Hollis Dick
Hollis A. Dick, 92, a lifetime resident of Bethany, passed away 4:29 p.m. Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Willow Breeze Hospice House, Mattoon.
Read MoreObituaries 9-9-2026: Hollis Dick
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A Look Back…9-9-2026
1966
Jim Ralston, manager of The Index store in Sullivan, presented a check to Mrs. Jackie Hardy, of Shelbyville. Mrs. Hardy’s recipe for Rhubarb Custard pie was the winning recipe for the Molly McKay column. The Index was one of the sponsors of the column.
John Nagy and Charles White were named as co-sponsors of the annual Sullivan High School homecoming festivities. This year’s Homecoming opponent was Monticello.
Read MoreCEFS announces the start of the Energy Assistance Program
•September 9, 2026•
CEFS announces the start of the Energy Assistance Program CEFS Economic Opportunity Corp, as administrator of the Energy Assistance Program in the counties of Christian, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby recently announced that funds are available to assist income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane and/or electric bills and furnace assistance for inoperable heating systems.
The program will begin taking applications on October 1, 2026, for older adults (60+ years), individuals with a disability, families with children age 5 years and under, and households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% in their propane tank. All other income eligible households can start applying November 2, 2026. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through August 13, 2027, or until funding is exhausted. Households that receive a one-time benefit may return during the program year for a Reconnection Assistance or Furnace Assistance benefit(s), if needed.
Read MoreSullivan Elementary artwork marks step toward larger playground vision
•September 9, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Brightly painted obstacle courses, hopscotch challenges, an alphabet scramble and other activities now stretch across the blacktop at Sullivan Elementary School, giving students new ways to move, create and play during recess.
The artwork is a visible change students can enjoy now, but it is part of a larger, multi-year effort by the Sullivan Elementary School PTO to improve the school’s outdoor spaces and eventually replace playground equipment that is approximately 30 years old.
The idea grew from what the PTO calls its annual “Dream Big” requests, which give school staff an opportunity to suggest improvements they would like to see for students. Over time, the PTO noticed a recurring theme: Teachers were asking for playground repairs, outdoor toys and a shaded area where students could learn and spend time outside.
Read MoreChicken Fry
•September 9, 2026•
The Lovington Christian Church, 301 S. County, Lovington, will hold its annual chicken fry on Saturday, September 2 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The menu includes fried chicken, mashed potatoes, sweet corn and dessert. Meals are $14 for adults or $40 for immediate family.
“Recovery Month Matters”
•September 9, 2026•
The Moultrie County Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) Council, a program of Hour House, is launching its “Recovery Month Matters” social media awareness initiative throughout September. This initiative aligns with the ROSC Council’s mission to reduce stigma, promote recovery, and strengthen the health and wellness of individuals, families, and communities through education and community engagement.
The campaign encourages community members to support Recovery Month by learning more about substance use and mental health, using respectful and nonjudgmental language, and offering support to friends and loved ones. You can also share messages of hope, attend local Recovery Month events, and advocate for access to treatment, recovery services, and mental health care.
Community members are encouraged to follow the Moultrie County ROSC Council on social media, share the educational infographic, and help spread positive messages that promote wellness, recovery, and hope.
Hour House provides compassionate, evidence-based substance use disorder treatment and recovery support for individuals, families, and the community. For over 50 years, it has offered a continuum of care including treatment services for adults and adolescents, recovery housing for men, women and women with children, and community programs focused on education, prevention, and outreach.
Recent Obituaries: Lavonne Graven
Lavonne Graven
Lavonne Graven, 94, of Sullivan passed away at 11:16 p.m. on September 7, 2026, at Willow Breeze Hospice House, in Mattoon, Illinois.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 14, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service on Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be held in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. In lieu of flowers; memorials may be made to the donor’s choice or to the Willow Breeze Hospice: 10660 E Co Rd 800 N Mattoon, IL 61938
Lavonne was born July 28, 1932 in Shelby County to Ancil and Ruth (Winings) Perrine. She graduated in 1950 from Sullivan High School and later drove school buses for Sullivan. She married Mac Graven in First Christian Church, Sullivan, on July 7, 1951, and he preceded her in death April 25, 2005. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and was an avid Illini basketball fan.
She is survived by her sons, Mark of London, England, Mikel (Nancy) of Warrensburg; daughter, Lori Kelso of Champaign; granddaughters, Kayla Graven and Michelle Graven (Arthur Steiner) of Springfield, Lindsey Kelso (JT Moscardini) and Sydney Kelso of the Chicago area.
She was preceded in death by husband, Mac; parents; brothers, Bill (Emma Lee) Perrine, Vernon (Beverly) Perrine; infant brother, Ralph Eugene; and sister, Dorothy (Lawrence) Morrison.
The family would like to thank Willow Breeze Hospice House for the care of Lavonne and her family in her final days.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
AMBUCS provide wheels
•September 2, 2026•
by Sharon Barricklow
A Shelbyville boy is the most recent recipient of a specially equipped mobility trike for getting around with his family.
Lawson Reedy received the “amtryke” from the Sullivan chapter of AMBUCS, an organization dedicated to improving mobility and accessibility for everyone. The Sullivan group provides adaptive riding machines for children like Lawson, builds accessibility ramps, and raises funds for scholarships for physical therapists. With more than 150 chapters in 36 states, AMBUCS’ stated goal is to provide accessibility and empower others.
Upon receiving his amtryke in Sullivan, Lawson expressed a desire to ride it home to Shelbyville. Within minutes he was moving along at a pace, his mother Lindsey says will enable him to participate in family bike rides with dad Kevin, mom Lindsey and sister Chloe.
In the photo, Kevin and Lindsey Reedy with son Lawson and his new “amtryke”.
Sullivan Trap Team makes its mark at National Championship
•September 2, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
The Sullivan High School Trap Team capped off its season this past summer on the national stage, competing among approximately 400 teams and 1,800 individual shooters at the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship.
For Sullivan, simply arriving as a team marked a milestone. It was the first time the young program had fielded a team at Nationals, and only Carter Honchell and Kolten Kidd had previously experienced the national competition.
Despite entering an unfamiliar environment and facing teams from across the country, Sullivan posted a score of 460 in the team qualifier, finishing 89th. Only the top 80 teams advanced to the championship round, leaving Sullivan just nine places — and two targets — short of moving on.
Head Coach Rob Kidd said the magnitude of Nationals creates an entirely different atmosphere for shooters.
Read MoreBASO Car Show a success
Photo by R.R. Best
The Bethany Advocates and Support Organization hosted its annual car show on August 22 at Crowder Park. The perfect afternoon weather bought out 52 entries and many enthusiastic onlookers. Greg Fitzgerald’s 1966 Pontiac GTO took home Best off Show honors.