OV Schools Approve Nearly 9 Percent Levy Increase

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December 31, 2014 Over $300,000 additional revenue requested by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com In this month’s board meeting, the Okaw Valley school district approved a levy that seeks more than $300,000 in new revenue. After holding a truth in taxation hearing December 18, at which no objections were raised, the board formally approved the 8.81 percent increase in the levy using an estimated EAV of $81 million, up from the previous actual EAV of $73,966,393 The district tax rate comes to 4.5 percent, and results in an aggregate levy of $3,664,079, which is a $322,805.36 increase over the previous levy. The … Read More

Okaw Valley Boys’ Basketball Places Fourth in Holiday Tourney

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December 31, 2014 Near comeback falls short Monday By Matthew Kracht NP Sport Reporter The Okaw Valley Timberwolves lost in the third place game to Mt Pulaski 60-54 Monday evening nearly pulling off a remarkable 13-point fourth quarter comeback. Coming off an impressive overtime win against Cerro Gordo-Bement the Timberwolves struggled offensively until a spirited second half rally. Okaw Valley won a three-way tie breaker based on free-throw percentage to play Mt Pulaski Monday night for third and fourth place respectively. The Mt Pulaski Hilltoppers wasted no time, however, grabbing the early 8-1 lead before Joe Jeffers responded with a … Read More

Area First Quarter Honor Rolls Fall 2014

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December 31, 2014 Lovington Grade School Seven eighth graders, two seventh graders, one sixth grader and five fifth graders earned straight As at Lovington Grade School. Eighth graders are Isaac Ashenfelter, Adam Day, Hunter Day, Ciara Emrick, Katelynn Gingerich, Daniel Reedy and Taylor Powell; seventh graders Natalie Lambdin and Colin Stanley; Kayla Davis, sixth grade and Delaney Gillis, Gavin Mechling, Michaela Powell, Alyssa Thompson and Kaitlyn Zander, fifth grade. … Read More

Understanding Illinois: Rauner and Education in New Year

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December 31, 2014 by Jim Nowlan Outside Columnist Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner has pledged to roll back income tax increases and boost funding for education. I have suggested in this space that to do both this coming year would take greater prestidigitation than the great Harry Houdini displayed when thrown into a freezing river in a strait jacket and chains (Houdini survived, by the way). So, what should the incoming governor do for education? If anyone asks my opinion (no one has), here are some thoughts. Most schools hold school longer each year than we do, and for 6½-7 hours each … Read More

Obituaries 12-31-2014: Donald Rankin

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Donald Rankin Donald Earl Rankin, 91, of Mattoon passed away at 2:28 a.m. Monday December 29, 2014 in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Coles County. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Lovins-Lockart Funeral Home in Windsor with Pastor Kevin Wolfe officiating. Visitation will be one hour before service time. Burial with military rites will be in Cochran’s Grove Cemetery near Windsor. … Read More

Mobile Mammography Jan. 14

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December 31, 2014 Sarah Bush Lincoln’s Mobile Mammography Services will be at the SBL Sullivan Clinic January 14. The mobile mammography van is available to all women regardless of their financial status. Women with insurance that covers their yearly mammogram are also welcome. Women who qualify will receive their mammogram free. To make an appointment for a mammogram on the mobile van call 1-800-639-5929. … Read More

A Lot to Learn for Lady Red Who Finish Fifth at Mattoon Tourney

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December 31, 2014 Bigger opponents hand Sullivan first losses of season by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com One of Sullivan’s last plays of their five game tournament in Mattoon this past week showed just how much a learning experience the holiday stretch was for the Lady Red. Leading East Richland 63-54 with just over 40 seconds remaining in what was the fifth place deciding game Monday evening, Sullivan’s Elissa Stewart was sent to the foul line for a one-and-bonus. Stewart hit the front end but missed the followup. But Brittin Boyer would grab the rebound just a few feet away from the … Read More

Council Asked to Take a Crack at the Courts

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December 31, 2014 Growing local tennis association calls for need of better facilities by Ariana Cherry & Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com The Sullivan City Council was addressed by a member of the public in their last regular meeting of the year to see whether rebuilding tennis courts in Wyman Park might be a possibility in the future. Christopher Dobosz, owner of the Okaw Valley Tennis Association, addressed the council with the current state of the courts and how his tennis association, in growing each of its three years, is in need of newer and more courts to continue the program in … Read More

Obituaries 12-31-14: Grace Strohl

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Grace Strohl Funeral services for Grace Eloise Strohl, 92, of Decatur were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany. Burial was in Marrowbone Township Cemetery in Bethany. She passed away at 9:56 a.m. Sunday, December 28, 2014 in Decatur Memorial Hospital. … Read More