•September 29, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Sullivan’s SPARK program is in the process of being revived after COVID put it on hiatus. The effort is being led by Sequoia Cornell-Conner, an Americorps fellow, who has been assigned to the Chamber of Commerce to bring back SPARK and work on community economic development programs. Read More
Category Archives: Top Stories
Flannell No Longer City Administrator
•September 22, 2021•
The city of Sullivan’s council released a statement late last Wednesday afternoon that City Administrator Dan Flannell will no longer be employed by the city. The release said “As of September 15th the City of Sullivan has decided to move the city in a new direction and will no longer require the services of our city administrator, Dan Flannell. The council thanks him for his service to the community and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.” Read More
Patriot Day Assembly At High School Marks 20th Anniversary of 9-11
Photo by Crystal Reed
Senior Lilly Graham and Junior Lane Richardson sing during the Patriot Day Assembly held on Friday, September 10 at Sullivan High School.
•September 15, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Sullivan High School marked the 20th anniversary of the September 11,2001 terrorist attacks last Friday with a Patriot Day assembly. The program began with the “Star Spangled Banner” being played by the school band. There was news footage played with narration and video of the towers falling. Local first responders and veterans and active military personnel were honored then by having them stand and receive applause. They also had those who have relatives who are first responders or member of the military stand to receive applause as well. The junior Lane Richardson and senior Lilly Graham sang “My Country Tis Of Thee.”
High School Principal Daniel Allen then addressed those in attendance. He said that September 11,2001 was during his first month of teaching. “In times of adversity you get opportunity or you become a victim,” he said “you can be part of the solution or admit defeat.” He said that after the events of that day students were coming up to him asking how they could help the victims of the attacks.
“Freedom comes with a great amount of responsibility,” he said “if we are not responsible with it freedom is going to be lost.” He encouraged those in attendance to work to help others and not just themselves. He said that he wanted those in attendance to remember the sacrifices that have been made for them.
Also speaking was Annie McClellan, who was a freshman in high school on 9-11. She noted that 2,977 lives were lost that day. “2,977 is more than a number,” she said “it’s sisters and brothers and fathers and mothers and children.” Read More
County Board Legislative Committee Recommends Changes To Cannabis Ordinance
•September 8, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Moultrie County Board Legislative Committee met Friday, September 3, and voted to recommend changes to the cannabis business establishments ordinance to the board. According to county board chairman Dave McCabe, they were required by state ordinance to pass an ordinance relative to allowing or prohibiting cannabis businesses by December 2019.
Will Bates, who owns Central Roofing and Central Storage Solutions in Sullivan, began pursuing craft grower and dispensary licenses about seven months ago. He said their main goal is to do the craft grow only in Moultrie County and not the dispensary. According to Bates, “The state requires us to set up programs where we donate up to a certain percentage to substance abuse centers, veterans support and schools. A well-run facility can generate a lot of money for the community.” Read More
Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity Breaks Ground for New Build
Photo by Crystal Reed
New homeowner Tammy Martin and Rev. Bob Vail break ground on the new Habitat home while Gary Smith, President of Moultrie County Habitat Board of Directors looks on.
•September 1, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity broke ground on their 31st build Sunday. Tammy Martin and her sons Trey and Timothy were selected for this home. Tammy is a single mother and native of Sullivan.
She has worked in the local high school cafeteria for seven years. Trey and Timothy are autistic. The boys enjoy watching Disney movies and spending time with their grandpa Ron Martin. Tammy has rented homes for many years, and home ownership appeared to be an unrealistic dream. Read More
Counties Unite In Relay for Life
Photo by Ellen Ferrara
Survivors beginning their lap at the Coles-Moultrie County Relay for Life last Saturday at Peterson Park in Mattoon.
•August 25 2021•
by Ellen Ferrara
NP Writer
The Relay for Life is one of the Cancer Society’s major fundraisers, but Covid has prevented the relay from being held for the past two years. With limited funds to restart their program, the Moultrie and Coles county relays have combined resources and created the Coles-Moultrie County Relay for Life.
Their first fundraiser was held Saturday, August 21, at Mattoon in Peterson Park. The theme was “Saddle Up-Let’s Ride” so a lot of ladies wore blinged-out jeans and cowboy boots while children were treated to horse and pony rides.
