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Guns douse Hoses’ hopes in second annual charity game
•July 29, 2026•
by E. Scott England
It was hot but an otherwise beautiful evening at Crowder Park in Bethany for the second annual Guns vs. Hoses charity softball game. The event raises money for school supplies for elementary schools around the area.
Guests umpires Joe Fultz and Troy Rogers oversaw the game that looked to be a close contest but quickly turned into something of a blowout.
Sometimes the first inning can set the tone for the entire game. This looked to be the case in last weekend’s Guns vs Hoses charity softball game. Moultrie County Sergeant Jesse Scribner was tapped as starting pitcher for the guns. He struggled through the first few batters, walking three of them. But it’s a team sport for a reason. Backed by a strong field, Sergeant Scribner escaped the inning only allowing one run.
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Golf outing to support Sullivan Community Development set
•July 29, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Businesses, organizations and community members will gather at the Sullivan Country Club on Friday, Aug. 14, for the annual Sullivan Illinois Community Development Golf Outing, a fundraiser that supports projects aimed at strengthening the local economy and community.
Lunch will be served at 11 a.m., with a noon tee-off. The outing raises funds for Sullivan Community Development’s year-round efforts to support local businesses, encourage economic growth, promote tourism and partner with organizations on projects that enhance the community.
Executive Director Laurrie Minor said the golf outing has become one of the organization’s signature annual events and serves a purpose beyond a day on the golf course.
Read MoreMoultrie-Douglas Contestants
The Moultrie-Douglas County Fair Pageant will be held Monday, July 27th at 6:00 p.m. for Little Miss Fair Queen and 7:00 p.m. for Miss and Junior Miss Fair Queen located at the south track on the Mo-Do Fairgrounds. Vying for the title of Miss Moultrie Douglas Fair Queen are: Abigail Meyer of Tuscola, Addee Mulligan of Arcola, Sarah Rogers of Atwood, Ava Whitson of Tuscola, Addisyn Wilson of Villa Grove, Emma Spillman of Tuscola, Aymara Leal of Arcola and Katilyn Kirby of Sullivan.
Vying for the title of Jr Miss Moultrie-Douglas are: Harper Hale of Arthur, Brooklyn Bates of Sullivan, Sofie Reifsteck of Tuscola, Sophia Wilson of Arcola, Miley Rennels of Tuscola, Ava Warren of Sullivan, Tatum Faust of Pesotum, Maggie Meyer of Tuscola and Audrey Warren of Sullivan, pictured 2025 Jr Miss Moultrie-Douglas Quinn Chapman of Villa Grove.
Vying for the title of Little Miss Moultrie-Douglas are: Everleigh Allen of Tuscola, Emelia Shelmadine of Tuscola, Arabella Butterick of Arthur, Josslyn Leigh Brown of Sullivan, Athalia Juliet Sanchez of Arcola, Myla Ro Oye of Arthur, Sophie Elliott of Sullivan, Rosie Smith of Villa Grove, Tinley Eads of Arthur, Alayna Guadiana of Arcola and Alexandria Brackemyre of Lovington, pictured with 2025 Little Miss Moultrie-Douglas Joslynn Steffens of Tuscola.
Girls grow more than flowers through family project
•July 29, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
What started as a walk to a backyard flower garden has blossomed into a summer project that is teaching two young Sullivan sisters lessons about hard work, patience and financial responsibility.
Bretton and Hattie Crouse’s daughters, Josephine, 5, and Dorothy, 3, spend part of their summer helping care for a patch of colorful zinnias before arranging bouquets that are sold to the community. Every dollar earned goes into investment accounts for the girls, giving them an early introduction to saving for the future.
The idea for the flower stand grew from a simple family tradition.
Read MoreStudents shine in Holocaust Education Center contest
•July 8, 2026•
Three Sullivan students recently brought home Best in Show and first place honors for the creative pieces they submitted to The Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation’s Holocaust Education Center’s Through Their Eyes: A Holocaust Arts and Writing Contest while two other students had pieces that placed in their age divisions.
Junior Claire Kursell won Best in Show for the Painting and Drawing category and first place in the 11th and 12th grade division for “Pills.” Kursell’s art work depicted a bottle of pills held by Holocaust survivor Ruth Fenton.
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Iacobazzi state runner up after photo finish
•June 3, 2026•
by E. Scott England
Johnny Iacobazzi has had an amazing running career at Sullivan High School. The speedy senior has found his way to the podium in both solo events and relays at the state track meet. School records have been toppled. But this year he was chasing the 1600m state title.
Read MoreSullivan Blue Dolphins earn seventh at meet
•July 29, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
The Sullivan Blue Dolphins traveled to Bloomington, Illinois, during the weekend of July 18 to compete in the Summer Regionals, finishing seventh out of 14 teams with 1,048.5 points.
The team brought 15 swimmers who competed in 86 individual events. Of those swims, 72 resulted in top-10 finishes, including five regional champions.
Four Sullivan Blue Dolphins qualified for the State Championships: Emily Crosier, Mack Pogue, Jace Van Uytven and Emme Kirkley.
The four state qualifiers will represent Sullivan at the State Championships, while the team’s performance at regionals capped a successful meet in Bloomington.
Thrasher inks letter of intent
On July 20, Sullivan High School graduate Aeralyn Thrasher signed her letter of intent to continue her volleyball career at Southeastern Illinois College. Thrasher plans to study nursing with the goal of working in labor and delivery. Her favorite quote is, “I never lose. Either I win or learn.” One of her favorite memories from her time at Sullivan High School was senior night, when she and a teammate received customized shirts with their nicknames, “Toots” and “Sher Bear.”
Pictured (L-R): Jerica Thrasher, Aeralyn Thrasher and Jake Thrasher.
Obituaries 7-29-2026: Roger Waggoner
Roger Waggoner
Roger O. Waggoner, 84, of Decatur, passed away at 6:16 p.m. Monday, July 20, 2026 in his residence.
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