ALAH Softball Falls in Season Opener

News Progress Posted on by

•March 23, 2016• By Matt Kracht News Progress Sports The 2016 Lady Knights softball season got off to a promising start Tuesday despite an 8-3 loss to rival Tuscola. Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond head coach Jerry Lane was positive about the takeaways from the contest. “There are lot of positives I can take away from this game. I got four freshmen starting, a couple sophomores and a couple juniors. We just got to get used to playing together since we have only been outside twice before today.  We get rid of one inning, and we are right there in the ball game against … Read More

Signs for Robert Morris

News Progress Posted on by

•March 23, 2016• Seleste Smith, signed a letter of intent to play softball for Robert Morris College in Springfield during ceremonies attended by teammates, family and friends in Sullivan High School gym March 17. Pictured during the signing seated from left: Nancy Leslie, Smith’s grandmother of Tallahasee, Fla.; Smith; Cindy Leslie, Smith’s mother and Chloe Smith, her sister; standing from left: Redskin head softball coach Andy Wagner, Robert Morris College head coach Boyd Nowicki, Morris assistant coach Stacey Sparks and Smith’s summer league coach Todd Cooley. … Read More

ALAH District Dips into Reserves to Cover $240,000 State Owes

News Progress Posted on by

Could be 5 months before anymore payments are made •March 23, 2016• By Ariana Cherry For the News Progress “The current checkbook balance is $5,525,184.24,” stated Superintendent Kenny Schwengel at the last Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School Board meeting. “All funds are in the black, but the balance is getting a little smaller.” Schwengel noted that the district received a second mandated categorical payment in the amount of $199,000. “I am anticipating it to be the last one for the year though,” he cautioned. “The state still owes us about $240,000,” Schwengel informed. The district has received only two of four mandated payments. … Read More

Illinois Adjutant General Speaks on Sexual Assault, Signs Agreements with Rape Crisis Centers

News Progress Posted on by

•March 23, 2016• The Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, Maj. Gen. Richard Hayes Jr., spoke to members of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA), and signed a memorandum of understanding with the local crisis center during a workshop March 17 in the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield. Nearly 50 ICASA members from crisis centers across Illinois attended the event where Hayes discussed sexual assaults in the Illinois National Guard and the combined efforts to combat it. Hayes and crisis center directors signed memorandums of understanding to establish a mutual relationship that benefits service members who are victims … Read More

Moultrie County has Lowest Unemployment Rate in Area

News Progress Posted on by

•March 23, 2016• Moultrie County continues to beat the state unemployment rates for east central Illinois. Labor bureau statistics show Moultrie County with a 5.8% unemployment rate increased from 4.6% a year ago. Douglas County next door runs second at 6.4% in a tie with McLean County. Sangamon County is up to 6.6% for third. Coles County jumped to 7.5% in 2016 from 6.4% a year ago. DeWitt County was 7.6%, Clark County 7.8% along with Iroquois. Edgar County jumped to 8.1% from 6.9% a year ago with Macon County having the highest area unemployment rate at 8.7% up from … Read More

Obituaries 3-23-2016: Bob Stillwell

News Progress Posted on by

Bob Stillwell Robert F. Stillwell, 83, of Sullivan, formerly of Oak Lawn, passed away at 8:18 p.m. Monday, March 21, 2016 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 26 in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation will be noon–1 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home in Sullivan. Burial with military rites by Sullivan American Legion Post #68 will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan.  … Read More

Obituaries 3-23-2016: Robert Lindholm

News Progress Posted on by

Robert Lindholm Robert Leonard Lindholm, Sr., 84, of Lovington, formerly of Park Forest, passed away at 4:27 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, 2016, in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Coles County. Memorials services will be held at a later date in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Joliet. McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Lovington is handling arrangements.    … Read More

Obituaries 3-23-2016: Betty Bryant

News Progress Posted on by

Betty Bryant Lura Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Bryant, 89, of Mattoon, died at 3:40 p.m. Thursday, March 17, 2016 in her home. Memorial services will be at a later date with burial in Keller Cemetery in Lovington. Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan is in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Bryant was born March 2, 1927 in Monroe County, Kentucky, a daughter of Berry Jackson and Vertie Alma Stinson Doss. Betty had been a waitress and was a member of the Mattoon Eagles, Moose and Eastern Star. Betty loved to play bingo, and her grandchildren lovingly referred to her as ‘Bingo Betty’. She married … Read More