New Rules for State Retirement Savings Plans

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•November 18, 2015• U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez and Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs on Monday announced sweeping new rules outlining the path forward for state-sponsored retirement savings initiatives. Secretary Perez and Treasurer Frerichs listened to leaders who worry that the looming retirement savings crisis will have a profound impact on lower-income workers’ quality of life in retirement and become an untenable burden on states. The Department of Labor’s proposed rules will dismantle barriers for state-based solutions to the retirement savings crisis, including Illinois’ Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program. Already, 26 states, including Illinois have taken some type … Read More

Remember When? 11-18-2015

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Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens 25 Years Ago This Week Sullivan High School seniors Terri Caruthers, Amy Raymer, Christy Seeley and Janice Standerfer are vying for the title of Miss Merry Christmas. One of the four will be selected by a vote of students this week. Announcement of the winner will be made Friday night during halftime activities of the Sullivan Turkey Tournament. Mark Righter of Sullivan was one of more than 50 Lake Land College Foundation scholarship recipients who attended a recent reception at the college in honor of recipients and donors. Righter received an agriculture scholarship from the State Bank … Read More

Deer Crashes Up

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•November 18, 2015• Moultrie County sheriff Chris Sims would like to remind motorists to watch out for deer on the county’s highways. “We handled six car-deer crashes on Tuesday,” Sims said, reminding everyone deer activity increases this time of year. Deer are highly unlikely to try to avoid an accident so it is up to the motorist. … Read More

Reaching Out, One Treat at a Time

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Annual candy sale back with more surprises on Nov. 21 •November 18, 2015• by Keith Stewart for the News Progress For the last three years, on one day in November, a candy sale takes place in Sullivan. And what a difference it makes. In the days leading up to that one day Devon Flesor Story, part owner of Flesor’s Candy Kitchen in Tuscola, along with her staff, begins making dozens of different treats ahead, for her biggest sale of the year. But it’s not all about the money. The sale, which donates 20 percent of its total proceeds from the … Read More

Obituaries 11-18-2015: Donna Strong

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Donna Strong Donna Lee Strong, 87, of Decatur died Wednesday Nov. 11, 2015 in McKinley Court. Services to celebrate her life will be at 10 a.m. Friday Nov. 20 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home in Decatur with visitation 4-7 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery. … Read More

Hanging On To The Things That Make Me Feel Young

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•November 18, 2015• By Mike Brothers NP Managing Editor Hanging on to the things that make me feel young As far back as I can remember I have loved things that go fast. From taking my little metal cars and trucks around the dirt track under the maple tree in my front yard to putting my foot to the floor of my hot rod 1965 Chevelle as a teenager, the thrill of the motor head remains inside me. A couple of weeks ago Trevor’s two and a half year old twins were playing outside when I drove up. Whenever I’m … Read More

ALAH Lady Knights Win Opener

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•November 18, 2015• Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond girls’ basketball started off with a home win against Meridian Monday night,. The Lady Knights topped the Lady Hawks 49-31. The junior varsity also won 41-23. It was a strong first quarter with ALAH scoring 20 points to Meridian’s three. Second quarter held momentum for the Lady Knights as they outscored Meridian 14 to 8 this time, heading into the half ahead 34-11. In the third quarter the paced slowed to a 10-6 score with Meridian coming back in the fourth quarter to score 14 to the ALAH five points. The final score was 49-31. … Read More