•April 13, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan Community Education Foundation held a Staff Appreciation Banquet Thursday, April 7, at Building 1225. During that event, mini and major grants were presented, and staff and retirees were recognized for years of service. Grant Wade, chair of SCEF, presented the grants as well as announced donations that were integral to funding those grants this year.
Wade said last year the foundation received one of its largest donations in the amount of $86,000 from Lloyd and Helen Maurer. A memorial in honor of Gary Emel given by the Emel family made an extra $10,000 in grants possible. This year there were seven mini and eight major grants awarded.
Mini grants this year totaled approximately $4,764.00 while major grants totaled $25,504.45. Mini grants in the amount of $450.00 were awarded to Erin Van Deursen and Nichole Watkins for hands-on learning activities for kindergarten students; Courtney Leach/ Leslie Guyot for a portable public address system for SES staff and students in the amount of $499.00; John Bertetto for 10 licenses for cadaver dissection program for SHS students in Anatomy/Physiology courses in the amount of $510.00; Valerie Kalagian/Lauren Fultz/Rikki Ray for 13 document cameras/microphones for elementary school students in the amount of $742.50; Sarah Camp for a sensory table and materials for early childhood students in the amount of $755.00; Kelsey Elliott for flexible seating for fifth grade students in the amount of $839.00 and Sheri McCain for 21 keyboards for third grade students in the amount of $965.79. Read More

•March 30, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, March 28, and Mayor Richard Glazebrook began the meeting by recognizing Julie Shasteen who worked for the city for many years, saying she worked hard and enjoyed her job. She recently passed away.
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood made a motion to approve the architectural agreement with Utz and Associates regarding the city building. According to Treasurer Sarah Golden, the design fees will be 10% of the total project. The initial cost of construction is estimated to be $1,800,000. The final fee will be calculated on completion of construction. Read More

•March 16 2022•
by Ellen Ferrera
NP Writer

The second meeting of the public forums on Sullivan school facility needs was held in the middle school gym 6:30-8 p.m., March 8.
The 80 attendees were again assigned to groups of 10 people at eight tables with school superintendent, Ted Walk, leading the meeting.
At the previous session a survey was taken, and there were 70 respondents to the 20 questions regarding needs in terms of importance. The top10 were ranked in order of importance as follows:
• additional classrooms for the elementary school
• replace the middle school
• increased energy efficiency
• larger new gym Read More

•March 2, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

During Monday’s meeting of the Sullivan City Council, Commissioner Abbey Sherwood presented two possible options for a new city building project. She said they are down to two options in terms of build and location. There is a teardown and rebuild of a two-story building with an elevator at the current location near the square.
It would be $125,000-$150,000 for an elevator. “This option would put limitations on our needs and potential,” she said. The other option is a one-level building with the building going north into the old Jibby’s lot.
There were concerns because of the utilities in the alley. A review with sewer foreman Justin (Bubba) Farris was done, and a cost estimate including the move of utilities was estimated at $30,000. The repair of the road plus the purchase of the Jibby’s lot would be $75,000. They have a budget of $2 million budgeted out of TIF. Read More

Photo by Crystal Reed
The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society is in the process of renovating the old D&M building on Route 32 in Sullivan. They hope to open sometime this summer.

•February 16, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society is in the process of renovating their new location, the former site of D&M, on Route 32. Their old location in downtown Sullivan was the fire station. That building housed the museum and offices of the society. However, they began looking for a new location last year because they were running out of museum space.
According to MCHGS member Paul Stone, their new site will have an increase in museum space and office space. According to the blueprints, in the front left corner of the building will be an office. Towards the back left will be the library. Read More