Category Archives: News

ALAH School Board Passes Tentative FY 2023 Budget

News Progress Posted on by

•August 24, 2022•
by Ariana R. Cherry
NP Writer

The ALAH School Board met Wednesday August 17, a few hours after some had just had their first day back at school after summer break. Principals and staff were excited and still giddy from the day’s activities. Principal Seegmiller and Nathan Seal had spent the day grilling out and playing games for the students’ first day. “It was the best first day of school I’ve ever had. It was awesome!” Seal said happily.
After sharing some of the day’s activities, the board got down to business and spoke about the tentative FY 2023 budget. Read More

MCHGS Moves into New Location

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Photo by Crystal Reed
MCHGS Moves into New Location
The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society finished moving in to their new location on Wednesday, August 10. The museum portion of the building is not open to the public at this time. However, the library is open Tuesday and Thursday of each week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment by calling 217-728-4086. They are located at 1303 South Hamilton in Sullivan.

2022 Two Story Outhouse Festival

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Childrens Activities
Annalyn Clawson enjoyed going down the inflatable slide in the children’s area at the Two Story Outhouse Festival.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Showing Off Cars
This Jeep Sahara was in the festival spirit displaying a roll of toilet paper on its antenna during the car show at the Two Story Outhouse Festival in Gays.

Photo by Crystal Reed
A 1970 Plymouth Cuda owned by Gary and Jackie Huddlestun was on display during the car show at the Two Story Outhouse Festival.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Car Show Trophies
This year’s trophies for the car show at the Two Story Outhouse Festival were made out of car parts. In addition to the car show, the festival included food and craft vendors, live music and a children’s area with pony rides and inflatables.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Outhouse Replica
A two story outhouse replica was paraded down the street on the back of a bicycle during the Johnny Loo Small Engine Parade at the Gays Two Story Outhouse Festival.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Small Engine Parade
The Outhouse Festival Committee led the Johnny Loo Small Engine Parade Saturday in Gays.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Live Music
Jake Schumacher and the Workin’ Class Heroes were one of the bands that played under a tent in Gays during the Two Story Outhouse Festival. Other bands that played were Katzmandu and Danny Shelton and the Bird Dogs

Photo by Crystal Reed
Windsor FFA Serves Breakfast
Members of the Windsor FFA served breakfast and sold spaces for Bessie Bingo during the Gays Two Story Outhouse Festival on Saturday, August 13. Members are Robbie McDaniel, Rylan Rincker, Hannah Gossard, Kloey McDaniel, Claire Sims, Rhett Rincker and advisor Hallie Horsman.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Little Miss Mattoon
2021 Little Miss Mattoon Saylor Morgan rode in a wagon behind a lawnmower during the small engine parade at the Two Story Outhouse Festival. More photos are on page 8.

ARPA Fund Applications Available

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•August 17, 2022•
Moultrie County, along with counties and municipalities all over the country, is a recipient of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Moultrie County to date has received approximately $2.8 million from the US Treasury. The Moultrie County board assembled a bi-partisan ad hoc committee made up of members representing the villages and towns around the county. Read More

MCHGS Program

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•August 10, 2022•
Carolyn Stephens, Adjunct Faculty at Lake Land College, will be sharing research and stories about “The Old York Trail” at the Moultrie County History Center, 1303 S. Hamilton, Sullivan, on Thursday, August 18, at 7:00 p.m. A historian and avid researcher with experience in archaeology, she has used modern technology, early records and maps, as well as help from over 190 people and groups from Illinois and Indiana to map the exact route of this ancient, well-traveled “superhighway”. It led from York, a port on the Wabash River, into the heart of central Illinois. Migrating buffalo, Native Americans, and countless early pioneers seeking new homes in the virgin forests and prairies of Illinois used the Old York Trail. Many believe that the Thomas Lincoln family followed it during their migration into Illinois from Indiana in 1880 before joining the Charleston Road through Moultrie County. Carolyn’s research about the York Trail was made possible by a significant grant for community college faculty awarded to her. She is looking forward to sharing what she has learned with the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society. The public is invited to attend.

Free Workshop Series

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•August 10, 2022•
Professional caregivers in long-term care environments face unique challenges which may impact their personal health and wellbeing. A workshop series, Learn. Think. Care., offered by University of Illinois Extension, helps caregivers build personal resiliency, knowledge, and strategies for meeting the needs of clients in long-term care environments.
“Professionals that work with older adults often have trouble accessing convenient continuing education opportunities,” says Karla Belzer, Illinois Extension family life educator.” The series is designed for professionals to join the session online, during their work day, eliminating the barriers of time and travel that often impair participation in continuing education.”
Three free one-hour workshops will be held online beginning at 2 p.m. on Sept. 8. Register at go.illinois.edu/LTCwebinars at least one week prior to each workshop to receive all access information. CEUs and CPDUs are available for a fee. Read More

Council Approves Pay Estimates

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•August 10, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The City Council recently approved three pay estimates for the water treatment plant project. The estimate was in the amount of $190,731.50 to Grunloh Construction; the second for $421,021.00 to Grunloh Construction and the third was to Grunloh Building in the amount of $143,888.22. These were all unanimously approved with Commissioner Chuck Woodworth being absent. Read More

Sullivan Fire Department Visits Park Rec

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan Fire Department Visits Park Rec
The Sullivan Fire Department visited Park Rec at Wyman Park on Thursday, July 28. The department did a cookout for participants and then sprayed water from the ladder truck so the children could play in the water.

Ag Program at Library

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Ag Program at Library
Amanda Sanner (right) presented an ag program at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library on Tuesday, July 26. The program was about vegetables and what part of each vegetable is eaten. Children made a craft to help them remember what part of the vegetables you eat. Sanner is pictured above with Mara Inman (left).

Dalton City Car Show

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Great Day For A Car Show and Barbecue Competition
Vehicles and barbecue were side by side in Dalton City on July 31 during the car show.

Photo by Crystal Reed
All Wheel Extravaganza
The car show in Dalton City this past Sunday is called an all wheel extravaganza and they mean it. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors and even a Hot Wheels Cadillac could be seen on display. Pictured are a 2016 Hot Wheels Cadillac and a 2000 Harley Softtail motorcycle.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Car Show In Dalton City
A car show was held in Dalton City on Sunday, July 31. Pictured is a 1955 Ford F100 that was brought by Dorothy Durflinger.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Smoke N Rods BBQ Competition
Along with the car show in Dalton City on Sunday there was also a barbecue competition. Pictured are Cindy Whitby and Kurt Fenton who competed in that event.