•March 17, 2021•
Standerfer Racing will have a race party on Saturday, March 27 at the Sullivan VFW, 1132 IL-32. Social hour starts at 5 pm, taco bar at 6 pm and auction at 7 pm. Cost is $10 per person at the door and free for children 12 and under. There will be an auction, raffles and 50/50. No outside drinks allowed, cash bar.
A.D. Birt
A. D. Birt, 74, of Sullivan, passed away at 8:49 a.m. Tuesday, March 9, 2021, in his residence.
According to his wishes, there will not be any services. Arrangements are by Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. Read More
•March 17, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Moultrie County Board approved eliminating the highway department paying rent for space in the courthouse for fiscal year 2022 and beyond. “For many years the highway department has paid rent for their space here in the courthouse,” County Board Chairman Dave McCabe said. “We’re in a position now that we don’t need that additional revenue.”
Cassie Yoder of Cass Concepts addressed the board concerning the digital campaign in Moultrie County her company has formed to promote and encourage tourism in the county. They strategically placed ads within a 100-mile radius, tapping into a variety of interests and activities. Read More
Ronald Powell
Ronald E. Powell, 86, of Sullivan, passed away at 3:45 a.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2021, in Mattoon Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.
Celebration of Life services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Larry Wright officiating assisted by Pastor Bobby York. Visitation will be 10 a.m. until service time. Family requests casual attire. Burial will be in Camfield Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Read More
•March 17, 2021•
The American Pickers will be returning to Illinois and plan to film episodes of the History Channel television series throughout the area in May 2021.
American Pickers is a documentary series that explores the world of antique “picking. The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. The show is currently looking for leads. If you or someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the better part of the day looking through, send them your name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to: americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 855-OLD-RUST or contact them on Facebook @GotAPick.
Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
March 22 - Breakfast Casserole, Warm Fruit Compote, Fruit Juice, Cinnamon Roll, Craisins
March 23 - Shepherd’s Pie, Harvard Beets, Dinner Roll, Fresh Fruit
March 24 - Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Spinach, Whole Grain Wheat, Pears
March 25 - Beef Stew w/Potatoes, Carrots, and Onions, Tangy Cole Slaw, Dinner Roll, Warm Bread Pudding w/Fruit
March 26 - Salmon Loaf, Frosted Sweet Potatoes, Buttered Midori Vegetables, Whole Grain Wheat, Chunky Applesauce
Harold Phelps
Harold E. Phelps, 82, of Lovington, IL, passed away at his residence at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 11, 2021.
A celebration of Harold’s life will be held at the First Church of God Family Life Center at 101 N. Washington in Lovington at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 14, 2021. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Keller Cemetery with military rites by the Lovington American Legion Post 429. Assisting with the arrangements is Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home. Pastor Larry Traxler will be officiating.
Harold was born November 11, 1938, in Lovington, IL. He was the son of Delmar and Mary (Woolridge) Phelps. Harold married Mary Jo (Davis) on February 28, 1958. He is survived by his wife and two sons, Tim (Terry) of North Aurora, IL, and Troy (Christie) of Martinsville, IN, grandchildren Marc (Noel) Phelps, Matthew (Mackenzie) Phelps, Kyle (Courtney) Phelps, Kelsey (Jason) Bjork, Jacob (Sady) Cranfill, and Hayley (Chase) Angrick. He also leaves 10 great grandchildren: Chatham, Fisher, Porter, Cooper, Liam, Brock, Blake, Mackenzie, Carter and Ryker. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Delmar, Jr., Donald, and Jerry.
Harold worked at Progress Industries in Arthur, IL; at Bridgestone Firestone in Decatur, and at Sam’s Club in Decatur. Harold served in the Army National Guard for many years. Harold loved sports. For over 40 years he enjoyed refereeing high school basketball and football games. He also umpired baseball for Decatur’s Park District for 10 years.
Harold was an active member of the LaPlace Church of the Brethren, where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher.
The family requests that memorials be made to the LaPlace Church of the Brethren and the Lovington First Church of God.
•March 10, 2021•
Lake Land College will host in-person Preview Open Houses in March and April.
Potential students who are interested in touring campus and learning more about Lake Land College are encouraged to attend. The event also includes a Q&A session and the option to talk to representatives from college departments of interest.
Registration is now open at lakelandcollege.edu/visit/. Attendance is limited to 20 prospective students and one guest each. Due to the safety protocols surrounding COVID-19, advanced registration is required. Walk-in registrations cannot be accommodated at this time.
The Preview Open Houses are scheduled for: Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
The Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development 2020 Citizen of the Year award was given to Margi Gaither and the Sullivan Stitchers by Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Executive Director Laurrie Minor.
•March 10, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development has awarded its 2020 Citizen of the Year award to Margi Gaither and the Sullivan Stitchers.
Gaither saw a need for mask distribution after watching a news program about the pandemic and had an idea. Though she does not sew herself, she knew she could organize, and that’s what she did. She organized a group of 20 individuals in the community to create cloth masks, which were approved by Decatur Memorial Hospital, for those who needed them during the pandemic.
She found sewing machines for those who didn’t have them but had the skills to sew and put out a call for materials and even set up a safe distribution system to get the masks to those who needed them. The Sullivan Stitchers under her leadership gave away more than 8,000 masks to local hospitals, staff and students of local schools and citizens in this community. Read More