Due to the forecast of inclement weather, the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging’s Moultrie County Conversation on Aging and Independent Living has been postponed to Monday, January 13, 2014 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 216 W. Jefferson St., Sullivan, IL 61957. For more information, contact Mike O’Donnell at: modonnell@eciaaa.org, or call toll-free at 1-800-888-4456. … Read More
By Jim Nowlan Outside Columnist Mother always said it was darkest just before dawn. When it comes to the state of Illinois, I cannot yet see the sun or its penumbra from beneath the horizon, but there are signs that the future may brighten. We need to build on those portents. Illinois has been in a funk. People I talk with lament our reputation for corruption and the state’s embarrassing fiscal situation. Most say we are headed in the wrong direction. Many say they would like to be someplace else. Americans have a sour view of Illinois as well. A … Read More
Outdoes Argenta for another conference win by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com And one, and one, and one. Sure, that could describe the manner in which Sullivan’s girls’ basketball team has racked up win after win this season (13 in a row), but it more accurately describes the fashion in which they secured their most recent 68-34 victory over conference opponent Argenta-Oreana. “That hurt us early,” said Argenta coach Jeff Shumate. Sullivan converted on three of five and-one opportunities in just the first half and were helped along by the aggressive post play of Brittin Boyer, who earned 11 points and seven … Read More
by Dan Hagen NP Columnist James Bond’s attitude toward women has been much criticized, but it wasn’t fictional. It matched his creator’s. Even the melodramatic tragedy characteristic of 007’s relationships with women was prefigured in Ian Fleming’s real life, according to Andrew Lycett’s biography “Ian Fleming.” Alan Schneider, a U.S. naval intelligence officer who knew Fleming during World War II, noted that women, whether English aristocrats or American officers, all got the same backhanded treatment from Fleming. “He got bored with them fast and could be brutal about it,” Schneider said. “He had absolutely no jealousy. He explained to me … Read More
First the snow, then the cold by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com “It’s for the birds.” Likely, much of the midwest was saying just this when over the weekend and into Monday a 1-2 punch of winter weather stretched its way across the nation’s middle, dumping upwards of 30 inches according to preliminary snowfall reports Monday. Here in Moultrie County official totals didn’t exceed eight inches. The snow started later than at first expected, early Sunday morning, and continued for most of the day. That evening, wind gusts up to 35 mph caused drifts, some reported as tall as six feet, that … Read More
by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com While it’s true that the recent spell of winter weather brought havoc in the form of diminished visibility, poor road conditions, and life threatening temperatures, the craziness began well before the weather arrived. Area grocery stores quickly ran out of bread, milk, eggs, and other basic foods. “The grocer’s best friend is the W on the screen, but we just don’t ever want what comes with it,” said Sullivan IGA manager Pat Stinson. “We had a huge, record sales day Saturday, which then led to a record week…it was the best we’d ever done.” … Read More
by Kirk Whitaker Arthur/Sullivan Reporter It was business as usual for Arthur-Lovington against Windsor last Friday. The Knights had three in double figures—junior Tyler Schuring lead the way with 14—and enjoyed their most balanced scoring night of the season having six scorers with at least five points. “We have been pretty balanced for the majority of the year,” Knights head coach Dale Schuring stated. “Everybody scores every night, it’s just a different leading scorer each night. The top seven kids we get on the floor are all capable of scoring, but I would have to say tonight was the best … Read More
Sullivan Church of God and The American Red Cross will host a blood drive at the Sullivan Church of God at 321 N. West street(behind Neal Tire) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, January 11. For an appointment, call drive coordinator Jeri Davis at 273-9456. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are encouraged to ensure enough Red Cross staff are available. … Read More
Nearly $300,000 in new money requested By Joash Tiarks Bethany Reporter At the regular monthly meeting, one of the primary issues on the agenda for the Okaw Valley Board of Education was to bring to a vote the proposed Tax Levy for 2014, with an increase of 9.05% over last year. Because the request exceeded a threshold increase of five percent over last year’s request, the board was required by law to hold a public truth in taxation hearing to inform the community and allow any concerned taxpayers to ask questions and to voice their opinions. However, no concerned citizens … Read More
Pauline Batman Pauline Batman, 93, of Decatur passed away at 3:05 p.m. Friday Jan. 3, 2014 in Fair Havens Christian Home in Decatur. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation is 9:30-11 a.m. Thursday. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. … Read More