•July 28, 2021•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The city council meeting began with a public hearing on the appropriations ordinance for the city of Sullivan for the fiscal year commencing May 1, 2021 and ending April 30, 2022. According to city treasurer Sarah Golden, the total appropriations for the Department of the Mayor is $17,361,100; Department of Accounts and Finances, $993,000; Department of Public Property, $12,599,500; Department of Public Health and Safety, $4,262,500 and Department of Street and Public Improvements, $1,121,250. Total appropriations are $36,337,350.
According to Golden this is a slight adjustment from the appropriation that she read at the last meeting, There is a decrease of a little over $200,000. That is after getting some feedback on some capital asset purchases which were cut and moved to a future fiscal year. The appropriations ordinance was passed unanimously. Read More

•July 21, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Bethany Village Board voted to proceed with water system upgrades during a special meeting held last Tuesday. The project is being funded by the United States Department of Agriculture rural development program and will be part grant and part loan. The village received their award letter and it stated that $2.9 million would be loan and $722,000 would be grant. Read More

•July 21, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

After a long discussion at the June meeting, the Moultrie County Board voted 7-2 to reestablish voting precinct lines in Sullivan Township. After last month’s meeting, they returned to Bruce Harris and Associates and asked them to redraw the map. All the precincts are well under 800 voters each which leaves room for growth.
The new map was drawn for Sullivan Township only. Precinct lines have no bearing for whom a person votes, just the location at where a person votes.
Board members also voted 7-2 to allow the state’s attorney’s office to hire a part-time investigator for the remainder of the fiscal year for 14 hours a week at the rate of $14.00 to $15.50 an hour based on experience. State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver reported that this investigator would assist the state’s attorney’s office with things such as reviewing body camera footage and serving subpoenas. The office needs additional help in light of the criminal justice reforms that have come about from the state of Illinois. Read More

•July 14, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

David Bowers, a trustee of the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society, spoke to the council concerning a proposal from Metro Communications to purchase the society’s building. The organization believes they have found a location to meet their needs. They are applying for a loan through the USDA; however, they also want some assistance from the city of Sullivan. “We understand that the council members may be unaware of our situation until now,” he said, “but we feel we have undertaken our move as a benefit for the city of Sullivan and its citizens in order to provide Zac Horn and Metro Communications the opportunity to have space adjacent to the business headquarters in order for them to grow in Sullivan.”
Bowers continued to say they are asking for assistance in the way of a $100,000 revolving loan and a grant of $100,000 from the city. They also plan to have a capital campaign and multiple events to take place at their new location if they can secure the funds to purchase it. “Our museum space will be more than doubled,” Bowers explained, “so we will have many displays that have often been rotated or not yet been seen.” Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrara
Left to right: Heather Beck, John Stephens and Bonner Church, along with Emily Bacino Althaus, headlined the Little Theatre July 2 concert.

•July 7, 2021•
by Ellen Ferrara
NP Writer

John Stephens, Executive Producer of the Little Theatre, peeked out at the June 4 free concert crowd and couldn’t hold back the tears. “We are performers,” he said, “and the audience is everything to us. For nearly two years we have come to a darkened theater and struggled to survive Covid-19. It was so emotional to see the large crowd waiting for our first post-pandemic performance and the chance to finally perform again.”
Continuing, John said, “The theatre has lost over a million dollars in revenues, and we have had to release valued staff during these 16 months. Our incredibly generous donors, sponsors and foundation grants have helped us survive so these three free concerts are our thank-you to an amazing community for their abiding support of this treasured theatre. With the grants we could bring our family of talented performers and not just put anyone on the stage.”
The July 2 crowd doubled the previous month’s size with the street fronting the theatre a sea of lawn chairs that flowed up and over the courthouse lawn. An estimated 400-500 people turned out to see perennial favorites, Heather Beck, Bonner Church and Emily Bacino Althaus sing their hearts out in a two-hour program of some 25 hit songs. Read More