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A Look Back…7-22-2026

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2016

One hundred fifteen kids, numerous donations, and a little heart let the Summer Park Program flourish in Sullivan. Jake and Melissa Haegen worked hard to improve Sullivan’s Park and Rec program. An over 50-year-old program evolved from 30 to 40 kids to 115, from two supervisors to multiple teenage volunteers who had been through the program, and from a quick lunch break to a provided food program. 

Blair Monroe of Bethany and Ben Bushue of Solomon won ribbons in the Moultrie Douglas Fair 4-H Livestock show.

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Delinquent tax auction

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•July 22, 2026•

Moultrie County, as Trustee, has completed their tax deed proceedings on real estate properties that were delinquent for 2022 and prior real estate taxes. The County, as Trustee, will now offer for sale the real estate obtained to the public. They will offer approximately 5 items through a sealed bid auction sale. All sealed written bids must be in the Moultrie County Treasurer’s Office located in the Moultrie County Courthouse, 10 S. Main Street – Suite 10, Sullivan, Illinois 61951 no later than the close of business on August 14, 2026. All online bids must be submitted via www.iltaxsalebids.com no later than the close of business on August 14, 2026.

The sale of these lots should be a major benefit to both the Taxing Districts and the neighboring property owners. This sale will place the properties into the hands of individuals who have an interest in owning them. The County, as Trustee, hopes that these new owners will both maintain the property and keep the real estate taxes paid. By eliminating abandoned properties, the appearance of the neighborhood should improve, and the value of adjoining properties should increase. 

The required minimum bid is just $826.00 per item. All items will be sold to the highest sealed bid received on or before August 14, 2026. Complete bidder’s packets and sale catalogs are now available at the Moultrie County Treasurer’s Office or online at www.iltaxsale.com. 

For further sale information, contact the Auction Sale Department of the Moultrie County Tax Agent’s Office. The telephone number is 1-800-248-2850 or 618-656-5744 or visit us at www.iltaxsale.com. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Fridays. 

Bethany Blood Drive

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•July 22, 2026•

The Bethany fire station, located at Route 121, Bethany, will be the site of a Bethany Community Blood Drive on Tuesday, August 11, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. For an appointment, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org. 

Bring a photo ID or your blood donor card, or two other forms of ID. Save up to fifteen minutes when you donate blood by using RapidPass. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass for more information.

If you are eligible type O, B or A donor, consider making a Power Red donation. Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component.

The Blood Drive is hosted by the Theta Psi cheese ball ladies of Bethany.

Dalton City Car Show

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•July 22, 2026•

The 16th Annual Dalton City Car Show All Wheel Extravaganza will be held Sunday, July 26 from noon to 5:00 p.m. Registration will begin at 10:00 a.m. in downtown Dalton City. The registration fee is $20 and goody bags will be given to the first 150 entries. An MC/DJ will provided entertainment throughout the day, food trucks and vendors will be on site and a silent auction and 50/50 will be held.

For more information contact Harley’s Hideout 217-874-2309, Shamrock Pub 217-874-9701 or email daltoncitycarshow@gmail.com

Recent Obituaries: Terry Warren

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Terry P. Warren, 85, of Sullivan, passed away 12:00 Noon, Friday, July 18, 2026 in his residence.

Celebration of Life services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at the Reed Funeral Home with Pastor Bill Wiggs officiating. Burial will be the Greenhill Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Monday evening. Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan Fire and Ambulance Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Terry was born June 7, 1941 in Decatur, Illinois, the son of Kermit and Clema Reynolds Warren. He married Sharon Gustin on June 3, 1962 in Sullivan.

Survivors include his wife Sharon; sons Derick (Rebecca) Warren of Sullivan and Bart Warren of Lerna; grandchildren Alisha (Derek) Alms, Brody (Lauren) Warren, Chelsea Warren and Jacob Warren; great grandchildren Darren Alms, Harley Alms, Harper Warren, Sawyer Warren, Ava Warren, Audrey Warren, Mia Warren and Olivia Warren and a sister Dianne K. Warren Strufe.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In his early years Terry was active in the Brushy Bend 4-H Club and not only exhibited animals but also participated in the 4-H tractor driving contest in which the driver had to back a wagon into a roped off space. He won the Moultrie County contest for several years, the Illinois State Fair competition and garnered the privilege of going to the Texas State Fair to compete on the national level.

At the age of 18 Terry bought his first farmland and continued to farm for the remainder of his life. There are not enough words to describe Terry’s love of farming and taking care of his family. If you knew Terry you will have many memories of his dedicated work ethic and kind soul. His favorite hobbies included collecting farm toys, toy horses and carriages and coins.

He also owned and operated a catering business for over 30 years. He was famously known for his pork BBQ sandwiches and pork chops that fell right off the bone.

