Category Archives: News Section

Country Financial Office Welcomes New Agent

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Photo by Crystal Reed
The Houser Agency
Production Assistant Jorjia Clements, Insurance Agent Kyler Houser and Financial Representative Elizabeth Houser.

•November 17, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Elizabeth Houser has added a new agent to her office, her son Kyler. A meet and greet was held at Country Financial at the end of October. With the addition of Kyler, the agency has become the Houser Agency.
Elizabeth started with Country Companies on March 28,2011. She has made six All Americans in a row. Recently there had been discussion about bringing in an associate agent but after another Country Companies agent retired recently Kyler was brought in as an agent.
Kyler graduated from Sullivan High School in 2016 and from Eastern Illinois University in 2020 with a degree in broadcast meteorology and earth science. Prior to going into insurance he worked for Marvin Keller. In his spare time he enjoys flying drones, ping pong and solving Rubik’s cubes.
He is fully licensed in auto, home, life, health, farm and commercial insurance as well as brokerage policies and medicare supplement.
According to Elizabeth their clients have 24/7 access to them whether it be by text, calling or e-mail. The Houser Agency is located at 1102 W. Jackson in Sullivan and can be reached by phone at 217-728-2591.

Structure Fire

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Photo by R.R. Best
Structure Fire
Sullivan Fire Department received a call for a structure fire north east of Sullivan at 6:36 pm on Sunday, November 14. Bethany and Arthur Fire Departments were called in for mutual aid. The structure was a complete loss. There were no injuries.

Second Annual Anglers Tribute to Veterans Held

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Twenty four veterans and their boat drivers participated in the Second Annual Anglers Tribute to Veterans on Lake Shelbyville on Saturday, November 13.

•November 17, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Second Annual Anglers Tribute to Veterans was held Saturday, November 13, on Lake Shelbyville. This year the number of veterans participating was 24; last year, which was the first year for the event, 12 veterans went out on the water.
The day started with a color presentation by Sullivan American Legion and VFW, a word of prayer and the playing of “Taps.” Then, the veterans and their boat drivers went out on Lake Shelbyville for a day of fishing. Read More

High School Student Council Organizes Veterans Day Ceremony

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Jennifer Hobbs and Dakota Freeze carry the flags in at the beginning of the Veterans Day Ceremony. They both also spoke during the ceremony about their experiences in the military.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Lilly Graham and Clayton Schmohe sang during the Veterans Day program held at the high school last week.

•November 17, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The program began with the presentation of the flags by Dakota Freese and Jennifer Hobbs. The playing of the military branch songs was held, and those veterans in attendance were encouraged to stand during their branch’s song.
Dakota Freese, who is serving in the Illinois National Guard, was one of the guest speakers for the program. After high school, he wanted to join the infantry and become a ranger, but he told of his interest in being a welder or mechanic.
Jennifer Hobbs, a former Sullivan Elementary teacher who is the author of Calmed: Growth After Trauma, joined the Army National Guard at the age of 17 and at 19, was mobilized to Iraq.
She said that after being in a combat zone, going home was a difficult adjustment. While serving overseas, her husband was hit by a roadside bomb. “Whatever the struggles that come into your life, it is you; you who decide how you handle that. You can give up, don’t give up, or you can look that it as an opportunity to grow.”
Members of the student council read selections with the ending line of “On Veterans Day remember.” Students Lily Graham and Clayton Schmohe sang “America.” Students and staff members who have family currently serving or who have served were encouraged to stand.
The program closed with the playing of “Taps” and a moment of silence.

