Category Archives: News Section

EF2 Tornado Touches Down Near Gays

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•December 15, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

View the photos here

A tornado touched down south of Windsor Friday, December 10, at about 9:50 p.m. According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, when the tornado touched down, it caused a loss of roof panels to a farm outbuilding. At that point the tornado strengthened, causing total destruction of a farm outbuilding and breaking wood power poles southeast of Windsor. South Central FS saw significant damage west of Gays with numerous buildings damaged or destroyed and three large tanker trucks flipped.
The tornado continued into Coles County, causing more damage. It finally lifted at 10:04 p.m., four miles north-northeast of Mattoon. The National Weather Service has issued a rating of EF2 for the tornado. Read More

SHS Presented with plaque

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Photo by Sonya Best
SHS Presented with plaque
Sullivan High School principal Daniel Allen with a plaque that was presented to the school for their support of the National Guard and military over the past several years.

Wits Fitness Program at Senior Center Focuses on Brain Health

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•December 8, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

A program from the University of Illinois Extension held at Mid-Illinois Senior Services and Community Center is helping to keep brains active with fun activities. According to Cheri Burcham, University of Illinois Extension Family Life Educator, brain health is a hot topic because there is a huge population that is aging. The program called Wit Fit meets monthly at the center. Read More

Brad Halbrook Announces Bid for State Representative in Newly Drawn 107th District

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Brad Halbrook

•December 8, 2021•
Citing the need for meaningful tax, pension, ethics, and spending reforms, State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) announced today he is running for re-election in the newly drawn 107th District.
“There are many challenges facing our state right now,” Halbrook said. “We have not addressed pensions. We have done nothing to provide Illinois residents with any kind of meaningful tax relief. Spending is out of control, and we have failed to root out the culture of corruption in Illinois. We need a new approach and that can only happen if reform-minded candidates run for the statehouse and win. I am running to continue to keep fighting to turn our state around.” Read More

U-Knights – a Website Resource for the ALAH School

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District Facilities Committee Planning Process

•December 1, 2021•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

Arthur CUSD is looking to the future to ensure their students have what they need to be successful. U-Knight 305 is a community led master planning program tasked with identifying the current and future goals, aspirations and facility needs of the Arthur CUSD #305 School District.
The U Knights website (https://sites.google.com/bldd.com/u-knight305/home) has the latest presentation from meetings and a video from the first community engagement session. Read More

VFW Customers Help To Make A Difference

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VFW Customers Help To Make A Difference
Veterans Serena Briscoe and Jolene Wright are busy organizing holiday gifts for veterans in nursing homes. One of the missions of Sullivan Post #6410 is to reach out to fellow veterans who are unable to enjoy the VFW Canteen. Funding for this project comes from bar and grill profits, Thursday night raffle drawings, facility rental, gaming and donations. The VFW is open to the public daily. The kitchen serves food until 7 pm Monday through Friday and 2 pm on Sunday.

Tentative Levy Set at 4.94%,Tax Levy Hearing to be held in December

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•December 1, 2021•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

Members of the ALAH school board met at the Atwood Grade School at their recent school board meeting held November 17. Superintendent Shannon Cheek reported that some of their bills were a bit larger than usual - one of the reasons being that they had both bond payments and interest that needs to be paid. There was nothing new to report in the treasurer’s report, but Cheek stated that the district received a payment from transportation; although it was the first they had received for this calendar year.
The audit for the calendar year through June 30, 2021 was presented. The district received financial recognition with a 3.9 Financial Score. Financial recognition is the highest level in the financial finding process. This recognition was also received in last year’s audit. In the treasurer’s bond finding, there were no bank accounts overdrawing the shares, and balances were being kept where they needed to be. The district’s debt is a total of $2.89 million dollars. COVID had an effect in some parts of the audit such as attendance, which was mainly because of many students having to quarantine or do remote learning during the last school year. The 305 School District attendance was down 86 students. The auditor mentioned that in most of the reports they did, these figures were all over the board for many school districts. Read More

Moonlight Acres Ready for the Holiday Season

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Angie (left) and Cory Neal (right) at their farm Moonlight Acres outside of Bethany. Currently the farm offers Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, and grave blankets and pillows for sale.

•December 1, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Moonlight Acres is ready for the holiday season. The farm which is located near Bethany has shifted their focus to the holiday season with Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, grave blankets and pillows. They have Frasier, Balsam, White Pine and Concolors for sale. Last year they received reports that their trees and wreaths held up and stayed green into the month of January.
This is the second year of business for Cory and Angie Neal. Earlier this year they planted their own trees, but they will not be ready for seven years. Grave blankets and pillows may be ordered and are decorated for no extra charge. “We want people to feel like we did it just for them,” Angie said. Read More

One Book, One Sullivan Presents “The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise”

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Photo by Crystal Reed
One Book, One Sullivan revealed their book pick for this year during an assembly on November 22. This year’s book is ‘The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise’ by Dan Gemeinhart. They were joined by Sullivan Rotary members Stan Parks and Lori Shasteen.

•December 1, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

After showing a book trailer, One Book, One Sullivan revealed this year’s book to their middle school classmates during an assembly at Sullivan High School November 22. The group narrowed down the options for this year’s selection by reading books from the 2021 Rebecca Caudill list.
Over the summer, One Book, One Sullivan students read their way through the reading titles and met in person once a week. In late September, they announced the top four titles which were Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes, Free Lunch by Rex Ogle, From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks and The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart. Members of the group distributed some copies of the book to students during the assembly. Read More