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Illinois sets new record for youth deer season harvest

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•October 22, 2025•

Illinois youth deer hunters set a new record for the season, harvesting a preliminary total of 4,714 deer October 11th through 13th. Top harvest counties include Randolph, 259; Pike, 164; Adams, 155; Jefferson, 155; and Marion, 135. Comparatively, youth hunters took 4,097 deer during the season in 2024. 

Youth hunters with an unfilled, valid youth deer permit may still hunt with the permit during the upcoming firearm deer seasons, November 21st through 23rd and December 4th through 7th. This is the first year that unfilled youth permits are valid for both segments of the firearm season. Moultrie County numbers are as follows by year: 2025-30, 2024-36, 2023-28.

Sullivan Mayor proclaims October 27th ‘Agri-Fab Day’

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•October 22, 2025•

A proclamation was issued by Sullivan Mayor Mike Mossman on October 13th, naming October 27th as ‘Agri-Fab Day’. The proclamation is as follows:

Whereas Agri-Fab was founded in 1975 and has proudly called Sullivan, Illinois, its home for the past fifty years; and

Whereas for half a century, Agri-Fab has been a cornerstone of the Sullivan community, producing high-quality outdoor lawn and garden equipment attachments that have set standards of excellence in manufacturing, and

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Midwest faces cold and snowy winter 

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•October 22, 2025•

by DM Williamee

As we move closer to winter, the Midwest should be bracing for the impacts of La Niña, according to meteorological experts. La Niña is a climate phenomenon characterized by cooler ocean temperatures in the Pacific, which can significantly influence weather patterns across the United States. The Climate Prediction Center has issued a La Niña watch, indicating that conditions could persist through the winter months, affecting areas of the Midwest and of course, Illinois.

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Redskins take down the Villa Grove Blue Devils

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•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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Remembering Who We Are………….79

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The 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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Obituaries 10-22-2025: Barbara Trower

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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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Obituaries 10-22-2025: John McLaughlin

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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. 

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A Look Back…10-22-2025

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2015

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.”

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Making Halloween treats safer for our kids

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Here 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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