Lovington Preschool Round Up 2015

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January 21, 2014 If your child is between the ages of birth to five years old the Lovington School District and Project H.E.L.P. (Helping Educate Little People) will offer free Preschool Screenings February 10 at the United Methodist Church, 241 South Broadway St., Lovington. The free preschool screening is to see how your child is developing in the areas of concepts, motor, speech and language. The free developmental screening lasts about one hour. Call Nancy Wildman at 873-4318 for an appointment or more information. … Read More

Mo-Co Rush Softball Fundraiser

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January 21, 2015 Moultrie County Rush Fastpitch Softball will hold its annual fundraiser dinner, auction, and youth dance Saturday, February 21, at the Sullivan American Legion located at 8 East Strain Street next to Wyman Park. A catered dinner from Niemerg’s Steakhouse in Effingham will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. Doors will open at 5 p.m. The dinner will consist of fried chicken, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, green beans, homemade noodles, cole slaw, rolls, tea and lemonade. Tickets are available to purchase in advance or at the door. Ticket price includes entry to the dance, but there … Read More

Smiles on Faces Four Hooves at a Time

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January 21, 2015 Mini horses make visits to local residential centers by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com Andrea Ebert describes it as her perfect storm. The nurse of more than 30 years who also has a master’s degree in gerontology was able to combine her love for people and for horses last fall by way of creating Heartland Mini Horses, an organization she formed out of Taylorville that seeks to provide therapeutic visits to nursing homes and assisted living centers with the help of two hairy little horses: Jasper and Bailey. At just 32 inches tall, Jasper is a two-year old miniature … Read More

Farm Bureau Update: Conferences Abound

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January 21, 2015 By Tyler Harvey Mo-Do Farm Bureau Manager The New Year is off and running, and the Farm Bureau on a county, state, and national level is staying very active. On a national level, The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is in the middle of their Annual Meeting which is held from January 11-14. Just like the Illinois Farm Bureau, the AFBF meets once a year to look and decide on policies and resolutions that make up the organization. The AFBF is made up of all the state Farm Bureaus in the United States. The Board of Directors … Read More

Findlay Boys’ Cinderella Season Remembered

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January 21, 2015 ‘93 team remembered for Elite 8 run By Matt Kracht NP Sports Reporter Herb Bricker has been coaching basketball in the area for more than 15 years. But there’s one game in particular that still sticks out to him–one where he enjoyed having a pair of scissors in one hand and a net in the other. And last Thursday night that game, in part, along with the 1993 Findlay 8th grade boys’ basketball team was recognized almost 20 years after their Elite 8 run in the state tournament. That year the team coached by Bricker went 18-4 … Read More

ALAH Receives Transportation Payment From State

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January 21, 2015 Only two payments expected by Ariana Cherry Arthur/Sullivan Reporter “We’ve received our first payment for transportation and special education, and we are excited about that,” superintendent Kenny Schwengel announced during his treasurer’s report at the ALAH School Board meeting Wednesday, January 15. The district’s transportation fund had been short for several months, and the district found themselves borrowing money from other sources to help cover costs. “We’ve had to take money from the education fund to help pay for transportation and special education needs” added Schwengel. Recently the district received a voucher for $11,324.89, although other payments … Read More

Sixth Poker Tournament Fundraiser Jan. 24

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January 21, 2015 American Legion Post 507 in Bethany will host its 6th Poker Tournament Fundraiser on Saturday, January 24th. The event will benefit students at Okaw Valley High School through academic scholarships awarded annually. The Texas Hold’em poker tournament starts at noon and has limited seating so early registration is advised. All players will be eligible to win door prizes donated by local businesses. Pork burgers and refreshments will be available for purchase at the event. For more information or to pre-register, please contact legionpoker@hotmail.com or view us on Facebook at “American Legion 507 Poker Group.” … Read More

Top Seeded OV Upset by Lady Knights in LOVC Tourney

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January 21, 2015 Strong shooting propels ALAH By Matt Kracht NP Sports Reporter Fourth seed Arthur Lovington Atwood-Hammond rallied from a seven point first quarter deficit to stun the top seeded Lady Timberwolves Monday night in the second round of the LOVC Conference tourney. The Lady Knights outscored Okaw Valley 22-7 in the second quarter and 18-5 in the third ultimately cruising to a 56-39 point victory. With the Lady Knights trailing 13-7 early in the second quarter sophomore Mycalea Miller knocked down back to back threes to tie the game with six minutes to go before half. Miller scored … Read More

Understanding Illinois: Executive Mansion–Home or Political Tool?

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January 21, 2015 by Jim Nowlan Outside Columnist Gov. Bruce Rauner promises to renovate the leaky Illinois Executive Mansion with his seemingly limitless wealth—and to live there as well. Better to utilize the mansion extensively for social events for the political class, especially when the lawmakers are in town, but continue to live in Chicago, where the action is. The undistinguished Italianate, brick, 16-room mansion was built in 1855 during the governorship of Joel Matteson (who apparently tampered with a jury to avoid prison for cashing in $300,000 in state script that had already earlier been redeemed). Entry into the … Read More

SCED Announces 2014 Award Recipients

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January 21, 2015 Submitted by the SCED The Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development is proud to announce the winners of the 2014 annual awards which will be presented at the SCED Annual Dinner this Saturday. Larry Stenger will be recognized as the 2014 Citizen of the Year. Stenger is the Regional Community Bank President for First Mid Illinois Bank & Trust and is an individual who displays a passion for service and for the community of Sullivan. Stenger has used his extensive financial knowledge and creativity to help many projects in Sullivan become reality. Larry’s quiet dedication to community and … Read More