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Sullivan City Council Approves Resolution of Funding Support for ITEP Grant Project

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•September 14, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Monday’s City Council meeting began with a public meeting for federally funded Phase 4 Streetscape Improvements. Later in the meeting, a resolution of funding support for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Cycle was passed. Lee Beckman of Milano and Grunloh said the goal of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) is to allocate resources to well-planned projects that provide and support alternate modes of transportation through preservation of visual and cultural resources and improve the quality of life for members of the communities. Read More

Habitat Care-A-Vanners Travel to Build Homes

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Habitat for Humanity care-a-vanners recently visited Lovington Grade to visit with students and talk about volunteering and building homes. Standing (left to right): Marla Graham (Principal), Joelyn Kempf, Bill Kempf (Milan, Illinois), Jennifer Franklin (Homeowner), Gary Smith (Lovington), Ramona Conques (Woodworth, LA), Joe DeLosa, Debbie DeLosa (Celebration, FL), Gene Mueller (Bethany), Judy Fox, Tom Fox (Davenport, IA). Kneeling (left to right): Bob Gillespie (Stevensville, MI) Richard Conques (Woodworth, LA), Chuck Ostrander (Battle Creek, MI)

•September 14, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Recently, construction began on the latest home for Habitat for Humanity in Lovington. A large portion of the labor used to build these homes year after year are care-a-vanners. Care-a-vanners are people who, in some cases, travel all over the country to build homes for the organization. The group that is working on the newest home recently visited Lovington Grade School, ate lunch and answered questions from students about volunteering and building houses. Read More

Mudd Named to Dean’s List

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•September 14, 2022•

Christopher Mudd of Mattoon has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Summer 2022 Dean’s List. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the Dean’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

SNHU Summer President’s List

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•September 14, 2022•

Southern New Hampshire University has announced their Summer 2022 President’s List. Those named from the area are Donald Munro, Elizabeth Morrow and Lisa Blackwell, all of Mattoon and Samantha Berner of Sullivan. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Banquet

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•September 14, 2022•

The Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance third annual banquet will be held on Saturday, October 1 at 4 pm at the Sullivan VFW, 1132 IL 32 in Sullivan. Doors open at 5:30 pm with dinner served at 6:30 pm. The menu is steak or chicken dinners. Cost is $40 for single, $60 for a couple, $10 for minnow (age 16 and under), $150 for sponsor, $170 for sponsor couple and $1,000 for table sponsor. $10 price increase at the door. There will be raffles, silent auction and live auction. This event is limited to 250 seats. Tickets can be purchased online at https://LSFHABanquet.eventbrite.com. For more information contact Bob Kerans at 217-414-0093 or robert_kerans_559@comcast.net or April Stephens at 217-728-2610 or chipsmarine2@yahoo.com.

National Life Chain Sunday

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•September 14, 2022•

National Life Chain Sunday will be Sunday, October 2 from 2-3 pm in Sullivan. Life Chain is a peaceful and prayerful public witness of pro-life individuals standing for 60 minutes praying for our nation and for an end to abortion. Signs will be available for participants to choose from to hold while they stand and pray will be available at the corner of Hamilton and Jackson Street starting at 1:45 pm. They ask that those participating stand or sit 6-10 feet or more apart so they signs will be easier to read. The event will happen light rain or shine and participants may bring a lwn chair if they are unable to stand.

Volunteers Needed for Barn Raising

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•September 14, 2022•

There will be a traditional barn raising for the Herschberger-Miller barn on Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29 from 9 am to 5 pm each day at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center. They are seeking volunteers for skilled and non-skilled labor. Skilled labor tasks will include assist in raising bents, installing mow floor, installing siding and installing roofing. Nonskilled labor tasks will include carry lumber, de-nail boards, paint siding, peg making, clean up and admissions. For more information call 217-202-2035. The Illinois Amish Heritage Center is located on Rt. 133 between Arcola and Arthur. Their address is 284 East Illinois Route 133 in Arthur.

Back to School Immunization Clinics

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•September 14, 2022•

The Moultrie County Health Department will be holding three back to school immunization clinics this month. On Tuesday, September 20 from 10 am to 12 pm and 3 to 6 pm, Wednesday, September 21 from 1 to 4 pm and Wednesday, September 28 from 1 to 4 pm. Call 217-728-4114 to schedule your student’s appointment. If you need an appointment to fit your schedule those can be scheduled as well. More information can be found at moultriehealth.org. The health department is located at 202 S. Main Street, Sullivan.

Recent Obituaries: Timothy Squire Roberts, Sr.

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Timothy Squire Roberts, Sr.
Timothy Squire Roberts, Sr., 69, of Lovington, passed away 11:05 p.m. Sunday, September 11, 2022, at Decatur Memorial Hospital.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 22, 2022, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Lovington. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service at the funeral home in Lovington. Burial will be in Wright Cemetery, Findlay. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

 Timothy was born September 7, 1953, in Decatur; the son of Elmer R. and Betty (Cox) Roberts. He married Karen L. Wentzel on April 24, 2010 in Decatur; she survives. He was a member of the Lovington First Christian Church. Timothy enjoyed jail ministry, hunting, baking and storytelling.

He is survived by his wife, Karen of Lovington; son, Timothy S. (fiancée Rebecca Homerin) Roberts, Jr. of Rantoul; daughter, Amanda (Tim) Sides of Sullivan; step-sons, Nicholas (Missy) Vitai and Daniel Vitai both of Pittsburg, PA; brother, James Roberts of Decatur; sisters, Marilyn Kaye Gifford of Columbus, IN, Judy Peifer of Springfield, Theresa Roberts of Decatur and Toni (Lance) McTaggart of Chatham. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Timothy was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Diane Oliver, several aunts and uncles.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Mattie Jo Fifer

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Mattie Jo Fifer
Mattie Jo Fifer, 102, of Sullivan passed away 5:09 PM Thursday, September 8, 2022 at Courtyard Estates, Sullivan.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in Mt. Zion General Baptist Cemetery, Mattoon. Memorials may be made to Courtyard Estates, Activities Fund.

Mattie Jo was born May 29, 1920 in Sullivan, the daughter of John Ivan and Lena Marie (Reedy) England. She was retired from Brown Shoe Company, Sullivan. She was a member of the Mt. Zion General Baptist Church, VFW Auxiliary, Mattoon and the Mattoon Eagles. Mattie Jo enjoyed life and sewing.

She is survived by her daughters, Joline Rollings and Dixie Arthur both of Sullivan; grandchildren, Kevin French of Louisville, Ky, Mark French of Gays, Vonnie (Doug) Lee of Sullivan, Aimee (Jeff) Boswell of Mattoon, Tera (Travis) Wallace of Mattoon, Gina (Kevin) Moran of Sullivan and Erika Arthur of Mattoon; 5 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Doug Arthur; 2 brothers, Jack and Bob England and granddaughter, Greta Arthur.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com