Singers Take Third Runner-Up at Troy Buchanan Show Choir Competition

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by Kirk Whitaker Arthur/Sullivan Reporter The recent snow has caused one reverse humdinger of a situation for the Sullivan Singers. For the Singers, that effect has been seen in out-of-class rehearsal time taken by the snow days. “All of our out-of-school practices seem to keep falling on snow days,” Singers director Connie Mulligan said. “We have done some good things to this point in our competition season, but we really needed the repetition and class time we have missed.” … Read More

AL Dominates LSA 82-48 in Rough Game

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by Kirk Whitaker Arthur/Sullivan Reporter Arthur came into the week holding the 10th slot in the Class 1A polls, and Saturday they faced Decatur LSA, who beat the Knights when they were ranked 10th last season. This season would be much different thanks in large part to Curtis Plank. “In warm-ups my shot was just falling,” Plank explained. “It was just one of those nights I guess you could say. Coach called some plays for me, and I made those shots.” … Read More

Sullivan Wins OVC Tourney First Time in Over a Decade

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Sullivan battles through OV Tourney, defeating host in Championship Saturday by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com “Why not us.” What had been a rhetorical question and even mantra became a simple statement Saturday night, when Sullivan, the no. 5 seed, upended no. 7 seed and host Meridian in the Okaw Valley tournament championship 53-46. After 12 long years, the trophy came back to Sullivan in what is the final year of the Okaw’s existence. Sullivan last won the conference tourney in 2002 when they defeated Monticello 51-43. But it was 14 years ago that a young Chester Reeder, then a jr. on … Read More

Sullivan Wins OVC Tourney First Time in Over a Decade

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Sullivan battles through OV Tourney, defeating host in Championship Saturday by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com “Why not us.” What had been a rhetorical question and even mantra became a simple statement Saturday night, when Sullivan, the no. 5 seed, upended no. 7 seed and host Meridian in the Okaw Valley tournament championship 53-46. After 12 long years, the trophy came back to Sullivan in what is the final year of the Okaw’s existence. Sullivan last won the conference tourney in 2002 when they defeated Monticello 51-43. But it was 14 years ago that a young Chester Reeder, then a jr. on the … Read More

Another Upset Stunner by Sullivan, as Redskins Defeat St. T 65-58

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Earn shot at OVC tourney trophy Saturday against Meridian by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com “Fight. Fight for these last eight minutes.” Chester Reeder didn’t want his team letting St. Teresa slip by–not again. Not in the fourth quarter. Not in the OVC semifinals. Not at all. After seeing their lead diminish in the fourth and eventually losing to the Bulldogs two weeks ago, the Redskins were prepared for a different outcome Thursday night, when they, the no. 5 seed in the OVC tournament, took on the no. 1 seed, and not to mention state ranked St. Teresa Bulldogs and came away … Read More

Another Upset Stunner by Sullivan, as Redskins Defeat St. T 65-58

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  Earn shot at OVC tourney trophy Saturday against Meridian by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com “Fight. Fight for these last eight minutes.” Chester Reeder didn’t want his team letting St. Teresa slip by–not again. Not in the fourth quarter. Not in the OVC semifinals. Not at all. After seeing their lead diminish in the fourth and eventually losing to the Bulldogs two weeks ago, the Redskins were prepared for a different outcome Thursday night, when they, the no. 5 seed in the OVC tournament, took on the no. 1 seed, and not to mention state ranked St. Teresa Bulldogs and came … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Troy Smith

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Troy Smith Troy Derrell Smith, 70, of Lovington died at 11:34 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 5, 2014 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Lovington with visitation one hour before the services. Burial will be in Keller Cemetery in Lovington. … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Patsy Janke

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Patsy Janke Patsy Irene Janke, 70, of Sullivan, formerly of Shelbyville, died at 4:20 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 5, 2014 in Sarah Bush Lincoln in Coles County. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Shelbyville with visitation from noon until service time. The family request casual attire. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery in Shelbyville. … Read More

Plank Finishes Senior Night with Final Basket in 70-56 Victory

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Final conference game Thursday by Kirk Whitaker Arthur/Sullivan Reporter Rebounding. Moving feet on defense. Fouling. Those points of emphasis and 18 points from Maroa’s Brenna Fink were key in keeping the game so close in the early going Monday night between Sullivan and Maroa-Forsyth. In fact the score was 30-29 in favor of Maroa at halftime, and neither team led by more than four at the end of the first three quarters.  … Read More

Understanding Illinois: At 90, Lockhart the Gold Standard in Lobbying

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By Jim Nowlan Outside Columnist Effective lobbying is absolutely essential to the functioning of a legislative body where interests clash incessantly. Full of spit and vinegar at 90, Richard Lockhart has for 55 years been the gold standard in lobbying Illinois government, that is, in getting the right information in the right format to the right people at the right time. Lockhart has some suggestions for small organizations and individuals with interests in legislation. … Read More