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A Look Back…4-22-2026

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2016

The City of Sullivan was able to use existing Geographic Information Services to help find spaces in Green Hill Cemetery. GIS Coordinator and City Clerk Monte Johnson spent three years building a user-friendly application to find spaces in the city-owned cemetery without leaving a computer.

Sullivan High School’s Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Students competed at the state conference in Springfield. Ally Elzy earned a gold medal in public speaking: creed; Caroline Adamson received a silver medal in public speaking: creed; and Lily Bales and Heidi Clements earned a medal in children’s literature presentation, senior division.

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Amish Heritage Center ‘Sheep to Yarn to Quilts’ May 2nd

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•April 22, 2026•

Sheep to Yarn to Quilts will return to the Illinois Amish Heritage Center on Saturday, May 2nd, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event will feature sheep and alpaca shearing demonstrations, processing the wool, and making clothing and quilts from the shared materials. There will also be numerous activities for children, including pony cart rides and a petting zoo with a variety of farm animals, as well as household pets. 

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Frontiersman’s 50th Annual Spring Rendezvous

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•April 22, 2026•

The Prairieland Frontiersman’s 50th Annual Spring Rendezvous will be held on April 24th, 25th, and 26th at the Prairieland Frontiersman Club Grounds, 1426 County Road 800 North in Sullivan. This year is a special celebration, commemorating the 250th birthday of the United States of America. For those who have never attended this event, this family-friendly event is a step back into history by a group of dedicated, friendly, and knowledgeable craftspeople and historians, including live demonstrations. This year’s special events include an Honor Guard, the raising of Old Glory, with a live performance of the singing of the National Anthem, with attendees encouraged to join in. Trade blankets and vendors are both welcomed and encouraged to attend, as well as local area residents desiring to step back into the past. 

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MCHGS hosts Trivia and Tales

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Submitted by Tonya Frevert

1st Place Winners: “Dolan’s Divas”: Pictured left to right: Jeannie Barnes (MCHGS President), Nancy Kuhns, Melissa Dolan, Eudora Drollinger, Jacque Lane, Matt Lane, and Brian Crawford.


•April 22, 2026•

The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society recently hosted two unique and dynamic events at the History Center. The first event, the MCHGS 2nd Annual Trivia Contest, saw eight eager teams of trivia buffs vie for bragging rights and prize money. Teams answered 80 trivia questions across eight categories, ranging from sports to movie stars to Moultrie County history. After much sweat and many tears, trivia mastery was ultimately claimed by “Dolan’s Divas” in 1st Place and “Big Bob’s Disciples” in 2nd Place. Sixty-four contestants came out to the History Center for a fun night of food, friends, and facts. The MCHS encourages both veteran trivia players and newbies to consider playing in the 3rd Annual Trivia Contest next year. Details will be announced in early 2027.

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Memorial blood drive

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•April 22, 2026•

On Tuesday, May 5th, from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m., the Sullivan American Legion Post No. 68, located at 8 West Strain Street, in Sullivan, will be holding a Memorial Blood drive in memory of Ellen Feeler, a special education and early childhood development teacher in Sullivan, who made a tremendous impact on the students and community in her many years of service. There will also be a Cinco de Mayo-themed celebration, replete with Mexican food, drinks, and decorations, as well as numerous exceptional door prizes, reflective of Ellen herself.  Said her husband Tony, “She loved what she did. She taught for 25 years in Sullivan, saying that she would never do anything different than what she had done.” 

This will also be Jeri Davis’ 100th blood drive, having collected over 6,600 units at the Sullivan American Legion over the past 17 years. 

Republican Precinct Convention held

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•April 22, 2026•

The Republican Precinct Committee Persons who were elected at the March 17, 2026, primary held the Moultrie County Republican Convention on April 15, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at the Metro Communications Conference Room. At the convention, Mike McDaniel was re-elected as Moultrie County Republican Party Chairman. Also elected were Tracy Bettinger as Vice Chairman, Heather Meyers as Treasurer, and Lisa Florey as Secretary. 

Allenville concert series

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•April 22, 2026•

Allenville Christian Church will host a concert featuring Jeff Boston from Tennessee on May 9th at 6:00 p.m. at the Allenville Christian Church, located at 201 Allen Street in Allenville. Snacks and fellowship time will follow this family-friendly gospel series concert. A free Will offering will be taken. For more information, contact Pastor Bob Vail at (217) 254-3433.

Recent Obituaries: Irene Fleming

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Irene Fleming, 96, of Lovington, passed away at 8:10 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Heritage Woods of Sullivan.

Graveside services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday April 18, 2026 in Keller Cemetery, Lovington with Pastor Lee Legg officiating. Memorials are suggested to the Lovington Ambulance Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Irene was born August 29, 1929 in Lovington, the daughter of George William and Iva Crowe Troxell. She retired in 1991from the Moultrie County Circuit Clerk’s Office where she had worked for 28 years. Irene married William G. ‘Bill’ Fleming on November 25, 1950 and he preceded her in death on July 21, 1998.

Surviving is her son Steve (Jayme) Fleming of Lovington; grandson Aaron (Jessica) Fleming of Monticello; great granddaughter Claire Fleming; brother-in-law Don Wilson of Mt. Prospect and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter Marcia and sister Liz Smith.

LLC to offer new transfer degree in Computer Science

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•April 15, 2026•

Lake Land College is set to offer a brand-new degree program in Computer Science starting Fall 2026. The program will equip students with a wide range of programing and software skills, preparing them for high-demand STEM careers. 

By focusing on key skills such as programming, error testing and problem solving, the new program will set students on paths toward high-paying careers in software development, cybersecurity, data science and more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in these fields is projected to grow much faster than the average industry over the next 10 years, with more than 317,000 new jobs projected each year.  

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