2026 Findlay Walleye Festival
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Recent Obituaries: Kevin Mark Yates
Kevin Mark Yates, 71, of Sullivan passed away 6:25 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2026, at his home.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 7, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105
Kevin was born April 3, 1955, in Peoria; the son of James W. and Ruth M. (Sampson) Yates. He worked in the labs of Mars/Kal Kan as a chemist helping to research and create new products. Kevin was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and enjoyed antique cars. He was a fan of Western movies and the music of Seals & Crofts. Kevin was a big history buff and took part in Civil War and World War II reenactments. Most of all he loved spending time with his family and took great joy in his nieces and nephews.
Kevin is survived by his sister, Marsha (David) Webb of Macon; sister-in-law, Patricia Yates of Washington, IL; nieces and nephews, Ryan (Karyn) Yates of Washington, IL, Adam Yates of Eureka, Donhavan (Amy) Webb of Niantic, Tyler (Austin) Webb of Decatur, Miranda (Brent) Cox of Trophy Club, TX, and Derek (Alexis) Conger of Washington, IL. He is also survived by several great-nieces, great-nephews. 1 great-great-niece and 1 great-great-nephew.
Kevin was proceeded in death by his parents, 1 brother, Michael K. Yates and his faithful fur baby, Andy.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
Obituaries: Carolyn McFarland
Carolyn I. McFarland, 88, of Sullivan, passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2026 in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.
Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Fred Hauck officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, Mattoon. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Carolyn was born July 12, 1938, in Creve Coeur, Illinois, the daughter of Eugene M. and Virdie Swisher Gorrell. She was the secretary for the Sullivan Little Theater on the Square and the Moultrie County Counseling Center. Carolyn was a member of the Sullivan First Church of God and enjoyed the Monday evening Monicals Ladies Group. She married Vernon F. ‘Mac’ McFarland on September 28, 1957, in Newton and he preceded her in death on October 24, 2002.
Surviving is her sons Jeffrey (Julia) McFarland of Maryville and Rick (Janet) McFarland of Sullivan; daughter Michele McFarland of Sullivan; sister-in-laws Marna Gorrell of Morton and Lois Gorrell of Peoria; 5 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vernon F., son Vernon, three brothers and two sisters.
Guns-vs-Hoses Fundraiser
Taming kindergarten first day jitters
•July 29, 2026•
Kindergarten may be a child’s introduction to formal schooling. Although many families send their children to pre-K programs, it’s not a necessity. Kindergarten, particularly full-day sessions, will set the course of formal schooling for years to come.
USAFacts.com says between 3.5 to four million children attend kindergarten each year. Many children about to begin kindergarten understandably are anxious about what lies in store. First day of school jitters are common and may lead to fears and tears in many homes. There are ways to make the first day of kindergarten less scary for kids. Here are some pointers families can follow.
Read MoreGolf outing to support Sullivan Community Development set
•July 29, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Businesses, organizations and community members will gather at the Sullivan Country Club on Friday, Aug. 14, for the annual Sullivan Illinois Community Development Golf Outing, a fundraiser that supports projects aimed at strengthening the local economy and community.
Lunch will be served at 11 a.m., with a noon tee-off. The outing raises funds for Sullivan Community Development’s year-round efforts to support local businesses, encourage economic growth, promote tourism and partner with organizations on projects that enhance the community.
Executive Director Laurrie Minor said the golf outing has become one of the organization’s signature annual events and serves a purpose beyond a day on the golf course.
Read MoreIllinois’s 2026 prevailing wage rates published
•July 29, 2026•
The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has published the 2026 prevailing wage rates for construction trades in every county across Illinois.
The updated rates took effect Wednesday, July 15, 2026, following IDOL’s annual statewide survey conducted in June pursuant to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act.
The Act requires workers on publicly funded construction and infrastructure projects to be paid wages that reflect local standards. By ensuring workers receive locally prevailing wages, the law helps protect good-paying jobs, promotes fair competition among contractors, and keeps taxpayer investments supporting Illinois workers and communities.
Read MoreProject 61 Ministries to host open house and 5K in Sullivan
•July 29, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Project 61 Ministries will host its third annual 5K and an open house at the House of Ruth on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 1308 Illinois Route 121 in Sullivan.
Race registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with the 5K starting at 8:00 a.m. The registration fee is $25, with proceeds supporting Project 61 Ministries.
Food, activities and guided tours of the House of Ruth will be available from 9:00 a.m. to noon. This year’s event will include additional food options and train rides around the property.
Read MoreTeeing Up the Future: Lehman elected as a National Junior Hereford Assn. director
•July 29, 2026•
National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members elected four new directors during the 2026 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “The Hereford Masters in Madison.” The new NJHA directors received their maroon jackets during the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) Scholarship, Award and Maroon Jacket Ceremony July 9. State delegates chose these young leaders to serve a three-year term on a team of 12 directors who govern and serve the organization’s more than 4,200 members.
Read MoreDine with a Doc® – Catch your breath
•July 29, 2026•
Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. When was the last time you took a truly deep, refreshing breath without a second thought? If you or a loved one are tired of feeling winded, local seniors and veterans are invited to take a breather from their routine and catch a wave of great health tips. Senior Education Ministries, Inc. is bringing its high-energy Dine with a Doc® program to town on Tuesday, August 4, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Moultrie County Senior Center.
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