Hawks Edge Past Redskins Volleyball Team

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•September 30, 2015• Meridan edged out the Redskin volleyball team at home on Sept. 24. The varsity Sullivan team scored 28-26 in the first game but lost 21-25 and 20-25 in the next two. “Tonight the Sullivan Redskins came out strong, fought hard in the first game and pulled out a win,” coach Krista Smith said. “The team had a few mental errors but stayed strong as a team in the second and third,” she continued. “Abby Elzy provided some great aces, and Chloe Riley had several outstanding hits and well-timed plays at the net.” … Read More

Road Win for Okaw Valley

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•September 30, 2015• Okaw Valley’s volleyball team traveled to Ramsey Sept 22 and came home with a win. Okaw Valley started off with a 25-20 win over the home team and followed up with a 25-17 match win. This brings the Okaw Valley team’s record to 9-5-0. … Read More

Understanding Illinois: The Remarkable Schultz Family of Effingham

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•September 30, 2015• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist The seven children of John and Frances Schultz of Teutopolis-Effingham in south-central Illinois are remarkable missionaries of entrepreneurialism. Now in their 50s or just beyond, the four girls and three boys are all well-educated, successful, and committed to the Effingham area, where all but one live. Each has at least two college degrees, including engineering, law and MBA sheepskins from Harvard, Northwestern, the University of Illinois and other top schools. Without exception, each has started and/or owned his or her own prospering businesses. These include a national industrial site development company … Read More

Redskins Win Over Marshall at Arcola

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•September 30, 2015• The Redskins volleyball team played at the Arcola Invitational Tournament Saturday, Sept 26. The team earned their first win against Marshall in the first match of the day. The Redskins looked their best in the third game of this match against Marshall. They earned the win with great energy and 100% teamwork. In the next match, they lost to Tri-County in two and gave Arcola a good run in the third match– going three games. “If the Redskins had pulled out a win in the match against Arcola, they would have been in the championship match; instead … Read More

Former State Rep Seeks 102nd Seat

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•September 30, 2015• Former State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) announced his candidacy Thursday for State Representative in the 102nd District. “My service in the Illinois House of Representatives was the highlight of my public service. I’m looking forward to serving again and helping to turn Illinois around.” Halbrook served as State Representative from 2012 until 2015. … Read More

ALAH Celebrates Homecoming With Styles

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•September 30, 2015• Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond high school students are spending this week celebrating homecoming. It’s a week that ends with the a dance on Saturday, Oct. 3 with the coronation ceremony at 9 p.m. Friday starts with red, gold and black styles showing team support. By 10:30 a.m. students will be participating in the homecoming games. Parade lineup begins at 1:15 p.m. Oct. 2 with the parade in Arthur kicking off at 2 p.m. Coronation practice follows the parade in the old gym, all leading up to the 7 p.m. football game between the Cerro Gordo Broncos and ALAH Knights. … Read More

Tending the Butterflies in Lovington

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Harvest time •September 30, 2015• By Nick Fiala Reporting from Lovington To everything there is a season…A time to plant, and a time to harvest – Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 A sunny sky looks down on a yard full of beautiful plant life, a kind of raw oasis in the middle of endless squares of concrete road running through the town of Lovington. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, all fly around in a symphony of colorful motion and calming ambience. The habits of each of these creatures are well known to the man who runs the garden they enjoy so. “They go clear … Read More

Morale Matters for Sullivan Schools’ Faculty

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Teachers Learn to Rock •September 30, 2015• By Mike Brothers In a world of cut school budgets, unpredictable evaluations and a questionable pension plan it isn’t easy being a school teacher these days. Sullivan Unit 300 administration and teachers are trying a proactive approach at improving morale. Morale Matters was implemented by the Sullivan Education Association at the beginning of the school year. “So many of the causes for lack of morale are simply out of our control,” SEA president Don Lockwood said of education. Teachers don’t control the state budget; they cannot control the changing times of how students … Read More

Obituaries 9-30-2015: Roy Barker

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Roy Barker  Funeral services for Roy C. Barker, 56, of Mattoon, formerly of Sullivan, were held at 1 p.m. Saturday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial will be at a later date. He passed away at 9:54 a.m. Tuesday, September 22, 2015 in his home in Mattoon. Roy was born November 7, 1958 in Decatur, the son of Cecil and Lillian England Barker. He married Barbara S. Fugate August 3, 1997 in Allenville. Roy worked for Kull Lumber in Mattoon for 32 years. Roy’s family meant the world to him. He enjoyed cookouts, sitting around the yard, his grandchildren … Read More

ALAH Wins Over LSA

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•September 30, 2015• Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond Knights volleyball team travelled to Decatur Lutheran School Association (LSA) Sept. 24 winning both games 25-17 and 25-19. This brings the varsity Knight record to 8-5 and 1-0 in conference play. The Knights action included Makayla Brown with one kill; Chelsey Chupp one kill and one dig; Hannah Leal provided one kill and three digs. … Read More