Category Archives: News Section

County Board Approves Retaining Services for Administration and Reporting of ARPA Funds

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•November 17, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The County Board approved retaining the services of Bellwether for administration and reporting of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. They are asking for $10,000 per payment of ARPA funds. ARPA ad hoc committee chair, Stephanie Helmuth, said that the county has received their first payment of the funds which was $1.4 million. In total the county will receive $2.8 million. She said they hope to be able to disperse the funds beginning in February.
The ad hoc committee recommended that the Moultrie County Board focus the first wave of funds on mental health needs and economic recovery of non-profits in Moultrie County that serve the people of the county. Read More

105th Birthday

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Photo furnished
105th Birthday
William “Dean” Bennett celebrated his 105th birthday on Tuesday, November 2. Dean is one of the few of the “Greatest Generation” left. He served his country in World War II as a member of the Army Air Force in England. He has survived two pandemics, the Great Depression, and seen travel evolve from the Model T to frequent trips to outer space. He is the devoted father of 3, grandfather of 9, and great grandfather of 23. He was blessed with 70 years of marriage to his high school sweetheart. Dean spent his life in the Windsor community and was the owner of Bennett Tire Company. He still remains active at Courtyard Estates by riding his exercise bicycle. He celebrated his birthday with family and friends at Courtyard.

Army Veteran Helps Protect People and Property with Business

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•November 10, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Army veteran Todd Ratliff, formerly of Windsor, has seen success by running his own business called Total Home and Farm Video Solutions. The company provides digital video surveillance systems and is based in Mattoon. Ratliff graduated in 1988 from Windsor High School and enlisted in 1987.
While overseas, he witnessed the liberation of East Germany. “It was a part of history that my grandchildren talk about in school, and I was there,” he said. Ratliff worked in nuclear missile control satellite communications while in the Army. Read More

City Council Approves Grant Agreement with MCHGS

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•November 10, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The City Council approved a matching grant to the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society in the amount of $200,000. The city will approve payments to MCHGS twice a year.
There was a first reading of the 2021 tax levy. According to City Treasurer Sarah Golden the overall proposed levy is $811,329 which is a 4.76% increase over the prior year extension. It will be up for vote at the first meeting in December. The increase is due to the large increase in their insurance renewal.
The council discussed a TIF Redevelopment Agreement by and between the city of Sullivan and Main St. Capital Partners. They are requesting that the city put the utilities in the subdivision. This would be phased in within a long period of time and will be revisited at the next meeting.
It was reported that the Christmas lights are being installed in the park. Crews have begun leaf cleanup and marking trees that need to be removed. Renovation of the children’s pool at the Civic Center continues. A hat, glove and boot drive is being hosted at the center during November with donations accepted during business hours. The pool will be closed to the public 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Nov. 13 due to a Blue Dolphin swim meet and the facility closed Thursday in observance of Veterans Day. Read More

Tribe Trek Program Receives Grant from Sullivan Rotary

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Photo by Crystal Reed
The Sullivan Rotary has awarded a grant to the Tribe Trek program. From left to right: Lori Shasteen, George Levi, Kathy Hawbaker, Garrett Brachbill, High School Assistant Principal Ryan Aikman, Troy Rogers, Blake Eggleston, Dave Cole.

•November 10, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan Rotary Club has awarded a grant in the amount of $1,779.68 to the Tribe Trek program. According to Nathan Ogle, Sullivan Middle School principal, Tribe Trek is a summer enrichment program that consists of four field trips over the course of the summer.
Students do not need to meet any qualifying criteria in terms of grades, behavior or attendance; they simply want to select kids for whom the program could have the biggest impact. “The goal of the program is to not only provide students with opportunities for academic engagement through new experiences but also to build stronger relationships with staff members through fun activities,” Ogle said. The program is entirely free for students, including a district-provided sack lunch. Read More

First Facilitation Meeting Held, Committee Members Elected

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•November 3, 2021•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

At the most recent meeting of the ALAH School Board, Superintendent Shannon Cheek reported they had received a kickback of $880 from Sarah Bush Lincoln since students and the community utilize their services. “Eight hundred and eighty dollars is helpful for sure,” said Cheek. He also informed the board that the district received another payment from transportation, but it was for last year.
Cheek informed the board about the Southern Illinois Purchasing Cooperative (SIPC). It provides an opportunity to purchase janitorial items and other supplies through Home Depot. “It may provide us with opportunities that we have not had in the past for janitorial staff,” he stated. There is no cost to join and no strings attached and also provides the district with a free iPad. The iPad will help the staff document areas that are cleaned and find out which tools and concepts work best for cleaning. It will assist in providing feedback visually. “This will provide an opportunity to have some informational data and development for our janitorial staff,” said Cheek. The board voted to move ahead to join into an agreement with SIPC. Read More

Dedication Ceremony Held for Downtown Garden

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Dr. Marvin Miller, Treasurer and Past President of America In Bloom (second from right), cuts the ribbon for the Downtown Garden with (from left to right) John Stephens, Executive Director of The Little Theatre On The Square, Junior Miss Sullivan Wren Wall, Executive Director of Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development and far right Mayor Richard Glazebrook.

•November 3, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

A dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting were held Wednesday, October 27, at the pavilion on the square in Sullivan. Laurrie Minor, Executive Director of Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development, Dr. Marvin Miller, Treasurer and Past President of America In Bloom, John Stephens, Executive Director of The Little Theatre On The Square, Mayor Richard Glazebrook and Junior Miss Sullivan Wren Wall were all part of the ribbon cutting. Read More

Safe Trick or Treat

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Photo by R.R. Best
Safe Trick or Treat
Safe trick or treat returned to Sullivan this Halloween after not being held last year due to the pandemic. Enjoying the festivities were Molly Reeder Foust and her children Auggie and Beatrice.

Michael Yost Murder Convictions Upheld by Illinois Supreme Court

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•October 27, 2021•
In an opinion filed by the Illinois Supreme Court on October 21, 2021, the 2016 convictions for first degree murder against Michael Yost in Moultrie County were upheld. Yost was convicted in September 2016 of four counts of first-degree murder for the death of Sheri Randall in Moultrie County case 15-CF-6. He was later sentenced to 75 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Read More

City Council Approves Opening Account for ARP Funds

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•October 27, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council approved a resolution to open an account for American Recovery Plan funds during Monday night’s meeting.
Bill Burger addressed the council in regard to the IEPA permit for which the city was issued penalties due to its being late. This month he wrote a letter to the editor at News Progress concerning that topic. Burger said that the mayor addressed it at the next meeting held after the letter was published.
He revealed that he had a letter from a law firm representing the city. It was brought up that the permit was for five years. “Finding out it was a five-year permit, I can see how it got swept under the rug, got lost, someone just didn’t do it,” Commissioner Mike Fowler said.
He continued to say that this mistake is not affecting his electric bill. “The violation number alleges that Sullivan failed to timely renew its CAPP permit at least nine months prior to the date of the permit expiration and that now Sullivan operates without the CAPP permit,” Burger informed the board. He explained that CAPP is the Clean Air Act Program Plan. Read More