Category Archives: Top Stories

Sullivan Fire Department Cadet Program Celebrates First Graduates

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Konnor Randol and Landry Still graduated from the Sullivan Fire Department Cadet Program on Wednesday, September 28. The next session of the cadet program will start in January with the application process opening in November or December.

•October 5, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan Fire Department Cadet Program celebrated its first graduates on Wednesday, September 28. Konnor Randol and Landry Still were given helmets with new shields bearing their last names and certificates of graduation. They also signed the back of their cadet shields that will be used on the helmets of future cadets. Read More

Ground Breaking Held in Preparation for Barn Raising

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Ground is broken at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center, located between Arthur on Arcola on Route 133, during a ground breaking ceremony held on Friday, September 23. The ground breaking is in preparation for a two day barn raising event to be held in late October.

•September 28, 2022•
On Friday, September 23 a ground breaking was held at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center (IAHC), at their campus between Arcola and Arthur, in preparation for a two-day public barn raising that is scheduled for Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29 from 9 am to 5pm. Ground was broken using a horse drawn slip scraper and a plow, which was very common during the era of the original barn usage. Several board members of the IAHC operated the plow as well as descendants of the Herschberger-Miller family. Read More

The Sandwich that Changed Steve Jenne’s Life

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Photo by Ellen Ferrara
Steve Jenne (far left) and Scot England (far right) talk to those who attended the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society presentation on Thursday, September 15. Jenne talked about his book “The Sandwich That Changed My Life!” that he wrote with Scot England.

•September 21, 2022•
by Ellen Ferrera
NP Writer

On September 22, 1960, then Vice President Richard Nixon came to Sullivan to address a crowd at a Buffalo Barbeque Festival. He took one bite from his barbeque sandwich and then left to greet the crowd. In that instant, 14-year-old Steve Jenne grabbed the sandwich and the plate, raced home on his bicycle, had his mother put the sandwich in a plastic baggie, then into a Musselman Applesauce jar, and then into the freezer. Little did he know the sandwich adventures that would follow in the next 60 years.
On Thursday, September 15, 2022 some 30 people gathered at the Moultrie County Historical Society building to hear Jenne recount his story of the famous sandwich and promote his book with publisher Scot England, “The Sandwich That Changed My Life”. Fourteen of the attendees had been at Wyman Park on that famous day in 1960. Read More

Habitat Care-A-Vanners Travel to Build Homes

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Habitat for Humanity care-a-vanners recently visited Lovington Grade to visit with students and talk about volunteering and building homes. Standing (left to right): Marla Graham (Principal), Joelyn Kempf, Bill Kempf (Milan, Illinois), Jennifer Franklin (Homeowner), Gary Smith (Lovington), Ramona Conques (Woodworth, LA), Joe DeLosa, Debbie DeLosa (Celebration, FL), Gene Mueller (Bethany), Judy Fox, Tom Fox (Davenport, IA). Kneeling (left to right): Bob Gillespie (Stevensville, MI) Richard Conques (Woodworth, LA), Chuck Ostrander (Battle Creek, MI)

•September 14, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Recently, construction began on the latest home for Habitat for Humanity in Lovington. A large portion of the labor used to build these homes year after year are care-a-vanners. Care-a-vanners are people who, in some cases, travel all over the country to build homes for the organization. The group that is working on the newest home recently visited Lovington Grade School, ate lunch and answered questions from students about volunteering and building houses. Read More

Bethany Man Finishes Rookie Racing Season

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•September 7, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Eric Boomer of Bethany, known at the race track as E21, recently finished his rookie season of street stock car racing with a race at Jacksonville Speedway. His ranking before Friday’s race was fifth place in the Midwest Big Ten Street Stock standings, tenth place in points at Macon Speedway, eighth in points at Lincoln Speedway and 23rd in national points in DIRTcar Series. Before he started racing this year, he spent five-seven years racing go carts at Piatt County Speedway. Read More

Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity Breaks Ground for New Home

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Ground was broken for the newest Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity home in Lovington on Sunday, August 28. Pictured are Moultrie County Habitat Board of Directors President Gary Smith, Pastor Rodney Houser, Senior Pastor at Lovington First Church of God; new homeowner Jennifer Franklin and her children Abbie and Maddox.

