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City Council discusses Net Metering and Interconnection Ordinance Amendments

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•March 16 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council held a regular meeting on Monday. Due to the absence of commissioners Chuck Woodworth and Doug Booker, some items under new or unfinished business were postponed until the next meeting.
Lee Beckman of Milano and Grunloh reported that for the water plant project, contract 1 is Grunloh Construction, contract 2 is All Service and contract 3 is Grunloh Building. Grunloh Construction was actually the lowest bidder. He was unable to look at the numbers in detail due to the bid opening being a short time before the special meeting.
The contracts were awarded during a special meeting on March 1. Preconstruction meeting for that project is on March 30. On the Bernius project, everything has been approved, and engineering was started. Read More

Moultrie County Board Sets Salaries for Elected Officials

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•March 16 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Moultrie County Board set salaries for elected officials during their monthly meeting. A motion was approved to establish the Moultrie County Clerk starting salary (12/1/2022) set at $52,000 with an annual raise set for the second year (FY24) at 3%, third year (FY25) at 4% and the fourth year at 4% (FY26). The annual stipend is $6,500 per year.
The board also approved the Moultrie County Treasurer starting salary (12/1/2022) set at $58,527.04 with annual raises set for the second year (FY24) at $1,820, third year (FY25) at $1,820 and fourth year (FY26) at $1,820. The annual stipend is $6,500 per year. The salary for Moultrie County Sheriff was set at a starting salary of $78,000 with annual raises set for the second year at 4%, third year at 4% and fourth year at 4%. The annual stipend is set at $6,500 per year.
The board also approved a resolution establishing that Moultrie County Board members are to receive $75.00 per member associated meeting with a maximum of $75.00 per day allowed if any member attends more than one meeting in any given day, effective December 1, 2022. Read More

One Book, One Sullivan discussion 2022

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Photo by Crystal Reed
One Book, One Sullivan discussion
One Book, One Sullivan held a community discussion on this year’s selection “The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise” by Dan Gemeinhart on Monday, March 7. Pictured above is One Book, One Sullivan leader Rikki Ray talking to attendees about the book.

Sullivan Schools Facility Needs Forum

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•March 16 2022•
by Ellen Ferrera
NP Writer

The second meeting of the public forums on Sullivan school facility needs was held in the middle school gym 6:30-8 p.m., March 8.
The 80 attendees were again assigned to groups of 10 people at eight tables with school superintendent, Ted Walk, leading the meeting.
At the previous session a survey was taken, and there were 70 respondents to the 20 questions regarding needs in terms of importance. The top10 were ranked in order of importance as follows:
• additional classrooms for the elementary school
• replace the middle school
• increased energy efficiency
• larger new gym Read More

MCRTA Receives Award

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•March 16 2022•

Word has been received from Jim Bachman, the Illinois Retired Teachers Association (IRTA) Executive Director, that the Moultrie County Retired Teachers Association (MCRTA) Unit is being recognized as a 2021 IRTA “Unit of Distinction.”
This program is a voluntary program based on the honor system that is designed to help guide and direct local unit leaders, as well as recognizing IRTA units that are the best in the state. Units receiving the “Unit of Distinction” Award will be recognized at the IRTA Biennial Convention, in the IRTA Action, in the e-Newsletter, and on the IRTA website. The local MCRTA unit will also receive a gift of $250.
The MCRTA Executive Board met on March 4, 2022. Locations of future meetings, brunches, possible programs and speakers were discussed. Two fundraisers were listed for April 26 and October 18 at Monical’s. Committee chairs were asked once again to report at the meetings. Proposed changes to three MCRTA Amendments were presented by Don Lockwood. The next full membership meeting will be held on April 6, at the Smith House in Tuscola for a meal, speaker, and business meeting. Contact Jane McKown or Marlene Wirth for questions.

Village of Bethany Board Meeting

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•March 16 2022•

The Village of Bethany had a board meeting on Thursday, March 10. Bethany mayor Jonathan Book said that during the meeting a water improvement fee was approved. Starting in May, water customers will see a $16 charge on their water bill each month. Money from the water improvement fee will go towards the village’s water improvement project. The village board also approved a policy on net metering. The policy now says that the village can’t limit the amount of customers with solar panels. In other business, Tim Moon came to the village about the possibility of bringing in rock on Jefferson Street next to the library. Book said that they will work with the township and library on this project.

Bake Sale to Raise Money for Aid in Ukraine

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•March 16 2022•

The Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit 68 and The Baking Brigade of Sullivan are holding a bake sale on Friday, March 18, at the Legion to raise money to donate for humanitarian aid in Ukraine. It will be held at the Friday night fish fry held by the Sullivan Sons of the American Legion. Sullivan American Legion Post 68 and SAL are supporting the bake sale. Two area families have connections to Ukraine and we are working with them to select groups to receive donations.

Preschool Roundup in Lovington

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•March 16 2022•

Project H.E.L.P. will be offering free developmental screenings for two to five year olds, including vision and hearing screenings on Friday, April 1. To make an appointment call Lovington Elementary School at 217-873-4318.

Recent Obituaries: Julia Shasteen

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Julia Shasteen

Julia Rose Shasteen, 85, of Sullivan, passed away at 6:36 a.m. Wednesday March 9, 2022 at the Odd Fellow Rebekah Home in Mattoon.

Celebration of Life services will be at 10 :00 a.m. Tuesday March 15, 2022 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Grant Wade officiating. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Monday.  Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan Thrift Store, the Odd Fellow Rebekah Home in Mattoon, the Alzheimer’s Association or to the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Julia was born August 19, 1936 in Ashmore, the daughter of John Hubert and Luella Leola (Jones) Moffett. She had been a bookkeeper for Shasteen Motors in Sullivan and then a bookkeeper for the City of Sullivan Water and Sewer Department. Julia was a member of the Sullivan First Christian Church. She enjoyed working outdoors and tending to her flower garden, searching for treasures at garage sales, rummage sales and auctions and a good cup of coffee on the front porch. She especially enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Julia married Charles ‘Buddy’ Shasteen on October 2, 1954 and he preceded her in death on April 26, 1996.
Surviving are her daughters Carletta ‘Kim’ (Duane) Voegel and Kristie Short and significant other Robert DeMars of Sullivan; brothers Donald Moffett of Cowden, John (Diana) Moffett, Jr. of Illiopolis and David (Jackie) Moffett of Decatur; sister Barbara Wiley of Mattoon; grandchildren Sean (Tiffany) Voegel, Nicholas (Ginger) Voegel, Jennifer Voegel, Katie Voegel and Dylan (Ariel) Short and great grandchildren Carly Voegel, Jonathan Voegel, Sarina Voegel, Miah Voegel, Aston Johnson, Kinley Short and Keller Short.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant sister Luella Moffett, brothers Wayne Moffett, Dwight Moffett and Tom Moffett and sister Illeana Yeager.

Moultrie Co. 2022 Mobile Home Privilege Tax

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•March 9, 2022•
Tax bills will be mailed on March 16, 2022 and are due on May 16, 2022. Taxes may be mailed to Moultrie County Collector, 10 South Main, Suite 10, Sullivan, IL. 61951. Taxes may also be paid at all Moultrie County Banks: Scott State Bank Bethany/Dalton City/Sullivan/Mt. Zion, State Bank of Arthur a Division of Morton Community Bank, Arthur Community Bank, First National Bank of Arthur, First Community Bank of Moultrie County in Sullivan and Lovington and First Mid-Illinois Bank Sullivan. Read More