Kathy Beals, event leader, noted that attendance was far less than expected due to the high temperature and humidity. She said “Normally, we try to have at least one member of each team on the track at all times, but some teams don’t have anyone walking the laps. It is just too hot.” Read More
OV School Board Votes for Masks at School
•August 18, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Okaw Valley School Board held a special meeting Monday evening in the Okaw Valley Middle School media center with many parents and concerned citizens in attendance. The main order of business on the agenda was to update the Return to School Plan 2021-2022.
The public in attendance was not masked, however, all but one board member was wearing a mask.
The initial plan approved at the July 22 school board meeting said the school year would begin with a mask optional policy. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker issued a mandate August 4 that masks would be required for students, teachers and staff at pre-kindergarten-12th grade schools. This mandate was the reason the board met Monday, to decide whether or not to require masks for students, faculty and administration at school. Read More
Reunion Band to Perform Benefit
Photo by Ellen Ferrara
The former Villagettes, now Reunion, rehearse for their August 20 benefit for the Bethany American Legion.
•August 11, 2021•
By Ellen Ferrara
NP Writer
Do you miss that great, ol’ time rock and roll music? Then pull up a lawn chair at the Bethany American Legion on Friday, August 20 from 6-8 p.m. and rock out with the former Villagettes to the great songs of the 60’s and 70’s.
The event is a fundraiser for the American Legion with pork burgers or a hot dog, chips and a cookie for $5.00. Beverages are also available, and all proceeds from the food sales go directly to the Bethany American Legion.
If you grew up in Bethany around 1967, you probably remember the Villagettes – an all-girl band of high school friends who played almost every weekend in Bethany, Sullivan, Lovington, Illiopolis, Decatur and other small towns in the area from 1967-1969 for sock hops and special events.
It all started when Dee Buker was the only girl in an all-male band. On one rare occasion the band got paid, and the guys divvied up the money but gave none to Dee. When she complained to her father, he said, “Why don’t you start your own band?”
She rounded up her best buds – Peggy Reeder (sax), Candy Monroe (bass), Cindy Sanner (drums), and one other friend to form an all-girl band. They called themselves the Villagettes because they came from a small village and to emphasize that they were a unique all-girl band. Read More
Two Story Outhouse Festival August 14
•August 4, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Village of Gays is preparing for the first Two-Story Outhouse Festival to be held Saturday, August 14 at 815 Front Street.
The day’s activities will begin with the Windsor FFA breakfast from 7-10 a.m.
Ten and 20-mile Outhouse TP bike rides will leave and end at the village hall with registration from 7:30-8:30 a.m. August 14. Registration fee is $20 and may be paid the day of the event. For more information on the bike rides, contact Julie Miller at 217-460-0546.
Vendor booths and food trucks will be available from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and a car show from noon to 2 p.m. For more information on the car show, contact Dean Hite at 217-273-4152.
Inflatables and pony rides for the kids will be on site as well as Bessie Bingo at $5 a square which will be available for purchase the day of the festival. Live entertainment will include a DJ and Altered Ego.
The two-story outhouse has served as a tourist attraction in the Gays community for more than 50 years. Being built in 1872, the outhouse has served many in the community not only as a tourist attraction but as an addition to apartments that were once standing adjacent to the outhouse. According to Gays resident Nancy Goodwin, a general store was built after the Civil War and flourished in the 1800’s. Read More
School Districts Announce Back to School Plans
•July 28, 2021•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Last week, Sullivan and Okaw Valley School districts sent letters to families regarding their back-to-school plans for 2021-2022. Superintendent Ted Walk announced in his letter that Sullivan Schools will operate in a very similar manner as 2019, with the primary exception that masks will be required only when on school buses. The letter continues to state that buildings and school buses will have enhanced cleaning schedules and that good hand hygiene will be encouraged at all grade levels.
Parents should keep their children home from school if they are sick or exhibiting COVID-19 related symptoms. Also, three feet of physical distancing will be maintained to the greatest extent feasible. The letter says that field trips will resume and that visitors will be allowed at the building principal’s discretion. Read More