•August 31, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity broke ground for their newest home Sunday in Lovington. Jennifer Franklin and her children Abbie and Maddox were selected for the home.
The groundbreaking ceremony began with a greeting from Gary Smith, president of the Moultrie County Habitat Board of Directors, followed by an invocation by Pastor Rodney Houser, senior pastor at Lovington First Church of God. The family, Habitat Board members and some of the Care-a-vanner builders in attendance were introduced. Read More

Mo. Co. Beacon Holds Job Training Classes

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Photo furnished
Moultrie County Beacon consumers listen to Vonnie Lee during a recent training class held on on the job etiquette, financial literacy and banking/budgeting.

•August 24, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Moultrie County Beacon recently held job training classes for several of their consumers. Topics for the classes included resumes, on the job etiquette, financial exploitation and banking. Presenting the information were Stan Parks, Brittney Collins and Vonnie Lee.
Job etiquette included resumes, interviews, punctuality, dress for success, do’s and don’ts on the job, conflict on the job, boundaries, two weeks’ notice and sometimes, they are just your co-workers, not your friends. Consumers learned what to put on their resumes including job experience, job skills, volunteer time, references and earning preferences. Job etiquette included information such as no phone usage on the clock, avoiding gossip, keeping in contact with your supervisor, being flexible with hours or job changes and respecting co-workers’ privacy. Read More

County Board Approves Fencing and Concrete Repairs

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•August 17, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Moultrie County Board met on Thursday, August 11, and approved two motions in regard to fencing around courthouse electric service and concrete repairs. Chairman Billy Voyles reported there are electric panels open around the outside of the courthouse, and they want to protect any children who may be playing on the lawn at any point. A chain link fence will be installed. The approved motion was for $3,400 for fencing around the electric service.
The second motion approved was $13,450 in concrete repairs. Voyles said there are substantial repairs that need to be made to concrete outside the courthouse. Discussed but not on the agenda was the possibility of purchasing generators for the courthouse and animal control.
Rick Matthews, head of maintenance, told Voyles that Bob Lane offered to donate his time to install the generator at animal control. They were told they could apply for ARPA funds to pay for these generators. Read More

Lovington Native Part of Team Awarded Pulitzer Prize

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•August 10, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

David Kidwell, formerly of Lovington, was recently part of a team from the Better Government Association which won a Pulitzer Prize for its investigative stories with the Chicago Tribune that exposed the failure of Chicago city officials to keep tenants safe from deadly fires in dangerous residential buildings. Kidwell grew up in Lovington, graduated from Lovington High School and had a summer internship with the News Progress while he was attending college at Eastern Illinois University. He said working at the News Progress was his first real taste of reality of real-world journalism and that he enjoyed every second of it. Read More

Moultrie County Democrat Central Committee Selects Candidate to Finish County Clerk Term

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Rita Coleman Florey

•August 3, 2022•
by Ellen Ferrera
NP Writer

Tim Singer, Committee Chairman for the Moultrie County Democrat Committee, announced that the committee is recommending Rita Coleman Florey to serve as the interim Moultrie County Clerk filling Georgia England’s position until the November 22 election is completed.
According to the Statute, “The vacancy shall be filled within 60 days by appointment of the Chairman of the county board with the advice and consent of the county board.” The appointment must be of the same political party as Mrs. England, a Democrat.
Singer said of the appointment, “Mrs. Florey has many years of administrative experience as principal of the Sullivan Elementary School, as well as vast experience in dealing with the public. We believe she will bring stability to the office.” Read More