•April 10, 2019•
State Conservationist, Ivan Dozier announced the next deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications to be considered for funding in fiscal year (FY) 2019 is May 10, 2019.
Nationwide USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to invest up to $700 million for new enrollments and contract extensions in fiscal year 2019. The 2018 Farm Bill made several changes to this critical conservation program, which helps agricultural producers take the conservation activities on their farm to the next level.
“CSP continues to be a very effective tool for private landowners working to achieve their conservation and management goals,” said Ivan Dozier, NRCS State Conservationist in Illinois. “It is the largest conservation program in the United States with more than 70 million acres of productive agricultural and forest land enrolled.” Read More
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Obituaries 4-10-2019: Thelma Netherton
Thelma Netherton
Thelma N. Netherton, 89, of Sullivan passed away at 2:35 a.m. Wednesday April 3, 2019 in Aspen Creek in Sullivan.
Celebration of Life services will be at 11 a.m. Friday April 12 in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Tim Henderson officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the services. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. Read More
Obituaries 4-19-2019: Mike Wildman
Mike Wildman
Michael J. Wildman, 58, of Monticello passed away Monday, April 1, 2019 in Kirby Medical Center in Monticello.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 5 at Mackey-Wright Funeral Home in Monticello. Cremation rites followed, and interment in Monticello Township Cemetery will be held at a later date.
He was born June 17, 1960, a son of Roger L. and Phyllis Huffmaster Wildman. Mike was a 1978 graduate of Sullivan High School where he participated in golf, baseball, football and basketball. His senior year he participated in the IHSA State basketball tournament in Champaign. He was a 1982 graduate of Purdue University. Mike was a department head for the Home Depot and was elected Monticello Township Supervisor. He was a member of the NRA, Purdue Alumni Association, Piatt County Republican Party and a parishioner at St. Philomena Catholic Church of Monticello. Read More
OV FFA Team Wins Competition
Photo furnished
OV FFA Team Wins Competition
Okaw Valley FFA Dairy Judging Team recently won the Section 16 Dairy Judging Competition. OV had the top five finishers in the competition with Grace Bunfill winning overall.
Grace Bunfill, first; Carleigh Bobbett, second; Garrett Tippit , third; Sophie Zimmerman, fourth; Sadie Zimmerman, fifth.
The OV Judging team headed to Kaskaskia College April 5 to compete at the state level.
In the high school non-reasons division of the Dairy Cattle Evaluation Career Development Event, 56 schools, 54 teams, and 249 individuals competed. Okaw Valley finished ninth overall.
Obituaries 4-10-2019: David Norris
David Norris
David M. Norris, 78, of Bethany, formerly of Clio, Michigan, passed away at 11:55 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2019 in Mattoon Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 11 at Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. Celebration of Life services will be 12 noon Wednesday, April 17 at Martin Funeral Cremation and Tribute Services in Mt. Morris, Michigan. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 16 and one hour before the service on Wednesday. Burial with military rites will be in Flint Memorial Park, in Mt. Morris, Michigan. Read More
20th Smyser Easter Drama
•April 10, 2019•
Smyser Christian Church Student Ministries Easter Drama is a two hour program put on by 30 area high school students at 7 p.m. April 19 and 20.
The 20th annual drama “Believe” will be held at Smyser Christian Church, 1521 Whitley Point Road in Gays.
Because what you believe about Easter determines what you believe about Christmas, the students will take you through what is believed about Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection through the use of skits, dramas, praise music, and various artistic expressions.
Refreshments will be served and a love offering will be taken to support the youth’s summer conferences. RSVP is requested to 752-6896 or at smysercc.org/easter-2019.
Everyone is invited to Easter Worship Services at 8 and 10 a.m. April 21 at the church. Come at 9 a.m. for coffee and donuts and snap a family photo in front of one of the photo booth backgrounds available.
Okaw Valley Open House
Photo by Mike Brothers
Okaw Valley Open House
The public had a chance to come in and see the new improvements at Okaw Valley Community School District #302 on March 27. Staff and volunteer students were on hand from 4-7 p.m. to guide visitors through the new agricultural complex, science labs, and sports complex. Above Supt. Kent Stauder explains the new facilities to Vicki Osman.
Redskins Softball Team Takes Neoga in Extra Innings
•April 10, 2019•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor
The Sullivan softball team won one and lost two games last week.
The Redskins defeated Neoga last Monday but lost to Meridian last Tuesday and Maroa-Forsyth last Wednesday.
Against Maroa-Forsyth, Sullivan lost 16-1 in four innings.
Sullivan recorded four hits
Addison Darush, Morgan Moll, Katie Honchell and Abby Kirkwood each recorded a hit.
Honchell knocked in Kirkwood in the second inning for Sullivan’s lone run.
Meridian also defeated Sullivan by the ten-run rule. Read More
Sullivan Chief of Police Had a Great Run
Photo by Mike Brothers
Chief Jim Waggoner earned this yellow brick for completing the 6.2 mile Yellow Brick Road run the final week of training at the FBI Quanito, Va academy.
•April 10, 2019•
I’ve had a great run, and I know I’m leaving the police department in good hands,” Sullivan Chief of Police Jim Waggoner said on his final day of work April 4.
Waggoner ends 30 years with the Sullivan Police Department officially May 3. Then newly elected Sullivan mayor Richard Glazebrook will appoint the new chief of police.
“Assistant chief of police Andrew Pistorius is interim chief and hopefully will be the next chief,” Waggoner said.
In November 2016 assistant chief of police Waggoner accepted the reins from retiring chief John Love,to whom Waggoner refers as one of his greatest mentors.
“When I came on the force, he treated me like a brother,” Waggoner said, noting he has worked for some great chiefs such as Roger Hansen, Joe Thompson and Love.
“With police work 95% of the time is spent waiting for the 5% which is like going over the falls in a barrel,” the retiring chief said. “Most of what we get to do in a small town is positive which most people don’t get to see.”
That five percent of the time when the blood pressure is up and adrenaline is flowing, leave lasting memories for the outgoing chief and not all of them are good.
Over the course of 30 years you can see a lot, even in a town the size of Sullivan. “There are things that you can’t unsee,” Waggoner said, noting those are the images haunt you in the night, and everyone in law enforcement has them.
He noted hopefully over time the good will help drive those memories away. Read More
Sullivan Spark Town Hall
•April 10, 2019•
The Town Hall Meeting for Sullivan Spark (mapping program) will be Friday, April 26 with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and presentations starting at 6 p.m. at 1225 Building in Sullivan.
Included from committees are slides/powerpoint presentation; one person from each committee will speak during the town hall presentation; booths representing four goals of Spark; a chance for volunteer sign up sheet for teams. People may give time, talent and treasure.
Check out what Spark is about, enjoy a taste of Sullivan, enter raffles and enjoy. Invite family, friends, and co-workers.