•October 22, 2025•
Sullivan, celebrating Senior Night, took on Villa Grove Friday night with a chance to qualify for the playoffs for the third straight year with a victory. Aiden Dinger opened up the scoring with a 6 yard touchdown run and a Collin Shain PAT put the Redskins up 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.
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•October 22, 2025•
by DM Williamee
On Thursday, October 23rd at 7:00 p.m., Dove Domestic Violence Program in conjunction with HOPE of East Central Illinois will be holding a Candlelighting Service at First Christian Church, 1357 CR 1200 E in Sullivan.
Read MoreThe Little End of Nothing
•October 22, 2025•
by Janet Roney
Traveling across frontier central Illinois was not an easy task, whether in a group of wagons, on a stagecoach, or by horseback. It was uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous. Since inns like Lovington’s Black Horse Tavern were scarce, travelers often found refuge with pioneer families in isolated cabins to avoid camping out on the open prairie.
Travelers never knew what to expect when stopping at an isolated cabin. My great-great-grandfather described his experience in his journal when he spent the night at an isolated cabin in southern Illinois in 1819. He and his companion had not seen a house since breakfast. It was after sundown, and they were desperate to find a place to stay. “I was at the door but for a short time, but saw enough to satisfy myself we had drifted to the little end of nothing.. The housewife was sitting near a little fire, her dress very dirty, a child on her lap...and in her mouth was a corncob pipe. She looked happy.”
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Barbara Jean (Molzen) Trower, 90, of Lovington, passed away on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Eberhardt Village in Arthur, Il.
Graveside services were held Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Arthur Cemetery, Arthur, IL. As per Barbara’s request there was no visitation. Memorials may be made to The Eberhardt Village Activity fund, St, Jude or Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
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•October 22, 2025•
John Frederick McLaughlin, 74, passed away in Medford, Oregon on Wednesday, October 15. John was born in Decatur, Illinois to parents Dr. Dean and Pam McLaughlin (formerly Bierman). John grew up in Sullivan, Illinois with six siblings - Dave, Jean, Phyllis, Susie, Ann and Bill.
Read More2015
Mid Illinois Senior Services and Peace Meal hosted a Veterans Appreciation Luncheon on Monday, November 16th. Veterans and their spouses ate for free.
Aging heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems and spongy rooftops were discussed at the Sullivan Community Unit #300 school board meeting on October 13th. Maintenance director Kevin Landrus explained the elementary, middle, and high schools had places where water had pooled, damaging roofs. He also pointed out that air conditioning systems were gaining age and becoming costly to maintain, noting two units in the high school gym were not working at all.
The 2015 Artoberfest winners include Judge’s Choice Winners: first place 2D-Chelsea Winter for “Through the Looking Glass” and first place 3D-Melvin Hawkins for “Untitled”. People’s choice winners are first place, Alex Menke for “Shattered Beauty”; second place, place-Holly lamb for “Alveus”, and third place, Caroline Heath for “Sun Goddess.”
Read MoreHere are a few simple tricks to help your children enjoy their Halloween treats
•October 22, 2025•
by Angela Hogan
Halloween is an exciting time for kids. They look forward to wearing their costumes. They also anticipate the delicious Halloween treats they’ll collect during their trick-or-treat activities. However, as parents, it’s crucial to ensure our children remain safe during this holiday. In this article, we’ll share some “tricks” to help you prioritize their safety.
Halloween Should Be Fun and Safe
For many, Halloween is a fun way to welcome the fall season. Unfortunately, the costumes, activities, and even the treats present some unique hazards. Help keep your kids safe by discussing the following tips before they begin their adventure.
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•October 22, 2025•
The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society monthly meeting was held October 16th at the History Center in Sullivan.
The featured speaker was Alice Durbin, a Moultrie County native. Alice was a dental hygienist and was instrumental in bringing modern dental practices to Kosovo, an Eastern European country. She told those attendance that she got involved in war-torn Kosovo in 2001 when she visited the area for the first time to set up a dental clinic.
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•October 22, 2025•
The 94th annual Bethany High School Alumni Banquet was held on October 11th at the Okaw Valley High School gymnasium, with nearly 90 in attendance. Diane Foster Waggoner, Class of 1983, welcomed the alumni and friends to the banquet, and Bart Spencer, Class of 1980, gave the opening prayer. Terry Muzzy, Class of 1966, gave a Military Recognition and talked about the Wall of Honor with pictures of Bethany School graduates who served in the military.
The graduating classes of 1975 were honored for 50 years, and the graduating class of 2000 for 25 years. Alumni who passed away since the last banquet were recognized, and all alumni in attendance were invited to stand for the Roll Call of Classes. The featured speaker, Dave Overlot, Class of 1977, shared his memories of attending Bethany Schools and brought back fond memories for those attending. Door prizes were awarded to Harold Keown, Class of 1946, for being the oldest graduate, 80 years ago, and to Norma Tipsword Farris, Class of 1949, for serving the longest administrative term, with 24 years as high school secretary.
The 50/50 drawing was won by Joyce Shipman Jenkins, Class of 1954, and a drawing for a whole hog, donated by Corrington Farms, was won by Libby Larkin Booker, Class of 1980. The meal was catered by Rhodes Catering from Effingham and desserts by Sweet Vail in Sullivan. The Okaw Valley FFA students and their sponsor, Wes Wise and his wife Megan, assisted with serving and other duties. Officers for the next year will continue with Diane Foster Waggoner, Class of 1983, as President; Rita Kesterson Seelow, Class of 1983, as Vice President; Libby Larkin Booker, Class of 1980, as Secretary; and Nancy Sowers Mueller, Class of 1974, as Treasurer. The evening wrapped up with alumni visiting and taking pictures. The 2026 reunion date will be set for late September or early October. All alumni and friends are invited to attend.
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•October 22, 2025•
Okaw Valley Community Unit School District invites all Veterans and their family members to a Veterans Day program at Okaw Valley High School in Bethany on Tuesday, November 11th. A breakfast will be provided to all who attend, beginning at 8:15 a.m. in the cafeteria, and a short assembly will follow at 9:15 a.m. The assembly will feature the Okaw Valley School District band and chorus students, and a keynote speaker.
The students and staff at Okaw Valley thank all Veterans for their acts of courage and devotion to the ideals that have served to guide our nation. We would be honored if you could join us to pay tribute to all the brave men and women who have admirably served our country. If you will be able to attend, please call (217) 665-3232 for a reservation.