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Counties Unite In Relay for Life

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Photo by Ellen Ferrara
Survivors beginning their lap at the Coles-Moultrie County Relay for Life last Saturday at Peterson Park in Mattoon.

•August 25 2021•
by Ellen Ferrara
NP Writer

The Relay for Life is one of the Cancer Society’s major fundraisers, but Covid has prevented the relay from being held for the past two years. With limited funds to restart their program, the Moultrie and Coles county relays have combined resources and created the Coles-Moultrie County Relay for Life.
Their first fundraiser was held Saturday, August 21, at Mattoon in Peterson Park. The theme was “Saddle Up-Let’s Ride” so a lot of ladies wore blinged-out jeans and cowboy boots while children were treated to horse and pony rides.
Kathy Beals, event leader, noted that attendance was far less than expected due to the high temperature and humidity. She said “Normally, we try to have at least one member of each team on the track at all times, but some teams don’t have anyone walking the laps. It is just too hot.” Read More

City Council Tables Bruder Tank TARP Project

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•August 25 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The City Council tabled the Bruder Tank TARP Project during Monday night’s meeting. The business is planning to expand their Sullivan operations by adding an additional facility at 1201 S. Hamilton Street. The project was to be paid for using a $225,000 state legislative grant and $12,045.82 from TIF fund.
City Administrator Dan Flannell reminded the council there had been a strategic planning meeting designating the grant for the city building; however, Mayor Richard Glazebrook noted that they wanted the money to go into infrastructures such as roads. He said he talked with Chapin Rose’s office, and he indicated it could be put on this road.
Flannell said, “Are they aware that it’s not infrastructure? It’s not infrastructure if it’s built on private property.” He went on to say that Bernius does not own that tract and that Phyllis Harshman owns that ground. “All Mr. Bernius has is an easement across that,” Flannell said. He continued to say that it would be going on private property, and all Mr. Bernius has is an easement to access that. The land is private property, not a public street.
Glazebrook tabled this item to the next meeting. Read More

Cruise Night on the Square

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•August 25 2021•

Sullivan Street Machine Association will be presenting a cruise night on the square in Sullivan on Saturday, September 4 starting at 3 pm. Registration is $10. All makes, models and years are welcome. There will be over $1,500 in door prizes as well as bounce houses, goodie bags and a cruise route. There will be live music by Shovelhead and free popcorn provided by Boy Scout Troop 39. Dash plaques for the first 100 registered. There will also be a Powerwheels Demo Derby starting at 6 pm for ages 3 to 9. For more information call 217-460-0826 or 217-273-8487.

Remember When? 8-25-2021

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25 Years Ago This Week

Lucas Parrish and Whitney Stinson won the titles of Little Mister and Miss Bethany for 1996.
Local dogs were in danger from a new outbreak of deadly parvovirus. Dr. Gregory Mauck at the Kaskaskia Valley Animal Hospital had seen an epidemic of the disease over a period of two weeks.
Former Bethany resident Gale Keown won three gold medals in the Senior Olympics. Keown, of Maryville, Tenn. won the 100,200 and the 400 meter races. He advanced to the state races where he won a bronze medal in the 100 and 200. He also won the silver in the 400 which made him eligible for the National Senior Olympics.
Scot Hollonbeck won a silver medal in two events in the Paralympic Games in Atlanta. Hollonbeck placed second in both the 800 and 1500 to earn the silver. His grand parents were Lefty and Wilma Hollonbeck of Sullivan. Read More

Oakland Fall City Wide Yard Sales

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•August 25 2021•

The Oakland Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the 38th Annual Fall City Wide Yard Sale in Oakland on Saturday, August 28 from 8 am to ?. The Hindsboro community, 6 miles west on Rt. 133, is also having a city wide yard sale. Maps will be available at McQueen Lumber in Oakland. For more information call 217-346-2125.

SHS Preview Night 2021

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Football Scrimmage
S-OV football had a scrimmage during the Fall Sports Preview on Friday, August 20.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Cheerleaders
The Sullivan High School cheerleaders perform along with the marching band during the Fall Sports Preview.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Volleyball Team
The Sullivan High School volleyball team held their practice at the end of the sports preview.

Drive-Thru Senior Expo

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•August 25 2021•

Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc. will be having a drive-thru senior expo on Friday, September 24 at the Sullivan American Legion, 8 E. Strain in Sullivan. Drive thru starts at Noon, no early entries. There will be a free lunch catered by Griffin’s BBQ Crew and Catering Service, LLC that is sponsored by State Representative Brad Halbrook and Senator Chapin Rose. The expo will be in the parking lot of the Sullivan American Legion. They ask that those attending form a single line of cars by the front door of the Legion. They will begin bringing goodie bags and meals out to vehicles at Noon. Drawings for the prizes will be live on Facebook the afternoon of Thursday, September 23 at 2 pm. Prize winners can pick up their prizes when they drive thru the Expo on Friday. Call 217-728-8521 by Friday, September 10 to reserve your meal and have your name entered into the drawings from various businesses and service organizations from Sullivan and the surrounding communities. You can call Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.

SHS Sports Briefs

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•August 25 2021•
SHS Preview Night

Sullivan High School hosted its Fall Sports Preview Night Aug. 20 at Victory Field
The football team scrimmaged and then team members were introduced.
The program started at 5 p.m. with introduction to team members for SOV football, SOV football cheer, marching band and color guard, cross country, boys’ and girls’ golf, SOV girls’ swimming, baseball, softball, and cross country. Read More

Gary Rabine Bus Tour Stops in Arthur

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Gary Rabine, a candidate for Governor, visited Yoder’s Kitchen in Arthur on Tuesday, August 17. The stop was part of a two-day bus tour through downstate Illinois leading up to Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair.

•August 25 2021•
Gary Rabine, a candidate for Governor, was in Arthur on Tuesday, August 17 as part of a two-day bus tour through downstate Illinois leading up to Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair where he emphasized the failed policies of the past and how they will only result in more failed outcomes for Illinois families.
“Illinois is never going to fix its problem by electing the same kind of woke, liberal politicians,” Rabine said. “Failed career politicians have declared a war on families. Whether it’s nonsense mandates, or debilitating tax increases or their horrific approach to crime, our state leaders are waging war on our families, and it is costing us dearly.”
Rabine said it is not the role of government to make healthcare decisions for individuals and families and to intrude in our lives as is happening far too frequently now. Read More