Sullivan Fire Chief Mike Piper Retires after 30 Years of Service

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•January 5, 2022• by Crystal Reed NP Writer Sullivan Fire Chief Mike Piper was honored during a walk out ceremony at the Sullivan Firehouse Friday, December 31. Piper volunteered at the department for a year before joining on October 18, 1991. “I was interested in it, and when I became a volunteer, I tested for an open position,” he said. Over the years he worked his way through the ranks, and in 2005 became chief when Jeff Waite retired. Through the years, Piper has seen a lot of changes including a building addition and a new roof. One of the … Read More

Secretary of State Dept. Closed

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•January 5, 2022• Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases statewide, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is announcing that all Secretary of State departments will not conduct in-person transactions – including Driver Services facilities through Jan. 17, 2022. All departments and Driver Services facilities will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 18. White is encouraging the public to visit ilsos.gov for online services. Online transactions will remain open for all departments to conduct office services, including, but not limited to the following: • Renewing a license plate sticker. • Renewing a driver’s license or ID card for those who qualify (individuals … Read More

New Laws Taking Effect

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•January 5, 2022• Employers and employees should be aware of new laws that took effect January 1st, as well as those already in effect due to action by the General Assembly and signature of Governor JB Pritzker. “The mission at the Illinois Department of Labor is the same from year to year: protecting the rights, wages and welfare of workers. The tools we have to accomplish that mission sometimes change with legislative changes. There are several new laws that have either taken effect or will in the coming days that impact employees and employers across the state,” said Illinois Department … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Myra Williams Beachy

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Myra Williams Beachy Myra Williams Beachy, 78 of Arcola, IL passed away at 4:50 A.M. on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at the Linda White Hospice House in Evansville, IN. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main St., Arcola, IL. Pastor Darrel Miller will officiate. Burial will be in the Roselawn Cemetery in Charleston, IL. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral, from 10:30 A.M to 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, at the funeral home. Myra was born on December 18, 1943 in Charleston, IL. She was … Read More

Drive Sober, Arrive Alive

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•December 29, 2021• The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and more than 200 law enforcement agencies throughout the state are joining together to remind motorists that the most important gift they can give to friends and family is their safe arrival. During this busy travel time, law enforcement will be increasing its lifesaving efforts to keep impaired drivers off the roads and make sure that all travelers buckled up. “The winter holidays are the perfect time to show your friends, family members and communities how much you care,” said Cynthia Watters, IDOT’s bureau chief of Safety Programs and … Read More

Rep. Halbrook Traveling Office Hours

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•December 29, 2021• State Representative Brad Halbrook invites residents in Moultrie County to meet him or his staff after the New Year at the Sullivan American Legion to discuss state issues and other concerns. Rep. Halbrook’s traveling office hours bring his office to communities throughout the district to better assist those who want to discuss issues face to face. He will hold traveling office hours on Monday, January 10, 2022 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm at the Sullivan American Legion, 8 E. Strain St., Sullivan. “Conducting traveling office hours throughout the district is key to being able to meet … Read More

It Just Ain’t My Day

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•December 29, 2021• By Jim Baumann NP Guest Writer Today’s column will take you less time to dispatch than the Christmas ham and probably cause twice the dyspepsia. It has me. If we’re anything alike, you feel like you’re having contractions after a hefty meal to celebrate the birth of Jesus. For those of you who don’t celebrate him, please hang in there with my line of thinking. I’ve been feeling contractions ever since I wrote about why “amn’t” ain’t a contraction for “am not.” Here is a heapin’ helpin’ of the bellyful I got from this column. H’aint “There … Read More