County Board Approves Retaining Services for Administration and Reporting of ARPA Funds

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•November 17, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The County Board approved retaining the services of Bellwether for administration and reporting of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. They are asking for $10,000 per payment of ARPA funds. ARPA ad hoc committee chair, Stephanie Helmuth, said that the county has received their first payment of the funds which was $1.4 million. In total the county will receive $2.8 million. She said they hope to be able to disperse the funds beginning in February.
The ad hoc committee recommended that the Moultrie County Board focus the first wave of funds on mental health needs and economic recovery of non-profits in Moultrie County that serve the people of the county. Read More

105th Birthday

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105th Birthday
William “Dean” Bennett celebrated his 105th birthday on Tuesday, November 2. Dean is one of the few of the “Greatest Generation” left. He served his country in World War II as a member of the Army Air Force in England. He has survived two pandemics, the Great Depression, and seen travel evolve from the Model T to frequent trips to outer space. He is the devoted father of 3, grandfather of 9, and great grandfather of 23. He was blessed with 70 years of marriage to his high school sweetheart. Dean spent his life in the Windsor community and was the owner of Bennett Tire Company. He still remains active at Courtyard Estates by riding his exercise bicycle. He celebrated his birthday with family and friends at Courtyard.

Army Veteran Helps Protect People and Property with Business

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•November 10, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Army veteran Todd Ratliff, formerly of Windsor, has seen success by running his own business called Total Home and Farm Video Solutions. The company provides digital video surveillance systems and is based in Mattoon. Ratliff graduated in 1988 from Windsor High School and enlisted in 1987.
While overseas, he witnessed the liberation of East Germany. “It was a part of history that my grandchildren talk about in school, and I was there,” he said. Ratliff worked in nuclear missile control satellite communications while in the Army. Read More

City Council Approves Grant Agreement with MCHGS

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•November 10, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The City Council approved a matching grant to the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society in the amount of $200,000. The city will approve payments to MCHGS twice a year.
There was a first reading of the 2021 tax levy. According to City Treasurer Sarah Golden the overall proposed levy is $811,329 which is a 4.76% increase over the prior year extension. It will be up for vote at the first meeting in December. The increase is due to the large increase in their insurance renewal.
The council discussed a TIF Redevelopment Agreement by and between the city of Sullivan and Main St. Capital Partners. They are requesting that the city put the utilities in the subdivision. This would be phased in within a long period of time and will be revisited at the next meeting.
It was reported that the Christmas lights are being installed in the park. Crews have begun leaf cleanup and marking trees that need to be removed. Renovation of the children’s pool at the Civic Center continues. A hat, glove and boot drive is being hosted at the center during November with donations accepted during business hours. The pool will be closed to the public 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Nov. 13 due to a Blue Dolphin swim meet and the facility closed Thursday in observance of Veterans Day. Read More

Tribe Trek Program Receives Grant from Sullivan Rotary

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Photo by Crystal Reed
The Sullivan Rotary has awarded a grant to the Tribe Trek program. From left to right: Lori Shasteen, George Levi, Kathy Hawbaker, Garrett Brachbill, High School Assistant Principal Ryan Aikman, Troy Rogers, Blake Eggleston, Dave Cole.

•November 10, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan Rotary Club has awarded a grant in the amount of $1,779.68 to the Tribe Trek program. According to Nathan Ogle, Sullivan Middle School principal, Tribe Trek is a summer enrichment program that consists of four field trips over the course of the summer.
Students do not need to meet any qualifying criteria in terms of grades, behavior or attendance; they simply want to select kids for whom the program could have the biggest impact. “The goal of the program is to not only provide students with opportunities for academic engagement through new experiences but also to build stronger relationships with staff members through fun activities,” Ogle said. The program is entirely free for students, including a district-provided sack lunch. Read More

First Facilitation Meeting Held, Committee Members Elected

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•November 3, 2021•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

At the most recent meeting of the ALAH School Board, Superintendent Shannon Cheek reported they had received a kickback of $880 from Sarah Bush Lincoln since students and the community utilize their services. “Eight hundred and eighty dollars is helpful for sure,” said Cheek. He also informed the board that the district received another payment from transportation, but it was for last year.
Cheek informed the board about the Southern Illinois Purchasing Cooperative (SIPC). It provides an opportunity to purchase janitorial items and other supplies through Home Depot. “It may provide us with opportunities that we have not had in the past for janitorial staff,” he stated. There is no cost to join and no strings attached and also provides the district with a free iPad. The iPad will help the staff document areas that are cleaned and find out which tools and concepts work best for cleaning. It will assist in providing feedback visually. “This will provide an opportunity to have some informational data and development for our janitorial staff,” said Cheek. The board voted to move ahead to join into an agreement with SIPC. Read More