•June 15, 2022•
The Sullivan City Council approved an increase of 4% in electric rates during Monday night’s meeting. This will go into effect on June utility bills. In previous meetings the water and sewer and gas rates have had rate increases approved.
Assistant Police Chief Josh Qualls attributed the quick resolution of the shooting investigation from last Friday to several law enforcement officers, Sullivan Police Chief Andy Pistorius and the Illinois State Police.
Dan Flannell urged the council to table the five-year employment contract with the Linemen of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 51. He said that the problem, from his perspective, is in article 1 on the first page which states that the only people covered by the contract are journeymen lineman and apprentice journeyman lineman. Flannell feels that the person listed is a groundsman and is not in the bargaining unit. Read More
Category Archives: News Section
The Rural Patriot and “Philly” To Make Debut at Arthur Fireworks June 25
•June 15, 2022•
The horse, named Philadelphia or Philly for short, will mark the first time a filly will be ridden during the show. She was named after the city of Philadelphia where the signing of the Declaration of Independence took place on July 4, 1776.
It was with great sorrow last year that the Rural Patriot Marty Miller announced several days before the fireworks show that his long-time horse and riding companion Snip had passed away. With no time to prepare a new horse for the show, Miller brought Snip’s saddle, placed it on the ground and placed the American flag into the saddle during the time of the show when he and Snip would traditionally make their ride across the field in front of the Niagara Falls. Read More
SMS Teacher Receives Excellence Award
•June 15, 2022•
Tacos. 80s music. Big Hair. Big heart.
If you’ve been a Sullivan Middle School student or had a kid at SMS recently, chances are you know what teacher is associated with those words.
Deena Lee, who many people associate these words with as well as the positive impact she has on many students, recently received the Recognition of Excellence Award from the Regional Office of Education #11.
According to the ROE #11 website, the award recognizes teachers who have “modeled excellence in education” and who are “exceptionally skillful and dedicated individuals who have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and co-workers.”
Those selected “also play active and useful roles within their communities as well as schools; often distinguishing themselves as leaders. Their most important quality is their superior ability to inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities.” Read More
Sullivan Schools Ballot Referendum Up for Vote on June 28
•June 15, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The primary election is coming up on Tuesday, June 28, and there will be a referendum for the Sullivan School District on the ballot. The ballot wording asks voters about issuing bonds in the amount of $25,000,000. The total cost is estimated around $27 million; however, $2 million will come from existing fund balances.
The tax rate impact would raise the school tax rate from approximately 4.19 to approximately 4.37. For a home valued at $100,000, this would result in a property tax increase of about $5 per month. Read More
Thomas Houser Annual Memorial Golf Outing 2022
Photo by Crystal Reed
Thomas Houser Annual Memorial Golf Outing
Laura and Tatum Ellis participated in the golf outing that was held on Saturday, June 4 at Sullivan Country Club.
Photo by Crystal Reed
On the Course
A golfer lines up her shot during the golf outing held last Saturday. This year’s recipient of the scholarship in memory of Tom Houser was Raimi Gardner at Sullivan High School.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Golfing for a Cause
Austin Brettschneider, Kendall Brettschneider, Alex Love and Seth Sawyer at the 2nd Annual Thomas Houser Memorial Golf Outing.
Photo by Crystal Reed
On the Green
Kyler Houser, Andrew Frost, Ty Molzen and Jacob Piper took a break from the course for a group photo.
Marrowbone Public Library Petting Zoo
Photo by Crystal Reed
Marrowbone Public Library Petting Zoo
Jane Hill and grandson Karsyn Yowell play with a puppy during the petting zoo. Children visiting the library could see a puppy, chicken, rabbit and a few goats.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Petting the Goat
Becky, Jonathan and Carson Nixon pet the goat while Kaydence Kennedy holds it. This program kicked off summer reading activities at Marrowbone Public Library.
Summer Reading in Sullivan
Photo by Crystal Reed
Inflatable Slide
Jude Hertenstein slides down the inflatable slide at the summer reading kickoff in Sullivan.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Summer Reading Craft
Stan Parks and K French help Jayce Robinson and Izzie Durbin with a craft at the Summer Reading kickoff party at Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library last Friday.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Enjoying the Shade
Eric Bettinger and Beau Fleming eat snow cones in a tent during the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library summer kickoff event. This year’s theme for summer reading is Read Beyond the Beaten Path.
Flags Placed at Cemetery for Memorial Day 2022
Photo furnished
Flags Placed at Cemetery for Memorial Day
Members of the Sullivan American Legion, Sons of the American Legion and Sullivan High School FFA placed flags at veterans gravesites at Greenhill Cemetery for Memorial Day.
They are (left to right): George Selby, Ryan Lawyer, Bob Sims, Nicole Lofland, Gareth Coffer, Matthew Wesselman, Tony Feeler, Raegan Sims, Mac Bond, Mike Keown, Mark Conlin, Larry Preston and Kent Buxton.
Ballot Drop Box now Located on Square
Photo by Crystal Reed
Ballot Drop Box now Located on Square
A new Ballot Drop-off Box has been secured on the northwest side of the Courthouse on Hamilton Street next to the USPS drop box. Hand delivery of a voted Vote By Mail ballot has been made one-step easier by walking up or driving up to the box, sliding your envelope containing the voted ballot into the Ballot Drop-off box. The box is under 24-hour video surveillance, and ballots will be retrieved twice a day by the Election Authorities office.
To request a Vote By Mail ballot an individual may call the County Clerk’s office 217-728-4389, or go online www.moultriecountyil.gov Click: How Do I/Apply For/Vote By Mail Ballot
The voted ballot may be return by US Mail, hand-delivered to the County Clerk’s office, or dropped off in the Ballot Drop-off box
MCHGS Meeting on June 16
•June 8, 2022•
This June is the 80th anniversary of the Midway during World War II. In commemoration of that event, Vic Arendell of Sullivan, a long time student of that battle, will be presenting “The Battle Midway” for the June meeting of the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at the Lovington Fire Station on Rt. 32 in downtown Lovington.
The Pacific Battle of Midway of June 4-7, 1942, occurred just six months after the US Pacific fleet was devastated by the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in December, 1941. After invading Midway, the Japanese Imperial Navy planned to take Hawaii and then move east to the west coast of the United States. The public is invited to hear how the Japanese were soundly defeated by the US Navy at Midway, and the role played by a young Navy man from Lovington, Illinois who did not survive. Read More