Sullivan Show Choirs to Host Fall Revue

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•October 7, 2020•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan Show Choirs invite you to come enjoy an evening of vocal music this coming Saturday, October 10 at 7 p.m. or Sunday, October 11 at 2 p.m. at the Sullivan High School football field. The theme for the fall revue is ‘Decades’ with music from various decades in the past.
This year’s middle school group Singers Jr has 33 performers and the high school group Singers has 38 performers. The show choir director is Chris Wilson and choreographers for the fall revue are Kyle Aiden and Chris Wilson. Read More

National Life Chain Sunday 2020

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Photo by Crystal Reed
National Life Chain Sunday
National Life Chain Sunday was held this past Sunday on the sidewalks at the intersection of Hamilton and Jackson Streets in Sullivan. Life Chain is a peaceful and prayerful public assembly of pro-life individuals standing for 60 minutes praying for our nation and for an end to abortion. Attending the event were (left to right): Sandy Malone, Dorothy Chaney and Pastor Bob Vale.

Benefit For Alaina

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Benefit For Alaina
The benefit for Alaina was held this past Saturday at Shamrock Pub and Harley’s Hideout in Dalton City. There was a motorcycle/jeep run, music, live auction and silent auction as well as a car and bike show. Pictured above are some of the cars that were on display that day.

Harvest Time

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Photo by R.R. Best
Harvest Time
Harvest time in here! Brian Crawford was picking beans on his farm last week. Please be aware of farm vehicles when you are traveling on the roads.

Local University of Illinois Extension Educator Wins National Awards

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Cheri Burcham

•September 30, 2020•
University of Illinois Extension Educator Cheri Burcham (pictured) along with team members Cara Allen (retired), Karla Belzer, Chelsey Byers, Tessa Hobbs-Curley, Molly Hofer and Susan Sloop were honored recently at the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) 86th annual session, whose theme was “Life Elevated”. The team received Second Place Central Region NEAFCS Educational Curriculum Package Communications Award at the conference held virtually on September 14 - 16, 2020. Read More

Council Approves Raises For Full Time Non-Union Employees

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•September 30, 2020•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council approved full-time non-union employee raises after having a closed session on Monday night.
The council approved a wage increase of 2.75% for all non-union full time employees with the said increase to be retroactive to May 1, 2020 for those employees who were non-union as of May 1, 2020.
Also the council moved that the increase be retroactive to August 1, 2020 for employees of the gas, street and sewer departments who were formerly covered by the collective bargaining agreement that expired July 31, 2020.
The board also approved a bid for the Hagerman Street project. The bid was awarded to Wallace Excavating in the amount of $35,370.64. A bid was also approved for the Titus Home Demolition Project which was awarded to Yoder Farm and Drainage in the amount of $52,600. Read More

Buxton’s Garden Farm Hosts Market

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Sophia and Hannah Grandon pick out pumpkins during the Buxton's Garden Farm Harvest Field Market last Saturday.

•September 30, 2020•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The harvest spirit was alive at Buxton’s Garden Farm this past Saturday and people packed the property for the business’s Harvest Field Market. The event was in its fourth year and it included food trucks, pumpkins, crafts, home décor and much more. According to Paula Buxton there were 2,000 people in attendance at this year’s market.
Buxton said that compared to previous years this was their biggest market due to COVID-19 and having more vendors. Read More

Steve Jenne Details Adventures of Nixon’s Buffalo Barbecue Sandwich in New Book

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Steve Jenne with his book “The Sandwich That Changed My Life” which he wrote with Scot England.

•September 23, 2020•
Steve Jenne, formerly of Sullivan, remembers when Richard Nixon visited Sullivan 60 years ago. Jenne’s boy scout troop was tasked with being security for Nixon as he sat at the picnic table at the buffalo barbecue that was held in Wyman Park on Sept 22, 1960.
Jenne doesn’t just have memories he actually was able to take the sandwich that at that time Vice President Nixon had taken a bite out of when no one was looking. He recalls his memories of Nixon’s visit to Sullivan and how the sandwich he obtained that day has changed his life in a book titled “The Sandwich That Changed My Life!” by Steve Jenne with Scot England.
According to a previous article in the News Progress a bunch of wild eyed 20 and 30 somethings sitting at a barbecue 50 years ago came up with the idea of trying to get presidential candidates Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy to come to Sullivan and debate. The debate was to be reminiscent of the historical Lincoln-Douglas debates, dreamed the young Moultrie County residents. Read More

Blood Drive Held In Honor Of River Helmuth

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Photo by Sonya Best
Blood Drive Held In Honor Of River Helmuth
An American Red Cross blood drive was held in honor of River Helmuth this past Saturday at the Sullivan American Legion Post 68. The blood drive collected 102 units. During the blood drive a certificate was presented to American Legion for 5,000 units collected from when they started keeping track. River’s mother Stephanie received a certificate for being the 99th donor. Terrie Punches was also awarded her 14 gallon pin. Pictured from left to right: Jeri Sanders Davis, Legion Commander Bob Sims, River Helmuth and Stephanie Helmuth.

ALAH School District Makes It Through During COVID Pandemic

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District is now officially a one-one device learning district 

•September 23, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

At the opening of the most recent ALAH School Board meeting, a number of new teachers were introduced. Some were brand new to the teaching field whereas others had previous experience. At least half of the public “audience” for last Wednesday night’s meeting was made up of the district’s new teaching staff. Teachers were from Lovington Grade School, Atwood-Hammond and Arthur Grade School. They all introduced themselves and their positions with the district. Excited to be a part of a wonderful district, they were eager for their introductions and a few stayed behind for the remainder of the meeting.
After the warm welcome to the new teaching staff, a budget hearing for FY21 was in session. Shannon Cheek explained that nothing much had changed since last month’s meeting and that the budget had been available for viewing for the appropriate time. Afterward, the hearing was closed, and the board would go on to vote for the budget later in the meeting, which was approved. Read More