Category Archives: News Section

Sullivan Community Education Foundation Holds Staff Appreciation Banquet

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•April 13, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan Community Education Foundation held a Staff Appreciation Banquet Thursday, April 7, at Building 1225. During that event, mini and major grants were presented, and staff and retirees were recognized for years of service. Grant Wade, chair of SCEF, presented the grants as well as announced donations that were integral to funding those grants this year.
Wade said last year the foundation received one of its largest donations in the amount of $86,000 from Lloyd and Helen Maurer. A memorial in honor of Gary Emel given by the Emel family made an extra $10,000 in grants possible. This year there were seven mini and eight major grants awarded.
Mini grants this year totaled approximately $4,764.00 while major grants totaled $25,504.45. Mini grants in the amount of $450.00 were awarded to Erin Van Deursen and Nichole Watkins for hands-on learning activities for kindergarten students; Courtney Leach/ Leslie Guyot for a portable public address system for SES staff and students in the amount of $499.00; John Bertetto for 10 licenses for cadaver dissection program for SHS students in Anatomy/Physiology courses in the amount of $510.00; Valerie Kalagian/Lauren Fultz/Rikki Ray for 13 document cameras/microphones for elementary school students in the amount of $742.50; Sarah Camp for a sensory table and materials for early childhood students in the amount of $755.00; Kelsey Elliott for flexible seating for fifth grade students in the amount of $839.00 and Sheri McCain for 21 keyboards for third grade students in the amount of $965.79. Read More

Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity Surprises Newest Homeowner

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity Surprises Newest Homeowner
On Thursday, March 31, Moultrie County Habitat For Humanity Board members, staff at Lovington Grade School and the newest homeowners family gathered in a classroom to reveal the surprise to Jennifer Franklin. The expected start of construction will be Monday, August 29 with projected completion of Friday, October 7. The house will be built on the corner of N. Allen Street in Lovington. The organization will be reaching out to the community with more information on the build and family. They will be asking for volunteers to help with this year’s build and monetary and supply donations. Pictured are front row: Jennifer and Abbie Franklin and Sandy Sanders. Back row: Gary Smith, Cheryl Thomas, Maddox Franklin, Gene Meuller and Howard Sanders.

April 18 Filing Deadline

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•April 6, 2022•

The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding taxpayers that the upcoming deadline for filing 2021 state individual income tax returns is Monday, April 18, 2022.
“We encourage those who have not yet filed to do so soon. Filing electronically with direct deposit will ensure the fastest processing and issuance of any refunds,” said IDOR Director David Harris. “Taxpayers may file their electronic returns for free by using a registered MyTax Illinois account but may also file electronically with a tax preparer or third-party software.”
To aid in IDOR’s anti-fraud efforts, taxpayers filing their IL-1040’s through MyTax Illinois, must use a registered MyTax Illinois account. If they do not have a registered account, they may create one by choosing “sign up” in the login box at MyTax Illinois and follow the instructions. The ID number will be mailed to them within 10 days after being requested. While IDOR strongly encourages electronic filing, taxpayers can always file a paper return if they choose. Read More

Candidate Filings for Upcoming Election

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•April 6, 2022•
Note: We are re-running the list of candidate filings for the upcoming election due to receiving incorrect information from the Moultrie County Clerk’s office.

Candidates were able to file for the upcoming election from March 7-14. Here is a list of candidates who filed, their parties and what they are running for:

County Clerk
Lisa Ozier (R)
Linda S. Qualls (R) Read More

27 Million Dollars to Replace 100-year-old Sullivan High School

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•April 6, 2022•
by Ellen Ferrera
NP Writer

The third and final session of the Sullivan School Facility Forums was held March 28 in the middle school gym with about 40 people in attendance. This meeting focused on a referendum and 1% facility tax.
School Superintendent Ted Walk opened the session by telling the group, “Replacing the high school is the biggest project we will do in our lifetime.” He continued by stating that a new high school would cost about $27 million dollars. He said, “It costs ten million just to maintain every year, and that will only increase as the building continues to age and requires more repairs so, either way, there is a cost to a building that is over 100 years old. Read More

Progress on New MCHGS Building

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Progress on New MCHGS Building
Progress is being made on the new home of the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society. On Saturday, March 19, members of the group painted walls inside their new location. Pictured is Mimi Atchison painting one of the walls.

Sullivan City Council Approves Issuing Bonds for Water Plant Project

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•March 30, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council held a special meeting Tuesday, March 22. During which they approved issuing bonds for the water plant project. Commissioner Doug Booker was absent.
A motion was made to accept ordinance 22-5 combined waterworks and sewerage system revenue bonds Series A and B. Treasurer Sarah Golden explained that Series A is for $8.5 million and Series B $2 million. The city is issuing the bond, and rural development will be the purchaser.
The bonds have a 40-year term, and if they close by the end of the month, the rate locks in at 1.25%. There is an additional request for another million dollars which will require the issuance of Series C bond. They are hoping that can be locked in at 1.25% as well. Read More

Grove Family Donates Memorial Bench to Marrowbone Public Library District

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Photo furnished by Marrowbone Public Library
From left to right: Joann Grove, Michelle Fitzgerald and Donna Sue Martin at Marrowbone Library.

•March 30, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

A memorial bench now sits in front of the Marrowbone Public Library in memory of a former head librarian. The bench is in memory of Jim and Joann Grove and was donated by the Grove family.
Joanne was the head librarian at the library from 1970-1988. She finished out her library career with the Rolling Prairie Library System.
Joanne was also notable because she was elected the first woman mayor of Bethany in 1997. She got to work, writing a grant that replaced the aging sewer system, formed a planning committee and convinced the village board to establish a TIF district. She had to give up her position as mayor in 2000 due to a stroke. Read More