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Sullivan High School NHS chapter earns national distinction
•November 11, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Sullivan High School’s National Honor Society (NHS) chapter has earned the 2026 Chapter of Distinction Award, a national recognition honoring chapters that demonstrate excellence in scholarship, service, leadership and character.
The recognition reflects the work of students who participate in service projects throughout the school year, support local organizations and take on leadership responsibilities within their chapter.
Each year, NHS chapters may apply for the distinction by demonstrating how they meet and exceed expectations in the organization’s four pillars. Sullivan High School seniors Julia Moody and Ellie Lehman volunteered to complete and submit the application on behalf of their chapter.
Moody serves as chapter president, while Lehman is the sergeant at arms.
Read MoreSullivan High School recognizes students through new Integrity Initiative
•November 11, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Nine Sullivan High School students were recognized in September as part of the school’s new Integrity Initiative, a program designed to recognize students who notice a need and take action without expecting anything in return.
The first group of students was recognized for acts ranging from helping classmates with schoolwork to taking responsibility for tasks without being asked.
Damian Lee, nominated by Mr. Allen, volunteered to set up and operate the volleyball concession stand when the supervisor was running late and no one else was available, choosing to help rather than attend the game.
Read MoreSullivan sisters crowned Wooly Worm Festival queens
•November 11, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Sullivan sisters Miah Voegel, left, and Sarina Voegel display their crowns and sashes after earning titles at the 2026 Woolly Worm Festival Pageant on Sept. 19.
Sisters Sarina and Miah Voegel of Sullivan will spend the coming year representing the Camargo Woolly Worm Festival after both earned queen titles during the festival’s Sept. 19 pageant.
Sarina, 19, was crowned 2026 Miss Woolly Worm Festival Queen, while her younger sister, Miah, 14, earned the title of 2026 Junior Miss Woolly Worm Festival Queen. The sisters are two of four queens who will represent the festival through August 2027.
For the daughters of Nick and Ginger Voegel of Sullivan, the experience marks their second opportunity to serve as queens together. Both held Miss Sullivan titles in 2023.
The sisters entered the Woolly Worm Festival pageant after encouragement from one of the directors, who had previously taught them dance. Although they considered participating in 2025, they decided to wait another year. This was their first time competing in the Woolly Worm Festival pageant, though both had participated in other pageants.
Miah, a freshman at Sullivan High School, was crowned first. As she waited for the announcement of the Miss title, her excitement grew at the possibility that she and Sarina might share another year as queens.
Read MoreOkaw Valley Royalty
Parker O’Dell and Kaya Forlines were crowned 2026 Okaw Valley Homecoming King and Queen.
Patterson family’s 196-year Sullivan farm passes to longtime friends
•November 4, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
An old concrete hog trough along Patterson Road has served several purposes over more than a century.
It was once part of a working farm where Perry Patterson raised hogs and cattle. Decades later, it became a gathering place where Dan Terzo would sit with a friend during visits to Sullivan, sharing wine and cheese as the sun went down. Those gatherings eventually led to a friendship with nearby property owners Mike and Donna Fowler.
Now, the hog trough remains on land owned by the Fowlers after Terzo and his sister, Leslie Coretti, sold them the final piece of property that had been in their family for 196 years.
The family’s connection to the Sullivan area traces back to James Patterson, a Revolutionary War veteran who settled in the area with his family. Dan Terzo, who serves as his family’s historian, said his grandmother, Nellie Patterson, was a great-great-granddaughter of James Patterson.
Read MoreSullivan’s Wood Insurance receives statewide Travelers recognition
•November 4, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Wood Insurance of Sullivan has been named one of four Illinois agencies to receive the 2026 STAR Agency recognition from Travelers Insurance, an annual award recognizing agencies for their performance, dedication and commitment to serving customers.
STAR stands for Superior Travelers Agent Recognition. Each year, Travelers sales executives select one agency from their territory to receive the award. With four sales executives covering Illinois, only four agencies in the state were selected for 2026.
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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 MoreRedskins season comes to a close at the hands of Camp Point
•November 11, 2026•
by E. Scott England
Photos by R.R. Best
It was going to be a tough match up with everyone healthy. Once players start getting sidelined with injuries, that tough match up becomes a little tougher. That is exactly what happened to the Sullivan Redskins in the second round of the Class A IHSA playoffs.
Facing the Panthers from Camp Point Central, it was a perfect fall day for football. The temperature was brisk but not unbearable. The hot chocolate was being served by the gallons. And on the field, two teams that have played great all year prepared to face off to determine who advanced to round three.
Read MoreRedskins 57 – Ducks 49
Obituaries 11-11-2026: Billy Joe Miller
Billy Joe Miller
Billy Joe Miller, 91, of Sullivan, passed away at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, November 4, 2026 in his home.
Celebration of Life services were Saturday, November 7, 2026 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Rhonda Cook officiating. Burial was in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan First Baptist Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
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