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Sullivan Elementary students meet author and his famous dog Gobi
•October 28, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Students at Sullivan Elementary School welcomed author and extreme runner Dion Leonard, his wife, Lucja, and their dog, Gobi, for a special visit Friday, Oct. 16.
Kindergarten through second-grade students greeted the visitors with a familiar tune adapted for their four-legged guest, singing, “G-O-B-I, G-O-B-I, G-O-B-I and Gobi was his name-o!”
Read MoreSullivan approves well, park invoices
•October 28, 2026•
by Sharon Barricklow
Work being done for Sullivan baseball fields and to rehabilitate an existing water well were approved Monday, October 12 by the Sullivan City Council.
The invoice from Richter Landscaping in the amount of $36,447.79 for fencing and foul pole installation is being paid for by an Open Spaces Land Acquisition and Development grant the city has been using to update the facilities. The water well rehab payment to Geotechnical Construction was in the amount of $18,500.
Read MoreMoultrie County Board addresses budget, employee costs and assessment concerns
•October 28, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
The Moultrie County Board approved several financial and personnel measures during its Oct. 15 meeting, including employee health insurance expenses, adjustments to the proposed county budget and additional compensation for certified Assessment Office employees. Board members discussed a proposed timekeeping system, while a resident raised concerns about property assessments and requested changes ahead of the county’s 2027 reassessment.
County budget and
insurance
During the meeting, officials described the health insurance renewal as an increase of just under 12%, citing changes in fixed costs and maximum liability. The board approved $828,055 for health insurance expenses.
The county’s health insurance plan covers 48 members. The approved renewal maintains the existing HealthLink network and uses a $35,000 specific deductible, which determines how much the county is responsible for on an individual claim before stop-loss insurance applies.
Read MoreOkaw Valley Royalty
Parker O’Dell and Kaya Forlines were crowned 2026 Okaw Valley Homecoming King and Queen.
Don and Betty Book became family to those in their care
•October 28, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
For some Sullivan families, Donald G. and Betty Ruth Book started as daycare providers. Years after the children had outgrown daycare, the Books were still showing up for birthday parties, school activities and sporting events, checking in on families and finding ways to help.
Nichole and Craig Hendry and Angie and James Bailey describe relationships with the Books that continued well beyond the years their children spent in the couple’s care.
The Baileys met Don and Betty through church about 23 years ago while looking for a daycare provider. Angie Bailey said the families quickly became friends, and her children, Ryan and Joshua, loved going to the Books’ home.
“They have always been a big part of my kids’ birthday parties and always at school activities,” Bailey said. “I will always consider them a part of our family.”
The Hendrys had a similar experience.
Read MoreSullivan 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.
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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 prepares for playoff game; Will face Havana Ducks
•October 28, 2026•
by E. Scott England
In the new playoff format, the Sullivan Redskins drew a first-round bye with their 8-1 record. They were also given a number four seed for the playoffs. They also just barely made the Class 1A cutoff. Sullivan Athletic Director, Cole Huber, knew the class ranking could go either way. “We had been seeing projections of us being the largest 1A school or us being the smallest 2A school, so I wasn’t going to be surprised either way.”
Being in Class 1A doesn’t equate to easier competition though. “If we win our Round 1 matchup, the next two rounds we are poised to play teams that got top 2 in state the last few years. So 1A isn’t necessarily an easier road,” said Huber. Head coach John Bertetto is pleased either way. “We are proud of our guys for having a great year so far and happy that we earned the chance to play another game on Victory Field.” He shared similar thoughts to Huber on drawing a Class 1A ranking. “You are going to see some really tough teams no matter where you end up, so you just have to wait and see what the IHSA puts together and go out and play your best to hopefully keep advancing.”
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 MoreObituaries 10-28-2026: Delores Woodard
Delores Woodard
Dolores Ann (Friesner) Woodard, 90, of Dallas, Texas, passed away on October 21, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
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