Sullivan Fire Chief Mike Piper Retires after 30 Years of Service

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Photo by R.R. Best
Retiring Sullivan Fire Chief Mike Piper’s children present him with his Chief’s helmet that was retired during a ceremony held on December 31,2021 at the Sullivan Firehouse.

•January 5, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Sullivan Fire Chief Mike Piper was honored during a walk out ceremony at the Sullivan Firehouse Friday, December 31. Piper volunteered at the department for a year before joining on October 18, 1991.
“I was interested in it, and when I became a volunteer, I tested for an open position,” he said. Over the years he worked his way through the ranks, and in 2005 became chief when Jeff Waite retired. Through the years, Piper has seen a lot of changes including a building addition and a new roof.
One of the biggest changes he has seen is the amount of overturn of staff prior to 2005. Piper said that some saw the department as a first step to advance to careers at other departments. The biggest reason he cited was salary. There has not been a lot of turnover since 2005.
The most recent change was the purchase of the law office next door to the department which they leased out for a while and last year tore down to have additional parking. The department also has more multiple calls at once than they used to have. Read More

School District Raises Sub Pay for Teachers from $90/day to $115/day Beginning January 2022

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•December 29, 2021•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

At the beginning of the ALAH School Board meeting held Wednesday, December 15, a couple students from the fourth grade at Arthur Elementary showed the board some of their recent products they created from home while learning about economics. Students from the classes of Mrs. Eads and Mrs. Martinez asked students to use their imagination to create a product they could market to other students. Students were given the chance to showcase their products in the cafeteria, and three people from each class were given the chance to come shop for free.
In doing all of this, students also learned lessons about supply and demand. Superintendent Shannon Cheek commented on the talent and creativity from all the students and also browsed through their “market” that was presented in the cafeteria.
Parent Sam Miller questioned the board on whether there had been any more discussion regarding whether masks would be optional in the school district. “At that time, the motion was to see if there were any other options out there,” replied President Beth Wiley. “There haven’t really been any changes at this time. It is something that we will have to discuss as a board to see where we are at this time,” she added. Read More

Christmas Crew Makes Christmas Brighter

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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

Year End Review: Goodbye 2021, Hello 2022

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•December 29, 2021•
January 6
Doug Booker was sworn in as Commissioner of Streets and Public Improvements.
The first babies of 2021 at Decatur Memorial Hospital and St. Mary’s Hospital were born to two Bethany couples. Carson and Rosario Hiser of Bethany had their child Luke Martin on January 1 at 7:25 pm. Tiffany and Shaun Cotner of Bethany had their child Harrison Cotner at 7:20 am on January 1.
Sullivan resident Dawnaya Key authored her first book Tomate.

January 13
Courtyard Estates of Sullivan, Supportive Living, made it possible for tenants to “hug” their loved ones even in the midst of a pandemic. The Welsh family generously donated the “hugging booth.” The booth sits against an outer door that gives families safe entrance into the booth and it’s fitted with plastic arms and gloves on both sides of the booth for both the tenant and family members to hug.
Sullivan City Council approved additional funds for COVID PPE supplies. The amount of the protective equipment was not to exceed $10,000 for a total authorization of $60,000.

January 20
The criminal justice reform package passed by the Illinois House and Senate was drawing concern from local officials. Both Moultrie County State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver and Sheriff Chris Sims were concerned about the impact. Read More

Jeep Parade

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Photo by Sonya Best
Jeep Parade
Fifteen festively decorated Jeeps, from Jeeps For Moultrie County, paraded through Sullivan and around all the nursing homes to spread a little Christmas cheer the evening of Tuesday, December 21.

Mrs. Claus

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Mrs. Claus
Three county employees dressed as Mrs. Claus on Friday, December 17. In no order: Angie Wallace-Westjohn, Linda Qualls, Erin Reedy.

County employees donate to DOVE

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Photo by Crystal Reed
County employees donate to DOVE
Each year several of the County employees participate in a year round fundraiser for Dove. On Fridays the employees pay a dollar in exchange for the opportunity to wear jeans to work. At the end of the year they contact Dove to find out how many families they are currently serving. They divide up the families and funds to purchase items for them. Each year, for at least the last 7 years, the employees have donated enough money to purchase gifts for each of the kids to have at their annual Christmas party. This year the employees participating were able to collect just over $300. While not enough to do gifts for all 13 kids they all knew that they still wanted to help them. Rebecca Comstock at Dove had another organization take on the gifts and the courthouse employees put together baskets full of household essentials, snacks, drinks, donut gift cards, and 1 gift for each child.

Vander Burgh Appointed to Moultrie County Board

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•December 22, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

John Vander Burgh was appointed to the Moultrie County Board during their monthly meeting Thursday, December 9. He fills the vacancy left by Dave McCabe who resigned in November. Vander Burgh and his wife Heidi live in Bethany and their three children have attended Okaw Valley schools. He has a farm, a forensic accounting firm called 20/20 Forensic Accounting and Vander Burgh Financial Services.
Vander Burgh is an MBA, a CPA and a certified fraud examiner. He has worked in public accounting firms, national corporations and banking. In addition to now being a Moultrie County board member he is also the treasurer of the Okaw Valley School Board.
“I feel a civic responsibility to use my God-given abilities to help,” Vander Burgh said. He continued to say that he doesn’t have any preconceived notions about the board position; he just wants to help in a leadership capacity. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, family activities and being involved in church.