Growing Up in Sullivan: The Mulberry Tree and the Day of the Bumblebees

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May 20, 2015 by Jerry Ginther NP Columnist Until recently I had never seen a mulberry bush, but just because I’d never seen one I hadn’t ruled out the possibility that they may exist. Having reasoned that they must truly exist, because a couple of children’s nursery rhymes specifically say “bush” instead of “tree”, I ventured to the internet to settle the conflict. There I found that in fact there is a variety called a bush. As a matter of fact, I found several varieties of mulberry trees and bushes. That said, I had one particular tree in mind. For … Read More

Happy Graduation Ads Still Available

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May 20, 2015 With the News•Progress’ graduation issue arriving on newsstands June 10, ads congratulating graduates are still available to purchase. Ads include a picture with a congratulatory message for $20. The deadline to purchase an ad is May 29. For submission forms, see either last or next week’s editions of the News•Progress or visit our office and ask for Barry Morgan. … Read More

Burch Charged with Sexual Assault

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Rural Shelbyville man brought up on second count May 20, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com A rural Shelbyville man who was arrested and charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse last month is now facing a second count of criminal sexual assault. Wade T. Burch, 25, of rural Shelbyville appeared in court a week ago Monday with his attorney Sean Britton. There, Burch was read the second charge filed against him and a preliminary hearing was set for next month. … Read More

Mo-Do Fair Pageant Contestants Sought

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May 20, 2015 Anyone who wishes to participate in the Moultrie-Douglas County Fair pageants to be held in July should contact Sandy Hoke, pageant director at 493-3583 by Wednesday, June 3 for Miss and Junior Miss. The Little Miss contestants deadline is Saturday, June 13. All applications may be found at moultriedouglascountyfair.com. … Read More

Sen. Rose works with Illinois Farm Bureau to Protect Landowners Rights

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May 20, 2015 State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) and the Illinois Farm Bureau teamed up to add legal protections for homeowners and landowners when it comes to the planning and surveying for electric transmission lines on their property. “This legislation is designed to provide better notification and more transparency during the entire process to landowners who are potentially involved in these projects,” Rose said. “Obviously, when you ‘flip a switch,’ we all want the lights to turn on, but how the big power companies treat people when planning for the delivery of electric service is no less important.” … Read More

Phelps Helps Out, One Pop Tab at a Time

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Tabs converted into cash to help Ronald McDonald House May 20, 2015 by Ariana Cherry Arthur/Sullivan Reporter Forty-four gallons of soda are drunk per year, according to an associated press article published in 2013. Of those who consumed the 44 gallons, it is quite possible that they did not give much thought to the worth of a pop can tab. At the Ronald McDonald House, however, they think much differently when they see a can of soda-they think of hope and the chance at helping save lives. Each year nearly 40, 000,000 tabs are collected for the Ronald McDonald House … Read More

Sullivan Splits Pair at Softball Invitational

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Two seniors also celebrated May 20, 2015 By Matt Kracht & Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com A beautiful Saturday for softball ended with rain as invitational hosts Sullivan beat Cumberland in their first game 5-4 but fell 6-3 to tournament winner Mt. Zion during a torrential downpour in the championship. Taking the mound in game one of the senior day invitational, Heidi Clements pitched seven innings of four run ball allowing six hits and striking out two in the win over Cumberland. The Pirates led 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth inning when the Redskin offense manufactured two runs. Seleste Smith … Read More

Redskins Spoil ALAH Senior Night with 13-3 Victory

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Errors cost Knights in loss May 20, 2015 By Matt Kracht NP Sports Reporter Seleste Smith went 3-5 for the Redskins last Thursday, driving home four RBI in support of Heidi Clements who allowed two earned runs over seven innings, striking out four in the win. Knight’s starter Macy Hollingsworth had a tough day on the mound, surrendering 18 hits over seven innings. The Knights were held to just six hits on the day with Erin Wildman driving in two RBI and Brooke Tabb adding Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond’s final tally. Both teams put up zeros in the first two innings before Sullivan … Read More

Lady Red Send Four on to State Meet

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McClain and Neuhauser lead the pack in state qualifying May 20, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newprogress.com The SOV girls finished in third place with 67 points at the 14-team Central A & M sectional last Thursday. Amanda McClain qualified for state in all four of her events with wins in the long jump (17 feet, 11 1/2 inches) and 400 (58.80 seconds), second place in the 200 (25.74) and as part of the 4 x 200 relay. Emily Neuhauser qualified for state in three events. Individually she placed first place in the 200  (25.69) and second place in the 100m … Read More

OV Drops Two Games at Sullivan Softball Invitational

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Defensive improvements stressed heading into regionals May 20, 2015 By Matt Kracht NP Sports Reporter The Timberwolves played a difficult double header on Sullivan’s north diamond Saturday, losing in the first game to Mt. Zion 16-2 and then falling in the second contest versus Cumberland 14-4. Senior Amanda McClain took the loss versus Mt Zion, and sophomore Matty Perrine fell against Cumberland. “We definitely faced two strong offensive clubs today,” said head coach Dave Benning. “But there are times even if the ball is hit well you need to make a play. We had a couple catchable balls in game … Read More