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Remember When? 11-10-2021

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25 Years Ago This Week

Park commissioner Wayne Lindley credited two members of the England family for Sullivan’s success in landing a $98,800 grant from the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources for work in Wyman Park. Jodi England, a college student, wrote the grant for the city last summer, and her father, Griz, made the three-minute presentation to the state department earlier this fall. The amount from the state must be matched by the city either in cash or in-kind services. Work that was to be done was construction of a handicapped-accessible fishing pier, construction of an adjacent handicapped-accessible picnic shelter pavilion, a sidewalk leading to the area from the north parking lot and the construction of a 16x14 ft. building to house a snack bar and handicapped-accessible restrooms on the north side of the lake. The grant also included funds for a 40x80 building to house a snack bar, restrooms and a storage area between the south softball diamonds, lights for the new north ball diamond and a fence for the north ball diamond as well as maintenance and repair work on the shop and shed. Read More

City Council Approves Grant Agreement with MCHGS

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•November 10, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The City Council approved a matching grant to the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society in the amount of $200,000. The city will approve payments to MCHGS twice a year.
There was a first reading of the 2021 tax levy. According to City Treasurer Sarah Golden the overall proposed levy is $811,329 which is a 4.76% increase over the prior year extension. It will be up for vote at the first meeting in December. The increase is due to the large increase in their insurance renewal.
The council discussed a TIF Redevelopment Agreement by and between the city of Sullivan and Main St. Capital Partners. They are requesting that the city put the utilities in the subdivision. This would be phased in within a long period of time and will be revisited at the next meeting.
It was reported that the Christmas lights are being installed in the park. Crews have begun leaf cleanup and marking trees that need to be removed. Renovation of the children’s pool at the Civic Center continues. A hat, glove and boot drive is being hosted at the center during November with donations accepted during business hours. The pool will be closed to the public 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Nov. 13 due to a Blue Dolphin swim meet and the facility closed Thursday in observance of Veterans Day. Read More

COVID Vaccine and Booster Clinics

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•November 10, 2021•

The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD), in conjunction with IDPH-IEMA, will host COVID-19 Booster and Vaccine Clinics for the GENERAL PUBLIC beginning Thursday, November 11. Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines and boosters will be provided. Pfizer vaccines will also be available for individuals aged 12 years old and older.
Online registration for the first 1,200 appointments began after Monday, Nov. 8.
Clinics will be held at the American Legion, Post #68, 8 East Strain St., Sullivan on the following dates and times:
• Thursday, Nov. 11, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 15, Noon-6 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 17, Noon – 6 p.m.
All vaccines are provided free of charge. Follow the MCHD at moultriehealth.org or the Moultrie County Health Department Facebook page for additional clinics and information.

Sullivan Blue Dolphins Compete in Normal

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Photo furnished
Madalyn Booker took first place in ten events when the Sullivan Blue Dolphins competed at a meet in Normal.

•November 10, 2021•
Sullivan Blue Dolphins competed at the Rachel A Dean Memorial Meet at the Normal Community High School the beginning of October. Several dolphins competed and dropped time at the meet. Dolphins had an amazing start to the short course season.
Listing the top finishers in first through fourth position. Read More

Tribe Trek Program Receives Grant from Sullivan Rotary

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Photo by Crystal Reed
The Sullivan Rotary has awarded a grant to the Tribe Trek program. From left to right: Lori Shasteen, George Levi, Kathy Hawbaker, Garrett Brachbill, High School Assistant Principal Ryan Aikman, Troy Rogers, Blake Eggleston, Dave Cole.

•November 10, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan Rotary Club has awarded a grant in the amount of $1,779.68 to the Tribe Trek program. According to Nathan Ogle, Sullivan Middle School principal, Tribe Trek is a summer enrichment program that consists of four field trips over the course of the summer.
Students do not need to meet any qualifying criteria in terms of grades, behavior or attendance; they simply want to select kids for whom the program could have the biggest impact. “The goal of the program is to not only provide students with opportunities for academic engagement through new experiences but also to build stronger relationships with staff members through fun activities,” Ogle said. The program is entirely free for students, including a district-provided sack lunch. Read More

Capital Recap: Pritzker Pushes Illinois as EV Leader at UN Climate Change Conference

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•November 10, 2021•
By Capital News Illinois

As global leaders met in Glasgow, Scotland, over the past two weeks to discuss the effects of and potential policy solutions to climate change, Gov. JB Pritzker made the case in a pair of speaking events that Illinois is doing its part to counteract troubling climate trends.
It was the governor’s first international trip, which took him first to London to talk with business leaders, then to Glasgow to attend the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP26.
“I’m here to say that in America’s heartland lies a state that’s taking strides to match the urgency of this moment,” Pritzker said, calling a recently-passed energy regulatory overhaul a “nation-leading climate plan.”
That climate bill, among several other provisions, aims to phase out carbon emissions in the state’s energy sector by 2045 by increasing investments in renewables and the state’s nuclear industry. Another goal of the climate bill and a follow-up business incentives package aims to put 1 million electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2030. Read More

McCabe Resigns From Moultrie County Board

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•November 3, 2021•

David McCabe resigned his Moultrie County Board seat on the afternoon of Friday, October 22. In his letter of resignation he gave a reason for resigning. “For the last several weeks I have become increasing troubled by the lack of respect, civility and cooperation between offices, elected officials and department heads,” McCabe wrote. At the time of his resignation, he was serving as the board chairman. Larry Baker will be taking over the role of County Board Chairman.

Veterans Day Dinner

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•November 3, 2021•

The Sullivan American Legion Post 68 organization will be offering a beef and noodle dinner on Veterans Day, November 11 from 5-7 pm. Veterans eat for free and all other meals are by donation. They will also be taking orders for bricks to be placed in their “Walk of Honor” starting on Veterans Day through mid January 2022. Honor your special veteran by purchasing a brick for them. Brick prices range from $50-$125. For more information check out their Facebook page or stop by the legion.

Millikin Women’s Basketball Favored to Win CCIW

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•November 3, 2021•
The Millikin women’s basketball team was picked to defend its College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) title in the 2021-22 CCIW Preseason Women’s Basketball poll released on October 28.
The Big Blue were 11-3 last season winning the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Millikin received 63 points in the poll including seven first place votes. Wheaton College was picked second with 58 points and two first place votes. Illinois Wesleyan and North Park tied for third with 45 points. Voting for the poll is done by the conference’s nine head women’s basketball coaches. Each coach votes for the eight other schools in the conference in order of predicted finish. Points are assigned in reverse order of voting (eight points for first, seven for second, etc.). Coaches do not vote for their own teams. Read More

FCC Drive Through Lunch Fundraiser

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•November 3, 2021•

First Christian Church of Sullivan is hosting a “Drive-Through Lunch” on Saturday, November 6. Drive out to FCC between 11:00 am & 1:00 pm to have a meal delivered right to your car. Pick-up is in the back on the east side of the church.
They are serving baked spaghetti, garlic bread, applesauce, and a cookie bar for dessert. Suggested donation is $8.00, cash or check only. Pre-orders are recommended by calling the church at 217-728-7351 or Judy Sumner at 217-972-0426. First Christian Church is located at 1357 CR 1200 East, Sullivan. Just go east on Rt. 121, turn north at Roley Estates, and you’re there.