Local Government Units Trying to Become Less Accountable, Less Transparent to Taxpayers
May 13, 2015 by Dennis DeRossett Guest Columnist As state government scurries to fill a projected $8 billion deficit in the 2016 fiscal year budget, it would seem to make sense to move beyond successful compromises and proven solutions already in place and instead focus on issues that truly have a significant impact on the state’s finances. At least you would think so given the seriousness of the fiscal crisis. But that’s not the case with some elected officials and local government lobbyists that represent the more than 7,000 taxpayer funded units of government in Illinois. Behind-the-scenes efforts are currently … Read More
Timberwolves Repeat as LOVC Division Champs
Defeat Arcola 11-0 Tuesday May 13, 2015 By Matt Kracht NP Sports Reporter Okaw Valley defended their Northwest Little Okaw Valley crown on Tuesday night with a dominant 11-0 victory over Arcola. Devon Still went the distance tossing a six inning complete game shutout while punching out 10 Purple Riders. Head coach Andrew Hagermen said his team accomplished two of their three goals with the win. “This is back-to-back, but the thing I told the team was to stay focused on the goals we had this year. We wanted to win 20 games, win our conference, and win our regional. … Read More
Secretary of State Mobile Unit in Sullivan May 21
May 13, 2015 Secretary of State Jesse White, in cooperation with the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library, is offering drivers a chance to renew their driver’s license or vehicle registration renewal sticker, obtain a duplicate or corrected license, or obtain an Illinois identification card. White’s mobile unit will be available at the Sullivan library, located at 2 West Water in Sullivan, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. May 21. … Read More
Okaw Valley District Looking into Possibility of Closing Elementary School
With state funding cuts, board discusses proactive vision for future May 13, 2015 by Joash Tiarks Bethany Reporter At a special meeting May 4, after the culmination of more than an hour of discussion, the Okaw Valley School Board assigned superintendent Kent Stauder what amounts to a mini research project, some of which will deal with the possibility of closing the elementary school in Bethany. Guest speaker Larry Dirks, Director of Field Services with the Illinois Association of School Boards, kicked off the meeting with a small presentation related to the district’s goals and objectives. Every few years the board … Read More
Seniors Step Up in Knights’ Win Over Sullivan
Schuring and company stop red-hot Redskins May 13, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com Whether it was the three-up, three-down pitching of Tyler Schuring, the 2-run homer by Hunter Kamm, or the final out by Chris Davis, Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond’s seniors showed up to play Tuesday night and knocked Sullivan off 8-5. “We put the ball in play, got some guys on, and that got contagious,” said head coach Craig Moffett. “The guys are very energetic in the dugout and ran the bases hard, and backed up throws. We played pretty clean defense, too.” Things certainly appeared at first to go in Sullivan’s … Read More
Plans Underway for Sixth Annual Amish Country Tractor Cruise
May 13, 2015 The sixth annual Amish Country Tractor Cruise will be held Saturday, June 13 in Arthur. A 40 mile cruise will take riders on a picturesque cruise through the heart of Illinois Amish country that will feature the communities of Arthur and Lovington. Registration for the cruise will begin at 7 a.m. at Yoder’s Kitchen, located on IL Route 133 in Arthur, and departure will be 8 a.m. A rest stop will be in Lovington at the firehouse, and lunch will be served by Yoder Farms and Drainage near Sullivan before returning to Arthur at approximately 2:30 p.m. … Read More
Obituaries 5-13-2015: Eileen Marlow
Eileen Marlow L. Eileen Marlow, 101, of Sullivan passed away at 2:43 p.m. Sunday May 10, 2015 in Mason Point in Sullivan. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday in Elder Cemetery in Farina. … Read More
Understanding Illinois: Water, Water (not) Everywhere
May 13, 2015 By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist Illinois has been hemorrhaging residents to sunny California and the Southwest for decades. But today California lacks the natural infrastructure to support its nearly 40 million residents, most of whom live on the desert. A study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration reports that California is probably in for a mega-drought that will last 30 or more years. Will a reverse migration back to the water-rich Midwest unfold? Probably not right away, but it could in the decades to come, if we plan for it. Just last year, 400,000 acres … Read More
Lovington Library May Events
May 13, 2015 Youth Book Club Meetings Youth Book Club for fourth-eighth graders will meet Tuesday 4:30-5:30 May 19. They will make posters for a used book drive to collect books to be donated to the “Think Outside the Barn” at the September Farm Progress to promote reading. Bob Ross Painting Class Lovington Public Library District will offer the Bob Ross Painting 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday May 16. There is a fee which includes paints and canvas. Participants are asked to provide a roll of paper towels and their lunch. Preregistration is required by 1 p.m. Thursday May 14 by … Read More