Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity Breaks Ground for New Home

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Ground was broken for the newest Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity home in Lovington on Sunday, August 28. Pictured are Moultrie County Habitat Board of Directors President Gary Smith, Pastor Rodney Houser, Senior Pastor at Lovington First Church of God; new homeowner Jennifer Franklin and her children Abbie and Maddox.

•August 31, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity broke ground for their newest home Sunday in Lovington. Jennifer Franklin and her children Abbie and Maddox were selected for the home.
The groundbreaking ceremony began with a greeting from Gary Smith, president of the Moultrie County Habitat Board of Directors, followed by an invocation by Pastor Rodney Houser, senior pastor at Lovington First Church of God. The family, Habitat Board members and some of the Care-a-vanner builders in attendance were introduced. Read More

Shelby County Royalty

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Shelby County Royalty
Junior Miss Shelby County Kinley Chaney and Miss Shelby County Maggie Kelly wave at parade goers during the Windsor Harvest Picnic on Saturday, August 20. More photos are on page 9 and 10.

ALAH School Board Passes Tentative FY 2023 Budget

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•August 24, 2022•
by Ariana R. Cherry
NP Writer

The ALAH School Board met Wednesday August 17, a few hours after some had just had their first day back at school after summer break. Principals and staff were excited and still giddy from the day’s activities. Principal Seegmiller and Nathan Seal had spent the day grilling out and playing games for the students’ first day. “It was the best first day of school I’ve ever had. It was awesome!” Seal said happily.
After sharing some of the day’s activities, the board got down to business and spoke about the tentative FY 2023 budget. Read More

Mo. Co. Beacon Holds Job Training Classes

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Moultrie County Beacon consumers listen to Vonnie Lee during a recent training class held on on the job etiquette, financial literacy and banking/budgeting.

•August 24, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Moultrie County Beacon recently held job training classes for several of their consumers. Topics for the classes included resumes, on the job etiquette, financial exploitation and banking. Presenting the information were Stan Parks, Brittney Collins and Vonnie Lee.
Job etiquette included resumes, interviews, punctuality, dress for success, do’s and don’ts on the job, conflict on the job, boundaries, two weeks’ notice and sometimes, they are just your co-workers, not your friends. Consumers learned what to put on their resumes including job experience, job skills, volunteer time, references and earning preferences. Job etiquette included information such as no phone usage on the clock, avoiding gossip, keeping in contact with your supervisor, being flexible with hours or job changes and respecting co-workers’ privacy. Read More

MCHGS Moves into New Location

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Photo by Crystal Reed
MCHGS Moves into New Location
The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society finished moving in to their new location on Wednesday, August 10. The museum portion of the building is not open to the public at this time. However, the library is open Tuesday and Thursday of each week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment by calling 217-728-4086. They are located at 1303 South Hamilton in Sullivan.

Painting Parking Spaces 2022

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Painting Parking Spaces
The tradition of painting parking spaces in the Sullivan High School back parking lot continued on Wednesday, August 10. Pictured is Elizabeth Owens (right) and her mother Deb (left) painting her parking space.

2022 Two Story Outhouse Festival

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Childrens Activities
Annalyn Clawson enjoyed going down the inflatable slide in the children’s area at the Two Story Outhouse Festival.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Showing Off Cars
This Jeep Sahara was in the festival spirit displaying a roll of toilet paper on its antenna during the car show at the Two Story Outhouse Festival in Gays.

Photo by Crystal Reed
A 1970 Plymouth Cuda owned by Gary and Jackie Huddlestun was on display during the car show at the Two Story Outhouse Festival.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Car Show Trophies
This year’s trophies for the car show at the Two Story Outhouse Festival were made out of car parts. In addition to the car show, the festival included food and craft vendors, live music and a children’s area with pony rides and inflatables.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Outhouse Replica
A two story outhouse replica was paraded down the street on the back of a bicycle during the Johnny Loo Small Engine Parade at the Gays Two Story Outhouse Festival.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Small Engine Parade
The Outhouse Festival Committee led the Johnny Loo Small Engine Parade Saturday in Gays.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Live Music
Jake Schumacher and the Workin’ Class Heroes were one of the bands that played under a tent in Gays during the Two Story Outhouse Festival. Other bands that played were Katzmandu and Danny Shelton and the Bird Dogs

Photo by Crystal Reed
Windsor FFA Serves Breakfast
Members of the Windsor FFA served breakfast and sold spaces for Bessie Bingo during the Gays Two Story Outhouse Festival on Saturday, August 13. Members are Robbie McDaniel, Rylan Rincker, Hannah Gossard, Kloey McDaniel, Claire Sims, Rhett Rincker and advisor Hallie Horsman.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Little Miss Mattoon
2021 Little Miss Mattoon Saylor Morgan rode in a wagon behind a lawnmower during the small engine parade at the Two Story Outhouse Festival. More photos are on page 8.

ARPA Fund Applications Available

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•August 17, 2022•
Moultrie County, along with counties and municipalities all over the country, is a recipient of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Moultrie County to date has received approximately $2.8 million from the US Treasury. The Moultrie County board assembled a bi-partisan ad hoc committee made up of members representing the villages and towns around the county. Read More

County Board Approves Fencing and Concrete Repairs

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•August 17, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Moultrie County Board met on Thursday, August 11, and approved two motions in regard to fencing around courthouse electric service and concrete repairs. Chairman Billy Voyles reported there are electric panels open around the outside of the courthouse, and they want to protect any children who may be playing on the lawn at any point. A chain link fence will be installed. The approved motion was for $3,400 for fencing around the electric service.
The second motion approved was $13,450 in concrete repairs. Voyles said there are substantial repairs that need to be made to concrete outside the courthouse. Discussed but not on the agenda was the possibility of purchasing generators for the courthouse and animal control.
Rick Matthews, head of maintenance, told Voyles that Bob Lane offered to donate his time to install the generator at animal control. They were told they could apply for ARPA funds to pay for these generators. Read More

Baby Talk Car Seat Safety Checks

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Baby Talk Car Seat Safety Checks
Katrina Farris, Director of Early Childhood for Mattoon School District, speaks with Abby Elzy during a car seat safety check held in the parking lot of the First United Methodist Church last week in Sullivan. Farris and other Baby Talk representatives as well as a representative from the Moultrie County Health Department checked the installation of car seats and also had informational pamphlets regarding seat belts, booster seats and rear facing seats.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Cardboard Box Night
Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library and Moultrie County Baby Talk hosted Cardboard Box Night at the library on Tuesday, August 9. Pictured are Jack and Lisa Bertetto creating a fire breathing dragon using cardboard boxes.