•January 5, 2022•
June 2
Memorial Day services were held in Bethany and Sullivan. The Sullivan American Legion conducted ceremonies at Greenhill and Moultrie County Cemetery; Bethany American Legion led ceremonies at Marrowbone Township Cemetery. In Sullivan Pastor Bob Vail lead prayer and Becky Lawson spoke. At Marrowbone Township Cemetery, the Bethany American Legion held their ceremony at the Civil War monument. Chaplain Jack Scott led prayer and Pastor Marge Overlot spoke.
Sullivan residents Siobhan and Austin Hunter found a box of family memories when they cleaned out her grandfather’s barn. Through Facebook and other efforts they were able to find a person to return the box to. That person was Wayne Carter of Decatur. Read More
Category Archives: News
City Council meets, No New or Unfinished Business heard
•January 5, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Sullivan City Council met Tuesday, December 28, in the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library. There were only three commissioners present: Doug Booker, Chuck Woodworth and Mike Fowler. Commissioner Abbey Sherwood and Mayor Richard Glazebrook were absent.
Because there were only three commissioners in attendance no new or unfinished business was heard, and no votes were taken other than for the consent agenda and TIF claims.
Bill Burger asked the council whether the Sullivan Post Office is handicap accessible. He said he saw a man fall in front of the post office which is what brought the question to his mind. Read More
School District Raises Sub Pay for Teachers from $90/day to $115/day Beginning January 2022
•December 29, 2021•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer
At the beginning of the ALAH School Board meeting held Wednesday, December 15, a couple students from the fourth grade at Arthur Elementary showed the board some of their recent products they created from home while learning about economics. Students from the classes of Mrs. Eads and Mrs. Martinez asked students to use their imagination to create a product they could market to other students. Students were given the chance to showcase their products in the cafeteria, and three people from each class were given the chance to come shop for free.
In doing all of this, students also learned lessons about supply and demand. Superintendent Shannon Cheek commented on the talent and creativity from all the students and also browsed through their “market” that was presented in the cafeteria.
Parent Sam Miller questioned the board on whether there had been any more discussion regarding whether masks would be optional in the school district. “At that time, the motion was to see if there were any other options out there,” replied President Beth Wiley. “There haven’t really been any changes at this time. It is something that we will have to discuss as a board to see where we are at this time,” she added. Read More
Year End Review: Goodbye 2021, Hello 2022
•December 29, 2021•
January 6
Doug Booker was sworn in as Commissioner of Streets and Public Improvements.
The first babies of 2021 at Decatur Memorial Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital were born to two Bethany couples. Carson and Rosario Hiser of Bethany had their child Luke Martin on January 1 at 7:25 pm. Tiffany and Shaun Cotner of Bethany had their child Harrison Cotner at 7:20 am on January 1.
Sullivan resident Dawnaya Key authored her first book Tomate.
January 13
Courtyard Estates of Sullivan, Supportive Living, made it possible for tenants to “hug” their loved ones even in the midst of a pandemic. The Welsh family generously donated the “hugging booth.” The booth sits against an outer door that gives families safe entrance into the booth and it’s fitted with plastic arms and gloves on both sides of the booth for both the tenant and family members to hug.
Sullivan City Council approved additional funds for COVID PPE supplies. The amount of the protective equipment was not to exceed $10,000 for a total authorization of $60,000.
January 20
The criminal justice reform package passed by the Illinois House and Senate was drawing concern from local officials. Both Moultrie County State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver and Sheriff Chris Sims were concerned about the impact. Read More
County employees donate to DOVE
Photo by Crystal Reed
County employees donate to DOVE
Each year several of the County employees participate in a year round fundraiser for Dove. On Fridays the employees pay a dollar in exchange for the opportunity to wear jeans to work. At the end of the year they contact Dove to find out how many families they are currently serving. They divide up the families and funds to purchase items for them. Each year, for at least the last 7 years, the employees have donated enough money to purchase gifts for each of the kids to have at their annual Christmas party. This year the employees participating were able to collect just over $300. While not enough to do gifts for all 13 kids they all knew that they still wanted to help them. Rebecca Comstock at Dove had another organization take on the gifts and the courthouse employees put together baskets full of household essentials, snacks, drinks, donut gift cards, and 1 gift for each child.
