Author Archives:

Final festival to celebrate six years of Gays’ Two Story Outhouse Festival

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•August 5, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

The Two Story Outhouse Festival will celebrate its final year on Saturday, Aug. 8, with fireworks, live music and a full day of activities as organizers bring to a close a community tradition that has grown over the past six years.

According to a statement shared by the festival committee, the event began with a small group of volunteers who wanted to celebrate the history and uniqueness of the Village of Gays and its famous Two Story Outhouse. Starting with no funding, the festival grew through the support of volunteers, sponsors, donors and attendees.

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Remembering Who We Are……

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More About Cowpens
•August 5, 2026•

by Janey Roney

Cowpens...what a strange name! It’s a town in northwestern South Carolina. During colonial times, cattle were gathered, pastured, and branded there. The Battle of Cowpens was fought there during the Revolutionary War in January of 1781 and was a resounding victory of Col. Daniel Morgan’s Patriot American militias over the British regular army led by Maj. Banastre Tarleton. It was one of the most significant American victories in the southern theater of the Revolutionary War and led to our victory at Yorktown. Our James Patterson, one of three Revolutionary War veterans buried in Moultrie, was there.  

One of James Patterson’s descendants, Andrew Patterson, wrote about his ancestor’s participation in the Battle of Cowpens in his book, The Love of a Father; Memoirs of Clyde Patterson Sr.  

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City of Sullivan water restrictions continue

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by Sharon Barricklow

Businesses and residents of Sullivan will have to continue to live under water restrictions after an extension was passed by the Sullivan City  Council.

Although a new well has been dug, it has not achieved full Environmental and Health approval to be used as a city water source. The council approved extending the water restrictions, which prevent lawn watering, car washing and private swimming pool filling, until October, but Mayor Mike Mossman said when the water approvals come back restrictions could ease.

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How to help prevent head lice in children

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What parents need to know as a new school year begins

•August 5, 2026•

By Angela Hogan

If you have a child in preschool through early elementary school, there’s a good chance you’ll deal with head lice at some point. It’s common, frustrating—and often misunderstood.

Recent local observations have highlighted this concern. Unfortunately, many families are unaware of the prevalence of head lice and how to prevent or eliminate them. Let’s break down this issue and what you can do to reduce your risk of exposure.

What To Know About Head Lice and “Super Lice”

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A Look Back…8-5-2026

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2016

Father John Sohm spent years bicycling around town while serving the families at St. Columcille Parrish in Sullivan for over 20 years. This week, Father Sohm took on a new role at St. Columcille as Pastor Emeritus.

Sullivan IGA held a 4 Day Meat Sale featuring 80% ground beef for $2.49 lb and boneless half pork loins for $1.79 lb.

Logan Corrie of Windsor won the Grand Champion in Kids Forms at the KTA Mid Illinois Taekwondo Invitational.

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MCHGS hosts round barn tour

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•August 5, 2026•

Submitted by Larry Oathout, MCHGS Genealogist

and Tonya Frevert, MCHGS Publicity Chair

Photos by R.R. Best

The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society recently held its July meeting at one of Moultrie County’s eye-catching landmarks: the round red barn on the southeast side of Bethany. Situated not far from Illinois Route 121, the barn is a 10-year labor of love by Bethany native George Bone. 

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Cruisin’ for St. Jude brings Bethany and Sullivan groups together

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•August 5, 2026•

Photo by Sonya Best
Team Mattoon runners stepped off for their journey to Peoria last Friday morning. Team Mattoon has raised over $2 million dollars for St. Jude’s. Several members of the team come from Moultrie County.

by Jamie Crosier

The Bethany Celebration and Sullivan Dash and Bash are joining forces for the first Cruisin’ for St. Jude Jeep and Bike Run Saturday, Aug. 22, beginning at The Publisher in Bethany.

Registration will open at 10:00 a.m., with the run departing at noon. The registration fee is $10 per person. Participants may preregister through the link posted on the event’s Facebook page or register at The Publisher the morning of the event.

Although the event is being promoted as a Jeep and bike run, all makes and models of vehicles are welcome.

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Take charge of your diabetes

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•August 5, 2026•

Diabetes is on the rise but can be a very manageable illness. If you or someone you care for has diabetes or is pre-diabetic, why not learn how to more effectively “take charge” and live an active and fulfilling life? Take Charge of Your Diabetes is designed to teach those with diabetes tools and techniques to help them become better health managers. Classes will be offered Wednesday mornings August 12 through September 16 from 9:00-11:30 a.m. Classes will be held at the Shelby County Senior Center at 325 E. North 9th St. in Shelbyville.

The six weekly sessions are highly interactive and are taught by certified trainers Kara Brown of Community Care Systems and Cheri Burcham from University of Illinois Extension. Subjects covered include healthy eating, counting carbs, stress management, exercise and physical activity, monitoring blood sugar, medication management, working effectively with medical providers and much more. There will be no cost for the workshop, but registration is required by August 10 by calling the senior center at 217-774-2251 or the University of Illinois Extension office at 217-543-3755.

The American Diabetes Association identifies this program as meeting the Diabetes Support Initiative criteria for support programming. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs & employment. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this program, please contact the Extension office at 217-543-3755.