Photo by Crystal Reed
Car Accident at Intersection
On Wednesday, September 21 at 1:30 pm there was a car accident at the intersection of South Hamilton and West Water. Due to a City of Sullivan vehicle being involved the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office handled the investigation. There were no injuries. A ticket was issued to the driver of the car.
•September 28, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Sullivan City Council tabled an ordinance amendment during Monday’s meeting that would amend a zoning ordinance to establish a general commercial district on the square. Language in that ordinance would not allow apartments of residential living space on the ground floor or at street level. This item drew several people to the meeting to express their concerns.
Cathrine Craig who is in favor of the ordinance amendment spoke at the meeting. “As a business owner downtown, I appreciate the fact of those that have residences downtown but to add residences downtown makes the downtown a neighborhood and not a retail establishment for visitors to visit our community,” she said. A common statement from those commenting was that they were not informed by the council or the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development this was going to be discussed. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Ground is broken at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center, located between Arthur on Arcola on Route 133, during a ground breaking ceremony held on Friday, September 23. The ground breaking is in preparation for a two day barn raising event to be held in late October.
•September 28, 2022•
On Friday, September 23 a ground breaking was held at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center (IAHC), at their campus between Arcola and Arthur, in preparation for a two-day public barn raising that is scheduled for Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29 from 9 am to 5pm. Ground was broken using a horse drawn slip scraper and a plow, which was very common during the era of the original barn usage. Several board members of the IAHC operated the plow as well as descendants of the Herschberger-Miller family. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Drive Thru Senior Expo Held
Mid-Illinois Senior Services Inc. held their annual drive thru senior expo on Friday, September 16 at the Sullivan American Legion. 200 bags were put together with information and items from 17 participating businesses that cater to the senior population. There was also a raffle for a glider and several door prizes. A barbecue lunch was catered by Griffin’s Barbecue. State Senator Chapin Rose and State Representative Brad Halbrook contributed to the cost of the lunch. Pictured with door prizes are Tawnya Marshall, Kathi Garvey and Nancy Ozee.
Photo furnished
Illinois Prairie CEO Class Clean-up Day
The Illinois Prairie CEO class had a community clean-up day in Sullivan. While they were doing clean-up Sullivan mayor Richard Glazebrook stopped by to say hello. The CEO class has been meeting in Sullivan for the last month and during that time was able to tour Hydro-Gear, Catherine’s Gallery, Mid-State Tank, Marvin Keller Trucking and Okaw Valley Orchard.
•September 21, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Three more organizations were awarded American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds during the Thursday, September 15, Moultrie County Board meeting. The board approved a motion to award $80,000 to Moultrie County Animal Control, an additional $280,000 to the Moultrie County Beacon and $75,000 to the United Methodist Church. The animal control will use the money to add on to the current facility to house cats.
The Moultrie County Beacon’s amount is due to loss of revenue during COVID. The United Methodist Church funds will be used toward repairs on the historical part of the church. They have several organizations that use their facilities, and they are unable to use some of their space because repairs are needed.
The board approved a motion to remove Georgia England from the county credit card and permission for the County Clerk’s office to obtain a new credit card using Rita Florey’s name. A motion was also approved to transfer the County Clerk’s credit card account from Rita Florey to the newly elected County Clerk effective December 1, 2022. A motion was approved to remove Jeff Birch from the county credit card and add Kyle Steele. Read More
Photo by Ellen Ferrara
Steve Jenne (far left) and Scot England (far right) talk to those who attended the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society presentation on Thursday, September 15. Jenne talked about his book “The Sandwich That Changed My Life!” that he wrote with Scot England.
•September 21, 2022•
by Ellen Ferrera
NP Writer
On September 22, 1960, then Vice President Richard Nixon came to Sullivan to address a crowd at a Buffalo Barbeque Festival. He took one bite from his barbeque sandwich and then left to greet the crowd. In that instant, 14-year-old Steve Jenne grabbed the sandwich and the plate, raced home on his bicycle, had his mother put the sandwich in a plastic baggie, then into a Musselman Applesauce jar, and then into the freezer. Little did he know the sandwich adventures that would follow in the next 60 years.
On Thursday, September 15, 2022 some 30 people gathered at the Moultrie County Historical Society building to hear Jenne recount his story of the famous sandwich and promote his book with publisher Scot England, “The Sandwich That Changed My Life”. Fourteen of the attendees had been at Wyman Park on that famous day in 1960. Read More
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Helmuth
Blood Drive in Honor of River Helmuth
On Saturday, September 10, a Red Cross Blood Drive was held at the Sullivan American Legion in honor of River Helmuth. During the drive Mike McDaniel (left) donated his 13th gallon of blood. He is pictured with River (center) and her mother Stephanie (right). During Saturday’s drive 76 units of blood were collected.
•September 14, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Monday’s City Council meeting began with a public meeting for federally funded Phase 4 Streetscape Improvements. Later in the meeting, a resolution of funding support for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Cycle was passed. Lee Beckman of Milano and Grunloh said the goal of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) is to allocate resources to well-planned projects that provide and support alternate modes of transportation through preservation of visual and cultural resources and improve the quality of life for members of the communities. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Habitat for Humanity care-a-vanners recently visited Lovington Grade to visit with students and talk about volunteering and building homes. Standing (left to right): Marla Graham (Principal), Joelyn Kempf, Bill Kempf (Milan, Illinois), Jennifer Franklin (Homeowner), Gary Smith (Lovington), Ramona Conques (Woodworth, LA), Joe DeLosa, Debbie DeLosa (Celebration, FL), Gene Mueller (Bethany), Judy Fox, Tom Fox (Davenport, IA). Kneeling (left to right): Bob Gillespie (Stevensville, MI) Richard Conques (Woodworth, LA), Chuck Ostrander (Battle Creek, MI)
•September 14, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Recently, construction began on the latest home for Habitat for Humanity in Lovington. A large portion of the labor used to build these homes year after year are care-a-vanners. Care-a-vanners are people who, in some cases, travel all over the country to build homes for the organization. The group that is working on the newest home recently visited Lovington Grade School, ate lunch and answered questions from students about volunteering and building houses. Read More