Wolf Creek Becomes Medieval Battle Ground

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•September 30, 2015• People from all over the country were going medieval on each other at Wolf Creek State Park the weekend of Sept. 17-20. For the past six years AMTGARD, a medieval combat and role playing organization has staged fantasy combat events at Wolf Creek. This year’s Keep on the Borderlands theme included the battle for Ravenloff and the ultimate tournament prize — the Hammer of God Cup. Best described as a video game stuck in the real world about 750 participated in this year’s event at Wolf Creek. There are AMTGARD chapters in all 50 states with medieval … Read More

Knight Volleyball Competes in Arcola Tournament

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•September 30, 2015• The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond Knights traveled to the Arcola Invitational Saturday, Sept 26 placing fifth. The volleyball team has a 9-7 overall record and is 1-0 in the conference. The Knights first faced Central A&M who won 13-25 and 20-25. In the second match Robinson dominated 17-25 and 26-28. By the third round ALAH Knights were on their game beating Altamont 25-13 and 25-23. The ALAH team took the match with Tri-County 25-18 and 25-23. … Read More

A Long Winding Road to the Animal House

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•September 30, 2015• By Mike Brothers NP Managing Editor This column is rooted on the number of stupid human tricks I have done. The beauty is I never lack for suitable, or maybe unsuitable, stuff to write about. Seemingly, an innocent request from daughter-in-law Crystal prompted another incident. A few weeks ago Crystal sends me a photograph of this cute little zoo for stuffed animals with the question: “could you build this?” Here we can begin to see why the fundamental reason many of my stupid human tricks end with me striking myself in the forehead with an open palm … Read More

Obituaries 9-30-2015: Maxine Howard

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Maxine Howard Funeral services for K. Maxine Howard, 96, of Dalton City were held at 1 p.m. Monday, September 28, 2015 in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany. Burial was in Marrowbone Township Cemetery in Bethany. She passed away at 2:34 p.m. Thursday, September 24, 2015 in Imboden Creek Living Center in Decatur.  … Read More

Remember When? 9-30-2015

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Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens 25 Years Ago This Week Sullivan High School will crown a new queen this Friday during homecoming festivities. Senior candidates are Stacey Anderson, Laura Pound, Angie Johnson and Misha Coy. Princess attendants Mandy Collins, Jennifer Daily and Nicki Wood will also take part in homecoming festivities all week at Sullivan High School. Bryan Yoder of rural Lovington recently took home seven prizes for his corn exhibits at the Illinois State Fair. He dedicated his prizes to Howard Phillips of Arthur, superintendent of the Moultrie-Douglas Fair for many years. Sandi Cameron was recently elected president of the United … Read More

Redskins Shut Out Meridian Hawks

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•September 30, 2015• By Matt Kracht NP Sports Reporter The only suspense was in the coin toss before the game as Sullivan/Okaw Valley quarterback Ty Molzen lit up the Meridian Hawks for over 200 yards passing. SOV outgained the Hawks 416 total offensive yards to Meridian’s 83, and the stingy Redskin defense kept the Hawks out of their own red zone for the entire game and out of the SOV end of the field for all but two possessions. The Redskins won the coin toss and never looked back in a totally dominant offensive and defensive performance to take this … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Roy C. Barker

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Roy C. Barker Roy C. Barker, 56, of Mattoon, formerly of Sullivan passed away 9:54 a.m. Tuesday, September 22, 2015 in his home, Mattoon. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 26, 2015 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. before the services Saturday. Burial will be at a later date. Memorials may be made to Sarah Bush Lincoln Cancer Center. Roy was born November 7, 1958 in Decatur, the son of Cecil and Lillian (England) Barker. He married Barbara S. Fugate on August 3, 1997 in Allenville. Roy worked … Read More

Understanding Illinois: Third Time’s a Charm, Says Reform Backers

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•September 23, 2015• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist This column runs the risk of being boring (“So what’s new?” readers wonder) because we have been here before. But the topic of redistricting reform is important. It represents the one fundamental thing you can do to refresh Illinois politics, say its backers. In Illinois, members of the state legislature draw their own districts, and as a result in the last election, 97 percent of incumbents who ran for re-election won; most ran without opposition. Surprised? We call it a process in which legislators select their voters rather than vice versa. … Read More