•February 17, 2021•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer
During the Feb 8 City Council meeting, an ordinance establishing a revolving loan program for the city of Sullivan was approved. The council appropriated a sum of $400,000 for initial funding of the program.
Prior to 1992, the US Department of Agriculture had a revolving loan program available to communities at low interest rates to push development and employment. That program had the amount of $250,000 appropriated to it. City Administrator Dan Flannell said that through that program the city of Sullivan made many loans to businesses, but as interest rates declined the need for the program went away. Read More
Category Archives: News Section
Demolition on Titus Home Expected to Take 3-4 Weeks Depending on Weather
Photo by R.R. Best
•February 17, 2021•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The demolition process began last week at the site of the Titus home. According to Sullivan City Administrator Dan Flannell, the demolition is expected to be completed within three-four weeks.
The brick and concrete from the structure will be removed to the city of Sullivan’s storage lot where it will be ground up and repurposed. The property will not be for sale and will stay in the inventory of the city long term.
Flannell said that the demolition crew is avoiding the disturbance of trees and plantings on the property, and a small metal garage will remain in place as storage for the park system.
According to a biography written by R. Eden Martin, the Titus home was built by Winnifred Titus’s father, J.B. Titus, in 1895, replacing an earlier and small four-room structure on the same site. The new house was a home for J.B., his wife Louise, Winnie (22 in 1895) and Louise’s aged mother Wilhelmina. After Winnie returned from Europe in 1910, she lived with her parents in that home where she offered piano lessons to her students. Read More
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!
Photo by Crystal Reed
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!
Crews remove snow near the Sullivan square on Monday morning.
Austin Kelley wins Moultrie County Spelling Bee
Photo submitted
Moultrie County Spelling Bee Champion Austin Kelley with a book he got to help prepare him for the bee. Austin is the son of RJ and Dawn Kelley.
•February 17, 2021•
The Moultrie County Spelling Bee was held last Wednesday virtually using the Scripps online platform. Students participating in the virtual bee were from Lovington Grade and the Sullivan School District.
Sullivan School District participants were James Conlin, Austin Kelley, Hannah Creek, Brady Stollard, Landon Jesse, Xandria Smith. Alternates were Rowan Mast and Nixon Dundee. Lovington Grade School participants were Isabella Menna, Brian Hadley, Rylie Pitts, Macelyn Boddy, Maxton Boddy and Jacob Hurt. Alternates were Makenna Liming and Samantha Fowler.
Austin Kelley from Sullivan School District was named the Moultrie County Spelling Bee Champion. Runner-up was Maxton Boddy from Lovington Grade School. Austin will advance to the Regional Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 13 at 9 am at Richland Community College in Decatur.
Board Approves Resolution Urging Governor To Veto Bill Regarding Criminal Justice Reform
•February 17, 2021•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Moultrie County Board met last Thursday night and approved a resolution urging Governor Pritzker to veto House Bill 3563 regarding criminal justice reform. “Most of us feel pretty strongly about the negative aspects of this legislation,” County Board Chairman Dave McCabe said.
The bill was passed by the Illinois House and Senate in January. The News Progress reported in January that the bill was concerning for local officials.
Some of the things included in the bill include eliminating cash bail, requiring body cameras to be in place by 2022 with all agencies having them implemented by 2025. Read More
A Taste of Winter
Photo by Crystal Reed
A Taste of Winter
Wyman Lake is covered in snow and ice on Monday morning.
Spelling Bee
Photo furnished
Spelling Bee
Lovington Grade held their spelling bee last week. The top 6 will participate in the virtual Moultrie County Spelling Bee on Wednesday, February 10. There are two alternates.
1st Place - Macelyn Boddy, 2nd Place - Brian Hadley, 3rd Place - Jacob Hurt, 4th Place - Rylie Pitts, 5th Place - Bella Menna, 6th Place - Max Boddy, Alternate - Samantha Fowler (Not pictured), Alternate - Makenna Liming (Not Pictured).
C.E.F.S. Moultrie County Outreach Office Welcomes New Outreach Coordinator
Photo by Crystal Reed.
Allison Garrett, the new Outreach Coordinator at C.E.F.S. Moultrie County Outreach Office stocks the shelves in the food pantry last week.
•February 10, 20201•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The C.E.F.S. Moultrie County Outreach Office has added a new outreach coordinator to their staff. Allison Garrett works closely with the housing counselor, rent assistance, energy assistance and food pantry.
She holds a bachelor in human services and community leadership from Eastern Illinois University. Garrett is originally from the Kankakee area but currently resides in Charleston. Prior to working at C.E.F.S. she worked at the YMCA in Mattoon. Read More
City Council Hears Citizens Concerns About Utility Rates
Photo by Crystal Reed.
Chase Eller (right) receives a certificate from Mayor Richard Glazebrook (left) during the city council meeting. Eller recently saved a baby from choking when he was dining at a restaurant in Decatur.
•February 10, 20201•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Citizens expressed their concerns about utility rates during Monday’s meeting of the Sullivan City Council. Allison Beard addressed the council saying her utility bill this past month was almost $400.
“My boyfriend has recently started going to work early every day of the week just so we can afford to pay this extremely high utility bill,” she said. Beard added that she has had several people reach out to her saying their bills are high as well.
Mayor Richard Glazebrook said the staff has put a lot of time in this and received a lot of calls. He said that the usage is up and is a lot more than it was last year. Read More
Backyard Bird Count
Photo by Crystal Reed.
Backyard Bird Count
The Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library held a program last Thursday and Friday afternoon to educate visitors on birds and draw attention to the Backyard Bird Count which is taking place February 12-15. The library had various bird themed activities including painting a birdhouse from a repurposed 2 liter bottle. There were also stations that had bird beak simulations of a variety of birds including sparrows, woodpeckers, hawks, shorebirds and hummingbirds. According to www.birdcount.org, participating in the Backyard Bird Count involves simply watching birds for 15 minutes or more once over the four day period and submitting your observation list online at the website. Pictured above is Sammie Davison painting a bird house during the program.