America’s Farmers Grow Communities to Award Grants

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•September 2, 2015• America’s Farmers Grow Communities will partner again with farmers to award more than $3.3 million to community nonprofits across the country. In Illinois, 97 organizations will receive donations in 2016. Sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, the program’s purpose is to make a positive impact in rural communities by giving farmers a chance to direct $2,500 donations to eligible nonprofit organizations of their choice. Farmer enrollment for Grow Communities kicked off on Aug. 1 and runs through Nov. 30, 2015. … Read More

Lovington Public Library September News

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•September 2, 2015• Reading Redbirds Youth Book Club is an exciting club for those who like to read, volunteer time at the library and help assist with library activities that are being planned. The club is for 4-8th grade youth who are encouraged to bring a book each time to discuss with the group. September meetings are 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday September 1 and  September 15. Digital Game Day is being planned at the Lovington Library 1-2 p.m. Friday September 4 for first-eighth grades. Participating children may bring their mobile and handheld devices to play together on a no-internet wireless connection, … Read More

Ice Cream Social Celebrates DOVE Anniversary

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•September 2, 2015• By Nick Fiala Reporting in Sullivan Just before 11 a.m. last Saturday, August 29, a small gathering of community volunteers, family, and friends stood under the protective branches of a large tree in Wyman Park. It was all part of a public ceremony and free ice cream social to rally the local community together against domestic violence and celebrate the 45th anniversary of Dove, Inc., a domestic violence shelter and advocate center in Sullivan. Though the event would include fun, games, and good-tasting food, it began with a period of quiet reflection. Pastor Ron Thomas of Sullivan’s … Read More

Innovation Lab for Lake Land

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•September 2, 2015• Students debut human and computer interaction projects in Lake Land College’s new Innovation Lab and Maker Space From home automation to robots and banana pianos, Lake Land College Information Technology (IT) students are thinking outside the box and creating groundbreaking projects in the college’s new Innovation Lab and Maker Space. Housed in Webb Hall, the space will be home to new innovation courses that instructor Scott Rhine is developing. “We now have the space and equipment to take what was formerly known as my Human Computer Interaction class and turn it into something more in-depth and creative … Read More

OV Volleyball Defeats CHBC

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•September 2, 2015• Okaw Valley varsity volleyball team defeated Cowden Herrick Beecher City at home August 31 25-14, 25-23. This left the Okay Valley team with a record of 1-1 when they faced Sullivan Tuesday. … Read More

ALAH School District Reviews Tentative 2016 Budget

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•September 2, 2015• By Ariana Cherry Reporting from Arthur The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond school board discussed a tentative 2016 budget at their last regular meeting. “There is about a $150,000 difference in the education fund,” stated Superintendent Kenneth Schwengel. “We had to move $150,000 to the transportation fund so that it would be in the black,” he said. “We also have yet to receive a million dollars in reorganization funds.” The estimated beginning fund balance for the ALAH district as of July 1, 2015 is $1,347,192. The budget calculates the total disbursements/expenditures to be $8,556,208. If the district receives all of their … Read More

Sparrows Toy Run

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•September 2, 2015• Sparrows Unlimited of Lovington is having a Toy Run Saturday, Sept 26. Sign up is at Rusty’s Bar in LaPlace from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., and all vehicles are welcome. The price of admission is a toy. The most extreme original and wildest outfit of the day will win a special prize. A very unique game is planned for the day with details revealed at each stop along the way. Teams may be include one to four members. … Read More

Sullivan City Council Discusses Repaving Project

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•September 2, 2015• By Ariana Cherry Reporting from Sullivan Not only is the Moultrie County courthouse receiving some repairs and restoration, but the square around it will be getting repaved, as discussed by the Sullivan city council at their last meeting. According to commissioner Ken Johnson, the courthouse square was paved 30 years ago with asphalt. The current estimate to repave the square is $350,000 which doesn’t include the surface prep work. After the square has been repaved, it can last between seven to 10 years. With the cost and work of the job, it will need to be broken … Read More

Volleyball Knights Start Strong, Then Falter

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•September 2, 2015• Arthur/Lovington-Atwood/Hammond Knights volleyball started their match with Tuscola at Arthur High School August 27 strong, scoring 20 in the first match. “I was extremely impressed with how the girls came out of the gates last night,” Knights coach Emily Crossman said.” They had more energy, communication, and execution than they have had all of pre-season. I was thrilled with how they worked together and got the job done.” Tuscola was able to rebound to overcome the Knights 25-20 in the first game and 25-11 in the second, leaving the varsity team with a 0-1 early season record. … Read More