•April 21, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Moultrie County Board met last Thursday and amended the animal control ordinance of Moultrie County. They approved a motion on application by the Moultrie County Zoning Board of Appeals to make amendments to the Moultrie County Zoning Ordinance. According to State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver, she worked with Karen Cody of the zoning department and Caleb Smith regarding the animal ordinance and zoning in terms of dog kennels and breeders. “This language adds clear numbers and definitions as opposed to the previous ordinances in animal control where it is up to interpretation,” Weaver said. The board also approved the ordinance amending the Animal Control Ordinance. Read More

•April 14, 2021•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council approved a lease agreement for 304 S. Hamilton St. during their meeting on Monday night. The premises are for the business purpose of housing city operations and administrative offices.
The terms of the lease are for a 12-month period for the sum of $16,800 that is payable in 12 monthly payments of $1,400 per month. “At this point I think we are going to be moving forward with different options for the old city building so we need to keep these offices for at least the next year,” Commissioner Abbey Sherwood said. Read More

Photo submitted
Paige Robinson during the NCAA D2 National Championship game vs. Lubbock Christian on March 26 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OH.  Robinson was named to the NCAA D2 Elite Eight all tournament team.

•April 14, 2021•
Paige Robinson, a 5’10” junior guard from Bethany, helped lead Drury University girls’ basketball team to a 24-2 season that ended with a loss in the NCAA-II National Championship game. For her efforts, she was named NCAA-II Player of the Year by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew said “Paige has played an integral role in guiding her team to an outstanding season under extraordinary circumstances because of the pandemic. She is very deserving of this distinguished honor. The WBCA applauds Paige for her hard work, dedication, and contributions to the game during the 2020-21 season.”
The award is the latest in a string of honors for Robinson. She was also named Ron Lenz National Player of the Year by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association and an NCAA-II All-American by the WBCA. Earlier this year, she was named the Player of the Year in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, the Most Valuable Player of the GLVC Tournament, and the MVP of the Midwest Regional Tournament. Read More

•April 7, 2021•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer

In the last few weeks, new baskets for disc golf have been installed at Wyman and Tabor Parks in Sullivan. There are nine holes at each park for a total of 18 holes.
City of Sullivan GIS Administrator Blake Eggleston said that the markers for the holes are coming soon. This is not the first disc golf course in the parks, there had been one for awhile but it had fallen into disrepair which led to installing the new course. “We are now able to have a professional disc golf course,” said Eggleston “which means we will be able to have tournaments.” Read More

Photo by Crystal Reed
Kris Seitz of Oui Oui Oui Barbecue prepares ribs during the barbecue competition in Bethany this past weekend.

•March 31, 2021•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Main Street in Bethany was smoky on Saturday, not because of a fire, but from barbecue. The 10 Bones On The Marrowbone barbecue competition was held to benefit the Bethany Fire Department.
According to competitor and organizer Curtis Robinson the event drew 18 competitors and three food vendors. He said that there was one competitor that came all the way from Ohio and the furthest competitor in Illinois came from Ramsey. Read More