After Nearly Three Years, Skatepark Officially Opens

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Children in abundance Monday night for ribbon cutting by Florence Hallford Lovington Reporter On January 29, 2011, two families from Lovington received news of a car accident that claimed the lives of Michael Martin and his two sons, Bryson and Braxton, as well as the children’s friend Dakota Hoffman. As soon as the families and friends could begin coping with the loss, Chris and Candi Bennett, parents of Hoffman, began researching a way to honor the children. Almost a year after the accident, the idea of a skatepark had surfaced, a way to reflect the childrens’ favorite activity: skateboarding. That … Read More

Prairieland Open House Oct. 17

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Prairieland Service Coordination, Inc. invites everyone to their Open House, to celebrate their move to their new offices located at 220 South Water Street, Suite 220M, in Downtown Decatur. The Open House will be held on October 17, from 3 to 7 p.m. and light refreshments will be served. Prairieland is a not-for profit agency which provides services for persons with disabilities who reside in the following counties, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby and Vermillion. The Agency will be celebrating 20 years of service to the central and east central Illinois area in 2014. … Read More

Identifying Fraud Workshop Tuesday

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The Soyland Access to Independent Living (SAIL) Visual Services Program will host a Take Charge Illinois workshop, “Identity Theft, Fraud and Scams,” for people with disabilities, seniors and their caregivers. The workshop will be 10:30-noon Tuesday, October 1 at the Moultrie County Senior Center in Sullivan. The presenter for the workshop will be Betsey Miller, consumer affairs administrator with the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. People who attend will learn how to identify and avoid potential scams and frauds and how to protect themselves from identity theft. The speaker will also address any concerns from those who may have … Read More

Council Approves Rezoning, Takes Step Closer To Alleviating Flood Issues

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Barry Featheringill Sullivan Reporter In a brief city council meeting Monday, Sullivan officials approved the rezoning of property along the railroad tracks near S. Worth and Wagoner streets. Commissioner Mike Kirk abstained from voting, as the property is located right across from his personal property. Kirk did express concern about drainage, and Jan Haegen of the zoning board pointed out that “before any building could be done, plans will have to be submitted and issues such as the water run off would be addressed at the time.”  The property owner, Bryan Vahling, requesting the change from R-3 to B-1 stated … Read More

Tri-County “Pokes the Bear”; Lancers Hand Them First LOVC Loss in Five Years

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Kirk Whitaker Arthur/Sullivan Reporter After Arthur/Lovington’s two-set win over Atwood-Hammond Monday night, Lancers head coach Val Cornwell said her girls were ready for rival Tri-County. The Lady Titans finished third in the state in class 1A last year and hadn’t lost an LOVC match in five years. In the first set, the Lancers proved their preparedness. AL started out 3-0, but after that, the majority of the first set was back and forth. With the game tied at 14, the Titans set up an attack that Lancer senior Hannah Schrock blocked to give the Lancers the lead and the momentum … Read More

Food Drive in Lovington Oct. 12

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The Lovington American Legion and Sparrows Unlimited will host a food drive 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 12 in Lovington. The food drive will be held at the intersection of State and Broadway, and that which is collected will be donated to the Lovington Food Pantry. … Read More

Oktoberfest to Enjoy a Decade of Entertaining with Both New and Returning Attractions

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Mechanical bull ride to present fun challenge for courageous takers By Christina Whitford Sullivan Reporter As the weather changes and we move into fall, the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development office is working to prepare for Sullivan’s annual Oktoberfest event. “This event is the longest running festival in Sullivan. It has been going for 10 years, which is even longer than the Festival of Stars,” explained Chamber Administrator Laurrie Minor. … Read More