Category Archives: News Section

Christmas Crew Makes Christmas Brighter

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Photo by Crystal Reed
For the last few years Country Financial agent Elizabeth Houser has helped make Christmas brighter for local families. This year’s Christmas crew was from left to right: Elizabeth Houser, Kyler Houser and Jorjia Clements.

•December 29, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Country Financial Agent Elizabeth Houser and her Christmas Crew helped out Moultrie County families by providing Christmas gifts. The crew, made up of Elizabeth, Jorjia Clements and Kyler Houser, served 23 families and 50 children.
As in previous years, Houser gave people the opportunity to adopt a family for whom to buy gifts, and some people offered to donate money toward buying gifts for families in need. “There was an outpouring of love this year for these families,” Elizabeth said. An anonymous donor provided $75 gift cards to IGA for each family this year. Read More

Year End Review: Goodbye 2021, Hello 2022

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•December 29, 2021•
January 6
Doug Booker was sworn in as Commissioner of Streets and Public Improvements.
The first babies of 2021 at Decatur Memorial Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital were born to two Bethany couples. Carson and Rosario Hiser of Bethany had their child Luke Martin on January 1 at 7:25 pm. Tiffany and Shaun Cotner of Bethany had their child Harrison Cotner at 7:20 am on January 1.
Sullivan resident Dawnaya Key authored her first book Tomate.

January 13
Courtyard Estates of Sullivan, Supportive Living, made it possible for tenants to “hug” their loved ones even in the midst of a pandemic. The Welsh family generously donated the “hugging booth.” The booth sits against an outer door that gives families safe entrance into the booth and it’s fitted with plastic arms and gloves on both sides of the booth for both the tenant and family members to hug.
Sullivan City Council approved additional funds for COVID PPE supplies. The amount of the protective equipment was not to exceed $10,000 for a total authorization of $60,000.

January 20
The criminal justice reform package passed by the Illinois House and Senate was drawing concern from local officials. Both Moultrie County State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver and Sheriff Chris Sims were concerned about the impact. Read More

Jeep Parade

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Photo by Sonya Best
Jeep Parade
Fifteen festively decorated Jeeps, from Jeeps For Moultrie County, paraded through Sullivan and around all the nursing homes to spread a little Christmas cheer the evening of Tuesday, December 21.

Mrs. Claus

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Mrs. Claus
Three county employees dressed as Mrs. Claus on Friday, December 17. In no order: Angie Wallace-Westjohn, Linda Qualls, Erin Reedy.

County employees donate to DOVE

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Photo by Crystal Reed
County employees donate to DOVE
Each year several of the County employees participate in a year round fundraiser for Dove. On Fridays the employees pay a dollar in exchange for the opportunity to wear jeans to work. At the end of the year they contact Dove to find out how many families they are currently serving. They divide up the families and funds to purchase items for them. Each year, for at least the last 7 years, the employees have donated enough money to purchase gifts for each of the kids to have at their annual Christmas party. This year the employees participating were able to collect just over $300. While not enough to do gifts for all 13 kids they all knew that they still wanted to help them. Rebecca Comstock at Dove had another organization take on the gifts and the courthouse employees put together baskets full of household essentials, snacks, drinks, donut gift cards, and 1 gift for each child.

Vander Burgh Appointed to Moultrie County Board

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•December 22, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

John Vander Burgh was appointed to the Moultrie County Board during their monthly meeting Thursday, December 9. He fills the vacancy left by Dave McCabe who resigned in November. Vander Burgh and his wife Heidi live in Bethany and their three children have attended Okaw Valley schools. He has a farm, a forensic accounting firm called 20/20 Forensic Accounting and Vander Burgh Financial Services.
Vander Burgh is an MBA, a CPA and a certified fraud examiner. He has worked in public accounting firms, national corporations and banking. In addition to now being a Moultrie County board member he is also the treasurer of the Okaw Valley School Board.
“I feel a civic responsibility to use my God-given abilities to help,” Vander Burgh said. He continued to say that he doesn’t have any preconceived notions about the board position; he just wants to help in a leadership capacity. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, family activities and being involved in church.

Santa’s Helpers Make a Merry Christmas for Head Start Students

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Photo by Ellen Ferrara
Volunteers for Santa’s Helpers helped wrap presents for Head Start students. L-R Mike Keown, Ruth Keown, Becky Bragg, Jeri Davis, Matthew Todd, Kathy Camp.

•December 22, 2021•
by Ellen Ferrara
NP Writer

On a recent chilly December evening six Santa’s Helpers met at the American Legion Hall to wrap presents for Sullivan’s 24 Head Start students and their teachers.
Jeri Davis founded Santa’s Helpers four years ago when a friend in Head Start told her there was no Christmas party for the children. “The children are so very appreciative of everything they receive, and they just love the party,” Davis said. She continued, “It is a full year of fundraising and hard work, but watching Santa come in and seeing the children joyfully opening their presents makes it all so worthwhile.” Read More

Karen Golden Retiring from Sullivan IGA

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Photo furnished
Karen Golden (center) will be retiring from the Sullivan IGA on December 31. Jake Golden (left) will be the new assistant manager at the store. Also pictured is Manager Pat Stinson (right).

•December 22, 2021•
Karen Golden will retire from Sullivan IGA December 31. She began at IGA in March of 1979 when Ellsworth Lehman and Burl Jividen owned the store. She started out as a cashier, ordered health and beauty items and stocked shelves. She was the office manager for 20+ years before being promoted to administrative assistant in 2003. In 2013 she became assistant manager which is the position she currently holds.
Golden’s 42 years of experience, knowledge of the grocery business, and personal customer service have been invaluable over the years and will be missed by the store. She is looking forward to spending time with Barry Golden, her husband, who recently retired from the store, as well as spending time with her 11 grandchildren. Read More