•January 24, 2024•
The Sullivan Area Ministerial Association will be holding an open house event at Sweet Vail on Wednesday, February 7 from 9:30 to 11:00 am. During the open house, attendees will have the chance to meet the pastors, hear about the work being done by local churches and ask questions to members of the Ministerial Association. Light snacks will be provided.
Photo submitted
Annual Hoop Shoot
Charleston Elks Lodge #623 hosted their annual Hoop Shoot on Saturday Jan. 13th. The Hoop Shoot is a Free Throw shooting Contest for Boys and Girls from ages 8 to 13. Five Local Winners will be advancing to the District competition in Tolono January 21st. Winners there will advance to State competition at Decatur on Feb. 17th. The winners representing the Charleston Elks Lodge in their age divisions are, 8-9 yr. old Girls Amelia Edwards from Westfield, 8-9 Boys Luke Biggs from Arcola, 10-11 Boys Nate Blaudow from Arthur, 12-13 Girls Kiley Grooms from Sullivan and 12-13 Boys Will Biggs from Arcola. The Charleston Elks would like to thank all who participated and helped to promote this years Hoop Shoot Contest.
Pictured from left are Luke Biggs, Kiley Grooms, Will Biggs, Nate Blaudow, Amelia Edwards.
•January 17, 2024•
by Crystal Reed
The Moultrie County Board met on Thursday, January 11. Under the planning and zoning committee was an amendment to zoning ordinance 77-1 relating to Manufactured Homes in the unincorporated parts of Moultrie County. According to Kristi Hart, Planning and Zoning Director for Moultrie County, they all currently require a special use permit, but the amendment adds a definition of manufactured home which is in line with the assessors office so they are consistent as well as making them a permitted use in the Ag district if they meet 6 requirements. Read More
•January 17, 2024•
Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity is now taking applications for two Habitat homes, one is a new build and the other is in need of some rehab before being occupied. Note the home in need of rehab will need paint and flooring but those interested will still need to put in hours on the home. Applications for homes can be picked up at the ReStore in Sullivan or at the Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity located a 8 S. Washington St, Suite 102 in Sullivan. Applications must be returned by Wednesday, January 31. If you need additional information contact their office at 217-728-7386.
•January 17, 2024•
By Ileana Saveley
Social Security District
Manager in Decatur, IL
When your child turns 18 years old, they legally become an adult. This is an important time to consider their financial future – especially if they need additional care into adulthood. Here are 5 things that may help you prepare for this milestone:
1. Health and Welfare Decision-making
When your child legally becomes an adult, you can no longer make certain decisions for them about their health and welfare. However, you can stay involved through:
· A Representative Payee: Social Security will determine who best serves as a Representative Payee for your child’s benefits. To learn more about the Representative Payee program, read our webpage at www.ssa.gov/payee/index.htm. Read More
Mary Edmonds-Cazel
Mary Emily Edmonds-Cazel, 78, of Smyrna, Tenn.. passed away Thursday, January 11, 2024. She was born in Decatur, Illinois to James Dale Edmonds and Mary Emily Lewis She was preceded in death by brothers, James David Edmonds (Edna), Steven Kent Edmonds (Jane) and sister Barbara Roseanne Kerr . Read More
photo by Crystal Reed
Maggie Patient and Eden Hagerman during the Electric Guitar class at OVMS. These explore courses let students learn about everything from foreign language to art and podcasts.
•January 17, 2024•
by Crystal Reed
Okaw Valley Middle School students have the opportunity to learn guitar, design their own comics, learn how to sew and basic concepts of digital photography during their regular school day. The Explore program is in it’s third year at the school. According to OVMS Principal Ross Forlines when the school started to offer the classes there were not as many offerings available to students.
Prior to the Explore courses there were only three electives - Spanish, Ag and Band and that was only for eighth grade students. Currently there are thirteen offerings for grades 6-8 and two offerings that are eighth grade only. Read More
•January 17, 2024•
I once came across the word “upbraid” in my readings and smiled because teenage me saw this word differently.
I confess that many years ago when I first saw the word completely out of context I thought it was a noun used to describe a popular hairstsyle often found in weddings. Think up-do.
This was before “Star Wars” burst on the scene, mind you, but if you consider Princess Leia’s unusual coiffure, which resembled two enormous Cinnabons affixed bilaterally to her scalp, that’s what I envisioned an upbraid to be.
I’m not sure when I learned that it is a verb to describe scolding. Perhaps a learned person such as my father heard me misuse the word and upbraided me for misinterpreting “upbraid.” Read More
•January 17, 2024•
submitted by Jaime Perrott
The Sullivan Blue Dolphins wrapped up 2023 by competing at the Red Raider Aquatics Harvest Classic in Springfield followed by hosting the annual December Christmas Jingle Invitational at the Sullivan Civic Center.
A total of eight teams competed in Springfield at the Red Raiders Aquatics Harvest Classic with the Sullivan Blue Dolphins bringing home 1474 team points earning them a 3rd place finish overall. Read More
•January 17, 2024•
The Illinois Amish Heritage Center near Arthur has announced their events for the year. The first event of the year is the Sheep, Yarn and Quilts event to be held on Saturday, May 4 from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Sheep, Yarn and Quilts show teaches attendees how wool is taken from sheep and used to make a quilt. The Amish use many of these methods in their homes today. The show continues to expand each year. The event includes shearing demonstrations of sheep and alpacas. Read More