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Pritzker Mandates Vaccine for Day Care Professionals

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New mandate will cover 55,000 workers

•October 27, 2021•
By Jerry Nowicki
Capitol News Illinois
jnowicki @ capitolnewsillinois.com

Gov. JB Pritzker announced an executive order Friday that will add day care personnel to the list of professions that must either be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to weekly testing.
The governor’s office said it expects the order to affect 55,000 individuals in the state, although many of them may have already received a vaccine.
“Vaccinations offer life-saving protection for the people who receive them and make the community safer for the people who can’t – including the babies, toddlers, and young children not yet eligible for the vaccine,” Pritzker said in a news release. “By extending vaccine-or-test requirements to those who work at licensed day care centers, we are adding another level of protection for our youngest residents and preventing outbreaks in daycare centers as more and more parents return to work.”
Children under 12 are not yet eligible to receive any of the approved vaccines in the U.S., although Pfizer has asked federal regulators to approve its vaccines for children aged 5 to 11. Children 12 years of age and older are currently eligible for that vaccine. Read More

Michael Yost Murder Convictions Upheld by Illinois Supreme Court

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•October 27, 2021•
In an opinion filed by the Illinois Supreme Court on October 21, 2021, the 2016 convictions for first degree murder against Michael Yost in Moultrie County were upheld. Yost was convicted in September 2016 of four counts of first-degree murder for the death of Sheri Randall in Moultrie County case 15-CF-6. He was later sentenced to 75 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Read More

City Council Approves Opening Account for ARP Funds

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•October 27, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council approved a resolution to open an account for American Recovery Plan funds during Monday night’s meeting.
Bill Burger addressed the council in regard to the IEPA permit for which the city was issued penalties due to its being late. This month he wrote a letter to the editor at News Progress concerning that topic. Burger said that the mayor addressed it at the next meeting held after the letter was published.
He revealed that he had a letter from a law firm representing the city. It was brought up that the permit was for five years. “Finding out it was a five-year permit, I can see how it got swept under the rug, got lost, someone just didn’t do it,” Commissioner Mike Fowler said.
He continued to say that this mistake is not affecting his electric bill. “The violation number alleges that Sullivan failed to timely renew its CAPP permit at least nine months prior to the date of the permit expiration and that now Sullivan operates without the CAPP permit,” Burger informed the board. He explained that CAPP is the Clean Air Act Program Plan. Read More

OV School Dist. Announces Veterans Day Event

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•October 27, 2021•

Okaw Valley Community Unit School District invites all Veterans and their family members to a Veterans Day program at Okaw Valley High School in Bethany on Thursday, November 11th. A breakfast will be provided to all who attend beginning at 8:15am in the cafeteria and a short assembly will follow at 9:15am. The assembly will feature the Okaw Valley School District band and chorus students, and keynote speaker.
The students and staff at Okaw Valley thank all Veterans for their acts of courage and devotion to the ideals that have served to guide our nation. We would be honored if you could join us to pay tribute to all the brave men and women who have admirably served our country.
If you will be able to attend, please call 665-3232 for a reservation.

Stained Glass Demonstration

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•October 27, 2021•

The Arthur Public Library, along with Al Froman, will present a Stained Glass Demonstration on Nov. 6, at 1:00 pm. Masks are mandatory and you must reserve your seating by calling 217-543-2037. You do not need to live in The Arthur Public Library District to attend.

Sullivan Singers

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan Singers
The Sullivan Singers performed a three song set for their part of the Fall Revue. Songs were Everybody Wants to Rule the Royals, Africa and Soldier/Norse Wind.

Bethany Motocross Rider Ranks Fifth Overall

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Photo courtesy of Wilkins Studio
Abigale Peters, number 111, of Bethany during a motocross race. Abigale is ranked fifth overall in her series and has placed in the top 10 of all but one of her races.

•October 27, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Abigale Peters, 8, of Bethany, is currently ranked fifth overall out of 25 girls in a motocross series. Peters has been riding motocross bikes since the age of four when she received her very first bike. In addition to being ranked high in her series, she has also placed in the top 10 in all but one race.
According to her father, Tim Peters, the majority of her races have been at Lincoln Trail Motorsports in Casey, Illinois. This is the first year they have done an all-girls’ class.
Her parents, Mindy and Tim Peters, said that since the girls’ class has been established, they have seen a lot of growth in their daughter. “It has built her confidence and helped her make friends,” Mindy related. Read More

Tenth Annual IGA Round-Up to Benefit Mo. Co. Food Pantry

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•October 27, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

It’s Round-Up time at Sullivan IGA from October 31 to November 6, giving every customer a chance to help buy turkeys for Moultrie County Food Pantry’s Thanksgiving.
“It’s amazing how quickly it adds up,” IGA Manager Pat Stinson said of the10th annual fundraising event for the food pantry.
“The most you can donate is 99 cents, and even a penny makes a difference” he continued, noting the weeklong event contributes some $1,200 annually to the food pantry’s Thanksgiving meal giveaway.
Over the course of the week, Stinson explained, some 6,500 transactions at a Sullivan IGA checkout counter raise the funds a few cents at a time for the food pantry. Read More

Remember When? 10-27-2021

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25 Years Ago This Week

Recipes and Remembrances was published by the Steele family, 14 cousins who were the grandchildren of Joseph Thomas and Laura Elzy Steele. The Steeles operated the bustling Depot Hotel in Sullivan twice during the early years of the 20th century. The book included memoirs, vintage photos, a genealogy and recipes.
The Bethany Marching Mustangs finished their marching season with an impressive performance at Pinkneyville Mardi Gras. The band won first overall of the bands entered in Class C/D in the parade competition capturing first place ratings in percussion, flags and drums major. They also brought home a second place in flags and a third overall in the field show portion of the contest.
The Redskins clinched their second straight playoff berth with a 33-6 win over visiting Maroa Forsyth. Read More