Photo by Crystal Reed
For the last few years Country Financial agent Elizabeth Houser has helped make Christmas brighter for local families. This year’s Christmas crew was from left to right: Elizabeth Houser, Kyler Houser and Jorjia Clements.

•December 29, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Country Financial Agent Elizabeth Houser and her Christmas Crew helped out Moultrie County families by providing Christmas gifts. The crew, made up of Elizabeth, Jorjia Clements and Kyler Houser, served 23 families and 50 children.
As in previous years, Houser gave people the opportunity to adopt a family for whom to buy gifts, and some people offered to donate money toward buying gifts for families in need. “There was an outpouring of love this year for these families,” Elizabeth said. An anonymous donor provided $75 gift cards to IGA for each family this year. Read More

•December 15, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

View the photos here

A tornado touched down south of Windsor Friday, December 10, at about 9:50 p.m. According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, when the tornado touched down, it caused a loss of roof panels to a farm outbuilding. At that point the tornado strengthened, causing total destruction of a farm outbuilding and breaking wood power poles southeast of Windsor. South Central FS saw significant damage west of Gays with numerous buildings damaged or destroyed and three large tanker trucks flipped.
The tornado continued into Coles County, causing more damage. It finally lifted at 10:04 p.m., four miles north-northeast of Mattoon. The National Weather Service has issued a rating of EF2 for the tornado. Read More

Photo by Crystal Reed
One Book, One Sullivan revealed their book pick for this year during an assembly on November 22. This year’s book is ‘The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise’ by Dan Gemeinhart. They were joined by Sullivan Rotary members Stan Parks and Lori Shasteen.

•December 1, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

After showing a book trailer, One Book, One Sullivan revealed this year’s book to their middle school classmates during an assembly at Sullivan High School November 22. The group narrowed down the options for this year’s selection by reading books from the 2021 Rebecca Caudill list.
Over the summer, One Book, One Sullivan students read their way through the reading titles and met in person once a week. In late September, they announced the top four titles which were Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes, Free Lunch by Rex Ogle, From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks and The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart. Members of the group distributed some copies of the book to students during the assembly. Read More

Photo by Crystal Reed
Jennifer Hobbs and Dakota Freeze carry the flags in at the beginning of the Veterans Day Ceremony. They both also spoke during the ceremony about their experiences in the military.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Lilly Graham and Clayton Schmohe sang during the Veterans Day program held at the high school last week.

•November 17, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The program began with the presentation of the flags by Dakota Freese and Jennifer Hobbs. The playing of the military branch songs was held, and those veterans in attendance were encouraged to stand during their branch’s song.
Dakota Freese, who is serving in the Illinois National Guard, was one of the guest speakers for the program. After high school, he wanted to join the infantry and become a ranger, but he told of his interest in being a welder or mechanic.
Jennifer Hobbs, a former Sullivan Elementary teacher who is the author of Calmed: Growth After Trauma, joined the Army National Guard at the age of 17 and at 19, was mobilized to Iraq.
She said that after being in a combat zone, going home was a difficult adjustment. While serving overseas, her husband was hit by a roadside bomb. “Whatever the struggles that come into your life, it is you; you who decide how you handle that. You can give up, don’t give up, or you can look that it as an opportunity to grow.”
Members of the student council read selections with the ending line of “On Veterans Day remember.” Students Lily Graham and Clayton Schmohe sang “America.” Students and staff members who have family currently serving or who have served were encouraged to stand.
The program closed with the playing of “Taps” and a moment of silence.

•November 10, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Army veteran Todd Ratliff, formerly of Windsor, has seen success by running his own business called Total Home and Farm Video Solutions. The company provides digital video surveillance systems and is based in Mattoon. Ratliff graduated in 1988 from Windsor High School and enlisted in 1987.
While overseas, he witnessed the liberation of East Germany. “It was a part of history that my grandchildren talk about in school, and I was there,” he said. Ratliff worked in nuclear missile control satellite communications while in the Army. Read More