•July 21, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Bethany Village Board voted to proceed with water system upgrades during a special meeting held last Tuesday. The project is being funded by the United States Department of Agriculture rural development program and will be part grant and part loan. The village received their award letter and it stated that $2.9 million would be loan and $722,000 would be grant. Read More
•July 21, 2021•
Linda Qualls recently announced her candidacy as a Republican candidate for Moultrie County Clerk.
Qualls, who has lived and raised her family in Sullivan for decades, brings a variety of skills and talents to one of the busiest offices in the courthouse. She joined the clerk’s staff in April of 2021 and is confident that her knowledge and work experiences have prepared her to become the next Moultrie County Clerk.
While working as a legal administrative assistant at Wood and Mayberry Law Office (now known as BRE Law), Linda earned her Associate’s degree, cum laude, in business administration from Lake Land College. Steve Wood, her employer for more than 20 years, describes Linda as “highly motivated to perform any task to a successful conclusion, and her outgoing personality results in an excellent relationship with the public.” Wood appreciated Qualls as a “very loyal, intelligent, resourceful, and reliable employee” and states that he “is more than happy to endorse her candidacy for Moultrie County Clerk. She would be a great one.” Read More
Photo by R.R. Best
Sullivan Farmers Market
Paul Feist sells produce at the Sullivan Farmers Market in the pavilion on the southwest corner of the square. The Sullivan Farmers Market is every Wednesday until the end of October from 4 to 7 pm. It is free for vendors to setup and there are no reserved spaces so vendors setup tables where space is available.
•July 21, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
A benefit will be held for Rena Herschberger this Friday and Saturday at the fairgrounds in Arthur. All proceeds will benefit Herschberger’s fight against Hodgkins Lymphoma.
She is married to Nate Herschberger, and they have two children, Anissa (9) and Parker (6). Her journey for diagnosis started in March 2021. She saw her family doctor and was sent for an ultrasound on her head and neck due to a few lumps near her neck and collarbone.
The ultrasound led to a biopsy. On March 24, she got the call. “Rena, it turns out we do need you to come see us at the cancer center.” She said that she felt when the phone rang, she already knew the news was not good, but she had peace. It was then that she was told that the biopsy showed Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
She was to meet with the oncology team, and they would proceed. After meeting with the team, the next step was a PET scan. The results came back on May 4, stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a blood cancer that starts in the white blood cells and moves throughout the body. Read More
•July 21, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
After a long discussion at the June meeting, the Moultrie County Board voted 7-2 to reestablish voting precinct lines in Sullivan Township. After last month’s meeting, they returned to Bruce Harris and Associates and asked them to redraw the map. All the precincts are well under 800 voters each which leaves room for growth.
The new map was drawn for Sullivan Township only. Precinct lines have no bearing for whom a person votes, just the location at where a person votes.
Board members also voted 7-2 to allow the state’s attorney’s office to hire a part-time investigator for the remainder of the fiscal year for 14 hours a week at the rate of $14.00 to $15.50 an hour based on experience. State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver reported that this investigator would assist the state’s attorney’s office with things such as reviewing body camera footage and serving subpoenas. The office needs additional help in light of the criminal justice reforms that have come about from the state of Illinois. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Local Author At 5 West Coffee and Wine Lounge
Local author Jennifer Hobbs had a book signing and reading at 5 West Coffee and Wine Lounge on Thursday, July 15. Her book “CALMED. Growth After Trauma” was released on July 1. Jennifer is pictured with her husband Ryan.
•July 14, 2021•
Clint A. Hector, 37, of Sullivan, has been sentenced to ten years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
At a hearing on July 8, 2021, Judge Jeremy Richey accepted a plea in which Hector pled guilty to the offense of: Criminal Damage to Property (Damage in Excess $10,000 but not in Excess of $100,000), a Class 3 Felony, Moultrie County case 20-CF-71 Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Owners of All American Storm Team, Selina and Jay Clark, with their truck that lists some of the services they offer.
•July 14, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
A new local business that is veteran owned has a goal to help homeowners in their time of need. Jay and Selina Clark, both Army veterans, have founded All American Storm Team. Their business makes sure insurance policy holders are protected should a disaster happen such as a tornado, flood, wildfire, house fire or hurricane or even something as simple as a roof leak.
They both used to work in the insurance industry and one day decided that they needed to do some other kind of work. They both have insurance and construction backgrounds. “All we wanted to do is help people,” Selina said. “It doesn’t matter which arena.” Read More
Photo by Erika Black
Sullivan Park and Rec
Willow Cody, Reagen McKinney and Aaliyah Osborn enjoy playing in Wyman Park during the Sullivan Park and Rec program last Friday.
•July 14, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
David Bowers, a trustee of the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society, spoke to the council concerning a proposal from Metro Communications to purchase the society’s building. The organization believes they have found a location to meet their needs. They are applying for a loan through the USDA; however, they also want some assistance from the city of Sullivan. “We understand that the council members may be unaware of our situation until now,” he said, “but we feel we have undertaken our move as a benefit for the city of Sullivan and its citizens in order to provide Zac Horn and Metro Communications the opportunity to have space adjacent to the business headquarters in order for them to grow in Sullivan.”
Bowers continued to say they are asking for assistance in the way of a $100,000 revolving loan and a grant of $100,000 from the city. They also plan to have a capital campaign and multiple events to take place at their new location if they can secure the funds to purchase it. “Our museum space will be more than doubled,” Bowers explained, “so we will have many displays that have often been rotated or not yet been seen.” Read More