News Progress

•November 18, 2020•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Laurrie Minor, director of the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development announced to the Sullivan City Council that the North Lake Community Development, a non-profit under the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development had been awarded a $84,000 grant from the Lumpkin Foundation to improve the end of Tabor Trail to the road past the sewer plant. For a project to qualify for the grant it has to have a direct effect on climate change in an area. Read More

Photo by Crystal Reed
The new ambulance that Sullivan Fire Department recently added to its fleet sits outside the department last week. The cost to the department was $230,000 which was paid for throughout TIF funds they received from the city.

•November 18, 2020•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan Fire Department recently added a new ambulance to their fleet. The ambulance is a 2020 Dodge Ram 4500 and the cost to the department was $230,000.
In 2019, the department approached the City of Sullivan asking for money to purchase the new ambulance and four powerload cots. The City granted part of the monetary request through TIF funds so that they could purchase the ambulance and one powerload cot. Just recently the department approached the city again requesting the remaining amount of the monetary request so that they may purchase 3 more cots for their ambulances. Read More

ALAH Principals Present School Improvement Plans
Superintendent Cheek shares COVID19 update

•November 11, 2020•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

Superintendent Shannon Cheek opened the ALAH school board meeting Oct. 21 with the treasurer’s report, noting that all funds are on track. Cheek mentioned that the district received four very generous donations in the past month. The one of which he is most proud came from Jack Martin, a senior, who donated his time and materials to power wash the front of the school building.  A total of $3,400 was collected in donations from Edward Jones for the FFA and Ag programs and Aikman’s Wildlife Adventures. Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Care Center also reimbursed $700 to the athletic program.
The district obtained a grant which allows them to purchase and provide all students in the district with water bottles. The grant covers half of the expense. The ALAH district also applied for a grant through ADM in the amount of $14,000 which will assist in paying for a tractor and seed cleaner for the district’s popcorn field as well as purchase a camera for documentation. After some popcorn has been harvested, the district will donate some to ADM as a thank you. Read More

Photo by Crystal Reed.
Andrew Fultz of Bethany casts his vote on Election day at the Bethany Firehouse.

•November 11, 2020•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The elections were held last Tuesday and the county saw one of the highest turnouts ever.
In the 2020 Moultrie County election Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England reported that there were over 3,000 people that went to the polls. There were 1,809 people that voted during early voting and 1,163 that voted by mail.
When it came to voting on the State of Illinois Constitutional amendment there were 1,477 votes for yes and 5,089 votes for no. There was also a referendum question for Illinois separation that received 4,610 yes votes and 1,969 no votes.
There were six candidates that ran for four County Board seats. Totals for the county board race were Elizabeth Houser 4,769; J. John Fayhee 3,854; Larry R. Baker 3,799; Neil Bryan 3,623; Rita Florey 2,549 and Gary P. Smith 2,417. Read More