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Remembering Who We Are………62

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The Panther’s Scream


•June 11, 2025•

by Janet Roney

“It’s time to quit and go home when I start seeing things!” Roger hung his jacket on the hook and stood there with a puzzled look on his face.

“Seeing things? What did you see?” I asked. My worry about my husband working so late at night at the isolated Murphy River farm on the east county line was replaced by a new concern. 

“I don’t know. In my tractor lights, I thought I saw something dark dart across in front of me. Maybe it was a reflection. After I quit and was walking to my truck, I heard this blood-curdling scream come up from the Kaskaskia River bottom. It was time to go home!”

Now, you should know that my husband is a sober man. (We are Methodists, don’t you know…)

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Arthur Public Library holding teen workshops

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•June 11, 2025•


This summer, from June 16th through July 28th, the Arthur Public Library will be holding B.A.S.E. teen workshops for those ages 10 and above. June 16th will be “Plant the Seeds of Change,” a hands-on activity where youth decorate planters and plant a seed or small plant symbolizing growth and transformation. June 30th will be “ Positive Thought Loops,” where they will explore positive thought loops and paint a rock with uplifting affirmations. July 14th will be “ Gratitude Jar,” where they will create a Gratitude Jar to fill with positive notes and reminders for tough days; a simple, uplifting activity to help youth build resilience and focus on the good. July 28th will be “ Mindfulness Deep Breathing,” where they can learn to utilize mindfulness practices of deep breathing by using bubbles. For more information, contact Nick Spidle at (217) 218-9972 or nicks@hourhouserecovery.org.

City council makes appointments

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•June 11, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Sullivan City Council made several appointments and approved some routine matters during a brief city council meeting Monday night. 

The council approved a recommendation from Commissioner Woodworth to appoint LJ Vincent as Water Distribution Collections Systems Foreman. They also approved recommendations from Mayor Mossman appointing Amanda Mayberry, Karen Reed, Jennifer Love and Kathy Price to terms on the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library Board.  

Also on the agenda was financing for the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development. On the recommendation of several council members, Mossman agreed to postpone the vote until the council could meet with members of the group. 

The council held a closed executive session to discuss internal and external audits.

Lovington Board addresses a multitude of issues, tables numerous for information

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•June 11, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Monday, the Village of Lovington held its regular Board Meeting. Guests in attendance were Eric Shangraw of GFI, Linda Patrick, a resident, and Roger Nuxoll of Farnsworth Group. 

With respect to the visitor and public comments section, Linda Patrick was very vocal on numerous points. Her first concern was not being able to reach the Village during regular business hours, and there being no signs posted on the door as to whom to speak with if needed. She had a water leak and called the police, but had to leave a message. She finally called Don Jackson, who was able to stop the leak, and then she called a plumber to repair the issue. Mrs. Patrick is very concerned that the Village appears to have no contingency plan in cases such as this. The Board advised that the Village pays for Dennis and Chris’s cell phones, so they should be reachable as needed after hours and in case of emergency, but also stressed the importance of contacting the County Sheriff’s office.

Mrs. Patrick next spoke about there being a lack of police coverage in Lovington, and not feeling safe, mentioning how many single, older widows live in Lovington and feel unsafe as well. She has had people banging on the side of her house in the middle of the night and scaring her, and she, as well as other neighbors, have begun leaving lights on at night to feel safe. She posited the question: Is there no budget for police, or some other problem? She has never seen a patrol car drive by her residence. The Board responded that there is a budget, they have hired officers, but no one wants to work. In the interim, the Board advised that calling 911 is the appropriate procedure at this time. 

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Recent Obituaries: Barbara Smith

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Barbara Sue Smith, 80, of Lovington, passed away 5:37 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at her home. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 16, 2025, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Lovington. Visitation will be an hour prior to the services Monday, at the funeral home. Burial will take place in the Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to the Lovington Volunteer Ambulance Service or to Moultrie County PAWs: 10 Leisure Acres, Sullivan, IL 61951

Sue was born December 12, 1944, in Iola; the daughter of Wilson Leroy and Dolly Opal (Ramsey) Colclasure. She married Troy Derrell Smith on March 1, 1963, in Sullivan; he preceded her in death on February 5, 2014. Sue retired from Agri-Fab after working there for 25 years. She enjoyed reading books, garage sales, Koi Ponds and going out with her metal detector. Sue loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by her daughters, Laura (Robert) Scott of Sullivan and Kimberly (Thomas) Fleming of Lovington; brother, Arthur Leroy (Sonny) Colclasure of Allenville; sisters, Zelma Reynolds of Allenville, Ellen (Roger) Hunter of Sullivan, Stella Harlin of Allenville and Kathy Carey of Mattoon. Sue was also survived by 3 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 1 brother and 1 grandson.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Obituaries 6-11-2025: Michael Welch

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Michael Welch

Michael B. Welch, 64, of  Lake Whales, Florida passed away at 2:55 p.m. Saturday June 7, 2025 in the Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida.

Arrangements are incomplete at Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan.

Obituaries 6-11-2025: James Myers

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James Myers

James L. Myers, 87, of Dundee, Florida passed away at 9:11 a.m. Friday June 6, 2025 in Winter Haven Hospital, Winter Haven, Florida.

Arrangements are incomplete at Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan.

Obituaries 6-11-2025: Violet Lillico

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Violet Lillico

Violet M. Lillico, 88, of Bethany, passed away 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Sullivan Healthcare and Senior Living.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany. Visitation will be an hour prior to the services Thursday, at the funeral home. Burial will take place in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Rural Bethany. Memorials may be made to the Bethany Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry: 312 West South Water Street, Bethany, IL 61914

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A Look Back…6-11-2025

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2015

Okaw Valley’s baseball team took home a fourth-place state trophy from the tournament in Peoria.

Zachary Coon was awarded a scholarship by the Illinois Lumber and Material Dealers Association Foundation. Coon graduated from Sullivan High School in the spring of 2011 and attended Lake Land College to study building construction technology before transferring to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where he worked towards his bachelor’s degree in construction management with a minor in business administration. 

The Lovington Grade School eighth grade class promotion ceremony was held with the following students promoted: Isaac Ashenfelter, Gabriel Hallford, Paul Brodnansky, Jon Marquis, Kyle Carnahan, Dalton McDaniel, Veronica Chambers, Caleb Nettles, Adam Day, Taylor Powell, Hunter Day, Daniel Reedy, Ciara Emrick, Jessica Renfro, Molly Fort, Angela Robinson, Lauren Foster, Alexia Stanley, and Katelynn Gingerich.

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Lovington “Junefest” schedule of events

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•June 11, 2025•

On Friday, June 13th, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Lovington will hold its Alumni Banquet at the Family Life Center. From 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., Country Sky and Eddie’s Taco Truck will be outside the East End tavern.

On Saturday, June 14th, from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m., the sausage pancake breakfast will be held at the Firehouse. From 9:30 a.m. until noon, the Car Show will be held in the business district with the Lovington Rec Ball grilling lunch. 

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