•December 8, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
A program from the University of Illinois Extension held at Mid-Illinois Senior Services and Community Center is helping to keep brains active with fun activities. According to Cheri Burcham, University of Illinois Extension Family Life Educator, brain health is a hot topic because there is a huge population that is aging. The program called Wit Fit meets monthly at the center. Read More
Brad Halbrook
•December 8, 2021•
Citing the need for meaningful tax, pension, ethics, and spending reforms, State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) announced today he is running for re-election in the newly drawn 107th District.
“There are many challenges facing our state right now,” Halbrook said. “We have not addressed pensions. We have done nothing to provide Illinois residents with any kind of meaningful tax relief. Spending is out of control, and we have failed to root out the culture of corruption in Illinois. We need a new approach and that can only happen if reform-minded candidates run for the statehouse and win. I am running to continue to keep fighting to turn our state around.” Read More
District Facilities Committee Planning Process
•December 1, 2021•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer
Arthur CUSD is looking to the future to ensure their students have what they need to be successful. U-Knight 305 is a community led master planning program tasked with identifying the current and future goals, aspirations and facility needs of the Arthur CUSD #305 School District.
The U Knights website (https://sites.google.com/bldd.com/u-knight305/home) has the latest presentation from meetings and a video from the first community engagement session. Read More
Photo furnished
VFW Customers Help To Make A Difference
Veterans Serena Briscoe and Jolene Wright are busy organizing holiday gifts for veterans in nursing homes. One of the missions of Sullivan Post #6410 is to reach out to fellow veterans who are unable to enjoy the VFW Canteen. Funding for this project comes from bar and grill profits, Thursday night raffle drawings, facility rental, gaming and donations. The VFW is open to the public daily. The kitchen serves food until 7 pm Monday through Friday and 2 pm on Sunday.
•December 1, 2021•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer
Members of the ALAH school board met at the Atwood Grade School at their recent school board meeting held November 17. Superintendent Shannon Cheek reported that some of their bills were a bit larger than usual - one of the reasons being that they had both bond payments and interest that needs to be paid. There was nothing new to report in the treasurer’s report, but Cheek stated that the district received a payment from transportation; although it was the first they had received for this calendar year.
The audit for the calendar year through June 30, 2021 was presented. The district received financial recognition with a 3.9 Financial Score. Financial recognition is the highest level in the financial finding process. This recognition was also received in last year’s audit. In the treasurer’s bond finding, there were no bank accounts overdrawing the shares, and balances were being kept where they needed to be. The district’s debt is a total of $2.89 million dollars. COVID had an effect in some parts of the audit such as attendance, which was mainly because of many students having to quarantine or do remote learning during the last school year. The 305 School District attendance was down 86 students. The auditor mentioned that in most of the reports they did, these figures were all over the board for many school districts. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Angie (left) and Cory Neal (right) at their farm Moonlight Acres outside of Bethany. Currently the farm offers Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, and grave blankets and pillows for sale.
•December 1, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Moonlight Acres is ready for the holiday season. The farm which is located near Bethany has shifted their focus to the holiday season with Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, grave blankets and pillows. They have Frasier, Balsam, White Pine and Concolors for sale. Last year they received reports that their trees and wreaths held up and stayed green into the month of January.
This is the second year of business for Cory and Angie Neal. Earlier this year they planted their own trees, but they will not be ready for seven years. Grave blankets and pillows may be ordered and are decorated for no extra charge. “We want people to feel like we did it just for them,” Angie said. 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
Family Reading Night
Okaw Valley Elementary School Principal Heidi Vander Burgh reads a story during Family Reading Night at Marrowbone Public Library.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Demonstrating Musical Instruments
Kathy Doty, Music and Tech teacher at Okaw Valley Elementary School, demonstrates a didgeridoo during Family Reading Night. This year’s theme was Can You Read Music?
Photo by R.R. Best
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic
Moultrie County Health Department, in conjunction with IDPH-IEMA, hosted two COVID-19 Booster and Vaccine Clinics last week at the Sullivan American Legion. The next clinic will be held on Friday, December 10 from 9 am to 2 pm at the Sullivan American Legion. This clinic will have Adult Covid-19 (including Pfizer for ages 12 and up) vaccines and boosters and pediatric (Pfizer for ages 5-11). For more information visit www.moultriehealth.org.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Turkeys Donated To Moultrie County Food Pantry
The tenth annual Sullivan IGA Roundup collected $1,200 from October 31 to November 6 when customers rounded up their grocery bills to donate to the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Those donations purchased 55 turkeys and 70 turkey breasts that were donated to the food pantry. Sullivan IGA meat department delivery crew delivering the donation are (from left to right): Mason Harner, Julie Delpino, Cameron Eccles and Seth Cobb, Tim VanDeursen.