Being Average is No Longer Good Enough for Illinois, U.S. Schools

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•January 8, 2020• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist In a recent column, I noted that most, not all, downstate school districts perform below statewide averages on 11th-grade English and math tests. I didn’t blame anyone, instead noting that performance is directly correlated to the household incomes within each district; the lower the average incomes, the lower the test scores. Thus it has been since I began looking at these kinds of data decades ago. As downstate school districts tend to be lower in overall household income than their suburban counterparts, scores also tend to be lower. Another purpose was … Read More

Remember When? 1-8-2020

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25 Years Ago This Week The Sullivan High School National Honor Society turned fund raising into fun raising. A total of $866.60 was raised with a school assembly witnessing Ben Guyot, whose class raised the most money for Christmas presents, receive a pie in the face from high bidding student Leif Walling. Principal Stu Hott received a pie with Andy Wagner and Joe Freese’s groups combining for a $289.15 donation for shared throwing honors. Mayor Leon Lane was the auctioneer. Kevin Gaither, son of Jim and Margaret Gaither of Sullivan was named to dean’s list at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. … Read More

Obituaries 1-8-2020: Marcia Reeter

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Marcia Reeter Marcia Jean Reeter, 92, of Waltonville, Illinois, formerly of the Sullivan (Mason Point), Bethany and Dalton City areas, passed away at 6:20 p.m. Monday, December 30, 2019, in the SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Visitation will be in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with a graveside service following in Marrowbone Township Cemetery in Bethany. Dates and times have not been finalized at this time. … Read More

2020 Point in Time Homeless Count Set

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•January 8, 2020• Each year, the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires a homeless count be completed for the entire United States in January. Why January? It is believed if some one is experiencing sleeping on the streets, in a car or in an emergency shelter, during the coldest time of the year, it is likely he has no support network and will remain homeless without assistance. HUD uses this count to assist in determining if grant funds are effective in ending homelessness. … Read More

Sue Weaver-Three Decades at The Sullivan Civic Center

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•January 8, 2020• By Ellen Ferrera for The News Progress December 23 was the final day of a successful 32-year career as Director of the Sullivan Civic Center for Sue Weaver. Her retirement leaves only Bill White as the last member of her original 1987 staff. “I can’t think of a better job than here in this community where my kids could go to school where I worked” Sue said in reflection. “I will truly miss the staff and all the kids.” Weaver grew up in Princeton, IL and majored in recreational administration at Eastern Illinois University where she met … Read More

LLC Offers a Painting with Oils or Acrylics Class

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•January 8, 2020• Lake Land College is offering a Painting with Oils or Acrylics class at the Kluthe Center in Effingham. The eight-session class is available to register and will be on Wednesdays beginning Feb. 12 through April 1 and will meet from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The class will be taught by Vera Keplar, who has a master’s degree in art from Eastern Illinois University and has taught art at K-12 and adult level for many years. In addition, Vera has been a judge for several art competitions. … Read More

Little Redskins Activity Group

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•January 8, 2020• The Little Redskins Activity Program is a playgroup full of learning activities created and organized by students at Sullivan High School. Children ages 3-5 are welcome to register for this opportunity to come have fun at the high school for free. Services will be provided every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. in the high school commons starting January 14, and ending March 26. Please park on the south of the commons in unpainted spots. For more information, contact advisor Heather Hinton hintonh@sullivan.k12.il.us … Read More

Hilltoppers Take OVHS Girls’ Team in Overtime

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•January 8, 2020• By Jason Brown NP Sports Editor The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team wrapped up it fall break with a tough 60-52 overtime road loss to Mt. Pulaski Friday. OV had the lead most of the game, including a 41-31 heading into the fourth quarter. The Hilltoppers outscored the Timberwolves 18-8 in the fourth quarter to tie the game. … Read More

Obituaries 1-8-2020: Eugene Rowe

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Eugene Rowe Eugene C. Rowe, 99, of Sullivan, passed away at 9:46 a.m. Thursday, January 2, 2020, in Decatur Memorial Hospital. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, January 6, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Marge Overlot officiating. Masonic Rites were performed by George A. Sentel Lodge #764. Burial was in Marrowbone Township Cemetery in Bethany. … Read More