Ray Reed Leaps

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•February 24, 2016• Ray Reed of Sullivan is a Leap Year child, and this Monday, February 29, Ray will turn 23 years old. “Or 92 if you’re counting,” Ray quipped. “You know I have done just about everything there is to do in life.” He started reeling off some of the things he has done. “I’ve sold about everything a person can sell from cars and real estate to appliances and paint.” At one point Reed rebuilt carburetors and generators at the local auto dealership in Shelbyville. “You know cars don’t even have carburetors and generators any more,” he said … Read More

Transportation Fund a Concern at ALAH School District

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New Health Courses from Lake Land Community College offered •February 24, 2016• By Ariana Cherry For the News Progress All funds are in the black, but the transportation fund is a concern,  Superintendent Kenny Schwengel told board members at the last Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond meeting. “We spend about $80,000 a month. I think we will at least get one more mandated payment. We have only received one so far,” informed Schwengel. “In order to cover the transportation fund, we may have to transfer money from the education fund,” he added. It was also noted that the Douglas County sales tax is coming … Read More

Eighth Annual Valentine’s Day Poetry Contest Draws Record Crowd

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Courtyard Estates Hosts •February 17, 2016• By Ariana Cherry For the News Progress The 100 Valentine’s Day Luncheon and Poetry Contest attendees know a thing or two about love-after-all, from their years of experience. Experiences were shared at the annual gathering held at Courtyard Estates in Sullivan Friday, February 12. A verse from Harry McCorkle’s poem, “Memories,” spoke measures of wisdom. “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” The luncheon has developed into quite the social event in the last eight years. The idea originally was started by Sullivan resident, Linda Spencer … Read More

No More Passports

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•February 17, 2016• Starting March 1 people wanting passports to leave the country will have to leave Sullivan. Moultrie County Circuit Clerk Cindy Braden announced that her office will discontinue passport acceptance after that date. “We have enjoyed providing the service but would rather spend time on court related business,” Circuit Clerk Braden said of the decision to stop passport acceptance. After that date, the Bethany Post Office will be the only Moultrie County location in which to acquire a passport. The Sullivan Post Office is in the process of becoming an acceptance location but has yet to be approved. … Read More

Understanding Illinois: The Complicated, Exasperating Matter of School Funding

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•February 17, 2016• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist First, I want to apologize for playing fast and loose with some misleading factoids last week in a column about Texas and Illinois. I know better; surface statistics can as often obfuscate as illuminate. I noted that Texas spends about $8,000 per pupil annually on it public school kids while Illinois spends $12,000 and change, a huge difference. This is fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, which surveys such matters and should be a credible source. This does not mean, however, that Illinois pupils have on average that … Read More

Obituaries 2-17-2016: Jinny Kaufman

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Jinny Kaufman Ruby Virginia “Jinny” Kaufman, 87, of Argenta died at 9:47 p.m. Feb. 13, 2016 in Heartland Manor Care in Decatur. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Argenta United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Friends Creek Cemetery in Argenta. Visitation is 10-11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Calvert Funeral Home in Argenta is handling arrangements. … Read More

Former SOV Athletes Have Strong Indoor Track Seasons

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•February 17, 2016• Former Sullivan and Okaw Valley athletes Mollie Bowman and Amanda McClain continue strong winter performances during the collegiate indoor track season. Both were medalists in the IHSA state track meet during high school. Bowman attends McKendree University and McLain of Findlay is on the Illinois State Redbird team. At the Olivet Invitational Meet Bowman participated in the 200 meter dash finishing second with a time of 26.61 seconds. In the 4×400 the McKendree team took first with a 4:04.21 second time. Bowman joined seven athletes on the  McKendree team at the Grand Valley State University big meet … Read More

Obituaries 2-17-2016: Betty Harshbarger

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Betty Harshbarger Elizabeth J. “Betty” Fombelle Harshbarger, 88, of Arthur, formerly of Atwood, passed away at 3:05 p.m., Friday, February 12, 2016 in Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Ill. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday in Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home in Atwood with the Rev. Bruce Weiman officiating. Burial was in Mackville Cemetery in Atwood. Born Elizabeth Jane Reeder December 20, 1927 in Jarman Hospital in Tuscola to Ralph and Mary Hofsas Reeder, she attended Atwood schools graduating with the class of 1945. Betty graduated from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in January 1949. … Read More