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Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity Surprises Newest Homeowner

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity Surprises Newest Homeowner
On Thursday, March 31, Moultrie County Habitat For Humanity Board members, staff at Lovington Grade School and the newest homeowners family gathered in a classroom to reveal the surprise to Jennifer Franklin. The expected start of construction will be Monday, August 29 with projected completion of Friday, October 7. The house will be built on the corner of N. Allen Street in Lovington. The organization will be reaching out to the community with more information on the build and family. They will be asking for volunteers to help with this year’s build and monetary and supply donations. Pictured are front row: Jennifer and Abbie Franklin and Sandy Sanders. Back row: Gary Smith, Cheryl Thomas, Maddox Franklin, Gene Meuller and Howard Sanders.

Spores ‘N More Mushroom Competition

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•April 6, 2022•

Spores ‘N More will be returning to Windsor on Saturday, April 23 from 11 am to 2 pm. As part of the festival there will be a mushroom competition with awards for biggest and smallest morel mushrooms until April 23. Measurements will include height and circumference around the thickest girth. Height+Circumference=Total Score. Mushrooms with uncut roots will be disqualified. Mushrooms must be morels found in the state of Illinois. Check in station is Lake Shelbyville Project Office, 1989 State Highway, Route 16 in Shelbyville. Hours are Monday-Friday 8 am-4:30 pm, weekends by appointment. Call (217)774-3951 ext 2 for more information. Winner must be present at the announcement on April 23 at 1 pm at the Spores ‘N More soup lunch at the American Legion Hall.

April 18 Filing Deadline

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•April 6, 2022•

The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding taxpayers that the upcoming deadline for filing 2021 state individual income tax returns is Monday, April 18, 2022.
“We encourage those who have not yet filed to do so soon. Filing electronically with direct deposit will ensure the fastest processing and issuance of any refunds,” said IDOR Director David Harris. “Taxpayers may file their electronic returns for free by using a registered MyTax Illinois account but may also file electronically with a tax preparer or third-party software.”
To aid in IDOR’s anti-fraud efforts, taxpayers filing their IL-1040’s through MyTax Illinois, must use a registered MyTax Illinois account. If they do not have a registered account, they may create one by choosing “sign up” in the login box at MyTax Illinois and follow the instructions. The ID number will be mailed to them within 10 days after being requested. While IDOR strongly encourages electronic filing, taxpayers can always file a paper return if they choose. Read More

Candidate Filings for Upcoming Election

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•April 6, 2022•
Note: We are re-running the list of candidate filings for the upcoming election due to receiving incorrect information from the Moultrie County Clerk’s office.

Candidates were able to file for the upcoming election from March 7-14. Here is a list of candidates who filed, their parties and what they are running for:

County Clerk
Lisa Ozier (R)
Linda S. Qualls (R) Read More

27 Million Dollars to Replace 100-year-old Sullivan High School

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•April 6, 2022•
by Ellen Ferrera
NP Writer

The third and final session of the Sullivan School Facility Forums was held March 28 in the middle school gym with about 40 people in attendance. This meeting focused on a referendum and 1% facility tax.
School Superintendent Ted Walk opened the session by telling the group, “Replacing the high school is the biggest project we will do in our lifetime.” He continued by stating that a new high school would cost about $27 million dollars. He said, “It costs ten million just to maintain every year, and that will only increase as the building continues to age and requires more repairs so, either way, there is a cost to a building that is over 100 years old. Read More

Garage Fire in Bethany

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•April 6, 2022•

Bethany Fire Department received a page for a structure fire at 2:07 am on Saturday, April 2. It was a garage that was heavily involved. Crews were able to knock the fire down and protect the exposures. The cause is still under investigation at this time. Agencies that responded were Bethany, Sullivan, Mt. Zion, Findlay, Lovington and the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office.

Blood Drive

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•April 6, 2022•

An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on Tuesday, April 12 from 1 to 5 pm at the Findlay American Legion, 216 E. South 2nd Street in Findlay. To make an appointment visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Community Blood Drive

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•April 6, 2022•

Agri-Fab Inc. will host a community blood drive on Tuesday, April 19 from 9 am to 2 pm at 809 S. Hamilton St, inside meeting room. To donate contact Barb Werling at (217) 728-8388 ext. 281, visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 71025 to locate the drive or call ImpactLife to schedule at 800-747-5401. Masks and appointments are required.