County Board Hears Information on Wind-Solar Ordinance

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•April 19, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

The Moultrie County Board had their regular meeting Thursday, April 13. At the beginning of the meeting Jessie McClusky of the University of Illinois Extension presented to the board by highlighting some of the things the organization offers.
There are six Moultrie County Master Gardeners. In the SNAP-Ed category they help families gain knowledge and skills needed to make healthier choices through in-person classes and online resources. SNAP-Ed also works with organizations and community groups to promote healthier food options and environments in communities struggling with limited resources. There are mini food pantries established in Lovington and Sullivan. In Moultrie County alone the pantries have provided 10,530 pounds of produce this year and are helping approximately 200 families through food mobiles and family life programs including Wits Fitness, Illinois Strong Couples and Mental Health First Aid. Read More

Spores and More Festival April 29

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•April 19, 2023•
Spores and More Festival will be held in Windsor on Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. There will be food trucks, small businesses, vendors, live music, great deals and morel mushrooms. The event will be held on Maine Street and at the Red Barn.
At 11 a.m. the Windsor American Legion will serve mushroom soup and spaghetti with traditional or mushroom sauce. This year there are over 40 vendors set to attend the festival. Vendors will have a variety of items including homemade crafts, ceramics and jewelry. Read More

Sullivan Community Education Foundation Teacher Appreciation Banquet

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Pictured are retiring staff members Scott Bales and Kay Lehman.

•April 19, 2023•
On Thursday, April 13, the Sullivan Community Education Foundation hosted their annual Teacher Appreciation Banquet at Building 1225 in Sullivan. The theme for the evening was baseball, and it opened in the first inning with the Star-Spangled Banner sung by Kaylee Ogle.
After Invocation given by Dan Fultz in the second inning, teachers and staff were treated to a baseball style meal of hot dogs, brats, etc., catered by Griffin’s catering for the third inning. Read More

Mo. Co. Supervisor of Assessment Receives Award

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Moultrie County Supervisor of Assessment Lori Barringer was presented the 2023 Outstanding Achievement in Property Assessment Award (Small Jurisdiction) during the Illinois Property Assessment Institute banquet on March 27 in Normal.

•April 19, 2023•
The Moultrie County Supervisor of Assessment Lori Barringer was presented the 2023 Outstanding Achievement in Property Assessment Award (Small Jurisdiction) during the Illinois Property Assessment Institute banquet on March 27 in Normal. Barringer was nominated by Mark Armstrong and the award was presented by Mary Tamez.
According to the speech given at the event. Barringer has hit the ground running since the start of her assessment career. By statute, counties of fewer than 50,000 persons should have a coefficient of dispersion of 30% or below. Barringer’s jurisdiction has a population of less than half of that. With such a small sample size and a large rural area containing a significant number of farm parcels, reaching that target is difficult. In the face of challenges, however, Barringer has met this goal every year she has been in office, with an average coefficient of 26.3% during that time. Read More

Paige Robinson Recruited to Dallas Wings

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•April 19, 2023•
On Monday, April 10, Paige Robinson, an Okaw Valley alum, became the first player in Illinois State University Women’s Basketball history to be drafted to the WNBA after being selected 31st overall by the Dallas Wings. During her time at Illinois State, she started in 32 of 33 games, averaged 18.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3 assists. Some of her recognitions include 2021 NCAA D2 Player of the Year, two-time NCAA D2 All-American, 2023 MVC Player of the Year and 2023 MVC Newcomer of the Year. Read More

Angler’s Tribute to Veterans Crappie Tournament

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Angler’s Tribute to Veterans Crappie Tournament
On Saturday, April 8 the Angler’s Tribute to Veterans Crappie Tournament was held on Lake Shelbyville. The event took off from Whitley Ramp and weigh in at Findlay Ramp. Each boat was required to have at least one veteran in it. Coming in first place for the tournament and big fish were Jim Garrett and veteran Nick Saupe.

Sullivan City Council Authorizes Use of ARPA Funds for Construction of Eastview Lift Station

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•April 12, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

During Monday’s meeting, the Sullivan City Council authorized the use of American Rescue Plan Act funds for the construction of the Eastview Lift Station. According to Commissioner Chuck Woodworth, the city received $300,000 last year and were supposed to get another $300,000 at the end of this year. The city has received only half of it. The reason that Eastview Lift Station was chosen is because it is the oldest.
Tia Punches approached the council in regard to money she has raised from Pack the Park the past two years plus money she has earned by making pies. She asked whether it would be possible for her to sign over the money to someone from the city. She noted if the city doesn’t want to use the money for a bandstand, they may use it for something else.
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood said that park crews have been mowing, trimming trees, mulching and making a list of trees that need to be taken down in both parks. Read More

Illinois Amish Heritage Center Receives Grant Through Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant Program

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•April 12, 2023•
Illinois Amish Information Exhibits Inc., known as Illinois Amish Heritage Center, has been awarded a $500,000 grant through the Tourism Attractions and Festivals Grant program. Designed to support local festivals and attractions and drive tourism across the state, Illinois increased the funding available from $15 million to $22.5 million in order to support additional attractions. The additional $7.5 million was secured during the Illinois General Assembly legislative session in early January 2023 and the program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
The total project budget projection for the visitor center/museum building is $2 million. The visitor center/museum building for the IAHC will serve as a welcome center, museum, archive, event center and portal to tourist experiences available in the Douglas, Moultrie and Coles County region. The welcome center/museum will provide a place where visitors can begin their exploration through interpretive exhibits, classroom space, archive and theater and gather afterwards for more information and even the opportunity to purchase crafts and goods made by local Amish artisans on site and further into the communities around the site. Read More

Local Boy Scout Builds Flag Retirement Boxes for Eagle Scout Service Project

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Standing left to right: Jeff Nichols, Roger Davis, Kent Spencer, Beau Fleming, John Hickox, Bill Hagen, George Read.

•April 12, 2023•
Beau Fleming recently completed his Eagle Scout Community Service Project in which he led the planning, design, construction and completion of the project. With the help from fellow Scouts and Scout leaders from Troop 39, Beau was able to finish his last requirement for his Eagle Scout Rank application. His project included two flag retirement boxes with “How to Properly Fold the American Flag” displays located at the front entrances of the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 and VFW Post 6410. The idea for the project was brought to him by the Legion when they said they were looking to replace the old retirement receptacle and he gladly took on the challenge. Read More

Courtyard Estates Easter Egg Hunt 2023

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Freddy The Firetruck
A group of children talks to Freddy the Firetruck at the Courtyard Estates Eggstravaganza in Sullivan.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Eggstravaganza at Courtyard Estates
Children race to pick up eggs during the egg hunt portion of festivities at Courtyard Estates in Sullivan on Saturday, April 1.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Pony Ride
Jackson Lawrence enjoys a pony ride during Eggstravaganza at Courtyard Estates in Sullivan.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Photo Opportunity
Eira Taylor and Kyleigh Loflin pause to take a photo with two characters that were available for photos at Courtyard Estates on Saturday, April 1.