Lady Redskins Defeat Arcola

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•November 25, 2015• The Lady Redskins defeated Arcola 42-33 at home November 23 picking up their second win of the season. “I thought we came out and played a solid first quarter scoring 13 points and holding them to five,” coach Sheri McCain said. “Although it was a win, we still have a lot to learn fundamentally,” she continued, pointing out Lizzie Green had a good night holding Arcola’s Rylee Fishel to two points. “Tatum Ellis stepped up for us, scoring nine points and grabbing nine rebounds.” said McCain, noting the team improved from 42% to 78% in free throw … Read More

ALAH FFA Learns About Dairy

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•November 25, 2015• ALAH FFA Members attended the Section 17 Dairy Products CDE & Agronomy CDE November 10. FFA members had to determine whether milk samples were salty or garlicky at the Section 17 Dairy Foods CDE, held at Parkland College in Champaign. At this CDE, FFA members including Josiah Kinert, Zane Crist, Katie Gingrich, Jordan Jent, and Isaac Ashenfelter of Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond High School had to taste and grade milk samples, identify various types of cheese, identify whether a sample was a real or an artificial dairy product and take a written test about the dairy industry. … Read More

Understanding Illinois: Stemming the Population, Wealth drain from Downstate

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•November 25, 2015• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist How do we stem the erosion of population and wealth from downstate Illinois? Illinois lost 50,000 persons between 2010 and 2014, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. There has been an even sharper net out-migration during the period (more people moving out than moving in), which has been covered up largely by high birth rates among Hispanics in the state. The libertarian (very small government) Illinois Policy Institute has been blaming this all on high taxes. The IPI fails to note, however, that nearby Minnesota, with its much higher income taxes … Read More

Thinking About Health: Obamacare Policyholders Question Rising Deductibles

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•November 25, 2015• By Trudy Lieberman Rural Health News Service Is health insurance really affordable?  That’s the question thousands of Americans who signed up for policies under the Affordable Care Act are beginning to ask as third year open enrollment gets underway. A few weeks ago a 63-year-old woman, a reader of these columns, contacted me about the health insurance policy she had bought through the Illinois exchange. She lost her coverage after her husband died and had been uninsured for nearly two years before Obamacare came along.  She had some health problems and worried, she said, that she was … Read More

Obituaries 11-25-2015: Bill Williams

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Bill Williams Bill G. Williams, 83, of Assumption died Nov. 15, 2015 in Decatur Memorial Hospital. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Friday Nov. 20 in Assumption Christian Church. Burial will full military rites by Assumption Honor Guard was in Pleasant View Cemetery in Assumption. Seitz Funeral Home in Assumption handled arrangements. … Read More

Prospective Students Invited to Laker Visit Day

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•November 25, 2015• Visit Lake Land College and find out all the college offers at its upcoming Laker Visit Day. The event will be held Friday, Dec. 4 with activities starting in the Luther Student Center lobby at 9 a.m. and running until noon. The event is for potential students who are interested in learning more about Lake Land College. Parents/guardians and spouses are welcome to come along and attend the Parent and Spouse Session. … Read More

Lovington Public Library December News

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•November 25, 2015• The “Reading Redbirds” Youth Book Club for 4th-8th graders meets 3:30-4:30 p.m. the first and thirdTuesday of each month. This club plans and assists with events that are held at the library and discussing books. “Wee Readers Storytime” meets 10-10:30 p.m. Thursday mornings for preschoolers 2 years. and older. Dates and themes are Dec. 3-“Gingerbread Man”, Dec. 10-“Rudolph, Dec. 17-“Christmas Party”, and Dec. 24-No Storytime. … Read More

ALAH School Board Deals with Uncertain Funding

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4.97% Levy Increase Ahead •November 25, 2015• By Ariana Cherry for the News Progress The checkbook currently has $7,169, 575.50, and all funds are in the black,” stated superintendent Ken Schwengel at the most recent Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School Board meeting. “The state aid payments are scheduled through December 20, but after the first of the year, I am not sure what will happen,” he stated. “We’ve received 90% of the property taxes and have not received any incentive funding yet,” he added. The board also discussed and approved a tentative 2015 tax levy for property taxes paid in 2016. The levy is … Read More

Veterans Honored at Sullivan Schools

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•November 18, 2015• By Mike Brothers Veterans Day observations filled Sullivan schools on Nov. 11 with a musical tribute to attending veterans at the elementary school followed by the high school program featuring veteran speakers. Coordinated by the careers class at Sullivan High School who were emcees of the event, the high school program began as a middle-high school assembly  at 10:30 a.m. in the gym. The American Legion Post 68 Color Guard presented the flag with Sullivan High School band performing the Star Spangled Banner to open the assembly. World War II Veteran Myron Haney opened recalling his service … Read More

Moultrie County Board Approves Budget for Next Year

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•November 18, 2015• Moultrie County board members learned of the progress of the No Job Left Behind initiative at the November 12 meeting. Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development Director Stepheny McMahon explained that the initiative to promote jobs and job training for local businesses has grown since 2013. “We have grown to include 160 different people from business, manufacturing and education,” McMahon said. “ During our recent No Job Left Behind manufacturing tour, Okaw Valley took the whole school.” The partnership between area schools, manufacturing and business has led districts to implement new vocational offerings for those wishing to enter … Read More