Photo by Crystal Reed
Moultrie County Spelling Bee
The Moultrie County Spelling Bee was held last Friday in the Sullivan High School gym. There were six contestants. The final two were first place-Mary Crist and second place-Brynner Johnson. Both will move on to the Regional Bee on March 12 at Richland Community College.
•March 2, 2022•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer
Several visitors filled the room at the ALAH School District board meeting held February 16. Some of those visitors included Ed Collar, the new Economic Developer for Simply Arthur and the members of the Facility Team. Collar gave the board a brief history about how Simply Arthur was started and exactly what the organization does. He commented on what a wonderful community Arthur is as well as its school district. “In all my years, I’ve never seen what school districts have had to deal with in the last two years. Thank-you for what you have done,” Collar said.
Supt. Shannon Cheek reported that there was one transportation report to be released that was not ahead of schedule. The district also received a significant donation worth about $3,500 from Carstin Brands which was related to the renovation of the FCF room.
Cheek mentioned that there is one transportation report to be released that is not ahead of schedule. Read More
•March 2, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
During Monday’s meeting of the Sullivan City Council, Commissioner Abbey Sherwood presented two possible options for a new city building project. She said they are down to two options in terms of build and location. There is a teardown and rebuild of a two-story building with an elevator at the current location near the square.
It would be $125,000-$150,000 for an elevator. “This option would put limitations on our needs and potential,” she said. The other option is a one-level building with the building going north into the old Jibby’s lot.
There were concerns because of the utilities in the alley. A review with sewer foreman Justin (Bubba) Farris was done, and a cost estimate including the move of utilities was estimated at $30,000. The repair of the road plus the purchase of the Jibby’s lot would be $75,000. They have a budget of $2 million budgeted out of TIF. Read More
Photo submitted
WHS January Students of the Month
Windsor Jr./Sr. High School is pleased to announce their January Students of the Month Gabby Sorrell and Ella Gilbert.
Gabby Sorrell is the daughter of Ben and Ashley Scribner. She is currently an 8th grade student and is involved in Volleyball. She enjoys playing video games and hanging out with friends and family. She hopes to one day become a teacher.
Ella Gilbert is the daughter of Darrell and Molly Gilbert. She is currently a senior and is involved in Cheerleading, Yearbook, Student Council, and National Honor Society. After graduation she plans to attend Eastern Illinois University and major in Communication Disorders. Pictured (from left to right): Ella Gilbert and Gabby Sorrell.
•February 23, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Last week Central Illinois was once again hit with winter weather in the form of snow, sleet and rain. Prior to receiving precipitation, the area saw temperatures as high as 56 on Wednesday, February 16 and Thursday, February 17 before the cold front came through. Windsor reported .3 inches of snow and 1.6 inches of rain. Read More
Photo furnished
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.
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
•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
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
•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