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Photo by Ashley Rincker Photography
Sullivan resident Jennifer Hobbs released her first book “CALMED. Growth After Trauma” on July 1. She will be at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library on Tuesday, July 13 from 6 to 7 pm for a meet and greet and book signing. She will also be at 5 West Coffee and Wine Lounge on Thursday, July 15 from 5pm to 7 pm where she will be doing a reading from her book.

•July 7, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Jennifer Hobbs spends her days during the school year teaching third grade at Sullivan Elementary School, but in December 2003, life was very different. Hobbs and her husband are Army National Guard veterans and were deployed December 7, 2003 with the 1544th Transportation Company out of Paris. The book titled CALMED, Growth After Trauma, is told from the perspective of Jennifer, along with Ryan Hobbs, who is now her husband.
The book contains background on how they both ended up joining the military and serving in the same unit. The 1544th Transportation Company of Paris lost five people during that deployment which is indicated by five sets of combat boots in the book’s cover design.
Jennifer’s husband was hit by a roadside bomb on October 6, 2004. She says her husband went through a lot after being hit by the bomb, and she was hoping he would co-author the book, but his perspective is still contained in the text. “He spoke and I tried to write his perspective and tone as best I could,” she said. The book was available for pre-order during the month of June and had an online launch July 1. Read More

by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

At the opening of the June 17th ALAH school board meeting, parent Stephanie Madis requested that masks be made optional for the children in school. “ISBE is giving a recommendation, and it isn’t a law,” she stated. She also showed a photo published in a local newspaper where it pictured children in a library sitting around each other unmasked. The board thanked her for her statements.
“We received two donations this month. One was from Masonic Lodge ($3,000) and the other MasterBrand ($1,200) which totaled $4200. We are very grateful for that,” reported Superintendent Shannon Cheek. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrara
The Sullivan American Legion Post 68 Honor Guard and Boy Scout Troop 39 retire worn flags during a Flag Day ceremony held the evening of June 14.

•June 23, 2021•
By Ellen Ferrara
NP Writer

Every year on June 14 Americans celebrate Flag Day. Not surprisingly, it is considered the most appropriate day to hold flag disposal ceremonies which are often held in the evening.
And so, on June 14 at 6 p.m., the Sullivan American Legion Honor Guard with assistance from local Boy Scout Troop 39 conducted a flag retirement ceremony in accordance with the United States Flag Code.
Just as there is etiquette for displaying Old Glory, there is also proper etiquette for the respectful disposal of torn, faded and worn-out flags no longer suitable for display. Read More

•June 16, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council approved an ordinance revising sewer and water rates for the city of Sullivan during Monday’s meeting. Commissioner Chuck Woodworth said the rate changes within this ordinance include the four percent discussed and authorized at the last meeting. It also includes a tiered rate for those who use more than 4,000 gallons a month. The reason for adding the tiered rate is to make the city eligible to qualify for hundreds of thousands of dollars of grant money from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for water main replacements and other water projects. If they are not awarded a grant, they can remove the tiered rate at that time. Read More