Archer McPheeters, an 8th-grade student at Okaw Valley Middle School, finished 1st in the pole vault with a vault of 9ft. 6in., at the IESA State Track and Field Finals in East Peoria held May 15th and 16th. Archer also placed 8th in the 400-meter with a time of 104.5. Archer is the daughter of Mindy and Aron McPheeters and granddaughter of Martha and Harlan Fabert.
Scarlett Perrott helped her club volleyball team win the Silver Division at the Central Regional Championships held in Hammond, IN while also earning herself All-tournament team recognition. The Apex 13u team, based in Decatur, IL, went 3-2 over the June 13th-14th weekend to wrap up their travel season with a win at the Hammond Sports Complex where over sixty teams from across the Midwest competed. Perrott was one of six players in the 13-and-under age group to be selected to the All-Tournament team.
Scarlet is also a member of the Sullivan Middle School Volleyball team and swims competitively. She is the daughter of Jamie and Josh Perrott of Bethany.
•June 24, 2026•
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is accepting applications for the State Pheasant Fund Special Funds and the Illinois Habitat Fund Special Funds Grant programs from July 1st through August 1st. The pheasant habitat and wildlife habitat programs enhance the natural environment for pheasant and wildlife through projects developed by not-for-profit organizations and governmental entities for conservation. Funding for the State Pheasant Fund, Special Funds, and the Illinois Habitat Fund, Special Wildlife Funds grants comes from the sale of habitat stamps to sportsmen and sportswomen. Applicants must register and be current in the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act portal. Applications must be submitted online. For additional information, email susan.duke@illinois.gov. View additional state funding opportunities by visiting the Illinois Catalog of Financial Assistance online.
•June 24, 2026•
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Board of Directors met for its regularly scheduled meeting at the IHSA office in Bloomington on Monday, June 15, where the Board finalized expectations for the 35-second shot clock, which will be required for varsity boys and girls basketball contests beginning with the 2026-27 IHSA season.
Read MoreDane Eadie
Dane M. Eadie, 69, of Sullivan, formerly of Findlay, passed away at 2:25 p.m. Tuesday, December 23, 2025 in his residence.
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The ALAH School District experienced some changes in both its staff and Board of Education. After a closed session meeting at the ALAH School Board meeting, a motion was made to approve the resignation of ALAH Principal Buck Condill.
More photos and memorabilia from local veterans were on display at the Bethany celebration at Crowder Park. The American Legion of Bethany sponsored this event to honor veterans in the area. Terry Muzzy assembled uniforms, weapons, photos, and a variety of items loaned by families of Bethany Area Veterans.
An issue with the Sullivan Utility Department electrical sectionalizers was brought to the attention at the City Council meeting. Many of them are close to 40 years old, which has left time for trees, plants, and weeds to grow around them. When these sectionalizers, which distribute 7200 volts of electricity, have overgrowth around them, they overheat and do not perform at their highest quality.
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•June 24, 2026•
On Tuesday, June 16th, the YA group came together at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library to create tile coasters. Using Sharpies, isopropyl alcohol, air, and fire, the YA group had a blast watching how their colored designs on the tile transformed each step of the project. From the original Sharpie colored designs on the tiles to the placement of the alcohol, using air to direct the colors, to the firing, each piece transformed in beautifully unpredictable ways. There were smiles, laughter, and excited exchanges of ideas as the YA group worked together, each trying to predict what their final tile coaster would look like. Once ‘fired’, all of the tiles were sprayed with a durable sealant, making them ready to serve as coasters, making great gifts and keepsakes. The project was a resounding success, thoroughly enjoyed by all. To stay current with the many events offered at ETML for all age groups (of which there are many), visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082637979457.
Photo by R.R. Best
On Route 133 between Lovington and Arthur, power poles fell as a result of the storm systems that hit central Illinois in two waves on Wednesday, June 17th. These storms left many without power and caused widespread damage throughout the area, including confirmed tornado touchdowns in nearby counties.
•June 24, 2026•
The Arthur Rotary Club and the entire Arthur community are preparing to welcome thousands of visitors on Saturday, June 27, for the annual Arthur Freedom Celebration featuring a downtown parade and one of the largest fireworks displays in central Illinois.
This year’s celebration carries the patriotic theme, “Celebrating 250 Years…One Nation, One Community,” in honor of America’s 250th birthday.
Festivities begin with the annual Freedom Celebration Parade, which steps off promptly at 2:00 p.m. on East Progress Street. Parade line-up begins at 12:30 p.m. at the former Progress Industries property on the north side of the street.
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•June 24, 2026•
by Sharon Barricklow
A $400,000 purchase of software for the city’s electrical plant was approved without going through the bid process at the Sullivan City Council’s June 6 meeting.
Commissioner Mike Kirk, who oversees the city power plant said the software was an upgrade only available through ViPower LLC and is necessary for the city’s transmission of electrical power.
“We have to have it,” Kirk said. “And there’s no one else who provides it.”
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