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Backhoe purchase approved by Lovington village trustees

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•July 29, 2026•

by E. Scott England

It was a fairly unremarkable board meeting for the Village of Lovington on Monday, July 20. The regular board meeting had been postponed a week after failing to get a quorum the previous Monday. With all but one present—Todd Hale was absent—the July meeting went off without a hitch.

Speaking before the meeting in the public comments were Scott Freese and David Bowers. Freese was representing the Lions Club and expressed his interest in starting a chapter in Lovington. He invited the trustees to an upcoming Candy Jamboree to be held on the second Monday in August at Yoder’s Kitchen in Arthur. The trustees said they would recommend places where Freese could hold a meeting to see if there was local interest in starting a chapter.

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Sullivan library offers free summer programs for all ages

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•July 29, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

Families settle into their seats each Friday afternoon at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library in Sullivan, waiting for the lights to dim and a movie to begin. Free popcorn and water are available, children gather with parents and grandparents, and for a couple of hours, the library becomes a place for entertainment as well as learning.

The weekly movie series is just one of several free programs the library offers throughout the summer as part of its commitment to serving the community.

While the library is unable to publicly announce movie titles because of licensing requirements, families can find the schedule posted inside the library or by calling the library directly. Movies are shown every Friday at 1:00 p.m. through the start of the school year. Registration is not required, and the library can accommodate up to 75 people.

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Remembering Who We Are….

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Kings of the Mountain


•July 29, 2026•

by Janey Roney 

Some of the bratty boys at Jonathan Creek country school used to play “King of the Hill” on a large grass covered mound in the corner of the huge playground. Their shoving matches didn’t impress us girls much for their reign lasted only until noon or the next recess when another “king” claimed the title.

“I’ll be King of the mountain!” shouted British Major Patrick Ferguson to his British loyalist militia gathered at the top of Kings Mountain, South Carolina in October of 1780. Likewise, the patriot militia surrounding Kings Mountain were not impressed either. James Patterson, one of our county’s Revolutionary War veterans, was among those patriot militiamen.  

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Mid-Ilinois Senior Services August schedule

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•July 29, 2026•

3: Pedicures by Robin, must call to register. 1:00-3:00pm Sewing/Quilting group

4: 11:00am-1:00pm Dine with a Doc. Free lunch provided by Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Care, speaker Don Tucker, Respiratory Specialist.

5: 1:00pm Hand & Foot, Bridge

6: 10:00am Exercise class, Noon Birthday party, 12:30pm Bingo sponsored by State Farm Insurance - Duriah Delp

7: 1:00pm Pool tournament

10: 1:00-3:00pm Sewing/Quilting group

11: 10:00am Exercise class

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A Look Back…7-29-2026

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2016

With national political conventions stirring things up, some folks may be looking to leave the country for a while. Moultrie County residents had new hope in that direction with the addition of passport services at the Sullivan Post Office. “We are glad to provide this additional service to our patrons,” Sullivan Postmaster Cindy Temple said.

It’s like an invasion. As the sunsets in Sullivan, the young people come on to the streets armed with smartphones as Pokémon Go takes them to stops all over town. Pokémon Go, a game application by Niantic, took the world by storm with its July 6th release. The free app merges the Pokémon world with reality and gives players an opportunity to relive their childhood.

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CHI Color Run benefits Moultrie County and Douglas County mental health services

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•July 29, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

Left to right: Lisa Stevens, Brett Bryden, Alejandra Huerta Hernandez, Ryan Grussing, Dave Cole, Robbie Heykoop and Lauren Matson.

Community support for mental health continued well beyond Mental Health Awareness Month as proceeds from the second annual CHI Color Run were presented July 16 to two organizations serving residents in Moultrie and Douglas counties.

The run, held May 30 at CHI in Arthur, drew 146 preregistered participants, 43 day-of registrations and more than 40 volunteers. Participants raised more than $6,000, which CHI matched, resulting in more than $12,000 being donated to the Moultrie County Counseling Center and the Douglas County Public Health school-based clinic.

For CHI, the event represents more than a fundraiser. It reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting the physical and emotional well-being of its employees and the communities where they live and work.

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Guns douse Hoses’ hopes in second annual charity game

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•July 29, 2026•

by E. Scott England

It was hot but an otherwise beautiful evening at Crowder Park in Bethany for the second annual Guns vs. Hoses charity softball game. The event raises money for school supplies for elementary schools around the area. 

Guests umpires Joe Fultz and Troy Rogers oversaw the game that looked to be a close contest but quickly turned into something of a blowout.

Sometimes the first inning can set the tone for the entire game. This looked to be the case in last weekend’s Guns vs Hoses charity softball game. Moultrie County Sergeant Jesse Scribner was tapped as starting pitcher for the guns. He struggled through the first few batters, walking three of them. But it’s a team sport for a reason. Backed by a strong field, Sergeant Scribner escaped the inning only allowing one run.

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