and six RBIs for a .640  batting average. Ballinger added 10 stolen bases to the offense. Brett Tuttle had 26 at bats for 18 hits and 13 runs with nine RBIs for a .692 batting average. Tuttle stole seven bases. He had one win as a pitcher. Pitching nine and a third innings Tuttle allowed 15 hits, six earned runs and had eight strikeouts for a 4.5 earned run average. Zach Hrvol … Read More

News Sidewalks Around Sullivan Square

News Progress Posted on by

After A Few Noisy Days of Demolition •April 6, 2016• The city of Sullivan sidewalk renovation project started Monday April 4. It will involve removing the sidewalk and curb around the inside of the square and replacing it with new ADA compliant  walk and crosswalks. The north and east sides of the square will be closed first. Then closings will occur as needed after the new is installed. The plan is to saw cut the sidewalk all the way, but only the north and east sides will be closed to parking. Workers are using water to cut so the dust will be … Read More

Sullivan Hosts Invitational Meet

News Progress Posted on by

•March 30, 2016• Girls results: Sullivan High School track teams hosted a meet March 22 with Arcola, Arthur-Lovington/Atwood -Hammond, Teutopolis and Village Grove Heritage invited. Girls’ 100 meter dash:ALAH  Abby Foreman first with 13.96 tied with teammate Lexi Burnett;  Sullivan Okaw Valley’s Ashlynd Risley was third with 14.28 followed in fourth by Julia Hardiek of Teutopolis. Girls’ 200 meter: ALAH Hannah Wallen was first with 28.56, Julia Hardiek of Tuetopolis second with 29.49, SOV’s Risley was third with 29.78. Girls’ 400 meter dash: Hannah Wallen was first with 1:02.87, Kara Weichman from Teutopolis was second with 1:07.21, Arcola’s Sophia Fishel … Read More

Sarah Bush Lincoln Celebrates Certified Nurses Day

News Progress Posted on by

•March 30, 2016• Sarah Bush Lincoln celebrated Certified Nurses Day March 19 by honoring its board certified nurses and respiratory therapists. Thirty-one nurses and nine respiratory therapists were recognized for their professionalism, leadership, and commitment to excellence in patient care. Board Certification of nurses and respiratory therapists plays an increasingly important role in the assurance of high standards of care for patients and their loved ones. Nursing and respiratory therapy, like healthcare in general, has become increasingly complex. While a registered nurse (RN) license provides entry to general nursing practice, the knowledge-intensive requirements of modern nursing require extensive education, as … Read More

Obituaries 3-30-2016: Hubert Walton

News Progress Posted on by

Hubert Walton Hubert W. Walton, 96, of Sullivan, passed away at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday March 23, 2016 in his residence. Celebration of Life services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with the Rev. John T. Walton officiating. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday. Burial with military rites conducted by Sullivan American Legion Post #68 and Bethany American Legion Post #507 will be in Marrowbone Township Cemetery in Bethany.  … Read More

Obituaries 3-30-2016: Phillip Artis

News Progress Posted on by

Phillip Artis Phillip E. Artis, 76, of Sullivan passed away at 3:57 p.m. Sunday, March 27, 2016, in Mattoon Health Care. Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 31, in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan with military rites by Sullivan American Legion #68. Visitation will be held from 3– 4 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home in Sullivan. Burial will be at a later date. … Read More

Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library Activities

News Progress Posted on by

1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program Begins  •March 30, 2016• The Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library has spared no expense in presenting several events in the next month. Starting April 1, the library will take part in a nationwide program titled “1000 Books Before Kindergarten.” This program encourages parents and caregivers to provide positive experiences to their children by reading aloud to and with them regularly. If reading 1000 books before kindergarten sounds like “Mission Impossible”, we are here to tell you it isn’t. We will let you in on the secret to successfully reaching that “impossible” goal. Specific information may be … Read More

Timberwolves Baseball Beats Bombers at Home

News Progress Posted on by

•March 30, 2016• Okaw Valley Timberwolves varsity baseball came away with a 9-2 home win over the St. Elmo Bombers March 23. The Timberwolves’ Dylan Park went six innings and was the winning pitcher throwing 67-113 strikes with 19 first pitch strikes; Tanner Coleman threw eight strikes in 19 pitches in relief. Flowers pitched five innings and Brown one to share pitching duties for the Bombers. Flowers got the loss throwing 55-93 strikes with Brown striking out 11 on 26 pitches. Cody Drake had a home run and a double, scoring twice and getting one RBI. Ian Tiarks hit a … Read More