Photo by Crystal Reed
Windsor High School Class of 2021
The Windsor High School graduating class of 2021 during the graduation ceremony held on Sunday, May 23 at the park in Windsor. Valedictorian was Jessica Rauch and Salutatorian was Marylee Orman.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Congrats On Your Freedom
Cindy Bauer, Claire Sims and Morgan Bauer made signs with a special message for Windsor High School graduate Lillie Sims. From left to right are Cindy Bauer, Claire Sims, Morgan Bauer and Lillie Sims.
Photo by R.R. Best
Fire At Circle T Manufacturing
According to Arthur Fire Chief Chris Helton, the Arthur Fire Protection District was alerted to a fire at Circle T Manufacturing, northeast of Sullivan, at 12:50 am last Thursday morning. When they arrived at the location the building was fully engulfed. Helton said that fire crews attacked the fire from the exterior using water that had to be hauled to the scene due to the rural setting. Departments that responded to the fire were Arthur, Sullivan, Lovington, Arcola, Cooks Mills, Humboldt and Hammond. The scene was cleared at 6:30 am.
Pictured is Firefighter Josh Qualls using a K-2 saw to cut a vent hole in the Circle T Manufacturing building.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Amtryke Parade
Students in Mrs. Grohler’s class at Sullivan Elementary School who have received Amtrykes from the Sullivan AMBUCS this year participated in a bike parade recently in the parking lot of the school. Students receiving Amtrykes were Colin Woods, Noah Smith, Ryleigh Russell, Sophie Foster and Presley Wagner. Also pictured is Jaxen Gudenrath.
•May 26, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Sullivan City Council voted to raise water and sewer rates four percent during Monday night’s meeting. Agenda items for raising gas and electric rates were on the agenda as well, but the council voted to retain the current rates. The water and sewer rate is being raised in anticipation of paying on the new water plant.
“At this point in time I’m really not interested in raising electric rates for the simple fact all it would do is just increase the profit margin that the city is making,” Commissioner Mike Fowler said. “We don’t necessarily need an increase to pay our bills in the electric department.” He noted that what he would like to see is a discount for low-income individuals in Sullivan, and until they get that, he is not interested in raising rates at all. Read More
Photos by R.R. Best
Car Crash
According to Sullivan Police Chief Andrew Pistorius, on Tuesday afternoon last week at 4 p.m. there was a traffic complaint received about a vehicle between Bethany and Sullivan. A Moultrie County Sheriff’s deputy tried to catch up to the vehicle but was unable to due to the vehicle’s rate of speed. A Sullivan police officer also tried to catch up to the vehicle. At Eden Street and Hamilton the vehicle tried to go around another vehicle and lost control hitting a large utility pole. The driver of the vehicle involved in the crash was ticketed by Moultrie County and the Sullivan Police Department.
Submitted photo
Lions Club Awards Scholarships
Sullivan Lions Club recently awarded two scholarships. Emma Moran received the $1000 Coach John Ruscin award, and Mallory Nichols won the Larry Jones Memorial Scholarship for $500. Pictured left to right: Emma Moran, Bill VanKeuren, scholarship committee chairman, and Mallory Nichols.
•May 19, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The City Council had a special meeting Monday evening to discuss funding methods for the water plant and city building projects. The meeting started with a presentation by City Treasurer Sarah Golden.
She had proposals as to where she is suggesting they pull funding for the two projects. For the City Building she is suggesting they pull from an excess in TIF, the State Legislative grant and up to $250,000 from electric and gas reserves if needed. The water plant funding she proposes pulling from Titus funds, electric and gas reserves. Read More
Okaw Valley High School Graduation
Okaw Valley High School held graduation this past Saturday. This year due to COVID restrictions, Okaw Valley High School graduates had individual graduation ceremonies where their parents presented them with their diplomas. This year’s valedictorian was Carleigh Bobbett and salutatorian was Macie Fleshner. Later in the day a car parade was held through Bethany and Findlay.
Pictured above: Delaney Johnson and Carleigh Bobbett with their decorated graduation caps.
Photos by Crystal Reed
Car Parade
Okaw Valley graduate Preston Ozier and family ride down Main Street in Bethany following graduation on Saturday. The parade route went through Bethany and Findlay.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Mackenzie Wright, a student at Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond High School, holds a few of her candles from her business Moonlit Sky Candles during the Illini Prairie CEO Trade Show held last Wednesday.
•May 19, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Illini Prairie CEO class showcased their businesses during a trade show last Wednesday at Arcola High School. This year’s class had 13 students from the school communities of ALAH, Tuscola, Arcola and Sullivan that participated in this year’s course.
“CEO” stands for Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities. It is a year-long, experientially learning based course, designed to utilize partnership in the community to provide an overview of business processes and development.
Throughout the program year students have visited local businesses, heard from guest speakers, participated in operating a class business, written a business plan and from concept to reality built their own legal, functioning entity.
Mackenzie Wright, 16, a student at Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond is one of the students showcasing their business during the trade show. Her business is called Moonlit Sky Candles.
She makes and sells organic soy wax candles and wax melts. “I’ve always been really creative, and when it came to picking a business to do, I thought that I’ve never done candles before,” she said. Read More
•May 19, 2021•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Moultrie County Board approved roof specifications and starting the bidding process with Architecture and Design Group (ADG). According to Rick Matthews, the specifications detail the project for the replacement of the roof on the courthouse as well as repainting the dome and maintenance on the clock faces.
The board approved a request from the city of Sullivan to support the extension of Tax Increment Area Development District #1 to December 29, 2033. Read More