Records Are Made To Be Broken

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October 1, 2014 by William C Bailey Professor, Western Illinois University It is said that records are made to be broken. In my undergraduate days, a classmate set a record when, at one sitting, he ate 24 breaded jumbo shrimp at the local Friday seafood buffet. As noteworthy as that seemed at the time, Illinois corn and soybean farmers are on track to set four records this year – now that is really impressive and makes one marvel at today’s agriculture. In recently released estimates on the size of this year’s Illinois corn and soybean crops, the US Department of … Read More

Obituaries 10-1-2014: Lucille Booker

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Lucille Booker Lucille R. Booker, 92, of Bloomington, formerly of Lovington, passed away at 6:20 p.m. Friday September 19, 2014 in Heritage Manor in Bloomington. Memorial services will be held at10:30 a.m. Saturday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Lovington.  No visitation will be held. Graveside services will be in Keller Cemetery in Lovington. … Read More

OV School Budget Approved

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October 1, 2014 Projected budget shortfall of $70,000 by Joash Tiarks Bethany Reporter One of the major items on the agenda for school boards this time of year is the annual budget proposal, Okaw Valley being no exception. There was ample opportunity for public discussion on the proposed 2014-15 budget during the special session scheduled for the 15 minutes previous to the regularly scheduled meeting last Thursday evening. However, no one from the public attended to take advantage so the regular meeting commenced without incident, and the budget ended up passing with a unanimous vote. “Everything is going to be … Read More

Trick, Don’t Treat, Cyber Criminals

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October 1, 2014 By Gerald Tilley Social Security Dist. Manager, Decatur Kids and kids at heart look forward to the end of October, when we use tricks and treats in equal measure to celebrate Halloween. No doubt, you’ll be passing out treats to costumed hobgoblins and hooligans in your neighborhood this Halloween night. But be careful that you’re not fooled by a different kind of trickster looking for a larger handout—such as your identity. … Read More

Redskin Golf Hosts Final Match at Home

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October 1, 2014 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com With the post-season within a week, area golf teams hosted final home matches this week, including Sullivan, who welcomed Meridian and Effingham last Wednesday. For the boys, Sullivan finished sandwiched between the competition at second place, shooting a combined 200 with Kent Taber leading the pack with a 46. Sam Mulligan and Kenneth Farley rounded out the 40s with a 47 and 49. Cody Johnson then followed with a 58, followed by Liam Bechtold’s 61 and Jacob Cameron’s 70. On the girls’ side of things, they faced off against two Meridian golfers and … Read More

Mattoon Babe Ruth League Sign-ups Oct. 1-31

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October 1, 2014 The Mattoon Babe Ruth League will be taking registration for 2015, 16-18 year senior Babe Ruth players starting October 1-31.  Players who are 16 on or before April 30 and, players who are 18 on April 30 are eligible to play as long as there is not a Babe Ruth Charter (for this age group) in their area.  … Read More

Purple Rider-Knights Finish Regular Season with Win at Home

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October 1, 2014 Miller medals with season best 3-under par by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond/Arcola boys’ golf team ended the regular season at home Monday evening in a face-off with Cumberland and walked away with a 40-point margin of victory to end their schedule at 16-2. To no surprise it was the sophomore Clayton Miller who medaled, shooting a season best 3-under par for 32. The lone and reliable senior Chris Davis followed with a 41. The rest of the group included Shandon Herschberger’s 42, Parker Ingram’s 49, and both Blake Lindenmeyer and Dylan Bugos’ 53 for a team … Read More

SOV Remains Undefeated with 47-7 Win

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October 1, 2014 Redskins roll in one-sided rout of Meridian By Joe Wheeler NP Reporter It was all Redskins Friday night as the boys in red opened up the field on the Meridian Hawks in a 47-7 win. SOV was 4-0 going into this past week’s matchup and was looking to keep things going versus a Meridian squad who has had trouble getting things going this season. The Hawks, 1-4 after Friday night, could not do anything to stop the high-powered offense of Sullivan-Okaw Valley. “We were able to get some things going in not only the running game, but … Read More