Called to Reading, One Word at a Time

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School reads more than 67 million words during contest June 3, 2015 by Florence Hallford & Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com As Amazon’s great text stats have calculated, the average length of a book is around 64,000 words. But for Lovington seventh grader Joshua Zander, that’s hardly a big deal. And he would know. Zander recently won a reading contest at the grade school after totaling 5,148,507 words read throughout the school year. That came to 75 books, but even that was an easy feat after learning what the prize was. “Once Josh found out the “Call of Duty” was involved, it … Read More

Inaugural Runners on a Mission 5K Winners Announced

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June 3, 2015 The Smyser Christian Church women’s ministry hosted their inaugural “Runners on a Mission 5K” with this year’s mission and focus being the Sullivan and Windsor backpack programs, which both received $400. The top four runners from the 5k were Cheryl Jestis, 27:59 (female master’s winner); Steve Lawhorn, 27:42 (men’s master winner); Lacey Lawhorn, 27:42 (female overall winner); and Raymond Miller, 20:04 (male overall winner). … Read More

Spencer Family Recognized by C.E.F.S.

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June 3, 2015 As part of National Community Action Month, C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation recently honored a local family for their personal achievements demonstrating the fact that community action helps people and changes lives. The Serena Spencer family of Sullivan was recognized at the May C.E.F.S. Board of Directors meeting as the 2015 Family of Distinction for exemplifying the spirit of hope and success that C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation offers to all families in its mission to provide opportunities for people through education and support to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. The Spencer family was nominated for the award by the … Read More

Yeakley Makes it to Finals in Two Events Saturday

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Finishes 11th, 12th in shot put and discus June 3, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond high school’s boys’ track and field team sent three athletes to the IHSA state track meet this past week, with two individuals participating in Saturday’s finals. Leading the pack was junior Colton Yeakley who made his second consecutive trip to state following last year’s seventh place medal in the discus. But despite coming into the meet tied for second after his sectional throw of 165 feet, 10 inches, the ALAH junior just barely qualified out of the preliminary on Thursday, throwing just 146-3. Things … Read More

Aikman Files Permit Application for Zoo

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Public hearing Friday at 9 a.m. •June 3, 2015• by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com Following the county board amending the zoning ordinance to allow for special use permits for zoos this past April, one such application has been filed. Aikman Wildlife, LLC. filed their application May 15 requesting a special use permit for a zoo for a tract of property located one mile west of The Great Pumpkin Patch, southwest of Arthur. The driving force behind the project, James Aikman of Arthur, has proposed a park that would initially span 45 acres and include both a drive-through area where patrons may … Read More

2015 Mo-Do Legion Baseball Set-up for Power Pitching

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Still, Hrvol part of five-man pitching rotation June 3, 2015 By Matt Kracht NP Sports Reporter This year’s Moultrie Douglas Legion baseball team has a set of arms any coach would envy. The squad will feature five starting pitchers all throwing more than 80 miles per hour including two local products in Devon Still and Zach Hrvol. Altogether Moultrie County has four possible starters on this year’s senior ball team with the other two being Sullivan’s Dylan Hart and Alec Ballinger. The junior team also has a local flavor featuring three Sullivan products in Brett Tuttle, Zach Sowers and Tommy … Read More

Sullivan City-wide Clean-up June 20, Recycled Tech July 18

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June 3, 2015 The Sullivan city-wide clean up day has been scheduled for June 20, and the city is asking that residents do not put out items such as tires, car parts, liquids such as paint thinners, oils or fuels. Other prohibited items include concrete, bricks, dirt, burnt materials and fluorescent light bulbs as well as any electronics. A full list may be viewed on the city of Sullivan’s website (http://www.sullivanil.us/), and an ad will be placed in the newspaper. To dispose of appliances, a sticker must be purchased at the city building. Call 728-4383 for details. Items should be … Read More

Farmers’ Markets Arrive in June

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June 3, 2015 by Kim Riedel N•P Columnist June is going to be great! I am thinking about going back out to some of the farmers markets as I did a handful of years ago when I had my worm farm, though this year I will be taking my plants that I have grown and some of my produce. Well, maybe I’ll even take some of my red worms as long as the days don’t get scorchingly hot enough to bake the worms like what happened last time. Farmers markets are good for a community and a great place to … Read More

Timberwolves Bag Sectional Championship

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School history-making continues June 3, 2015 By Matt Kracht NP Sports Reporter Okaw Valley baseball is in elite territory after defeating Blue Ridge 5-2 Monday, advancing to the team’s first ever super sectional. Peyton Hagerman took a no hitter into the fourth inning and struck out 10 batters in the victory. Hagerman had what you would call an effectively wild day. The senior right hander did his best bulldog impression on the mound, working quickly and keeping the Knights’ hitters uncomfortable at the plate. Okaw Valley head coach Andrew Hagerman said it was a gutsy performance. “Peyton pitched that game … Read More

OV Baseball Makes History with Trip to Sectional Championship

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Staple T-Wolf defense and pitching keep hold of 1-0 win May 27, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com In football, senior Joe Jeffers was known as “Jumping Joe” for his often aerial grabs as a tight-end. In baseball, he might as well be called “Jackrabbit Joe,” especially after his helmet flew off as he careened past second base Wednesday following his shot to deep right field for a triple. The next at-bat, Peyton Hagerman, sent Jeffers home on an RBI groundout, which would be the one and only run of the game as Okaw Valley defeated Oakwood 1-0 to advance to … Read More