Forget spring showers–dedicated downpours solicit flood warnings across central Illinois

News Progress Posted on by

keith@newsprogress.com Last week’s showers culminated Thursday, pouring inches upon inches of rain on central Illinois and spurring flooding in both rural areas and within city limits. According to the National Weather Service out of Lincoln, 3.41 inches were recorded at the Windsor Sewage Plant, the most in the immediate area. It was followed by 3.38 inches in Sullivan, 3.28 in Arthur, and 3.06 in Lovington. … Read More

GRIZ-FM honors former Moultrie County Clerk

News Progress Posted on by

After a heart attack took his life Easter Sunday 2001, former Moultrie County Clerk and radio broadcaster Gerald “Griz” England is being honored by Cromwell Radio Group. Before his time as county clerk, England worked for a couple of radio stations, finishing his broadcasting career at Cromwell Radio Station, WYDS when it was known as “D-93”. He married his wife of nearly 27 years, Georgia—who is currently Moultrie County Clerk—June 2, 1974.Before being elected clerk in 1998, England enjoyed a long radio career that began in Sullivan at WFWA-FM. He worked at several area radio stations and made a national … Read More

Tough Start for SOV Boys, But Personal Improvements Still Made

News Progress Posted on by

Knights finish tied for last with three points by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com Neither area boys’ track team had a strong performance at Saturday’s indoor meet hosted by Charleston at EIU’s Field House. Sullivan-Okaw Valley didn’t earn any points, while Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond tallied just three. Nonetheless, both teams did see some personal improvements on which they hope to add as the outdoor season begins later this week. … Read More

Lady T-Wolves Downed 11-1 by Stew-Stras

News Progress Posted on by

Just two hits on the day for OV by Emily Scott Bethany Reporter There are three aspects of softball that Okaw Valley head coach Dave Benning shows his team that always make or break a game: balls in play, walks, and errors. Time and time again, more than one of these statistics has gone in favor of the winning team. On Friday, they showed their effects when the Stewardson-Strasburg Comets beat the Lady Timberwolves 11-1, defeating them in all three areas, with the Comets having 14 balls in play, allowing only three walks, and no errors.  … Read More

Redskin Baseball Drops Three in Two Days

News Progress Posted on by

Fall in double-header Saturday by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com The Sullivan baseball team  took three more losses between last Friday and Saturday, falling to 0-4 on the year. Friday, they hosted Mattoon and were crushed 10-2. The Green Wave got off to a quick 4-0 lead after two innings. Sullivan’s Nick Frerichs and Shane Atchison each had an RBI in the third to cut Mattoon’s lead to two, but the Green Wave stormed back with three runs in the fourth, one in the fifth, and two more in the seventh for good measure. … Read More

OV Hangs Tough to Pull Out 9th-Inning Win Over Windsor-Stew/Stras

News Progress Posted on by

Pitching duo Hagerman and Still strikeout 20 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com Early on in Friday’s ball game it looked as though the score would be heading for double digits. Okaw Valley’s bats had earned seven hits and five runs after just two innings and Windsor-Stew/Stras had kept just a pace back with three hits and three runs. Windsor would tie the game at 5-5 in the fourth, but little did either team realize that just one run over the course of five more innings would decide the game. … Read More

Trivia Night Saturday in Windsor

News Progress Posted on by

Trivia Night Saturday in Windsor The Windsor Jr/Sr High School Student Council and the W.H.A.T. community group will host a trivia night Saturday, March 29. Doors will open for dinner at 5 pm, and the trivia game will be begin at 6 pm. Dinner will be a taco salad and drink and desserts will be available. Teams of one to eight participants may play for a fee. … Read More

Sprucing Up Lake Shelbyville

News Progress Posted on by

Donated trees submerged in annual fish habitat day by Barry Featheringill Sullivan Reporter Not all Christmas trees get put out to pasture or street curbs come December 26. In fact, some get put out to the lake. 482 to be exact. This past Saturday, dozens of volunteers gathered at the Lithia Springs boat ramp on Lake Shelbyville to create habitats for fish in the 25th annual fish habitat improvement day. According to Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) district fisheries biologist Mike Mounce, this year boasted 105 volunteers which, while less than last year’s record setting 157, was still a … Read More

It’s Just Golden…a Soft Spot for a Hard Shell

News Progress Posted on by

by John Golden NP Columnist Ah finally, spring is here and nicer weather is stubbornly and nonchalantly approaching. When I stop and think about sunshine, green grass, and dandelions, I am instantly taken back to my childhood and my days spent on my dad’s farm. When I think about my dad’s old place, I start to think about the small pond that was tucked away in the far corner of the property. It was basically a mud pit, infested with huge and extremely loud frogs, gigantic and overly aggressive dragonflies, and disgusting and territorial snakes.  … Read More