Bethany Alumni Celebrate Oldest Living Graduate

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September 17, 2014 Hudson, class of ‘29 receives surprise visit by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com As the Bethany High School Alumni Association glanced down their list of graduates recently, one in particular stood out. Dora Dean Hudson, class of 1929. “One of the things we’re trying to do with the alumni association is to get all the records of everybody that graduated from high school, which we were able to get,” said John McLaughlin, vice-president of the alumni association. “We noticed that she was still on the list, the 1929 graduating list, as still alive. That started the look. Of course, … Read More

Understanding Illinois: University of Illinois Attracts Chinese

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September 17, 2014 by Jim Nowlan Outside Columnist The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is one of the world’s great graduate research centers. The 2013 world rankings compiled by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, one of China’s most prestigious, placed UIUC at 25th best in the world, ahead of elite U.S. institutions such as Duke, Northwestern and the Ivy League’s Brown. The challenge is to stay near the top of the rankings in a context of fierce competition to develop and attract star faculty and the research grants they bring to campus. I am amazed that UIUC has done as … Read More

Hungry SOV Squad Makes Statement in Win Over Tuscola

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September 17, 2014 Victory keeps SOV atop CIC with Shelbyville by Matt Kracht NP Sports Writer First place in the newly formed Central Illinois Conference was on the line Friday night at Victory Field. The Redskins rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat the Tuscola Warriors 28-22 improving to 3-0 on the season. Homecoming fans battling the elements looked on as two of the area’s top quarterbacks squared off in an instant classic. Coming down to five minutes to go in the four quarter and the score tied 22-22, Ty “white shoes” Molzen calmly set himself at the line of … Read More

LLC Mod II Classes Begin Oct. 20

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September 17, 2014 With Mod II classes beginning October 20, it’s not too late to register for a GED course. The Lake Land College Adult Education Center offers local GED courses in your community and a variety of workforce training including health sciences, manufacturing skills and college preparation. Adult Education courses are offered in two, eight-week modules in Arthur. Mod I classes are already underway, but Mod II classes run from Oct. 20 – Dec. 11. … Read More

Knights Take First Loss of the Year to Newton

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September 17, 2014 ALAH falls to 5-1 on year by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com Going into Thursday evening’s matchup against Newton, the ALAH soccer team was attempting to stay perfect on the year and improve to 6-0. Such a feat seemed possible when Javi Briseno’s corner kick near the end of the first half went in the goal to put ALAH up 2-1, but the goal would be called back after officials cited that time had actually expired 14 seconds earlier. “I’m kind of upset with they went ahead and let us kick the corner kick and then after it’s in, … Read More

Growing up in Sullivan: The Accordion – A Once Popular Instrument

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September 17, 2014 by Jerry Ginther About 1960, the mothers of 25 or 30 of us local kids signed us up for accordion lessons with the Illinois Conservatory of Music. As a group we were filled with enthusiasm before the first lesson. Most of us had never held an accordion prior to that day, and we were ready to see what sort of racket they made. We figured out on our own that it would make some kind of noise if we would hold down just one of the piano keys while we pulled or squeezed the bellows. Beyond that … Read More

Waggoner Recognized for Outstanding Volunteer Service

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September 17, 2014 C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation recently held their 2014 annual meeting and for giving the gift of valuable time to help others, C.E.F.S. recognized Ronald Waggoner of Bethany as a 2014 Outstanding Volunteer. “The agency and program accomplishments would not have been attained without the shared commitment, dedication and involvement of our outstanding volunteers,” C.E.F.S. Chief Executive Officer Paul White commented. … Read More

Gospel Folk Band Coming to Sullivan Next Month

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September 17, 2014 Rain for Roots to headline rural church Oct. 4 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com For pastor Vanessa Patient, the opportunity to share music she loves is a passion. So when she was given the chance to solicit one of her favorite musical groups, Rain for Roots, to come to Sullivan and play live, Patient was just the opposite: she was thrilled. “I think with any music that you love or book that you love or movie, you’re so excited to get it in the hands of other people and see their reactions and hopefully they’re excited,” said the … Read More

ALAH School Board Sets District Goals and Objectives for School Year

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September 17, 2014 Community service program planned for next year by Ariana Cherry Arthur/Lovington Reporter As a school district grows, there comes a need to set new goals and insights for its students and the community. The ALAH School Board saw to this by creating a list of goals and objectives for the 2014-2015 school year which included areas of community relations and communications, district facilities and safety, and personnel and academic achievement. To strive for more communication with the community, the board set a goal of enhancing the district’s website by unifying all the school sites and giving it … Read More