Sullivan school board approves tentative budget, property purchases
•July 22, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
At its board meeting held Monday evening, July 13, the Sullivan Community Unit School District No. 300 Board of Education approved a tentative budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, giving the district an initial financial framework while officials await final state funding figures expected later this summer.
Superintendent Dr. Ted Walk said the tentative budget is intended to provide a general outline for the coming year. Because the district has not yet received its state funding allocations, a more complete budget with updated revenue projections will be presented for board approval in September.
The board unanimously approved the tentative budget.
Capital projects included in the tentative budget primarily focus on the district’s track project, though Walk said transportation-related projects may be added before the final budget is adopted. Updated figures related to payments for the new high school are expected to be included in the September budget as well.
The board approved the purchase of two residential properties to support future transportation operations.
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.
Mid-Illinois Senior Services celebrates America’s 250th birthday
•July 22, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Patriotic decorations, American flags and familiar songs welcomed guests Thursday, July 16, as Mid-Illinois Senior Services Inc. hosted a celebration honoring America’s 250th birthday.
Mid-Illinois Senior Services serves as the Aging and Disability Resource Center and Coordinated Point of Entry for the East Central Illinois Agency on Aging. The celebration featured guest speaker Becky Lawson, followed by a free lunch of Blackstone-grilled hamburgers, sides and dessert. Entertainment was provided by the American Patriots Band.
Read MoreIAHC Steam Threshing Days set
•July 22, 2026•
Steam Threshing Days will be held on Friday, July 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 1 from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center on Illinois Route 133, six miles west of Arcola and three miles east of Arthur.
The purpose of this event is to show attendees how crops were grown and harvested during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Amish continue using many of these methods in their farming operations today. This event continues to expand each year and the 2026 event promises to be the best and biggest show yet.
Read MoreSparrows Unlimited auction brings Christmas spirit to Lovington in July
•July 22, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Christmas trees, holiday decorations and live music may seem out of place in the middle of summer, but that’s exactly what visitors might find when Sparrows Unlimited hosts its annual Christmas for the Kids Auction on Saturday, July 25, in the grassy lot outside East End Tavern in Lovington. The daylong fundraiser combines entertainment, food, family activities and a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting local children and families.
For Pam Anklam, president of Sparrows Unlimited, the event represents much more than a fundraiser.
“The first thing I would want people to know is that Sparrows Unlimited is made up of ordinary, hardworking people who simply want to make a difference in the lives of others,” Anklam said. “We aren’t a large organization with paid staff—we’re volunteers who care deeply about our community and are committed to helping local children and families.”
That volunteer spirit has carried the organization for 32 years.
Read MoreFindlay to celebrate farming roots during 38th annual Walleye Festival
•July 15, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
The message appears on the cover of this year’s Findlay Walleye Festival booklet: “Grow Where You’re Planted.” Inside, that theme carries through nearly every page as organizers recognize local farming families, honor longtime volunteers and invite the community to celebrate the festival’s 38th year July 24-25.
The cover describes farmers as “the backbone of our nation,” while a letter from the Walleye Festival Board thanks generations of farming families for helping feed America and recognizes the role they have played in building the Findlay community.
Read MoreNew Arthur-Atwood Lions officers inducted
At their June 18 meeting, the Arthur-Atwood Lions Club inducted officers for 2026-2027. Past District Governor Lion Butch Guennewig performed the induction and was assisted by his wife and District Cookie Lady, Connie Guennewig. Pictured are Lion Stan Harris, President and Membership Chair; Lion Jim Fleming, Tail Twister; Lion Linda Kay Cain, Secretary & Food Chair; Lion Sharon Mellor, Director & Easter Egg Hunt Chair; Lion Doug Beachy, Director; Lion Arlone Doan, Director; PDG Butch Guennewig; Lion Jennifer Perrine, Treasurer & Publicity Chair; Lion Ammon Miller, Second Vice President; Lion Kevin Conlin, First Vice President; and Connie Guennewig. Not pictured are Lion Moe Chupp, Director, and Lion Marty Jones, Lion Tamer.
Kindness matters
•July 15, 2026•
by DM Williamee
In a fast-paced world that often causes many to feel disconnected, acts of kindness remain a powerful way to combat much of what ails us all. Whether it’s lending a helping hand, sharing a smile, listening when another is struggling, or even simply staying silent, acts of kindness can soften difficult moments and benefit lives. The saying that “We are all in the same boat” is now too often met with a sardonic, “Sure, some just have bigger boats than others, right?” I think most of us have been guilty of being impatient, short-tempered, and brusque with others. We are only human after all, but what if we could do better?
Read MoreTribe Trek program gives Sullivan Middle School students summer learning adventure
•July 15, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
For many students, summer break means time away from the classroom. For participants in Sullivan Middle School’s Tribe Trek program, it means learning through hands-on experiences across the Midwest.
On June 30, students traveled to Chicago to explore the Adler Planetarium, where they toured interactive exhibits and attended two shows inside the facility’s domed theaters. The visit was one of four educational and recreational trips offered through the Tribe Trek summer enrichment program.
The program was created to keep students engaged during the summer months while giving them opportunities they might not otherwise experience. Although Tribe Trek was originally scheduled to launch in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed its start until 2021. This summer marks the program’s sixth year.
Read MoreSullivan City Council approves purchases
by Sharon Barricklow
A new dump truck and continued work on city park facilities were among the approvals made Thursday night at a special city council meeting.
The council moved the meeting from their usual second Monday to Thursday to accommodate council members’ schedules. On the agenda were several approvals for Open Spaces Land Acquisition grant money to be used for improvements at the city parks including baseball diamonds.
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