•October 5, 2022•
On September 30, 2022, State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver filed a lawsuit in the Moultrie County Circuit Court asking that HB3653, the “Safe-T Act”, be held unconstitutional.
The lawsuit is filed on behalf of the People of the State of Illinois by Tracy Weaver in her capacity as Moultrie County State’s Attorney, it names Governor JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul as Defendants. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief based upon the Act violating the Illinois Constitution; violating the single-subject law; violating separation of powers; being unconstitutionally vague; and violating the three-readings requirement. Read More
Category Archives: News
Lovington Resident Dies After Dispute
•September 28, 2022•
Michael A. Peck, 54, was pronounced dead at Decatur Memorial Hospital emergency room Monday, September 26, at 4:28 a.m. Peck was transported to the hospital by ambulance and died sometime after his arrival. Read More
High School History Class has Traditional English Tea
Photo by Crystal Reed
Lane Richardson pours a cup of tea during the English tea that was held in Mrs. Kirby’s classroom last Monday at Sullivan High School in observance of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
•September 28, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Marsha Kirby’s AP History class held a traditional English tea and viewed the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in their classroom Monday, September 19. Served was a variety of teas with sugar, honey and milk which could be added as well as three types of Danish, scones, brownie bites and lemon cookies. In preparation for this, the class spent a short amount of time looking up traditional English tea customs and recipes. Read More
City Council Tables Ordinance
•September 28, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Sullivan City Council tabled an ordinance amendment during Monday’s meeting that would amend a zoning ordinance to establish a general commercial district on the square. Language in that ordinance would not allow apartments of residential living space on the ground floor or at street level. This item drew several people to the meeting to express their concerns.
Cathrine Craig who is in favor of the ordinance amendment spoke at the meeting. “As a business owner downtown, I appreciate the fact of those that have residences downtown but to add residences downtown makes the downtown a neighborhood and not a retail establishment for visitors to visit our community,” she said. A common statement from those commenting was that they were not informed by the council or the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development this was going to be discussed. Read More
County Awards ARPA Funds to Three Organizations
•September 21, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Three more organizations were awarded American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds during the Thursday, September 15, Moultrie County Board meeting. The board approved a motion to award $80,000 to Moultrie County Animal Control, an additional $280,000 to the Moultrie County Beacon and $75,000 to the United Methodist Church. The animal control will use the money to add on to the current facility to house cats.
The Moultrie County Beacon’s amount is due to loss of revenue during COVID. The United Methodist Church funds will be used toward repairs on the historical part of the church. They have several organizations that use their facilities, and they are unable to use some of their space because repairs are needed.
The board approved a motion to remove Georgia England from the county credit card and permission for the County Clerk’s office to obtain a new credit card using Rita Florey’s name. A motion was also approved to transfer the County Clerk’s credit card account from Rita Florey to the newly elected County Clerk effective December 1, 2022. A motion was approved to remove Jeff Birch from the county credit card and add Kyle Steele. Read More
Sullivan City Council Approves Resolution of Funding Support for ITEP Grant Project
•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
Cruise Night on the Square
•September 7, 2022•
The Sullivan Street Machine Association held Cruise Night on the Square in Sullivan on Saturday, September 3. There was live music and dash plaques for the first 100 registered. There was also a power wheels demo derby for ages 3 to 9. More photos are on page 10.
Illinois Amish Heritage Center Announces Herschberger-Miller Barn Raising Event for October
•September 7, 2022•
The Herschberger-Miller barn, that was originally constructed three miles west of Arthur, Illinois in 1879, was dismantled by Firmitas, formerly Trillium Dell Timber Works, in spring of 2022. The intricate process raised massive media coverage in the region because the barn was not only being removed from its original site, but, the 143-year structure was tagged, labeled, dismantled piece by piece, and will be relocated, refurbished, and rebuilt at its new home, Illinois Amish Heritage Center (IAHC), located between Arcola and Arthur, on Illinois Route 133.
On Friday, September 23rd at 4 p.m., the IAHC will be hosting a public groundbreaking for site prep of this historical barn. The unique event will feature a horse drawn slip scraper for breaking the ground which was very common during the era of the original barn usage. Read More
Blood Drive in Honor of River Helmuth on September 10
•August 31, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
A blood drive in honor of River Helmuth will be held on Saturday, September 10 from 8 am to 2 pm at the Sullivan American Legion Post 68. River is the daughter of Tony and Stephanie Helmuth of Sullivan. River was born in December 2015 and shortly after diagnosed with Down Syndrome and a heart condition that would require surgery. Read More
Law Enforcement Officers Train to Meet Requirements
Photo by Crystal Reed
Law enforcement officers from Lovington, Sullivan and the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office participated in scenario based trained behind Mason Point last week during a three day training designed to meet training requirements set forth in the SAFT-T act implement in July of this year.
•August 31, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
For three days last week law enforcement officers from police departments throughout Moultrie County went through training to meet the training requirements set forth in the SAFE-T act implemented in July. The act requires 32 hours of scenario based training in a three-year period. Read More