•September 9, 2020•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Early last month, parts of Illinois were affected by straight line winds which caused power outages, downed poles and lines and lots of downed trees. In response to that an apprentice lineman that works for the City of Sullivan went to help out the town of Oglesby.
Braden Clark, 22, of Sullivan who had been working for the City of Sullivan for almost three years said that he arrived at Oglesby on August 11 and stayed until August 16 to help the town get the lights back on. When he arrived about 70% of the town had the power off and over the period of six days he worked 82.5 hours. Read More

Submitted photo
Sixth Circuit Court Judge Jason Bohm at the Moultrie County Courthouse last Saturday. Bohm is riding the sixth circuit on his bicycle for the next three Saturdays. Last Saturday he rode from Sullivan to Tuscola and this upcoming weekend he will ride from Clinton to Monticello.

•September 2, 2020•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Judge Jason Bohm, a circuit judge in the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Illinois which is made up of Champaign, DeWitt, Douglas, Macon, Moultrie and Piatt counties started “riding the circuit” this past weekend. Instead of riding on a horse like Abraham Lincoln would have done, he’s riding the circuit on a bicycle.
Last Saturday was his first bike ride on the circuit and he biked from Sullivan to Tuscola and he will be riding through the circuit past each of the courthouses in the Sixth Circuit for the next three Saturdays. Bohm said that he averages about five days a week riding his bike and that the entire circuit ride will be 160 miles total.
Bohm was appointed as a circuit judge in 2018 and is running on the ballot this fall to remain as a circuit judge. “With the pandemic this year, many of the parades and festivals we’ve previously visited in the six counties have been cancelled,” he said “Last year we walked in 26 parades and enjoyed visiting many communities. My wife and I also enjoy riding our bicycles and we thought this was a good way to combine two things we love doing.”
The next length of the circuit that he will be riding will be from Clinton to Monticello. For more information on Judge Bohm visit www.judgejasonbohm.com.

Teachers and staff members discuss first day of school back

•August 26, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for the NP

Members of the ALAH School District #305 School Board met on Wednesday, August 19 in the ALAH School Cafeteria. During public comment, a representative from the Arthur Education Association read a letter in response to negative comments that teachers received from the way they taught remotely back in the months of March through May. The letter explained the hard work and dedication that all of the district’s staff put in at the start of the pandemic, especially on such short notice. Board members listened to the association’s response and thanked them for coming forward to share. During past board meetings, the board and Superintendent has praised and thanked all of its staff and teachers for everyone’s hard work during this difficult time. Read More

•August 26, 2020•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

A house fire last Friday in Bethany took the life of a local child. Alaina Nicole Jarnagin, 5, of Bethany was pronounced dead at St. Mary’s Hospital at 3:02 p.m.
According to Macon County Coroner Michael Day, the child was found unresponsive in her bedroom. The bedroom the child was sleeping in was full of smoke from the house fire. After she was taken outside the residence cpr was initiated. Read More