Knights Hang Tough, Battle Back for Win Over Oblong

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September 17, 2014 Better second half solidifies ALAH win by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com Friday night’s 33-13 victory over Oblong may sound like a commanding win for the Arthur-Lovinton/Atwood-Hammond Knights, but things could have been just the opposite given a slew of penalties and a poor second quarter. In all, ALAH accrued a loss of 90 yards on 12 penalties, most of which dealt with illegal procedure or holding, and four of the the seven that were in the first half took place in a second quarter riddled with ALAH miscues. After trailing 12-0, Oblong got on the board with just … Read More

Unforced Errors Plague Lady T-Wolves in Loss

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September 10, 2014 A&M consistency keeps OV on their heels by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com Okaw Valley’s 25-12, 25-13 loss at the hands of Central A&M Tuesday night was more a result of hits going too deep, serves going too shallow, and at times miscommunication plaguing the defense than it was the Raiders’ own doing. However, when Central A&M did produce its own scoring, it relied more on well-placed tips into the holes of the OV defense than hard hits, given 5-11 junior middle hitter Megan Dash blocking what few kill attempts the Raiders had. … Read More

Sullivan, Okaw Valley School District Board Candidate Packets Available

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September 10, 2014 Moultrie County Clerk, Georgia England, announces that Sullivan CUSD #300 and Okaw Valley CUSD #302 board candidate packets for the April 7, 2015 Consolidated Election will be available for pickup September 22 in the Moultrie County Clerk’s office located in the courthouse at 10 S. Main, Ste. 6 in Sullivan. This is a major change from the past when candidates received their packets from, and filed with, the Sullivan schools unit office. … Read More

Understanding Illinois: Getting Smarter on Prison Sentences

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September 10, 2014 by Jim Nowlan Outside Columnist The U.S. has five percent of the world’s population and 25 percent of it prison inmates, according to Mary Ann Dyar, executive director of an Illinois prison diversion program. We need to get smarter on whom we send to prison and for how long. “I probably sent away a thousand or more people for drug crimes,” recalls former federal judge Mike McCuskey of his 16 years on the U.S. court bench in central Illinois. In effect, he filled up a federal prison. I had dinner recently with old friend McCuskey, now retired … Read More

Blood Drive in Sullivan Saturday

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September 10, 2014 The American Red Cross and Sullivan Church of God will sponsor a blood drive 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday September 13. The blood drive will be held at the Sullivan Church of God at 321 North West Street in Sullivan (behind Neal Tire). Each unit of blood donated can help up to three people.  Holiday seasons such as Labor Day can deplete blood supplies. … Read More

Sullivan Marching Band to Host Contest Saturday

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September 10, 2014 This coming Saturday the Sullivan high school marching band will host their inaugural marching band contest at Sullivan High School. Start time is noon, and there will be 11 bands from around central Illinois competing including Okaw Valley, Pana, Heritage, Maroa-Forsyth, Mount Zion, Monticello, Robinson, Paris, Mount Carmel, Effingham, and Sangamon Valley.   … Read More

Finishing Eighth, Lady Red Struggle in Mattoon Tourney

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September 10, 2014 Unable to muster single set win in five game loss Saturday by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com This past Saturday at the Mattoon volleyball tournament, it proved a difficult day for the Lady Redskins as they dropped 10 consecutive sets in five games, finishing last in eighth place. But contrary to what one may think, the day was far from a wash. In fact, for head coach Krista Smith, the tournament brought to light some unique observations, which she hopes she and her team will be able to use to improve in the regular season. “This is my first … Read More