Throughout his life Terry donated his time and resources back to the community that which he loved. Terry’s most treasured accomplishment was that he served as a trustee for the Sullivan Fire Protection District for over 31 years and held the position of President for many of those years.

Recent Obituaries: Norma Standerfer

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Norma Jean Standerfer, 90, of Sullivan, formerly of Bethany, passed away 3:51 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Heritage Woods of Sullivan.

Visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. –1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Moultrie County Memorial Park, rural Bethany. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Transitions Hospice or to Heritage Woods of Sullivan.

Norma was born April 21, 1936, in Bethany; the daughter of Fredrick Donald and Jeanette Pearl (Sporleader) Smith. She married Thomas Wayne Standerfer on July 24, 1955, in Bethany; he preceded her in death on May 19, 2020. Norma was raised in the United Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the Nite Owls, the RSVP of Moultrie County and a member for many years in the Home Extension. Norma was a child care provider and a beloved baby sitter. She and her husband were Winter Texans, spending many winters in Galveston, TX. Norma spent over 30 years exercising 5 days out of the week at the Sullivan Civic Center with her friends. She was a very caring person; Norma spent time caring for her nieces, nephews, parents, sister and many other friends and family. She cooked many years at the Bethany Grade School. Her greatest past time was spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Norma is survived by her children, Brent (Christine) Standerfer of New Braunfels, TX, Sheila (Jim) Smith of Sullivan and Brenda (Stuart) Wade of Bethany; grandchildren, Brooke (Dan) Webner, Katie (Dane) Zike, Melanie Jean (Cody) Brands, Toni (Mike) Murphy and Christina (Jared) Hartman; step-grandchildren, Chris Durbin, Matthew Durbin, Morgan (Joey) Orr and Malyssa (Matt) King. She is also survived by 13 great-grandchildren, 10 step-great-grandchildren and a soon to be born great-great-grandson, Levi Webner.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 1 granddaughter, Amber Smith, 2 siblings, Marge Sanner and Wayne Smith.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude and love for the staff at Transitions Hospice and Heritage Woods of Sullivan. The love and kindness the staff showed to Norma and her family will never be forgotten.

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

Recent Obituaries: Jayden N. Taber

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Jayden N. Taber, 30, of Monticello, passed away at 10:54 p.m. Monday, July 13, 2026.

Celebration of Life services will be 5:00 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 2026 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Don Lusk officiating. Visitation will be 3-5 p.m. Saturday. Memorials are suggested to the family for the children’s education fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Jayden was born February 9, 1996 in Mattoon. Jayden worked out of the Local 159 Labor Hall in Decatur. He attended the Southern Baptist Church. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, cooking and spending time with his children.

Surviving are his father Jay Taber of Sullivan; mother Juli Taber of Sullivan; significant other Jessie Pierce of Monticello; children Hayden Taber of Charleston, Julian Taber and Stevie Jo Taber both of Monticello; brother Hunter Taber of Sullivan; sister Breanne Taber of Avon, Indiana; maternal grandmother Carolyn Rawlings of Bethany; paternal grandmother Vivian Taber of Sullivan; nieces Kenadee McCoy, McKinlee Rawlings and Annalise McCoy and nephew Keegan Rawlings.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Larry Rawlings and paternal grandfather John Taber.

Findlay to celebrate farming roots during 38th annual Walleye Festival 

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•July 15, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

The message appears on the cover of this year’s Findlay Walleye Festival booklet: “Grow Where You’re Planted.” Inside, that theme carries through nearly every page as organizers recognize local farming families, honor longtime volunteers and invite the community to celebrate the festival’s 38th year July 24-25. 

The cover describes farmers as “the backbone of our nation,” while a letter from the Walleye Festival Board thanks generations of farming families for helping feed America and recognizes the role they have played in building the Findlay community. 

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As summer travel surges, consumers need to stay alert for scams

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Experts share practical tips to help travelers spot scams and protect their money this summer
•July 15, 2026•

As millions of Americans head out on vacation this summer, First Mid Bank & Trust (First Mid) is encouraging travelers to stay alert for increasingly sophisticated scams designed to steal money and personal information before, during, or after a trip.

From fake vacation home rentals and airline alerts to fraudulent refund offers and Wi-Fi networks, fraudsters are using artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing scams that pressure travelers into making quick decisions. 

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Tips for grilling safely this summer

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•July 15, 2026•

Plenty of people can be found working their grilling magic year-round. But the vast majority of people do the bulk of their grilling over the summer, when warm temperatures contribute to a relaxed atmosphere that makes outdoor cooking and dining that much more appealing.

The relaxing nature of summer can make it easy to overlook safety, particularly when grilling. However, the right safety measures when cooking over an open flame can prevent home fires and other accidents that can cause injury and even death. In recognition of the many things that can go wrong when grilling, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Fire Administration offer these simple fire safety tips that every grillmaster can keep in mind as summer grilling season hits full swing.

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