A Little Trim Now Helps Keep the Lights on Later

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•September 2, 2015• By Mike Brothers “I love my trees so I understand why people get upset,” Mayor Ann Short said of recent tree trimming in the city. “But when there is a bad storm and trees take down power lines, everyone suffers.” In order to gain some control over the branches hanging over power lines the city is trying to be proactive and Short explained the existing crew in the electric dept. can’t keep up. That led the city to contract with Nelson Tree Service, arborists that trim for Ameren, for the project. Shannon Risley is in charge of … Read More

A Good Day For a Walk in Wyman Park

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A century old gift to the city •September 2, 2015• By Mike Brothers It’s a good day to take a walk in the park. And for the people of Sullivan Wyman Park is the best place to take that stroll. On Sept 1, 2015 the 45 acre Wyman Park at the north edge of the city turned 100 years old. It was the vision of German immigrant and shoemaker Albert Wyman, a frugal man who took five mile walks every day. Local resident and Wyman historian Joe Pound got interested in the shoemaker’s life after he and wife Joan returned … Read More

A Different Chapter-Same Life

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Oh Brother… •September 2, 2015• by Mike Brothers NP Managing Editor It seems like a hundred years ago when I sat down at the old Underwood manual typewriter at the Harrisburg Daily Register and cranked out my first story as a reporter. Here I am some three decades later sitting down to a MacBook to crank out another story. This is a different chapter of the same life. A life where the road less traveled brought me out of southern Illinois to the great prairie to tend a batch of community newspapers for about 15 years. Then I took a … Read More

Opportunistic Redskins Defeat Hoopeston 56-3

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•September 2, 2015• By Matt Kracht NP sports reporter In their season opener Sullivan Okaw-Valley rushed out to a 42-0 halftime lead thanks in part to a strong defensive effort. Ty Molzen was sharp in limited action hitting on four of seven passing for three touchdowns and 110 yards in the first half. Head coach Gerald Temples thought overall it was a good start to the season. “We got some details we need to work on, but our defense played hard. We did not tackle exceptionally well so we got to get that corrected, but for the first ball game … Read More

Home-Safe-Home

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The electric feeling doesn’t wear off •September 2, 2015• By Colleen Callahan USDA Rural Housing Service Administrator Tony Hernandez & USDA IL Rural Development Director Some say the electric feeling of buying and moving into your own home never wears off. When you own the floors you’re standing on, the walls surrounding you and the roof over your head, you also own great satisfaction from the hard work that resulted in your home becoming yours. Yet, just as it was hard work to achieve the American Dream of homeownership, being responsible for maintaining and, inevitably, repairing your own home can … Read More

Remember When? 9-2-2015

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Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens 25 Years Ago This Week Seven Moultrie County 4-H’ers received superior awards for their entries Monday at the 1990 Illinois State Fair. Superior award winners from Sullivan were Amy R. Bishop, Ross A. Haverstock and Krystal L. Horsman, Sarah E. Shasteen and Carrie L. Wildman. Lovington superior award winners were Wesley J. Bolsen and Ryan D. Nettles. The Illinois State Fair open show Grand Champion Barrow became a family project for the DeOrnellases of Sullivan, who brought home the winning ribbon, silver bowl and a prize check for approximately $800. Ron Deornellas of Sullivan showed his sister’s … Read More

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