No More Passports
•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
•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
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
•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
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
SBL Advantage 50 Hosting a “Kick-off Party”
•February 17, 2016• Join SBL Advantage 50 at 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 24, as they host their annual trip kick-off party. This event will help participants gain a better understanding of their destinations in 2016. Troy Orwig and Rita Knotts of Good News Travels will be on hand to answer questions. … Read More
Courtyard Estate Poems 2016
Obituaries 2-17-2016: Larry Phelps
Larry Phelps Larry Hugh Phelps, 75, of Sullivan passed away Friday Feb. 12, 2016 in Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Graveside memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday Feb. 20 in Keller Cemetery in Lovington with Pastor Al Rennert officiating. No visitation will be held. Arrangements are by McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Larry was born May 26, 1940 in Sullivan, a son of Hugh B. and Susan Evelyn Smith Phelps. He loved his dog Bubby very much. … Read More
Strong Fourth Generates Okaw Valley Win Over Knights
•February 17, 2016• Okaw Valley’s girls’ basketball team beat the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond Knights 55-48 at home February 9. ALAH came out strong in the first quarter, boosted with a couple of Mycaela Miller three pointers, giving the Knights a 16-6 edge over the Lady Timberwolves. Second quarter action found the Okaw Valley team’s Paige Robinson responding with three three pointers as the Timberwolves edged the Knights 12-11 for the quarter. ALAH started the third quarter with a 27-18 lead. Okaw Valley scored 12 to the Knights 10 in the third quarter. … Read More