Photo by Crystal Reed
Moultrie County Baby Talk Carolers
Staff at Moultrie County Baby Talk sang Christmas carols at the Marathon gas station on Friday, December 23. This is the second year that they have done this. It is their way of bringing holiday cheer to those in the community.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Olivia Cordes is the first place winner in the Voice of Democracy Essay contest for 9th to 12th graders for VFW Post 6410.
•December 28, 2022•
Photo by Crystal Reed
Patriot’s Pen essay contest winners for VFW Post 6410 are first place Avram Bates and 2nd place Hannah Taylor. The Patriot’s Pen contest is for 6th-8th graders.
Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars hosts an essay contest for middle schoolers and high schoolers. The Patriots Pen contest for 6th-8th graders offers the opportunity to win up to $5000 in scholarships. This year’s VFW Post 6410’s first place winner is Avram Bates; 2nd place is Hannah Taylor. The Voice of Democracy essay contest for 9th to 12th graders can win up to $30,000 in scholarships this year’s VFW Post 6410 first place winner is Olivia Cordes. Both Olivia and Avram’s essays have moved on to the District 11 judging. Winners will be announced in January.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Santa’s Helpers Visit Head Start
Santa’s Helpers visited Head Start in Sullivan on Tuesday, December 20. Jeri Davis is an organizer and donor. Members of the community and past community members help support this project with the purchase of toys and other needed items. Members can also donate cash and she will do the shopping. They try to have toys, personal care items, candy and cookies for the children. She encourages those who want to help to buy when items are drastically reduced after Christmas. They use coloring books, Christmas stockings, blankets and Christmas easy reading books. They usually plan for 20 kids each year.
•December 28, 2022•
by Ariana R. Cherry
A public hearing concerning the tax levy was held during the meeting of the ALAH Board of Education Wednesday, December 21. In November, a tentative tax levy was approved with an estimated 6% EAV. Superintendent Shannon Cheek proposed a balloon levy with a 9.43% aggregate levy which ended up requiring a truth and taxation hearing. With no additional comments or oppositions, the tax levy was approved.
The high school cafeteria was quite full of elementary and junior high students who were excited with anticipation to show off some of their recent projects. A group of fourth grade students presented their projects from their annual market day. A number of handmade items were shown which included sport bags made from sports balls, sport necklaces created from washers, wooden animal puzzles, keychains and treasure chests. Read More
•December 28, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
Arlene Aschermann concluded her 22nd year on the Moultrie County Board December 8, 2022, capping 38 years of service as an elected official in Moultrie County. She is a lifelong resident of Moultrie County and graduated from Sullivan High School in 1955. She moved to Arthur with her husband Lawrence and has been an active member of the Arthur Methodist Church for more than 60 years and served many years with the Arthur Woman’s Club as well.
Aschermann is a fixture in Arthur, serving three terms on the school board of the Arthur Community Unit School Dist. #305 from 1981 to 1995. During her tenure on the school board, a new gymnasium was built. She has also been active in the Arthur community and was part of the committee that raised the funds and constructed the community pool.
From 1994 to 1998 Aschermann served as the Moultrie County Clerk. Prior to that she had worked in the Moultrie County Clerk’s office for six years. Her nephew Kevin McReynolds said that since she had worked in the office prior to becoming clerk, she already knew how county government worked so it let her hit the ground running. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Santa Picture Bingo and Breakfast
On Saturday, December 17, Santa Picture Bingo was held at the Sullivan American Legion. The young and the young at heart ate breakfast, played picture bingo and visited with Santa. Proceeds went towards Down Syndrome Awareness.
Photos by Crystal Reed
Pizza Pajamas and Santa
Pizza Pajamas and Santa was held at the village hall in Gays on Saturday, December 17. Children were able to visit with Santa, enjoy pizza, cookies and hot chocolate and make crafts. Good will offerings were accepted at the event and all proceeds go towards the Two Story Outhouse Festival 2023.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Santa and Mrs. Claus
Daniel Cisney, Indie Rose Harminson and River Helmuth spent time with Santa during the Santa Picture Bingo and Breakfast at the Sullivan American Legion.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Newly Organized Moultrie County Board
The newly organized Moultrie County Board met for the December monthly meeting on Thursday, December 15 at 7 pm. Board members are (front row): Josh Roe. Billy Voyles, Marsha Kirby. Back row (left to right): Scott Buxton, Aaron Wilhelm, Kenny Graven, Tyler Graven, Travis Phelps and John Vander Burgh.
•December 21, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
The Moultrie County Board held their monthly meeting Thursday, December 15, with all board members present.
Moultrie County Sheriff Gary Carroll reported on HB 5855 “Protect Illinois Communities Act.” The state is in discussion on a bill that would make assault weapons, semi-automatics and magazines that hold more than 10 illegal. Owners would be required to register those weapons or magazines with the Illinois State Police within 80 and 300 days after the final passage of the bill. A $25 fee will also be assessed. It also raises the age of legal gun ownership from 18 to 21.
Iroquois County has passed a resolution supporting the second amendment and citizens’ rights to own and bear arms. Carroll told the board he supports what Iroquois County has done. “I think every citizen should be able to own firearms of their choosing for hunting, sport or collecting,” he said. “I don’t support the registering of firearms for varied reasons.” Board chair Billy Voyles related that he will continue to press on to come up with a resolution for Moultrie County. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
A quilting display in the museum space at the Moultrie County Genealogical Society Library and Museum. Volunteers are currently working on setting up exhibits among other tasks.
•December 21, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society recently received the news that they are a recipient of a Foreground Rural Initiative Grant in the amount of $10,000. The society is one of 27 partners who are receiving funding and resources through the new Illinois Humanities Foreground Rural Initiative. Partners are located across 19 counties in Illinois.
Gallery 510 Art and Framing, an Illinois art gallery in Macon County, is also an organization that is receiving one of the grants. According to a press release, grantee partners will participate in skill and resource sharing programs. Illinois Humanities will also partner with grantees on the co-creation of place-based “hubs” that will host community events in 2023 in the regions where they are located.
According to Fairouz AbuGhazaleh, director of statewide programs at Illinois Humanities, the initiative is for small and rural towns and are given to organizations and individuals to give them a platform to share their stories and successes. The program is a three-year initiative. AbuGhazaleh said they were surprised to receive double the amount of grant applications. Read More