Man Dies After Motorcycle Collision

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September 3, 2014 Mattoon resident hits oncoming car head-on Wednesday evening by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com A Mattoon man that collided head-on with a vehicle and was ejected from his motorcycle, was later pronounced dead Wednesday evening. The man was heading northbound on his 1999 Harley Davidson motorcycle on county road 1100E (north of Worth Street) Wednesday evening and later struck an oncoming 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, according to a press release by the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department. … Read More

Lady Red Open Season with Win; Gentlemen Red Take Second

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September 3, 2014 Knights take fourth as a team by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com Considering that the SOV boys’ cross country team opened the season Thursday without their top four returning runners and yet still took second has head coach Ted Walk not only pleased with his team’s performance, but also hopeful that it is a promising sign for things to come. “We just raced this without our top four from last year in Ethan Lehman, Alex Harvey, Clayton Waldhoff, and J.T. Bland,” said Walk. “All four, not here. We still beat Tuscola. We still beat Arthur. Tough to argue with … Read More

Preparing for the End of the Gardening Season

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September 3, 2014 by Kim Riedel Master Gardner August was a very busy month for me trying to keep up on all the produce that was ripening. Tomatoes, hot peppers and sweet peppers, pears, and grapes have been the main culprits that have kept me running the fastest. Besides the 60 hour weeks at work, I have bottled lots of grape/aronia jelly, chili sauce, and salsa. I have also had fun with my dehydrator, steamer/juicer and strainer this season. I even invested in a new water bath canner. I celebrated when I had a 56 hour work week instead of … Read More

OVES Reports Lower Enrollment Than in Past

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September 3, 2014 Numbers cited as a concern by Joash Tiarks Bethany Reporter During last month’s Okaw Valley school board meeting, OVES principal Doug McCausland gave his school’s most recent enrollment numbers, which he cited as a concern. With a class size of just 26 students, “the numbers are a concern,” he stated. “We’ve been used to the high 30’s, low 40’s numbers.” … Read More

Benefit for Walk to End Alzheimer’s Saturday

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September 3, 2014 Eastview Terrace will be sponsoring a benefit for The Walk to End Alzheimer’s Saturday, September 6, at the VFW in Sullivan. A pool tournament will be held earlier in the day, and the benefit will begin at 6 pm. A donation will be asked at the door. There will be a pulled pork dinner, 50/50 raffle, a live band (Joshua Dwayne and the Night Train) and a silent auction. Some items up for grabs include a hand crafted seven foot functioning light house, hand crafted pallet furniture, local art pieces, and various gift certificates and donations from … Read More

Improvements to Begin Sept. 11 on Route 121

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September 3, 2014 According to the Illinois Department of Transportation District Seven office, road improvements on a one mile stretch of Illinois Route 121 between Mattoon and Sullivan are set to begin September 11 and take two weeks to complete. The improvements will include milling the pavement and then resurfacing a section approximately four miles east of Sullivan just south of Mid-State Tank. Both lanes of traffic will be affected with one lane open at all times and both lanes open of an evening. … Read More

Reminiscing, Showcasing Antique Tractor Equipment at Inaugural Plow Day

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September 3, 2014 Dozens come to watch old plow technique by Ariana Cherry Reporting in Sullivan Every now and then, some need a reminder of what it used to be like when days moved at a slower pace. Technology often makes one forget the feeling of satisfaction from hard labored work and a job well done. When Steven Buxton created “Plow Day” for farmers and agricultural enthusiasts, he had this in mind. So on Saturday, August 23, antique tractor operators moldboard plowed 50 acres of wheat stubble that was located at Moultrie County Road, 1350 North. Buxton explained that moldboard … Read More

Obituaries 9-3-2014: Leslie Harlin

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Leslie Harlin A reception celebrating the life of Leslie L. ‘Weasel’ Harlin, 39, of Mattoon, formerly of Sullivan, was held Sunday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial was in Pea Cemetery in Sullivan. He died at 8:25 p.m. Wednesday August 27, 2014 in rural Sullivan. ‘Weasel’ was born March 18, 1975 in Decatur, a son of Gary and Brenda Rader Harlin. … Read More

Waterfowl Hunting Opportunities at Lake Shelbyville

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September 3, 2014 Okaw Wetland offers 10 waterfowl blinds that will be available on a first-come, first-served basis 7 days a week only during the 2014 Early Goose and Teal waterfowl-hunting seasons. The blinds have not been brushed; maintenance to the blinds will take place when time and resources are available. Current water level is significantly low at this time to allow for optimal planting and growing conditions for waterfowl plantings. Hunting hours will be 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset for goose and sunrise to sunset for teal. … Read More