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Flesor’s Candy Kitchen continues sweet tradition of giving with 15th Annual Fundraiser
•October 21, 2026•
by Ariana R. Cherry
A longtime holiday tradition is returning to Sullivan as Flesor’s Candy Kitchen in Tuscola prepares for its 15th annual candy fundraiser benefiting the Moultrie County Food Pantry.
The fundraiser gives area residents an opportunity to purchase homemade candy for the holidays while helping families in need.
According to Devon of Flesor’s Candy Kitchen, the fundraiser originally included an in-person candy sale in downtown Sullivan, along with Christmas candy orders. However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed how the event operated.
“During COVID, we just took orders,” Devon explained. “That worked so well that we decided just to continue doing it that way.”
Today, customers place their orders in advance, and the candy is prepared for pickup in Sullivan during the holidays.
Twenty percent of candy sales through the fundraiser will benefit the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Over the years, the fundraiser has raised well over $20,000 for the organization.
Devon said supporting the food pantry is especially important during the holiday season.
For Devon, the fundraiser is about more than simply selling candy. Many customers purchase the homemade treats to share with family members, friends, neighbors and coworkers during the Christmas season.
“That candy that people buy, they’re not just buying it for themselves,” she said. “They’re buying it to share with their friends and neighbors and family.”
She believes those small acts of sharing help bring people together while also benefiting a worthwhile cause.
“There’s fellowship on a lot of different levels,” she added.
The fundraiser also supports a small, independently owned business that continues the increasingly uncommon tradition of making candy by hand.
“You’re not going to find homemade candy in too many places,” Devon said. “It’s a dying art.”
Read MoreOkaw Valley Homecoming
Nine Sullivan football players balance time on the field and in the band
•October 21, 2026•
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 in band is nothing new at Sullivan, band director Dr. Ian Kinkley said this year’s group is larger than usual.
Read MoreGiving 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.
Sullivan brothers turn academic strengths into tutoring business
•October 14, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Brothers Gavin and Everett Finn were looking for a way to earn money that could work around their busy high school schedules when they landed on an idea that played to something they already knew well — school.
The Sullivan High School students started offering peer tutoring to students in grades 6 through 11, providing help in subjects including math, English and science, along with homework help, study skills and test preparation. Tutoring is available for $12 to $15 per hour and can be scheduled in person or remotely.
Everett, 14, is a freshman, while Gavin, 16, is a junior. Rather than taking on traditional jobs during the school year, the brothers began looking for what Everett described as “an entrepreneurial opportunity that would highlight our strengths in academics.”
The brothers do not remember which of them first suggested tutoring. Once the idea surfaced, they began working on it together.
For Gavin, the business began to feel real when they sat down to create their promotional flyer.
“When we sat down and mocked up the flyer, although still hesitant, I was excited to see where it led,” Gavin said.
Read MoreSullivan couple finds friendship, laughter through 71 years of marriage
•October 7, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
At the SBL-sponsored Peace Meal (a senior nutrition program which serves balanced meals daily) held at the Mid-Illinois Senior Center in Sullivan, Ralph and Evelyn Kidwell have found that lunch is about more than what is on the plate.
For about 15 years, the Sullivan couple has regularly attended the meal program, where they enjoy a nutritious lunch without having to prepare it themselves. Just as important are the people around the table.
Staff at Mid-Illinois Senior Services have described the Kidwells as a regular source of laughter at Peace Meal — kind, honest and witty, and remaining curious about the people and world around them.
Their companionship around the lunch table is part of a relationship that began more than seven decades ago.
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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 escapes thriller in Villa Grove to finish 8-1 in regular season play
•October 21, 2026•
by E. Scott England
It was the final game of the regular season for both teams. Sullivan traveled to Villa Grove to take on the newly established Villa Grove/Heritage Blue Devils. Both teams had already secured their spots in the playoffs as well. So what were they playing for? Playoff points in hopes to secure a first round bye.
VGH came into the game with just two losses on the season, to ALAH and Fisher. Sullivan had beaten Fisher but fell to ALAH. The Blue Devils are known as a passing team with a quarterback who’s not afraid to scramble for extra yards. But they are also known for their defensive line that struggles to shut down the run game. The Redskins haven’t faced a pass heavy team this year, but they have one of the top rushers in the state with over 1200 rushing yards going into the game. All that combined for what was an exciting game from start to finish.
Read MoreSullivan trap shooters place at state meet
•October 14, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Seven members of the Sullivan Trap Team competed alongside youth shooters from across Illinois at the Illinois 4-H State Shotgun Shoot on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Brittany Shooting Park in Bunker Hill.
Five of the seven Sullivan shooters finished in the top three of their age divisions. Seventy shooters representing 19 counties competed after five of the 75 registered participants canceled.
Lauren Lester took first place in the junior division, while Declan Stollard finished second. In the senior division, Kolten Kidd placed first, Ty Szabo finished second and Carter Honchell placed third.
For Kidd and Szabo, first and second place came down to a shoot-off between teammates.
Ties affecting the top 10 places in each division were settled through shoot-offs. Kidd and Szabo had each finished with a score of 98, sending the two Sullivan teammates back to the line to determine who would take first and who would finish second.
Read MoreObituaries 10-14-2026: Joseph Rambo
Joseph Rambo
Joseph (Joe) Rambo, 66, of Lake City, passed away on September 4th, 2026 in his home. Services will be at a later date for family and close friends.
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