January 7, 2015 Electrical system deemed the cause by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com A fire Saturday morning north of Lovington ravaged a motor home that was inside a shed. According to assistant Hammond fire district chief Gary Gee, his department was dispatched Saturday morning around 8:30 a.m. and upon arrival saw fire and smoke exiting a shed. … Read More
Richard Kirkwood Funeral services celebrating the life of Richard Eugene Kirkwood, 44, of Mattoon was at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Barkley Funeral Chapel in Toledo. Burial with military rites was in Janesville Cemetery. He passed away at 2:29 p.m. December 28, 2014 at his residence. … Read More
Shirley Underwood Graveside services for Shirley K. Underwood, 78, of Mt. Zion were held at 2 p.m. Monday in Mt. Zion Township Cemetery. Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home in Mt. Zion assisted with arrangements. … Read More
January 7, 2015 Four Lovington grade schoolers receive bikes in time for Christmas by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com For Joc French, he takes what has become a family tradition very seriously. Almost like Santa himself, French walked up the lightly snow-covered sidewalk on a Thursday morning last month, carrying a large cardboard box adorned in aged green gift wrap, pictures of Santa emblazoned like patches except for one spot, on top, where a piece had been torn away accidentally, revealing the underlying brown cardboard. The otherwise faded green box was the same one used to draw names 20 years ago when … Read More
January 7, 2015 By Jim Nowlan Outside Columnist As a self-proclaimed moderate, I try to look both Left and Right objectively. I have often mused about why the Democrats, the party of “the little guy,” do not dominate Republicans, the party of “the big guy,” as there are so many more of the former. Recently my tennis buddies Tom and Flora gave me some clues. Tom worked his way up at Caterpillar, from the line, where he became a union steward, to foreman. Flora is a barber (and the best tennis player in our group). Both are quite thoughtful and … Read More
January 7, 2015 by Jerry Ginther NP Columnist Mostly what I remember, and liked, about school field trips is that they got us out of the classroom for part of the day, and they were always interesting. On one such trip we walked to Wyman Park from Powers School to observe a mother opossum with young in a hollow tree. The mother must not have known we were coming to visit because she remained at home. Had she known that there would be two or three classrooms of children peering into her privacy she would more than likely have departed … Read More
January 7, 2015 OV closes out with defensive prowess By Matt Kracht NP Sports Reporter In the Lady Timberwolves first game of the New Year Amanda McClain scored 14 points and added seven rebounds to lead her team to a 63-32 victory over the Lady Warriors from Decatur Christian. Coming off a big holiday tournament championship the Lady Timberwolves jumped out to a 6-0 lead on 3-pointers by Paige Harlin and Amy Orrris. It looked as though the rout was on, but Decatur Christian decided they had come to play. Behind a strong performance from their center Danielle Popis no. … Read More
January 7, 2015 Some employees receive extra check by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com At their November meeting, the county board unanimously approved consolidating the county’s three different payrolls into one, a move that saw an immediate cost, but one that looks to provide a net savings down the road. Citing cumbersome payroll processing for each of the county’s three payrolls, board chairman Dave McCabe explained that the consolidation will make for more efficiency in the county clerk’s office. “You may remember some time ago we made the decision to delay the pay period so that we’d have time when someone left … Read More
Rosanne Nettles Services to celebrate the life of Rosanne Nettles, 71, of Lovington were held at 11 a.m. Saturday in Lovington United Methodist Church conducted by Pastor Larry Bricker. Private interment was in Keller Cemetery in Lovington. The family was served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home in Decatur. She passed away at 2:10 p.m. Monday Dec. 29, 2014 in her home surrounded by her loving family. … Read More
The American Red Cross and Sullivan Church of God will sponsor a blood drive 8 a.m.-1 p.m. January 10 at the Sullivan Church of God located at 321 N. West Street (behind Neal Tire). During the holiday season, blood supplies are desperately needed. One unit of blood can help up to three people in need. For an appointment, call Jeri Davis, Drive Coordinator, at 273-9456. Walk-ins are welcome, but an appointment will ensure adequate staffing is available and wait time is reduced. … Read More