Photo Submitted
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.
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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.
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
•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
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
Photo by Crystal Reed
Summer Music Festival
Sullivan First United Methodist Church held a music festival on Saturday, July 24. Musicians included Jeff Mayberry, Collage of Faith and Mackville. There was also food and cold drinks for purchase. Pictured is Jeff Mayberry performing under the pavilion during the event.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Plant A Rainbow
Addy Hendry (right) fills a pot with soil before planting New England Aster seeds in it. Keegan Payne (left), an Environmental Educator at Douglas-Hart Nature Center looks on. Payne presented a program called Plant A Rainbow at Marrowbone Public Library in Bethany on Thursday, July 22. She talked about prairie animals and plants and the process of pollination. There were also two games that children played one about pollination and the other about migration and the importance of prairie plants to that process.
•July 28, 2021•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The city council meeting began with a public hearing on the appropriations ordinance for the city of Sullivan for the fiscal year commencing May 1, 2021 and ending April 30, 2022. According to city treasurer Sarah Golden, the total appropriations for the Department of the Mayor is $17,361,100; Department of Accounts and Finances, $993,000; Department of Public Property, $12,599,500; Department of Public Health and Safety, $4,262,500 and Department of Street and Public Improvements, $1,121,250. Total appropriations are $36,337,350.
According to Golden this is a slight adjustment from the appropriation that she read at the last meeting, There is a decrease of a little over $200,000. That is after getting some feedback on some capital asset purchases which were cut and moved to a future fiscal year. The appropriations ordinance was passed unanimously. Read More
•July 28, 2021•
By Ariana Cherry
NP Writer
The biggest item on the table at the most recent ALAH School Board meeting was how the students in the district would have a safe return to school and whether they would return wearing a mask.
Local resident, member of the District #305 Education Foundation and an officer for the alumni association, Marty Yeakel, voiced her concerns.
“The things I want to relate are I’m sure all things that you are aware of and have probably talked about yourselves many times, but I feel it’s important for members of the community to stand before you and let you know what they are thinking. My hope and the hope of many I believe is that our kids do not have to return to school this fall with masks. I know there has been a lot of talk about local control and that Superintendent Cheek, along with many other superintendents, has signed a letter to the governor reminding him that schools should be able to make these decisions to do what is best for their district. Wearing masks or not wearing masks should be a choice made by families.” Yeakel ended her comments with a quote from Thomas Jefferson: “I know of no safe repository for the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to increase their discretion by education.” Afterward, she thanked the board and the administration for the job that they have done this past year in “an unprecedented situation,” and let them know their work is appreciated. Read More
•July 28, 2021•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Last week, Sullivan and Okaw Valley School districts sent letters to families regarding their back-to-school plans for 2021-2022. Superintendent Ted Walk announced in his letter that Sullivan Schools will operate in a very similar manner as 2019, with the primary exception that masks will be required only when on school buses. The letter continues to state that buildings and school buses will have enhanced cleaning schedules and that good hand hygiene will be encouraged at all grade levels.
Parents should keep their children home from school if they are sick or exhibiting COVID-19 related symptoms. Also, three feet of physical distancing will be maintained to the greatest extent feasible. The letter says that field trips will resume and that visitors will be allowed at the building principal’s discretion. Read More