
Photo by Crystal Reed
Blood Drive In Honor Of River Helmuth
River Helmuth and Santa Claus sit on an Amtryke during the blood drive held Saturday, September 18. 75 units of blood were collected during the drive.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Blood Drive In Honor Of River Helmuth
River Helmuth and Santa Claus sit on an Amtryke during the blood drive held Saturday, September 18. 75 units of blood were collected during the drive.

Photo by Jeni Yantis
OV Homecoming King and Queen
The 2021 Okaw Valley High School Homecoming King and Queen, King Lincoln Dickens and Queen Mia Harris, were crowned on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at the Homecoming Dance.
•September 16, 2021•
The City of Sullivan's City Council released a statement late Wednesday afternoon that City Administrator Dan Flannell will no longer be employed by city. The release said "As of September 15th the City of Sullivan has decided to move the city in a new direction and will no longer require the services of our city administrator, Dan Flannell. The council thanks him for his service to the community and wishes him the best in his future endeavors."
•September 15, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Sullivan City Council approved the Bruder Tank TARP Project during Monday’s meeting. Mayor Richard Glazebrook said that the dedication of the road needed to take place before the project could proceed. Commissioner Abbey Sherwood said she would prefer to have the road dedicated first. She has concerns about where the money would come from and whether they are doing this for Bruder’s.
Glazebrook said that it is a job created for the city of Sullivan. “Once that becomes our property, it becomes a city street,” Commissioner Doug Booker said. “That means I can drive on it, you can drive on it and kids can ride their bikes on it.”
City Administrator Dan Flannell paraphrased an email from Josh Bernius. In the letter Bernius said that it would be nice to have the road, but it was not a necessity. The property is currently owned by Phyllis Harshman. Read More

Photo by Crystal Reed
Miss Sullivan Pageant
The Miss Sullivan Pageant was held on Sunday, September 12 at Sullivan Elementary School. Pictured are the new 2021 Miss Sullivan queens: Miss Alexis Swaim, Junior Miss Wren Wall and Little Miss Emery Hill.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Senior Lilly Graham and Junior Lane Richardson sing during the Patriot Day Assembly held on Friday, September 10 at Sullivan High School.
•September 15, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Sullivan High School marked the 20th anniversary of the September 11,2001 terrorist attacks last Friday with a Patriot Day assembly. The program began with the “Star Spangled Banner” being played by the school band. There was news footage played with narration and video of the towers falling. Local first responders and veterans and active military personnel were honored then by having them stand and receive applause. They also had those who have relatives who are first responders or member of the military stand to receive applause as well. The junior Lane Richardson and senior Lilly Graham sang “My Country Tis Of Thee.”
High School Principal Daniel Allen then addressed those in attendance. He said that September 11,2001 was during his first month of teaching. “In times of adversity you get opportunity or you become a victim,” he said “you can be part of the solution or admit defeat.” He said that after the events of that day students were coming up to him asking how they could help the victims of the attacks.
“Freedom comes with a great amount of responsibility,” he said “if we are not responsible with it freedom is going to be lost.” He encouraged those in attendance to work to help others and not just themselves. He said that he wanted those in attendance to remember the sacrifices that have been made for them.
Also speaking was Annie McClellan, who was a freshman in high school on 9-11. She noted that 2,977 lives were lost that day. “2,977 is more than a number,” she said “it’s sisters and brothers and fathers and mothers and children.” Read More
•September 15, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Moultrie County Board met last Thursday and approved FY 2022 salary assumptions by a vote of 5-3 with board members John Fayhee, Billy Voyles and Todd Maxedon voting no. The motion established that each department head and elected official will establish salaries for their full-time, non-union employees whose salaries are not determined by a predetermined system. Each department head or elected official would decide the starting salary, merit pay and or appreciation of performance bonuses for their department. Read More

Photo furnished
Showing Appreciation For First Responders
The Sullivan Baking Brigade delivered a variety of treats to Illinois State Police, Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department, Sullivan Police Department and Sullivan Fire and Ambulance Department to show appreciation for all they do. The jumbo cards were made by the Spanish Club from Sullivan High School.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Civic Center Open House
The Sullivan Civic Center held an open house on September 11. The event included vendor booths, games and activities. Pictured above is a safety demonstration that the Moultrie County Dive Rescue team did during the event.

Photo by Ellen Ferrara
The Mason Point pumpkin patch that was a project of Grant Roehrs, a grounds maintenance staff member at Mason Point.
•September 8, 2021•
by Ellen Ferrara
NP Writer
Mason Point has its first pumpkin patch thanks to Grant Roehrs who is one of the grounds maintenance staff. The pumpkin patch is just one of many projects Grant has undertaken to make the grounds more attractive. Watching the drama unfold in the pumpkin patch has been a welcome diversion for the residents who have been mostly confined for over a year due to Covid. Read More