Moultrie County Clerk Linda Qualls has implemented a Notary Fraud Alert for documents being recorded in her office. Notary Fraud happens when someone forges your signature, misuses your seal, or notarizes documents illegally, often without your knowledge. Notary fraud and other closely related identity scams are on the rise, with significant surges in mortgage, deed, and seller impersonation frauds. Fraudsters are increasingly using artificial intelligence to forge credentials and are hijacking legitimate notaries’ identities.
Illinois hunters harvested a preliminary record total of 20,821 wild turkeys during the 2026 spring turkey season, surpassing the previous record of 18,189 birds harvested in 2025. The top counties for turkey harvest during the 2026 season were Jefferson and Jo Daviess counties, tied with 646 birds harvested; followed by Marion, 530; Pike, 525; and Wayne, 464. This year, hunters purchased 94,704 permits compared to 89,580 last year. This year’s total included a record youth spring turkey season harvest of 2,326 birds compared to 2,099 birds in 2025.
The Sullivan Blue Dolphins kicked off their long course season in Terre Haute at the 2026 Summer Steam Meet with a strong performance. The SBD earned a second-place team finish and crowned four high-point swimmers: Tinley Eads in the 10 and under division, Addy Hendry in the 13–14 division, Nathan Rafferty in the Boys 15 and over division, and Cadence Schmohe in the Girls 15 and over division. The Blue Dolphins now turn their focus to the Capitol City Classic in Springfield as they continue their summer season.
On the afternoon of Saturday, May 23rd, the Sullivan Street Machine Association held its season-opener car show on the Square in Sullivan, whetting auto enthusiasts’ appetites as car show season begins for 2026. While early on it looked as if it might rain, the weather cooperated, and it was not only dry but perfectly temperate, with a nice breeze. Local enthusiasts and club members converged on the square to show off a wide variety of street machines, including classic cars, muscle cars, trucks, golf carts, and anything else proud owners brought down to be admired, whether classic or current. The sun might not have been shining, but the autos on the square were.
Their next events will be the St. Jude’s ‘Dash and Bash’ car show at Wyman Park in Sullivan on Saturday, June 13th, with registration at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 to 1:30 p.m. the car show itself, and awards presented at 2:30 p.m. The event following the ‘Dash and Bash’ will be “Cruise Night on the Square’ on Saturday, September 5th, on Sullivan’s Square. All makes, models, and years will be welcome, and dash plaques will be available for the first 100 registrants. There will also be free popcorn provided by Boy Scout Troop 39, live music by Shovelhead, and door prizes awarded at 6:00 p.m. For more information, call (217) 728-7848 or (217) 273-8487, or visit Facebook at www.facebook.com/SullivanSMA.
Softball has come to a close for the surrounding area teams. With that, the Lincoln Prairie Conference has released its 2026 Softball All-Conference teams. And several athletes from Sullivan, Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond, and Okaw Valley found their way onto the list.
Construction preparations continue to move quickly at Arthur CUSD #305 as district officials prepare for a summer filled with moving, demolition, and building activity, while also recognizing student accomplishments and community support during the May 20th school board meeting. Superintendent Shannon Cheek told board members construction efforts continue moving in a positive direction, with major project milestones approaching over the next several weeks. “As of right now, pretty positive, pretty positive,” Cheek noted.
One of the next major steps will begin on Tuesday, May 26th, when asbestos removal work starts in portions of the building, including areas around the chorus, band, and weight room spaces, along with additional smaller areas. Cheek said the district’s goal is to continue transitioning spaces as work progresses. Demolition activities are expected to begin on June 8th, with fencing around portions of the building also scheduled to be installed in early June.
Sullivan: The Island or the General? •June 3, 2026•
by Janet Roney
Last week, I reviewed the history of our county’s namesake, General William Moultrie, who saved the fort on Sullivan’s Island in the harbor at Charleston, South Carolina, from British capture during the Revolutionary War in 1776. Although the British captured the fort and Charleston later in the war, Moultrie’s 1776 victory over the British navy and marines delayed their invasion of the southern colonies, which allowed the local Carolina patriot militias more time to prepare for their defense. Moultrie, a native of South Carolina and leader in its patriot militia, became a war hero, especially in the South.
Colleen Brewer, age 69, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2026, at DMH, with her loving sister and brother-in-law by her side.
Funeral services were held Friday, May 29, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany. Burial was in Todd’s Point Cemetery, rural Findlay. Memorials may be made to Moultrie County PAWS: PO Box 961, Mattoon, IL 61938.
Teddy (Ted) Eugene Anderson of Sullivan, Illinois, peacefully passed away on June 1, 2026, at the age of 86. He was born on January 28, 1940, in Cowden, Illinois, to Charles Anderson and Mary Dunaway Anderson.
Ted married Shirley Schultz Anderson on March 3, 1962, and together they shared 64 years of love, family, and adventure.
