Category Archives: News Section

Windsor FFA creates Black History Month wall

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Windsor FFA creates Black History Month wall
In honor of Black History Month, Windsor FFA Vice President, Cameron Hughes, along with some other officers, put together a Black History Month wall outside of the High School Ag room. On the wall, you can find information about some of the most important African Americans in agriculture. This covers a broad timeline from the 1800’s to this past year’s Southern Region National FFA Vice President. Make sure to stop by and read up on some interesting facts about these important people who have changed the face of agriculture. Thank you to Cameron for all of your hard work and research that was done in order to make this possible.

Former Bethany Resident Receives Children’s Literature Award

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Anitra Rowe Schulte and her illustrator Ziyue Chen were recently awarded the 2022 Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award for their picture book ‘Dancing with Daddy’. The award was presented by Zoom. Schulte is pictured above reading her book during the meet and greet and reading that was held at Cathrine’s in December 2021.

•February 23, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Former Bethany resident and children’s author Anitra Rowe Schulte and her illustrator Ziyue Chen were recently awarded the 2022 Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award for their picture book ‘Dancing with Daddy’. The award was presented to Schulte via Zoom on January 26. The Dolly Gray Award recognizes high quality fiction/biographical books for children, adolescents and young adults that authentically portray individuals with developmental disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities and Down Syndrome. Every even year, the award is presented to an author and illustrator (if appropriate) of a children’s picture book, an intermediate, and/or young adult book that includes appropriate portrayals of individuals with developmental disabilities. Read More

Amazon Resale Store to hold Grand Opening on Saturday, March 5

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•February 23, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

If you are a fan of shopping on Amazon but wish you could support a local business while doing so, now you can. Emerald Isle, an Amazon resale shop opened earlier this month and will be having their grand opening on March 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. As part of the event they will have free donuts all day and a $50 gift card will go to the 100th customer of the day. Read More

Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society Remodeling New Location

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Photo by Crystal Reed
The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society is in the process of renovating the old D&M building on Route 32 in Sullivan. They hope to open sometime this summer.

•February 16, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society is in the process of renovating their new location, the former site of D&M, on Route 32. Their old location in downtown Sullivan was the fire station. That building housed the museum and offices of the society. However, they began looking for a new location last year because they were running out of museum space.
According to MCHGS member Paul Stone, their new site will have an increase in museum space and office space. According to the blueprints, in the front left corner of the building will be an office. Towards the back left will be the library. Read More

Council Approves Resolutions and Agreements for Project

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•February 16, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The City Council approved resolutions and agreements for the Bernius Street project during Monday’s meeting. Commissioner Chuck Woodworth was absent due to a work assignment. The first item was the approval of an engineering firm.
Only one firm, Milano and Grunloh, responded. The council unanimously approved the selection of the firm for the Industrial Way project.
A local agency company agreement for the Economic Development Program (EDP) grant. Lee Beckman of Milano and Grunloh, said that this is an agreement between the city and Bernius in regard to the job creation for the project that will allow them to get the grant funds and build the street. They can receive $30,000 for job creation and $10,000 for job retainage. They have EDP and TARP funds for this project. The council unanimously approved this. Read More

Moultrie Co. Board passes ordinances for ARPA funds

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•February 16, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Moultrie County Board passed ordinances authorizing the Moultrie County treasurer to issue checks for the first round of American Rescue Plan Act funds that the county received. Receiving money in this round were Bethany American Legion Post #507 $14,000; Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity $46,800; Lovington American Legion Post #429 $5,000; Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc. $30,000; Sullivan American Legion Post #68 $25,000; Sullivan Lions Club $14,000; Lovington Fire Department $89,449; Bethany Fire and Ambulance District $150,000; Sullivan Fire Protection District $208,000 and Moultrie County Counseling Center $350,000. Read More

Chocolate Covered Strawberries for St. Jude

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Chocolate Covered Strawberries for St. Jude
Several members of Team Mattoon that will be participating in the St. Jude Run gathered at the Bethany Firehouse on Saturday to make chocolate covered strawberries as a fundraiser to help cover their entry fees. This is the fourth year they have done this fundraiser. An upcoming event for the St. Jude Team Mattoon group is the St. Jude Dash and Bash which will be held on June 11. Pictured above is Samantha Yoder of Bethany dipping strawberries in chocolate.

Tea Party

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Tea Party
Local mothers and their daughters enjoyed a fancy tea party at The Red Apple in Sullivan over the weekend. There was tea, snacks, games, big hats, fancy attire, and lots of laughs. The event was hosted by April-Lyn Golden.

Sullivan District Spelling Bee 2022

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Sullivan District Spelling Bee
Sullivan School District held their spelling bee on Monday afternoon in the high school/junior high commons. There were 28 students from the elementary school and junior high that participated in the bee. At the end of the bee there was a spell off to see who would be first alternate and second alternate. In total, there were three finalists and two alternates. Pictured are the finalists and alternates: Alex Fultz, sixth grade, Brynner Johnson, sixth grade and Mary Crist, seventh grade, first alternate: Allyssa Prahl, sixth grade and second alternate: Weslee Allen, sixth grade.

Lake Land Early Childhood Students 100th Day

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Lake Land Early Childhood Students 100th Day
Lake Land College early childhood education instructor Tanille Ulm, Charleston, poses with her students in front of the bulletin board they designed for the one hundredth day of class. Pictured are Stephanie Miller (Charleston), Ulm, Lauryn Moore (Marshall), Clair Davis (Effingham), Carissa Denny (Tuscola), Hannah Cook (Arthur), Allison Cohorst (Wheeler), Jessica Inglsbe (Assumption), Kiley Tolch (Dieterich) and Katie Williamson (Mattoon).