Understanding Illinois: Illinois Must Upgrade Education

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By James D. Nowlan and J. Thomas Johnson Outside Columnists Illinois’s achievement in education is mired in the middle of the states. If Illinois were to make a major commitment to transforming how we educate our children, we would send the world a strong signal that we were serious about fixing our state. Illinois enrolls more than three million students from pre-kindergarten to post-graduate education, almost one in four of our residents, and spends more than $30 billion, or four percent of gross state product, on the enterprise. … Read More

Orris’ Timely Hit Caps 6-Run 7th for Win

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Upends ALAH’s perfect conference record by Kirk Whitaker Arthur/Sullivan Reporter It was a situation all too familiar for Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond. Just a week earlier, the Lancers were down 6-1 going into the bottom of the seventh, made the comeback, and won in extras in Arcola to maintain their perfection in LOVC play. But perfection ended Thursday night, and it came at the hands of Okaw Valley, 6-5, sealed by Amy Orris’ bases loaded, two out, two RBI single to right centerfield.  … Read More

Bowman Gets Full Academic Ride to McKendree University

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Track opportunity the extra perk by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com It all sort of began with a missed half-court shot. In her freshman year and under then girls’ JV basketball coach Kali Taylor, Mollie Bowman threw up an ambitious 3-point attempt–with more than enough time left on the clock mind you. “If you know anything about basketball, you know that shooting from half court is usually not a good thing unless at the last second of a quarter,” said Taylor. … Read More

OVHS Drama Club to Present “Afternoon of the Elves”

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The Okaw Valley High School Drama Club will present “Afternoon of the Elves” at 7 p.m. May 9 and 10 in the OVHS Gym. “Afternoon of the Elves” was adapted by Y York from the Newbury Award Honor book by Janet Taylor Lisle. The play addresses the power of imagination, the need to fit in and be popular as well as the stigma of mental illness. Just as fourth grader, Hillary Lenox, finds herself being accepted as part of the “mighty three” with popular girls Jane and Allison, next door neighbor and outcast Sarah Kate invites her to share in … Read More

Trojans Redeem Last Year’s Loss to Sullivan with 5-2 Win

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Though more hits, Lady Red errors lead to extra outs by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com It didn’t take long for Sullivan’s errors to rear their head Monday evening against Charleston. The first pitch to the first batter in the first inning to be exact. Ali Finn’s grounder to shortstop was overthrown to first, allowing Finn to get to second. A sacrifice bunt and a single to right field later, Charleston had one of its five runs on a day when Sullivan couldn’t stop from shooting itself in the foot. It marked the first of five errors and despite outhitting the Trojans … Read More

After Pitchers’ Duel, Dust Settles in Favor of T-Wolves

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Just three hits on the day between ALAH and OV by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com Tyler Schuring was a presence on the mound Wednesday. But Devon Still was a monster. The OV senior worked the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond lineup, striking out 16. Still then worked his magic from the plate, tallying one of OV’s two hits on the day and then getting on base with an intentional walk in his team’s 2-0 win. … Read More

Sullivan City Council Cont’d. April 2014

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Other Matters From Last Month’s Sullivan City Council Meetings Include: • Approved a two year lease with Darin Burdick for the 10 acres across from the city sewer plant. It will result in a fee of $1,000 a year to the city. The plot has just over six acres of tillable soil. … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Kathleen Ann Reedy

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Kathleen Ann Reedy Kathleen Ann Reedy, 75, of Bethany died at 3:25 a.m. Wednesday April 30, 2014 in Sullivan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Isidore Catholic Church in Bethany. Burial and Rite of Committal will be in St. Isidore Cemetery in Bethany. Visitation is 3-6 p.m. Sunday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with a prayer service at 6 p.m. Sunday. … Read More