Photo by R.R. Best
Sullivan vs. Clinton
The Sullivan Varsity Redskins lost a home game versus Clinton by a score of 56-44. Sullivan is 1-17 overall.
Sullivan vs. Clinton
Category Archives: News Section
Miller Barn to be Disassembled, Moved
Photo courtesy of Tom Vance
The east side of the Miller barn which was built in 1879. There are plans to disassemble the barn starting Monday, January 31. The barn will be raised in the fall on the site of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center.
•January 26, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
A local barn will be disassembled, moved to the Illinois Amish Heritage Center and reassembled later in the year. The Miller barn, built in 1879, is in its original condition including the threshing floor and grain bins; however, there is a concrete floor which was put in the south end of the barn in 1954.
The barn will be moved, fully repaired and restored. The plan is to start disassembling the barn Monday, January 31 and to have it down in four to five days. Read More
City Council Authorizes Issuance of Bonds for Water Plant
•January 26, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The City Council authorized the issuance of water works and sewerage system revenue bonds of the city of Sullivan. The estimated cost of the project including legal fees and other costs of issuance of the bonds is $10,500,000.
Mike Kirk had questions about the bonds that were to be issued for water works and sewerage system bonds. Treasurer Sarah Golden explained that the payback time is 40 years. Kirk asked Commissioner Chuck Woodworth whether it would be possible to spend money to get the water plant to run for another 20 years. “It would be more in the long run to retrofit what we already have compared to building a new one,” he said. Woodworth said he originally was looking at taking what they have and upgrading it, but it would be more money to do that than build new.
Abbey Sherwood reminded everyone there is public swim at the Civic Center Thursday to Sunday. She and Golden had conversations in regard to TIF and TIF reimbursements. Sherwood added that she had talked with several people in regard to the IBEW contract. Read More
Red Cross Blood Crisis Occurring on National and Local Levels
Photo by Crystal Reed
Rick Davis donates blood during a blood drive at the Sullivan American Legion on Tuesday, January 18.
•January 26, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis -- its worst blood shortage in more than a decade. The American Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood which includes many local hospital partners. The organization has experienced a 10% decline nationally and locally in the number of people donating blood since the pandemic began and continues to confront relentless issues due to COVID-19, such as ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations.
According to a press release, in recent weeks the organization had less than a one-day supply of critical blood types and has had to limit blood product distributions to hospitals. At this time, as much as one-quarter of hospital blood needs are not being met. The low blood supply levels are also posing a concerning risk to patient care and forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available.
An American Red Cross Blood Drive was held Tuesday, January 18, at Sullivan American Legion. According to event coordinator Jeri Davis, a total of 45 units was collected during the drive. This can help 135 patients. The Red Cross has also seen a 62% drop in blood drives at schools and colleges since the pandemic began. As a result, Gen Z, which accounted for nearly one-quarter of donors in 2019, made up just about 10% in 2021 due to the drop in on-campus opportunities. Read More
Retail and Residential Development to be Built
•January 19, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
A residential and retail development has broken ground on the east side of Route 32 near the Red Apple. The whole development is 17 acres and will be a mix of multi-family and commercial or light industrial properties. Five acres will be multi-family rentals and 12 acres will be marketed for development.
The first phase of the development will be called Reserve Sullivan. This is two eight-unit high quality rental properties that will be two and three-bedroom. There are also plans for a three-unit commercial building which Tabeling Development will be breaking ground on next month. Read More
Sullivan Cheer Camp
Photo by R.R. Best
Sullivan Cheer Camp
The Sullivan High School basketball cheerleaders held a Redskins-In-Training youth cheer camp last week for Sullivan Elementary School students. The Redskins-in-training learned cheers that they performed at the beginning of the varsity basketball game on Friday. All proceeds from camp will support new uniforms for SHS basketball cheer.
Planning and Zoning Duties Assigned to Assessor’s Office
•January 19, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The County Board discussed the filling and/or assignment of planning and zoning duties and responsibilities. The Supervisor of Assessments office gave the board handouts last board meeting, and Chief County Assessment Officer Lori Barringer said they may take over these responsibilities without additional staff or salary. The other option is that the board could post a full-time job and get someone dedicated to doing the planning and zoning.
Lauren Sesko, the ESDA director, has been filling in as interim personnel in that office.
A motion was made to have Sesko continue in ESDA as well as do some GIS work for the county while planning and zoning responsibilities will be moved to the assessor’s office with the transition completed by or before February 14. The motion was approved with Tyler Graven voting no. Read More
Sullivan Residents Tie for First in Writing and Photography Contest
Photo by Crystal Reed
Nate Hunter, Natalee Hunter and Rebecca Lawson stand near one of the trees in Wyman Park that inspired their writing contest entry “The Trees.”
•January 19, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Recently, a Sullivan High School student, her father and a retired Sullivan High School teacher received the news that they had tied for first place in the 2021 Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of Wonder/Sense of the Wild Contest. The team, which includes Natalee Hunter, Nate Hunter and Becky Lawson, won in the “essay with photograph” category in the Sense of Wonder theme.
The essay was written by Natalee and Lawson while the photograph was taken by Nate. The entry which is titled “The Trees” was written about the trees located near the Boy Scout cabin in Wyman Park. According to Lawson, the whole contest connects the love and sense for nature between generations.
Lawson said that the editing process was fascinating. “We discussed what we would write about and blended the two essays together,” she said. A proud moment for her was in the judges’ comments. A phrase that Natalee had written was used. “For them to select that phrase was magical,” Lawson said. Read More
Coy retires from IDOT
Photo submitted
Coy retires from IDOT
Ron Coy retired from the Illinois Department of Transportation after 25 years of service at the end of 2021.
Sullivan Township Precincts redrawn
•January 12, 2022•
New Voter Identification cards will be mailed to all registered voters in Sullivan Township in mid-January. The Voters Precinct and Polling Location will be in red on these cards. It is very important that Sullivan Township voters review the new Voter ID card to make sure they go to the correct Precinct and Poll Location on Election Day. Reminder: The date for the General Primary Election is June 28, 2022.
The Moultrie County Board passed a Resolution to Re-establish Voting Precinct Lines in Sullivan Township at their July 15, 2021 Board meeting. As a result of that meeting, Sullivan Township precinct sizes now range from 459 to 609 registered voters. Read More