Category Archives: News Section

Sullivan Residents Find Box of Family Memories in Old Barn, Return Them to Decatur Resident

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Siobhan and Austin Hunter of Sullivan recently found a box of family photos and memorabilia in a barn and returned them to Wayne Carter of Decatur. The Hunters were able to find Carter through a Facebook post that featured some of the photos and newspaper clippings in the box.

•June 2, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Siobhan and Austin Hunter of Sullivan were cleaning out her grandfather’s barn and found a cardboard box with a protective fabric cover sitting in the loft area. Siobhan said they opened the box and didn’t recognize any of the photos or newspaper clippings.
A few of the items inside included a picture of a soldier and a document tube that held a purple heart certificate for Wayne Loeb. The couple went to the Sullivan VFW and Moultrie County Historical Society to see whether anyone had information that could help them discover whether there were any relatives still around to whom they could return the box of photos, newspaper clippings and other family memorabilia.
The document tube had a Sullivan address on it so they tried to see if they could find a lead that way. The Hunters made the decision to make a post on Facebook to see if someone recognized the name Wayne Loeb or any of the photos in the box. “Through Facebook and continued efforts, we found the person to give the box back to,” Austin said.
That person happened to be Wayne Carter of Decatur. Carter said that when he saw the post, he initially thought that he had been hacked. Some of the items in the box are from the mid to late 30’s. Read More

Sullivan First United Methodist Church Celebrates 175 Years

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•June 2, 2021•
by Janet Roney
NP Guest Writer

Rev. Peter Cartwright”, the famous frontier Methodist evangelist, delivered a rousing sermon at Sullivan First United Methodist Church Sunday, May 23, to mark the congregation’s 175th anniversary. Portrayed by the Rev. Dr. Joel Catlin, he challenged the large congregation and the three ministers present: Bishop Frank J. Beard of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference, and Pastors Mike and Beth Fender of the Sullivan church to win more souls for Christ as he did at frontier camp meetings. Read More

Placing Flags at Greenhill Cemetery

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Placing Flags at Greenhill Cemetery
Several FFA members and their advisor joined members of the Sullivan American Legion Post #68 and other volunteers last Friday to put out flags for Memorial Day at Greenhill Cemetery. Pictured are Mike Daily, Kent Buxton, Mike Keown, Tony Feeler, Mark Conlin, Mike Black, Bob Ingram, Bob Sims, George Selby, Dee Ann Daily, Mac Bond, Becky Lawson, Reagan Sims, John Voyles, Beau Fleming, Matthew Wesselman, and Willow Krumwiede. Not pictured is Mallory Batman.

4-H Grant

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Photo Submitted 4-H Grant Farm Credit Illinois recently awarded a community grant in the amount of $500 to the Moultrie County Shining Stars 4-H Club. The club chose to donate a bench to Sullivan Elementary School Playground. Club members and parents helped pick out the bench, including the style and color. 2020-2021 Club President Sarina Voegel contacted SES Principal, Leslie Guyot to ask about the need for a bench and then contacted her again to tell her the 4-H club had been awarded the grant. The Moultrie County Shining Stars were one of more than 40 4-H Clubs and FFA Chapters in Illinois who received one of these grants. More than $30,000 in grant funds has been awarded to clubs and chapters in the last decade making tangible contributions in their communities by implementing improvement projects.

Blood Drive

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Blood Drive
Agri-Fab Inc. hosted a community blood drive on Wednesday, May 26 in the Agri-Fab meeting room. 22 units of blood were collected which will potentially help up to 66 people. There were also four first time donors. Their next blood drive will be July 22. Pictured is Doug Moore donating blood during the drive.

Crowes Retire From Sullivan School District

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Gary and Kathy Crowe in Sullivan School District work shirts.

•May 26, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Gary and Kathy Crowe retired last week from the Sullivan School District. Gary retired after 35 years with the district and Kathy after 25 years. Gary was the custodian at the high school, and his wife Kathy worked as custodian at the Sullivan Elementary School.
Sullivan High School principal Daniel Allen said that Gary is pretty close to being a perfectionist. “He has a routine, and he does everything he can to make things clean,” he said. One of the things Allen has observed about Gary is that he could always be heard whistling in the hallways.
Besides making sure that the school was clean, he also did maintenance on occasion. “If he had time and the tools, he would take care of it,” Allen said.
He added that Kathy was an extremely hard worker, one of the hardest workers he knows, and was always willing to help out where needed. Read More

Windsor HS Class of 2021

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Windsor High School Class of 2021
The Windsor High School graduating class of 2021 during the graduation ceremony held on Sunday, May 23 at the park in Windsor. Valedictorian was Jessica Rauch and Salutatorian was Marylee Orman.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Congrats On Your Freedom
Cindy Bauer, Claire Sims and Morgan Bauer made signs with a special message for Windsor High School graduate Lillie Sims. From left to right are Cindy Bauer, Claire Sims, Morgan Bauer and Lillie Sims.

Fire At Circle T Manufacturing

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Photo by R.R. Best
Fire At Circle T Manufacturing
According to Arthur Fire Chief Chris Helton, the Arthur Fire Protection District was alerted to a fire at Circle T Manufacturing, northeast of Sullivan, at 12:50 am last Thursday morning. When they arrived at the location the building was fully engulfed. Helton said that fire crews attacked the fire from the exterior using water that had to be hauled to the scene due to the rural setting. Departments that responded to the fire were Arthur, Sullivan, Lovington, Arcola, Cooks Mills, Humboldt and Hammond. The scene was cleared at 6:30 am.
Pictured is Firefighter Josh Qualls using a K-2 saw to cut a vent hole in the Circle T Manufacturing building.

Amtryke Parade

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Amtryke Parade
Students in Mrs. Grohler’s class at Sullivan Elementary School who have received Amtrykes from the Sullivan AMBUCS this year participated in a bike parade recently in the parking lot of the school. Students receiving Amtrykes were Colin Woods, Noah Smith, Ryleigh Russell, Sophie Foster and Presley Wagner. Also pictured is Jaxen Gudenrath.

City Council Votes To Raise Water and Sewer Rates

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•May 26, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council voted to raise water and sewer rates four percent during Monday night’s meeting. Agenda items for raising gas and electric rates were on the agenda as well, but the council voted to retain the current rates. The water and sewer rate is being raised in anticipation of paying on the new water plant.
“At this point in time I’m really not interested in raising electric rates for the simple fact all it would do is just increase the profit margin that the city is making,” Commissioner Mike Fowler said. “We don’t necessarily need an increase to pay our bills in the electric department.” He noted that what he would like to see is a discount for low-income individuals in Sullivan, and until they get that, he is not interested in raising rates at all. Read More