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Task Force Illini Soldier Promoted to Corporal

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U.S. Army Photo
Spc. Evan Barker of Sullivan, Illinois receives his Corporal patch from Cpt. Nathan Brinkman during his promotion ceremony at Combat Training Center-Yavoriv, Ukraine, Aug. 28.

•September 9, 2020•
By Cpl. Shaylin Quaid
JMTG-U Public Affairs

Evan Barker of Sullivan assigned to Task Force Illini, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Illinois Army National Guard Soldier, was promoted to Corporal during a promotion ceremony at Combat Training Center-Yavoriv, Ukraine, Aug. 28.
Barker is a 92F petroleum supply specialist at Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine. Task Force Illini, which deployed to Ukraine in July, is the command element of Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, which is responsible for training, advising, and mentoring the Ukrainian cadre at CTC-Y to improve Armed Forces Ukraine’s training capacity and defense capabilities.

Family Hosts Red Cross Blood Drive

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•September 9, 2020•
The community is invited to give blood in honor of River Helmuth at a special American Red Cross blood drive held in her name Saturday, Sept. 19,8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sullivan American Legion, 8 East Strain St., in Sullivan.
River is a four-and-a-half-year-old girl who was born with down syndrome and a congenital heart defect called balanced complete av canal defect, also known as CAVC. CAVC is a large hole in center of the heart affecting all four chambers. A CAVC allows blood to mix and causes the chambers and valves of the heart not to route blood properly. River has undergone two heart surgeries resulting in the need for donated blood which helped made her heart surgeries possible. Read More

Sullivan Girl’s Golf Wins Against Central A&M, St. Teresa

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•September 9, 2020•
The Sullivan High School girls’ golf team had highs and lows this past week.
The Redskins took first in a triangular meet last Tuesday but finished last in a triangular meet Thursday.
Tuesday, Sept. 1, the Redskins traveled to Clinton Country Club to compete against Central A&M and St. Teresa.
Sullivan won both Central Illinois Conference matches with the low score of 218. Read More

Fireworks on Lake Shelbyville

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•September 9, 2020•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce invite you to come out and celebrate Lake Shelbyville’s 50th Anniversary with a fireworks display over the lake on Saturday, September 12th. Fireworks will be launched at dusk from Ramp Point, located in Dam West Recreation Area. Lake Shelbyville has compiled a list of locations best suited for viewing the fireworks. Locations include: Dam West Recreation Area, Dam East Recreation Area, Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center, on top of the Lake Shelbyville Dam, and Dam West Overlook. At 8PM, the Dam Road will be closed to traffic prior to and during fireworks from the 9th street intersection to Dam East.
Be advised that parking is limited. Alternative locations for parking include Spillway Recreation Area, Forest Park & Dam West High Water Boat Ramp. If parking at the high water ramp, users may access the General Dacey Trail and walk to Dam West.
As always, no outside fireworks of any kind are allowed on government property. Offenders will face a citation if caught in possession of fireworks. We would like to remind all spectators to practice social distancing during the event. For additional information, please contact the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217) 774-3951 or the Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce at (217)774-2221.

Science Hallway at SMS Gets Facelift

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Submitted photo
Teachers painting the mural in the science wing of Sullivan Middle School. From left to right: Crystal Allen, Nicole Garrett, Marissa Wright and Troy Rogers.

•September 9, 2020•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer

This summer the second floor science hallway at Sullivan Middle School received a facelift. A 50 foot mural was designed, traced and painted on the wall from floor to ceiling.
The mural was the idea of teacher Troy Rogers and parent volunteer Megan Harden. The two stated that the project took about 43 hours total including sketching, planning and the actual application of paint to the wall. Read More

Sullivan Boys Golf Remains Undefeated

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•September 9, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports

The Sullivan boys’ varsity golf team stayed undefeated by winning two quadrangular last week.
Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Sullivan Country Club, the Redskins competed with Effingham, Teutopolis and the Sullivan junior varsity team.
Sullivan swept the meet. The Redskins’ varsity team won the quadrangular with a team score of 170, and the Sullivan junior varsity team placed second with a score of 175.
Effingham scored a 185, and Teutopolis finished with a 212. Read More

MCHD Confirms Third COVID-19 Death

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•September 9, 2020•
It is with our deepest sympathies that the Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) confirms the third COVID-19 death of a Moultrie County female resident in her 90s.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends in their time of grieving,” Angela Hogan, Administrator for the Moultrie County Health Department said. “As her family mourns their loss, we ask for their privacy. No additional information will be released.” Read More

Unsightly Black Spots on Maple Leaves Won’t Harm Trees

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•September 9, 2020•
Submitted by Emily Steele, Media Communications Coordinator, Illinois Extension easteele@illinois.edu
If you’re seeing spots on maple trees, you are not alone. Tar spot outbreaks are becoming more common and its distinct black spots can leave home gardeners worrying about their tree’s health.
“I recently traveled to Northern Illinois where nearly every Norway maple that I came across had tar spot symptoms,” says Travis Cleveland, a University of Illinois Extension plant pathologist.
This late-summer fungal disease is caused by fungi in the genus Rhytisma that is easily identified by its raised, black spots to develop on the upper surfaces of affected leaves. Read More

Menu 9-9-2020

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Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

Sept. 14 - Pork Burger Sandwich, Midori Blend Veggies, Harvard Beets, Bun, Apple Slices
Sept. 15 - Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Brussels Sprouts, Texas Toast, Water Melon
Sept. 16 - Turkey Salad w/Grapes, Cucumber/Onion Salad, Fruit Cocktail, Dinner Roll, Strawberry Oatmeal Bar
Sept. 17 - Riblet, Seasoned Black-Eyed Peas, Vegetable Pasta Salad, Bun, Warm Fruit Cobbler
Sept. 18 - Beef and Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Cinnamon Carrots, Whole Grain Wheat (1), Melon Salad

50th Anniversary of Sullivan Chiefs Winning Amateur Softball Association Class B State Tournament

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Submitted photo
This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Sullivan Chiefs softball team winning the championship of the Amateur Softball Association’s men’s Class B State Tournament. Members of the 1970 team first row, Joe Phillips, Dean Mitchell, Danny Green, Richard Maxedon, Shorty Cordray, Jerry Lane. Second row, Rodger England, Bernie Reedy, Larry Morrison, Ron “Sox” Sutton. Virgil Hooe, Charlie Bland, Mike Orris.

•September 9, 2020•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer

This month marks 50 years since the Sullivan Chiefs softball team defeated the Kankakee Cardinals with a score of 2-0 to win the Amateur Softball Association’s men’s Class B State Tournament in Casey. In April 2015 the team was one of five inducted into the Amateur Softball Association 11th Annual Hall of Fame at the Decatur Convention Center and Hotel.
Before winning the state tournament in 1970 the Chiefs began as a 4H club that slowly evolved over the next few years. According to Moultrie County News archives, a Sullivan Merchants softball team that played throughout the 30s but disbanded in 1964.
Larry Morrison stated in the April 15, 2015 article about the Hall of Fame induction that they started out as the Sunnyside Flea Flickers 4-H Club. Morrison said his father got sick after his freshman year of college so he came home and still wanted to play ball so they talked to Ed Dunphy and he sponsored the team when they started. Read More