Santa and Mrs. Claus at Oakwood Apothecary
Photo by Crystal Reed
Santa and Mrs. Claus at Oakwood Apothecary
Santa and Mrs. Claus paid a visit to Oakwood Apothecary on Saturday, December 18. They are pictured with Mandi Lamberson.
Vander Burgh Appointed to Moultrie County Board
•December 22, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
John Vander Burgh was appointed to the Moultrie County Board during their monthly meeting Thursday, December 9. He fills the vacancy left by Dave McCabe who resigned in November. Vander Burgh and his wife Heidi live in Bethany and their three children have attended Okaw Valley schools. He has a farm, a forensic accounting firm called 20/20 Forensic Accounting and Vander Burgh Financial Services.
Vander Burgh is an MBA, a CPA and a certified fraud examiner. He has worked in public accounting firms, national corporations and banking. In addition to now being a Moultrie County board member he is also the treasurer of the Okaw Valley School Board.
“I feel a civic responsibility to use my God-given abilities to help,” Vander Burgh said. He continued to say that he doesn’t have any preconceived notions about the board position; he just wants to help in a leadership capacity. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, family activities and being involved in church.
Santa’s Helpers Make a Merry Christmas for Head Start Students
Photo by Ellen Ferrara
Volunteers for Santa’s Helpers helped wrap presents for Head Start students. L-R Mike Keown, Ruth Keown, Becky Bragg, Jeri Davis, Matthew Todd, Kathy Camp.
•December 22, 2021•
by Ellen Ferrara
NP Writer
On a recent chilly December evening six Santa’s Helpers met at the American Legion Hall to wrap presents for Sullivan’s 24 Head Start students and their teachers.
Jeri Davis founded Santa’s Helpers four years ago when a friend in Head Start told her there was no Christmas party for the children. “The children are so very appreciative of everything they receive, and they just love the party,” Davis said. She continued, “It is a full year of fundraising and hard work, but watching Santa come in and seeing the children joyfully opening their presents makes it all so worthwhile.” Read More
City Council Discusses Chief of Staff Position at Monday’s Meeting
Photo by Crystal Reed
Mayor Richard Glazebrook recognized members of the Sullivan Middle School 8th grade girls basketball team during Monday’s council meeting. The team won regionals by beating Pana then went to sectionals and defeated Marshall. This past Saturday they played Washington Middle School and lost.
•December 15, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Sullivan City Council approved the tax levy totaling $811,329.
The council voted to accept a bid from Wallace Excavating in the amount of $34,350 for the Wyman Lake Island Project. This was budgeted for the fiscal year using TIF funds.
Mayor Richard Glazebrook introduced an ordinance eliminating the position of city administrator and establishing the position of chief of staff for the city of Sullivan. Commissioner Abbey Sherwood suggested the council look at changing some things with the ordinance before approving it. A few of the changes are taking out a residency guideline, having the termination be by majority of vote rather than by the mayor, assisting with the budget and other items.
“As it’s written, I think it needs to be cleaned up,” she said. Sherwood said that the chief of staff is proposed to be over employees but she thinks that is the commissioner’s responsibility. “I think the goal of this position shouldn’t be directed to the positions running smoothly,” Sherwood said. Glazebrook postponed the ordinance. Read More
Former Bethany Resident Releases First Book
•December 15, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
A former Bethany resident has recently published her first children’s book and will have an event at Cathrine’s in Sullivan on Thursday, December 23. Anitra Rowe Schulte, a 1998 graduate of Bethany High School, has written Dancing with Daddy which was released December 1. Read More