October Weather Warmer, Drier

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•November 4, 2015• October was warmer and drier than average in Illinois. The statewide average temperature was 55.8 degrees, 1.7 degrees above average, according to Illinois state climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois. The statewide average precipitation was 1.47 inches, 1.79 inches below average and the 22nd driest October on record. Even so, there were a few areas on the border with Iowa and Kentucky that received two to three total inches of precipitation. The two largest monthly totals came from Stockton and Orion, both reporting 3.47 inches of precipitation for October. … Read More

Pink Prevailed in Moultrie County During October

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•November 4, 2015• October was pink in Moultrie County with employees of the courthouse closing out a month of Cancer Awareness. “The ladies who put the Cancer Awareness luncheon on at the courthouse last Friday are what this is all about,” Moultrie County Relay for Life co-chair Diane Waggoner began. The Moultrie County courthouse has employees who have battled cancer so the hospitality and support from that group illustrates the support the pink ribbon effort hopes to achieve. Waggoner has been involved with the American Cancer Society for more than a decade, first as a volunteer and now as co-chair, … Read More

Scholastic Bowl win for SHS

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•November 4, 2015• Sullivan High School Scholastic Bowl started November 2 with a win against Tuscola 170-90. Ryan Baker led the team with six tossups. In the second game Sullivan lost to St. Teresa 180-100. Baker had three tossups followed by Luke Delong and Grace Mauck with one each. The JV had a great start going 2-0 on the night. The first match against Tuscola was 200-110 led by Winchester Phelps with four tossups. The second match against St. Teresa was very close at 240-210. Phelps had six tossups followed by Lindsay Jones with two and Katie Webb with one. … Read More

Obituaries 11-4-2015: Jo Ellen Seaman

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Jo Ellen Seaman Jo Ellen Seaman, 66, of Arthur, died at 4:48 a.m. Friday, October 30, 2015 in Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. Memorial services were held at 11 a.m. Monday in Arthur United Methodist Church with the Reverends Bruce Weiman and Leroy Allison officiating.  Private interment will be at a later date. Shrader Funeral Home, 431 S. Vine Street in Arthur is assisting the family with arrangements. Jo Ellen was born February 17, 1949 to Ralph Richard “Bud” and Ellen Jane Hendrickson Seaman.  She was the oldest of five siblings.  Jo attended school in Arthur and furthered her college education … Read More

Shelby County C.E.F.S. to Combine Offices with Job Center

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•November 4, 2015• By Ariana Cherry for the News Progress Over the years, the Shelby County C.E.F.S. office has been located at 2114 W South 3rd St. #26 in Shelbyville. At its location, it has served its community with outreach services and several government funded programs. The local branch agency has been able to serve many families and individuals in need. While it has been able to serve the community, the small branch office has always needed additional space. The C.E.F.S. office will now be sharing space with the Job Center in Shelbyville at 515 N. Cedar  (N. Rt. 128). … Read More

Professional Learning Group Grows for Local Educators

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•November 4, 2015• Matt Schoaff is a principal of action. That is one reason every student at Okaw Valley High School toured major businesses and industry in the area on October 30. Schoaff explained that four busloads of high school students left Bethany heading to places such as Mid-State Tank, Agri-Fab and Hydro-Gear in Sullivan, to MasterBrand Cabinets in Arthur and to TCCI in Decatur. “We had kids in welding internships for the first time at Agri-Fab last year,” Schoaff said of Okaw Valley’s commitment to training.  “Our major goal is to graduate kids to be productive citizens.” “Not another … Read More

Fall Back

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•October 28, 2015• This Sunday, November 1 marks the end of daylight savings time. At 2 a.m. Sunday morning clocks should be set back one hour. Daylight saving time in the United States is the practice of setting the clock forward by one hour during the warmer part of the year so that evenings have more daylight and mornings have less. … Read More

Bethany Halloween Celebration

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•October 28, 2015• In Bethany trick or treating throughout the village is from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, October 31. Also beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Okaw Valley Elementary School is the Halloween parade and costume judging contest. Prizes will be award the top three categories plus a best overall prize. Treat bags will be given to every participant. … Read More