All State Music Selections Include Local Talent

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•January 27, 2016• Four area high school musicians will participate in the Illinois Music Education Conference (ILMEA) to be held Jan. 27-30 in the Peoria Civic Center. Students were selected via an audition process from the district IMEA festival held last fall at Eastern Illinois University. Bradley Miller, a senior at Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond High School and son of Ed and Ruth Miller of Arthur, will participate in the honors chorus. Nick Tipsword of Okaw Valley High School will pay French horn with the orchestra. A senior, he is the son of Stan and Kathy Tipsword of Bethany. Grant and Bryce King, … Read More

Sullivan Win Leaves Shelbyville Seeing Green

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•January 27, 2016• By Matt Kracht News Progress Sports Reporter The Lady Redskins shot the lights out in a 60-22 conference win over the Shelbyville Rams January 21.  Sophomore Lizzie Green scored the first 12 points for the Redskins, and senior Alysha Marshall added 14 points on four three pointers to help the cause. Head coach Sheri McCain said the team’s hard work all year is starting to pay off. “I have told them all along it is the journey. Stay with us and keep practicing. You could not tell from this game that we have a losing record because … Read More

Okaw Valley Prom Hosts Pizza Dinner

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•January 27, 2016• The Okaw Valley High School Prom committee is holding a Pizza Dinner fund raiser for the 2016 Okaw Valley Prom. The public is invited to the Okaw Valley High School cafeteria from 5-8 p.m Thursday Feb. 4. Pizza lovers will be offered the option of a meal which includes pizza, salad, and a dessert with drink. Pizza will also be sold by the slice for those in a hurry. … Read More

Knights Score OT Win over Broncos

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•January 27, 2016• Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond’s Knights were a 45-42 winner over Cerro Gordo in LOVC action January 22. The Knights and Broncos were forced to battle for the win in overtime where ALAH’s six points edged the Broncos three for the win. In the game rundown Cerro Gordo was 14-30 from the field with ALAH 15-33; the Broncos three point percentage was 44 making 4-9, while the Knights 1-6 from the outside was 16 percent. The Knights hit 14-16 free throws for 87 percent while the Broncos were 10-19 at 52%. Cerro Gordo was ahead 14-4 in a quick scoring first … Read More

Obituaries 1-27-2016: Bill Kidwell

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Bill Kidwell William G. ‘Bill’ Kidwell, 92, of Sullivan, passed away at 5:31 a.m. Wednesday February3, 2016 in Mason Point in Sullivan. Celebration of Life services were at 3 p.m. Sunday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Grant Wade officiating. Public Masonic Rites were conducted by George A. Sentel Masonic Lodge # 764 AF & AM. Military Rites were conducted by Sullivan American Legion Post #68.   … Read More

Lovington Preschool Roundup and Kindergarten Pre-registration

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•January 27, 2016• Each year the Lovington Elementary School and the Department of Early  Childhood conduct Preschool Round Up and Kindergarten Pre-Registration for children birth to five years old. The free developmental screening gives parents information on how their child is developing in areas of concepts, motor, speech and language skills. A vision and hearing screening is also provided.  … Read More

Don’t Mail Money to Facebook Strangers

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•January 27, 2016• By Jeri C McFarland NP Guest Columnist Facebook, like everything else, has its pros and cons. For lonely, single people in a small town such as Sullivan, Facebook helps connect you to the entire world. Fran had had a computer for some time but had not joined a Social Network.  Sooner than later her curiosity and loneliness got the best of her, and Fran posted her profile pic on Facebook and began seeking friends. First, she only befriended school classmates and neighborhood acquaintances.  Then she began getting friend requests from people she didn’t know and some of them were … Read More

Bethany Woman’s Vision Leads to Birth of DMH

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•January 27, 2016• Thomas Duke Seldomridge was the first baby born at Decatur Memorial Hospital. Born Jan.19, 1916, he weighed 10 pounds. He was born at DMH because of the vision that Sue Hagaman had in 1896 on her front porch in Bethany. She dreamed of a hospital in Decatur where babies could be born. This dream spurred her driving passion for the next two decades. Hagaman worked tirelessly until the day her dream became a reality. On Jan. 1, 1916, Decatur Memorial Hospital opened its doors. Within a week, 17 patients had been admitted, and on Jan. 19, the … Read More

Remember When? 1-27-2016

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Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens 25 Years Ago This Week Mike Bryant, a senior at Bethany High School, has been selected to participate in the Illinois All-State Jazz Choir for the second year in a row. Bryant is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Phil Bryant of Bethany. He will be accompanied by Judy Patrick, choral director at Bethany High School. Jennifer Bailey, a student at Patricia Stevens College in St. Louis, has been named to the college’s president’s list for the fall quarter. Bailey is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Bailey of Sullivan. Dale Crawford of Sullivan was re-elected … Read More