•April 6, 2022•
Note: We are re-running the list of candidate filings for the upcoming election due to receiving incorrect information from the Moultrie County Clerk’s office.
Candidates were able to file for the upcoming election from March 7-14. Here is a list of candidates who filed, their parties and what they are running for:
County Clerk
Lisa Ozier (R)
Linda S. Qualls (R) Read More
•April 6, 2022•
Area residents interested in learning more about Moultrie County’s wind energy conversion system regulations are invited to attend an informational symposium sponsored by the Wind Energy Conversion System Committee/Moultrie County Board. Read More
•March 30, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Sullivan City Council held a special meeting Tuesday, March 22. During which they approved issuing bonds for the water plant project. Commissioner Doug Booker was absent.
A motion was made to accept ordinance 22-5 combined waterworks and sewerage system revenue bonds Series A and B. Treasurer Sarah Golden explained that Series A is for $8.5 million and Series B $2 million. The city is issuing the bond, and rural development will be the purchaser.
The bonds have a 40-year term, and if they close by the end of the month, the rate locks in at 1.25%. There is an additional request for another million dollars which will require the issuance of Series C bond. They are hoping that can be locked in at 1.25% as well. Read More
Photo furnished by Marrowbone Public Library
From left to right: Joann Grove, Michelle Fitzgerald and Donna Sue Martin at Marrowbone Library.
•March 30, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
A memorial bench now sits in front of the Marrowbone Public Library in memory of a former head librarian. The bench is in memory of Jim and Joann Grove and was donated by the Grove family.
Joanne was the head librarian at the library from 1970-1988. She finished out her library career with the Rolling Prairie Library System.
Joanne was also notable because she was elected the first woman mayor of Bethany in 1997. She got to work, writing a grant that replaced the aging sewer system, formed a planning committee and convinced the village board to establish a TIF district. She had to give up her position as mayor in 2000 due to a stroke. Read More
•March 30, 2022•
The Moultrie County Board held a special meeting Friday, March 18. Eight of the nine board members were present. The meeting was called to discuss/take action on two positions open. One is a department head or director of Planning and Zoning and the other is an EMA position.
At the end of the meeting Larry Baker, Chairman, read his letter of resignation to the board. The letter read: Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Bake Sale for Ukraine
On Friday, March 18 the Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit 68 and The Baking Brigade of Sullivan held a bake sale at the Legion to raise money to donate for humanitarian aid in Ukraine. Pictured are Ann Shaw, Johna Sims, Dawn Morris, Executive Director of the American Red Cross serving South Central Illinois; Becky Lawson and Lisa Tate.
•March 23, 2022•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer
During the ALAH School District’s board meeting at Lovington Grade School held Wednesday, March 16,
board members browsed through the consent agenda, approving the bills and treasurer’s report. The total of all funds was $4,443,749.26, and the checkbook balance was reported at $4,076,145.74. Also approved was submitting the proposition of issuing school building bonds in the amount of $30,600,000 to the voters of the district at the June 28, 2022 general primary election. This is money that will go toward the improvement of the school buildings in the district. The recommendation for phase one was passed at a recent special school board meeting. Superintendent Shannon Cheek commented that he was hopeful and excited to move forward. Read More
Photo furnished
Natalee Hunter, Lee Hunter and Becky Lawson at Chapman University after the awards ceremony for the Holocaust Art and Writing Contest sponsored by Chapman University and The 1939 Society. These ladies traveled to Los Angeles for an awards ceremony recently. Natalee was an international finalist in the contest for her short film Brushstrokes of Resilience.
•March 23, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Sullivan High School junior Natalee Hunter, her mother Lee Hunter and retired teacher Becky Lawson recently traveled to Los Angeles for an awards ceremony at which Natalee accepted an award for being an international finalist in the Holocaust Art and Writing Contest sponsored by Chapman University and The 1939 Society. She was recognized for a three-minute video called Brushstrokes of Resilience, about a Holocaust survivor.
That survivor is Sally Roisman, who, at the age of 12, was taken to the ghetto, then a labor camp and then Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Some of the footage in the video is from the USC Shoah Foundation. With the support of her family and the help of Lawson and some of her classmates, she was able to make the video that she submitted for the contest. Read More
•March 16 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Sullivan City Council held a regular meeting on Monday. Due to the absence of commissioners Chuck Woodworth and Doug Booker, some items under new or unfinished business were postponed until the next meeting.
Lee Beckman of Milano and Grunloh reported that for the water plant project, contract 1 is Grunloh Construction, contract 2 is All Service and contract 3 is Grunloh Building. Grunloh Construction was actually the lowest bidder. He was unable to look at the numbers in detail due to the bid opening being a short time before the special meeting.
The contracts were awarded during a special meeting on March 1. Preconstruction meeting for that project is on March 30. On the Bernius project, everything has been approved, and engineering was started. Read More
•March 16 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Moultrie County Board set salaries for elected officials during their monthly meeting. A motion was approved to establish the Moultrie County Clerk starting salary (12/1/2022) set at $52,000 with an annual raise set for the second year (FY24) at 3%, third year (FY25) at 4% and the fourth year at 4% (FY26). The annual stipend is $6,500 per year.
The board also approved the Moultrie County Treasurer starting salary (12/1/2022) set at $58,527.04 with annual raises set for the second year (FY24) at $1,820, third year (FY25) at $1,820 and fourth year (FY26) at $1,820. The annual stipend is $6,500 per year. The salary for Moultrie County Sheriff was set at a starting salary of $78,000 with annual raises set for the second year at 4%, third year at 4% and fourth year at 4%. The annual stipend is set at $6,500 per year.
The board also approved a resolution establishing that Moultrie County Board members are to receive $75.00 per member associated meeting with a maximum of $75.00 per day allowed if any member attends more than one meeting in any given day, effective December 1, 2022. Read More