Shelby Realty to Hold After Hours for Sullivan office

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•April 20, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

A new business to our area will be holding an after hours on Thursday, April 28 from 4 to 6 pm at 5 West Jefferson in Sullivan. There will be complimentary cocktails, light hors d’oeuvres and giveaways.
Shelby Realty started out in 1973 based out of Shelbyville. Owner Matt Forcum purchased the business in December 2020. He is a graduate of Lake Land College and Eastern Illinois University.
The realty company has 8 agents, “Any of our agents can handle any type of property,” Forcum said. Prior to purchasing Shelby Realty he was a realtor with Century 21 franchise in Effingham for 13 years. Read More

County Board Approves Amendments to Drafted Amendment for Wind Energy Conversion Systems

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•April 20, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Moultrie County Board approved amendments to an amendment regarding the zoning ordinance concerning wind energy in the county. Marsha Kirby proposed an amendment regarding wind turbines to take the setback from 1.5 miles to 2 miles of the corporate limits and the setback between turbines from 1,500 feet to 3,000 feet.
After this was approved, Kirby added that she wanted the turbines from 1.5 to 2 miles and 1,500 feet to 3,000 from schools. Todd Maxedon proposed another amendment for zero tolerance for noise. This passed as well. A final vote on the ordinance will be taken at the Thursday, May 12, board meeting after the April 25 public hearing to be held at Sullivan High School.
Approved was a motion to fund all eight repeaters out of the county’s reserve fund for approximately $302,500 and for ARPA funds to be used to purchase the radios needed to get all departments on board in the county for approximately $233,810. There are repeaters that will reach out to fire departments in all towns as well as law enforcement. This will benefit all agencies in the county. Read More

Singers Dinner Theatre 2022

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan Singers Jr.
Sullivan Singers Jr. performing their competition show during the dinner theatre. That show included “Breakthrough”, “Grace Kelly”, “Come Together” and “Trying Too Hard”.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan Singers
The Sullivan Singers performed their competition show as part of the dinner theatre that was held on Saturday, April 9 and 10 at Sullivan High School. Sullivan Singers and Singers Jr. performed their fall shows and competition shows. There were also senior spotlight performances.

Easter Egg Hunt April 9, 2022

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Hunting for Easter eggs
The egg hunt was held at 1 pm on Saturday, April 9. Pictured are two ladies running towards the eggs while carrying their children and containers to gather the eggs.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Enjoying the Egg Hunt
The Cummings family came to the Sullivan egg hunt and enjoyed getting a close up look at a tractor. Pictured are Lane, Kenzlee, Lydia, Luke and Lylah Cummings.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Antique Fire Truck
At Courtyard Estates of Sullivan’s egg hunt, children and their families were able to get a closer look at fire trucks and emergency vehicles from Sullivan Fire Department, IDOT plows, a tractor and an antique fire truck. Trying out the antique fire truck were Raelynn and Zander Dyer.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Petting Zoo
One of the activities at Courtyard Estates for the Easter Egg Hunt was a petting zoo. Children and their families could interact with chickens, goats, llamas and other animals. Pictured is Jasper Rhodes with one of the goats.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Easter Eggstravaganza
Courtyard Estates of Sullivan hosted an Easter egg hunt and bicycle raffle on Saturday, April 9. Pictured with the Easter bunny are Keely Warren and Haleigh Nation.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Balloon Artist
Patti Woods (right), of Paddi’s Air Filled Fun, was making balloon creations for children at the Easter Egg Hunt in Sullivan. Pictured with Patti are Kyle and Elijah Gabbard.

Farm Credit Illinois makes $25,000 Donation to Illinois Amish Heritage Center

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Angi Carter,Vice President, Lending of Farm Credit Illinois (left), presents a check to Wilmer Otto, President of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center (right). Also pictured in back is local farmer Levi Yoder and Jim Fleming.

•April 13, 2022•
The 2022 season for the Illinois Amish Heritage Center (IAHC) began with a celebration lunch on April 5, during which Farm Credit Illinois presented a $25,000 check toward its $50,000 commitment. In recognition of their generosity, the Gathering Pavilion will soon have installed the Center’s first donor plaque on which Farm Credit Illinois will be honored. Read More

City Council Approves Net Metering Ordinance Amendment

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•April 13, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council approved an ordinance amendment for net metering of the revised code of ordinances of the city of Sullivan during their meeting on Monday. The ordinance affects those who are producing solar energy in the city. There is currently one customer who does so, but they have had inquiries from other residents.
Mayor Richard Glazebrook noted that the ordinance has the city allowing solar with no caps. The intent is to put this in place. Commissioner Mike Fowler added that there are other parts of the ordinance which need to be cleaned up.
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood said the new ordinance is replacing the old ordinance. “There’s more to the solar than just the ordinance,” Fowler replied.
Glazebrook said they are going to net metering. Read More

Sullivan Schools Propose Facility Improvements

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•April 13, 2022•
Submitted by Ted Walk
Superintendent of Sullivan CUSD #300

Sullivan Schools recently hosted three facility forums that culminated in Board action on Monday, April 11, to place a referendum on the ballot at the upcoming June 28th election for the replacement of the aging Sullivan Middle School. Formal discussions regarding possible facility improvements have occurred over the past few years. The discussion moved forward with rapidity after recommended architect estimates for repairs to Sullivan Middle School totaled just over $10 million. The Board engaged in a Facility Planning Session in November, and Facility Forums open to the community occurred throughout February and March. These three community meetings allowed for 188 people to give feedback on needs and wants of the future of Sullivan Schools. Read More

Sullivan Community Education Foundation Holds Staff Appreciation Banquet

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•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

Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity Surprises Newest Homeowner

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity Surprises Newest Homeowner
On Thursday, March 31, Moultrie County Habitat For Humanity Board members, staff at Lovington Grade School and the newest homeowners family gathered in a classroom to reveal the surprise to Jennifer Franklin. The expected start of construction will be Monday, August 29 with projected completion of Friday, October 7. The house will be built on the corner of N. Allen Street in Lovington. The organization will be reaching out to the community with more information on the build and family. They will be asking for volunteers to help with this year’s build and monetary and supply donations. Pictured are front row: Jennifer and Abbie Franklin and Sandy Sanders. Back row: Gary Smith, Cheryl Thomas, Maddox Franklin, Gene Meuller and Howard Sanders.

April 18 Filing Deadline

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•April 6, 2022•

The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding taxpayers that the upcoming deadline for filing 2021 state individual income tax returns is Monday, April 18, 2022.
“We encourage those who have not yet filed to do so soon. Filing electronically with direct deposit will ensure the fastest processing and issuance of any refunds,” said IDOR Director David Harris. “Taxpayers may file their electronic returns for free by using a registered MyTax Illinois account but may also file electronically with a tax preparer or third-party software.”
To aid in IDOR’s anti-fraud efforts, taxpayers filing their IL-1040’s through MyTax Illinois, must use a registered MyTax Illinois account. If they do not have a registered account, they may create one by choosing “sign up” in the login box at MyTax Illinois and follow the instructions. The ID number will be mailed to them within 10 days after being requested. While IDOR strongly encourages electronic filing, taxpayers can always file a paper return if they choose. Read More