Category Archives: News Section

Back 2 Business Grants Now Available for Small Businesses

News Progress Posted on by

•August 18, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Small business owners who have experienced losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to apply for the Back 2 Business Grant Program. This program is a key component of Governor JB Pritzker’s $1.5 billion economic package designed to maximize the impact of American Rescue Plan funds provided to Illinois. It sets forth $250 million for businesses that have experienced losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic to support them in their recovery.
According to Laurrie Minor, Executive Director of the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development, the funds for this grant were passed through the federal government in the spring. She continued to say that businesses may begin applying August 18 through October. Read More

OV School Board Votes for Masks at School

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•August 18, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Okaw Valley School Board held a special meeting Monday evening in the Okaw Valley Middle School media center with many parents and concerned citizens in attendance. The main order of business on the agenda was to update the Return to School Plan 2021-2022.
The public in attendance was not masked, however, all but one board member was wearing a mask.
The initial plan approved at the July 22 school board meeting said the school year would begin with a mask optional policy. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued a mandate August 4 that masks would be required for students, teachers and staff at pre-kindergarten-12th grade schools. This mandate was the reason the board met Monday, to decide whether or not to require masks for students, faculty and administration at school. Read More

Reunion Band to Perform Benefit

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Photo by Ellen Ferrara
The former Villagettes, now Reunion, rehearse for their August 20 benefit for the Bethany American Legion.

•August 11, 2021•
By Ellen Ferrara
NP Writer

Do you miss that great, ol’ time rock and roll music? Then pull up a lawn chair at the Bethany American Legion on Friday, August 20 from 6-8 p.m. and rock out with the former Villagettes to the great songs of the 60’s and 70’s.
The event is a fundraiser for the American Legion with pork burgers or a hot dog, chips and a cookie for $5.00. Beverages are also available, and all proceeds from the food sales go directly to the Bethany American Legion.
If you grew up in Bethany around 1967, you probably remember the Villagettes – an all-girl band of high school friends who played almost every weekend in Bethany, Sullivan, Lovington, Illiopolis, Decatur and other small towns in the area from 1967-1969 for sock hops and special events.
It all started when Dee Buker was the only girl in an all-male band. On one rare occasion the band got paid, and the guys divvied up the money but gave none to Dee. When she complained to her father, he said, “Why don’t you start your own band?”
She rounded up her best buds – Peggy Reeder (sax), Candy Monroe (bass), Cindy Sanner (drums), and one other friend to form an all-girl band. They called themselves the Villagettes because they came from a small village and to emphasize that they were a unique all-girl band. Read More

City Council Amends Personnel Policy for City Employees

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•August 11, 2021•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer

During Monday’s meeting, the City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the personnel policy for city of Sullivan employees. The amendment says that an employee shall receive 40 hours of vacation on his first day of employment for use in the following year. The resolution took effect immediately and applies retroactively to any active full-time employee who is currently in his first year of employment.
In addition, the resolution says that an employee shall be allowed to carry any unused vacation hours credited to him on his first day of employment for his second year of employment. Thereafter, any vacation time credited to an employee may not be carried over year to year, a year being defined as an employee’s anniversary date to anniversary date.
Upon termination or resignation, employees shall receive compensation for all earned but unused vacation at the employee’s regular straight-time hourly rate as of the employee’s date of termination. The final compensation of a separated employee shall be paid in full on his next regularly scheduled payday. Upon retirement any unused accrued vacation days, as of an employee’s last physical day of work, will be used to extend out his date of retirement. The balance of unused vacation hours will be treated as a salary/hourly payment to the employee, which simply pushes back his retirement and final paycheck to a later date. Read More

String Art

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Photo by Crystal Reed
String Art
The Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library had summer reading classes last week for kids in grades K-2 and grades 3-5. Classes were mandala sand art, mosaic tiles art, quill a rainbow and string art. Pictured is Hannah Taylor working on her string art project.

Walk Receives Award of Excellence

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Walk Receives Award of Excellence
Ted Walk, Superintendent of Sullivan Schools, received the 2021 Abe Lincoln Region Superintendent Award of Excellence. The Illinois Principals Association Abe Lincoln Region is comprised of Moultrie, Shelby, Macon, Piatt, Christian, De Witt, Logan, Menard, and Sangamon counties. Mr. Walk was recognized at the annual Abe Lincoln Region Awards Banquet on August 2, 2021 in Decatur.

Sullivan Teen Competes In Triathlon

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Photo furnished
Sullivan Teen Competes In Triathlon
Mae Dawkins, 13, of Sullivan competed in the Stoneman Sprint triathlon on Saturday, July 31 at Lake Springfield. The sprint consisted of a 500 yard swim, 12 mile bike ride and 3.1 mile run. Mae finished the race, along with over 400 people.

Life Scout, Jacob Bettinger, Building an Outdoor Waiting Structure for Students at Bus Stop in Lovington

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Bettinger

•August 4, 2021•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

Life Scout and upcoming senior at ALAH, Jacob Bettinger, and his mother of Lovington, would often notice students waiting outside in the elements for the school bus - especially during frigid cold winters and rainy weather. Jacob’s mom suggested to him that perhaps it would be ideal if the students had some type of shelter in which to stand while they waited for the bus.
Back in February, Jacob presented his Eagle Scout project to the school board. He informed them that the bus stop would measure about 6 feet by 12 feet. The plan was to fit about 10-12 students in it. Read More

Two Story Outhouse Festival August 14

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•August 4, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Village of Gays is preparing for the first Two-Story Outhouse Festival to be held Saturday, August 14 at 815 Front Street.
The day’s activities will begin with the Windsor FFA breakfast from 7-10 a.m.
Ten and 20-mile Outhouse TP bike rides will leave and end at the village hall with registration from 7:30-8:30 a.m. August 14. Registration fee is $20 and may be paid the day of the event. For more information on the bike rides, contact Julie Miller at 217-460-0546.
Vendor booths and food trucks will be available from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and a car show from noon to 2 p.m. For more information on the car show, contact Dean Hite at 217-273-4152.
Inflatables and pony rides for the kids will be on site as well as Bessie Bingo at $5 a square which will be available for purchase the day of the festival. Live entertainment will include a DJ and Altered Ego.
The two-story outhouse has served as a tourist attraction in the Gays community for more than 50 years. Being built in 1872, the outhouse has served many in the community not only as a tourist attraction but as an addition to apartments that were once standing adjacent to the outhouse. According to Gays resident Nancy Goodwin, a general store was built after the Civil War and flourished in the 1800’s. Read More

Murals Painted on Old No. 1 and Windsor Pub

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Photo by R.R. Best
This mural can be found on the side of the Old No. 1 in Windsor. The mural features the American flag, a bald eagle, military helicopter, an airplane and a World War II boat with soldiers. The other side of the business will be getting a mural painted on it starting this month.

•August 4, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Justin McWhorter, owner of McQuarter’s Pub, Wurst Place, Old No. 1 and Windsor Pub, is hoping to bring some life back into Windsor’s downtown. One way he is doing this is by having murals painted on the Old No. 1 and Windsor Pub. McWhorter and his general manager are friends with Jamie Stang of Stang Arts in Effingham. Read More