Okaw Valley Homecoming
Illinois sets new harvest record for youth deer hunting season
•October 21, 2026• Young hunters in Illinois set a new youth deer season harvest record with a preliminary total of 4,852 deer taken Oct. 10-12. The total surpasses the previous record of 4,714 deer harvested in 2025. Locally, Douglas County was the same as in 2025 with 19, Moultrie County matched 2025 with 30 and Shelby County had 113 in 2026 compared with 100 in 2025. Youth hunters with unfilled, valid youth deer permits may use those permits during the upcoming firearm deer seasons Nov. 20-22 and Dec. 3-6. This is the first year youth deer hunting permits were sold … Read More
A simple gratitude practice for better health and well-being
•October 21, 2026• Cheri Burcham Extension Educator, University of Illinois Extension Are you looking for a simple daily practice that can improve your health and well-being? Illinois Extension Educator Sara Attig says the answer may be as close as a short list, and it might not be what you think. Research suggests that taking time to notice and write down things we are grateful for can lead to meaningful improvements in overall well-being. In her article, Sara explains: According to a University of Rochester Medical Center article summarizing a 2021 review of research, “keeping a gratitude journal can improve heart … Read More
Giving life
Photo by Sonya Best Will Miller, first time donor, provided support to Daisy Richardson while she donates her third unit of blood at the American Red Cross blood drive at the Sullivan American Legion last Friday. … Read More
Lake Shelbyville implements QR code activity passes for boat launch and day use fees
•October 21, 2026• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville has implemented QR code activity passes through Recreation.gov for visitors paying day use and boat launch fees at the following boat ramps: Lithia Springs Boat Ramp, Forrest W. Bo Wood Boat Ramp, Wilborn Creek Boat Ramp, Lone Point Boat Ramp, Coon Creek Boat Ramp, Opossum Creek Boat Ramp. Visitors with a USACE Annual Pass or an America the Beautiful pass, should properly display the pass in their vehicle. Both passes still cover applicable boat launch and day use fees. Additionally, these passes may be purchased at the Lake … Read More
Remembering Who We Are….
Blessings from the Irish Potato Famine •October 21, 2026• by Janet Roney How can there be any blessing found in the death of a million Irish by starvation during the devastating Irish potato famine from 1845 to 1851? Those famine deaths were tragic and awful, but it caused another million Irish to emigrate to the United States, including Edward Bresnan who found his way to Dora Township, Moultrie County, Illinois by 1858. Bresnan was a professional peat digger in Ireland, but he soon discovered the “swamp monster” lurking below Dora’s surface that I wrote about a couple of weeks ago. … Read More
Local Mo-Do 4-H youth explore veterinary science at “Camp Vet Med”
•October 21, 2026• Moultrie-Douglas 4-H members Aubrie Stenger & Gemma Fifield prepare a model dog for surgery in the Vet Med Mobile Lab. Twenty-six youth from the Moultrie-Douglas, Shelby, and Cumberland County 4-H programs recently traveled to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Open House, themed “Camp Vet Med,” for a day filled with hands-on learning, career exploration, and animal science experiences. The annual event welcomed visitors from across Illinois and showcased the many fields of veterinary medicine through more than 40 educational exhibits, demonstrations, and interactive activities. Throughout the day, 4-H members had the opportunity to explore … Read More
Nine Sullivan football players balance time on the field and in the band
•October 21, 2026• Photos courtesy Dr. Kinkley, Band Director Sullivan High School football players demonstrate their involvement in both football and marching band during a home game at Victory Field. Nine SHS students participate in both programs this year, balancing practices, performances and game-day responsibilities with support from coaches, staff and fellow band members. by Jamie Crosier For nine Sullivan High School students, Friday night football games mean trading time on the sidelines for a place in the marching band. The students participate in both football and marching band, moving between their responsibilities throughout the evening. While football players participating … Read More
LLC to host trunk or treat, haunted trail events
•October 21, 2026• On Friday, October 23, the Lake Land College Creative Arts Club is hosting a free Trunk or Treat and Haunted Trail event for the community. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Lot E of Lake Land College’s campus in Mattoon. The event will begin with a family-friendly Trunk or Treat for guests of all ages. Trunks will be decorated by Lake Land College students, staff and faculty, who will pass out candy and other giveaways to community members in attendance. The Trunk or Treat portion of the event will run until 7:30 p.m. Following the … Read More
Share your family favorite recipes
•October 21, 2026• It’s that time of year again – we are asking for readers to submit their favorite recipe for our annual “Family Favorites” cookbook publication. Whether it’s an old family favorite passed down through generations, a recipe you created yourself when being creative, or something new that you love, we are interested in what tickles your palate and brings you joy to put on the table. The “Family Favorites” cookbook will be published late November or early December. Please submit your recipes to rtipsword@newsprogress.com. … Read More