Okaw Valley District Looking into Possibility of Closing Elementary School

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Luminaria Ceremony at Relay for Life June 13

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May 13, 2015 A special Luminaria Ceremony held during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Moultrie County remembers those lost to cancer and honors those who have survived. Luminarias will be lit at Wyman Park on June 13 to represent these individuals. Anyone desiring to purchase a luminaria at $10 may do so by contacting Alicia Pettyjohn at 217-356-4861. “Seeing the candles twinkle against the water at the park and knowing what each light represents is a sight and a feeling that moves you. It’s not really an event; it’s a point in time when everything stands still, … Read More

Obituaries 5-13-2015: William Hayse

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William Hayse William Albert Hayse, 86, of Tuscola died at 6:40 p.m. Monday May 11, 2015 in Odd Fellow Rebekah Home in Mattoon. Family graveside services will be held Thursday in the Tuscola Township Cemetery in Tuscola. Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home in Tuscola is handling arrangements. … Read More

Sullivan Seniors Receive Recognition on Awards Night

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May 13, 2015 Listed below are the various scholarships/awards followed by the students who received them during Sullivan High School’s annual Awards Night, which was held May 6: American Legion Post #68-Keegan Kruckeberg;Barbara Steffens Scholarship-Ariel Heppe; Billy Harris Educational Scholarship-Elissa Stewart and Tori Murphy; Blake Lane Scholarship-Jed Wheeler; Calvin Family Memorial Scholarship-Dakota Clayton; DAR Good Citizens Award-Kennedy Lucas; David Elzy Memorial Scholarship-Kenneth Farley and Nick Cravatta; Delmar Elder Scholarship-Becca Pratt; Dr. Joseph Schrodt/DMH Scholarship-Dylan Hart; Ellsworth & Nellie Lehman Collegiate-Brent Mauck; First National Bank Scholarship-Zac Mayberry; George A. Sentel Lodge #764-Kennedy Lucas; Helping Hands Scholarship-Liam Bechtold; J. Leonard Brown Scholarship-Ariel … Read More

Obituaries 5-13-2015: Joy Baumgartner

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Joy Baumgartner Joy Baumgartner, 90, of Sullivan died t 9:50 p.m. Monday May 11, 2015 in Mason Point in Sullivan. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan with visitation at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. … Read More