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Lake Land College launches new program

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Laker Connect program for Dual-Credit students

•April 23, 2025•

Lake Land College is partnering with area high schools to launch Laker Connect, a redesigned and enhanced dual credit program aimed at increasing access to college-level course work for high school students.

With the new Laker Connect Dual Credit program, students can simultaneously earn high school and college credit for free by enrolling in college courses in an academic pathway taught by qualified high school instructors. The program also aligns Lake Land and high school course curricula to create a seamless educational experience between high school and college.

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Amish horses to break ground at Illinois Amish Heritage Center

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Public invited to witness historic visitor center ceremony

•April 23, 2025•

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center is turning tradition into history with a public groundbreaking celebration like no other. On Friday, April 25 at 4:00 p.m., the Center will break ground on its future 10,000-square-foot Visitor and Museum Center - and after the Board taps into to the hard hats and shovels, a team of Amish horses will lead the ceremonial dig using a traditional slip scraper.

“We wanted this moment to reflect who we are - and there’s nothing more powerful or poetic than breaking ground with the same tools and spirit the Amish have used for generations,” said David King, Executive Director of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center. “This is living history in motion.”

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Mid-Illinois Senior Services

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More to it than meets the eye

•April 23, 2025•

While most in Moultrie County are aware of some of the events, meals, and activities that Moultrie County Senior Services (MISS) offers, what they provide is far broader than most realize. Through service, ongoing education, and a developed sense of community, MISS is the heart of the Senior Community.

In FY24, MISS Assisted: 333 clients with FREE Senior Information Services providing 1000 units of service (1 hour in our office = 1 unit of service); 78 clients with free Caregiver Advisory Services providing 3763 units of service; 153 clients with Medicare D issues; 96 clients with the Benefit Access Application (gives beneficiary a discount on one vehicle’s license plate sticker/household $10/year); 30 clients with Low Income Subsidy & other Medicare Savings Programs; 320 clients with SHIP Counseling services; 41 clients with Medicaid issues; 17 clients with Medicare Supplement issues; 10 clients with billing issues; 4 clients with FOID card renewals; 20 clients with license plate registration; 8 clients with Property Tax Freeze paperwork;2 clients with Veteran’s Administration issues; 3 clients handicap placard renewal; 5 clients with Fishing License renewal; and 16 clients with phone calls to Social Security Administration.

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Obituaries 4-23-2025: Bettye Dawson

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Bettye Dawson

Bettye Katherine Dawson, 100, of Ankeny, IA, formerly of Lovington, Decatur and Tuscola, passed away Thursday, April 10, 2025, Rock Creek Senior Living, Ankeny, IA.          

Visitation was held Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Lovington. Graveside services were held Saturday, in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, Lovington.          

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A Look Back…4-23-2025

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2015

Sullivan police department officer manager Janet Dirks was presented a merit award at a city council meeting by Mayor Ann Short for her heroic handling of an emergency phone call in March that was pertaining to what was shortly after found to be a homicide.

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Findlay road repairs this Summer

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•April 23, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

The long awaited resurfacing of the Findlay road east of Findlay is expected to be done this summer after a bid letting for the project later this month.

Shelby County Highway Engineer Michael Tappendorf told the Shelby County Board last week that construction is expected to take six to eight weeks. He said he hoped businesses along the road would only be minimally inconvenienced but acknowledged the work is being done during the busy tourist season for Lake Shelbyville.

“Unfortunately asphalt has to be laid at a certain temperature,” he said. 

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Sullivan School District

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New HS delays while students continue to impress

•April 23, 2025•

by DM Williamee

The Sullivan School Board met on April 14th at 6:30 p.m. After a call to order, no citizen non-agenda items were to be addressed, and the meeting moved to NHS/NEHS news. Brooklyn Booker, NEHS Sgt. at Arms, reported that Juniors and Seniors are reviewing contests, including essay writing and art pieces, to get an NEHS cord for graduation. They are currently in the process of changing over to their new officers, beginning tomorrow, with ballots open for a week. They are also looking forward to their pen pal meetup on Wednesday, April 30th. Annual English trivia event coming up, involving every student in the High School, which is structured thematically, with a snack party reward. Speaking as the NHS president, Ms. Booker shared the Blessed teachers for April. Two school beautification events have been held, but clean-up has been hampered by the weather. On May 8th, the “Breakfast of Champions” will be held. NHS is also in the process of changing officers. Additionally, NHS donated monies to assist the tornado-damaged school in Neoga and for the North Carolina school that suffered catastrophic flooding earlier this year, SHS made school bracelets in their school colors and personalized bags for every student and teacher of the high school, filled with goodies. SHS received a surprise envelope filled with over a hundred thank you cards and a banner. Two students reported that they were both national qualifiers and state winners for their record book areas. 

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