•February 2, 2022•
By Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

The principals from the ALAH District were allowed to skip the most recent meeting of the school board held on Wednesday, January 19. “I appreciate the board’s understanding about giving our administrators an excuse for the evening. They have been really busy lately,” commented Superintendent Shannon Cheek. Recently, the district has been responsible for having to do their own contact tracing with COVID-19 cases since the health department is no longer doing them, and after returning from Christmas break, the schools experienced a surge in cases. Many of the district’s teachers, principals and other staff have been finding themselves doing multiple duties throughout the day as there have been absences either because of positive COVID-19 cases, quarantines, or other seasonal illnesses.
During the Treasurer’s Report, Cheek informed the board that nothing has changed concerning transportation funds. “One payment was received from last fiscal year, one from this year and one is in the queue. It could be in that queue for a long time. Nothing new on that front,” he said. Read More

•January 26, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The City Council authorized the issuance of water works and sewerage system revenue bonds of the city of Sullivan. The estimated cost of the project including legal fees and other costs of issuance of the bonds is $10,500,000.
Mike Kirk had questions about the bonds that were to be issued for water works and sewerage system bonds. Treasurer Sarah Golden explained that the payback time is 40 years. Kirk asked Commissioner Chuck Woodworth whether it would be possible to spend money to get the water plant to run for another 20 years. “It would be more in the long run to retrofit what we already have compared to building a new one,” he said. Woodworth said he originally was looking at taking what they have and upgrading it, but it would be more money to do that than build new.
Abbey Sherwood reminded everyone there is public swim at the Civic Center Thursday to Sunday. She and Golden had conversations in regard to TIF and TIF reimbursements. Sherwood added that she had talked with several people in regard to the IBEW contract. Read More

•January 19, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The County Board discussed the filling and/or assignment of planning and zoning duties and responsibilities. The Supervisor of Assessments office gave the board handouts last board meeting, and Chief County Assessment Officer Lori Barringer said they may take over these responsibilities without additional staff or salary. The other option is that the board could post a full-time job and get someone dedicated to doing the planning and zoning.
Lauren Sesko, the ESDA director, has been filling in as interim personnel in that office.
A motion was made to have Sesko continue in ESDA as well as do some GIS work for the county while planning and zoning responsibilities will be moved to the assessor’s office with the transition completed by or before February 14. The motion was approved with Tyler Graven voting no. Read More

•January 12, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council had a split vote on whether to establish the position of chief of staff for the city of Sullivan. The vote taken was 2-2. Commissioner Doug Booker was absent. “I’ve changed my position on it,” Commissioner Mike Fowler said. “It’s too much like the city administrator.”
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood announced that the city would be taking bids for a UTV utility vehicle. Bids will be received until 5 p.m., February 14, and should be submitted by mail. Commissioner Chuck Woodworth said the crew is working on installing bigger Nextgrid meters. Read More

Photo furnished
Jim McMahan has retired from Bethany Fire Protection District. He is pictured with the truck that was purchased when he served as Fire Chief.

Photo furnished
Troy Yokley recently retired from Bethany Fire Protection District. He was known as the department “chef.”

•January 5, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Bethany Fire Protection District

recently recognized three of their members who are retiring from the department, Jim McMahan, Tom Rucker and Troy Yokley.
McMahan came to the department in 1997. He served with the department for many years before holding the position of fire chief in the years 2013 through 2017. Over the years, the district has had countless cleanup days where the bays and trucks get cleaned, and nine times out of 10 he was there. After retiring as fire chief, he opted to stay on as a volunteer. He retired at the end of 2020 but returned in 2021 when response numbers were down and something as simple as a driver was needed.

Photo furnished
Tom Rucker recently retired from the Bethany Fire Protection District. After retiring as Fire Chief he came back as a volunteer.

Tom Rucker came to the department in 1988. He joined the department and continued his education in EMS and became an EMT. Rucker has advanced through the ranks of the department from FF/EMT, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Captain, Assistant Fire Chief and then Fire Chief from 2018 to 2019. He then retired from the position but didn’t want to retire from the department. Rucker has seen all but one of the department’s vehicles purchased and was on the committee for most of the apparatus currently in service.
Troy Yokley came to Bethany Fire in 2014. He was the department “chef.” When the department would have fundraisers that involved burgers, that was Yokley’s pride and joy. A couple months after he joined the fire department, his daughter tragically passed away in an accident. Troy and his wife Ella created the Chalyssa Yokley Foundation whereby a gift is presented to the firefighter and EMT of the year within the department.[/s2If]