•September 11, 2024•
Ready to pursue your dreams but need financial support to complete a two- or four-year degree, master’s degree, PhD or vocational training? The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation is offering individual awards for up to $2,500 per eligible applicant through the Adult Return to Learn scholarship program, helping to fund spring semester 2025 college expenses for residents living in Macon, Piatt, or Moultrie counties. Read More
2014
Okaw Valley homecoming court includes Kaylee Thomas & Nick Tipsword (Junior Attendants), Hayley Carlson & Isaac Vanderlaan, Caity Ohm & Justin Vander Burgh, Paige Harlin & Devon Still, Amanda McClain & Joe Jeffers (all Senior Court), Brianna Creviston & Keith Bone (Sophomore Attendants), Natalie Jeffers & Dylan Holt (Freshmen Attendants)
ALAH homecoming court includes: (Junior Attendants), Liz Shipman and Marcus Vanausdoll (Freshmen Attendants), Kim Davis and Nick Stolte (Sophomore Attendants). Queen candidates are: Elyse Harris, Alyssa McArthur, Jessica Davis and Emily Seegmiller. The king candidates are: Nathan Rose, Tyler Schuring, Kyle Feagin and Jeremy Plank. Read More
•September 11, 2024•
A brief history of the Illinois Masonic Home followed by the story of Project 61, the new proprietors of the home east of Sullivan, will be the Thursday, September 19th program at the Moultrie County History Center, 1303 S. Hamilton, Sullivan, at 7 p.m.
David Bowers will give the highlights of the Masonic Home’s history and introduce the new exhibit about the home in the Center’s museum. Jason Beachy, Project 61 Ministry’s Administrator and others will share their exciting plans for the former Mason Point facility. The Hart building in the complex is being restored with a new name, The House of Ruth. The public is invited to attend and hear how Project 61 is following the message in Isaiah 61 as it makes the old Masonic Home new again while giving new life and hope to those in need.
•September 11, 2024•
by Megan Russell
The Village of Lovington held their monthly meeting Monday, September 9th starting off with the community members comments. A returning project made its way into the meeting once again, covering the topic of active and deceased honor veteran signs for the streets or welcome signs of Lovington. Last meeting, it was discussed that it would be difficult to fit a number of signs on light poles that the village owns, considering Ameren owns all the poles in Lovington but a small few which are owned by the city. To solve the problem of signs not having enough space for enough active duty and fallen veteran signs, “Finding a spot we own is the issue - We own the welcome signs” stated village board president Dennis Garmon on the subject of moving the memorial signs to the welcomes signs.
This was furthered when Dennis asked the community member about other families or potential residents who may be interested in the project, in response however, the community member has not started fundraising or soliciting stating “We would rather be proactive than reactive...”, continuing forward to explain how they wish to only move forward with this part of their project after they have been cleared to do so by the council. Read More
•September 11, 2024•
by E. Scott England
The Sullivan CUSD #300 school board held its regularly scheduled September meeting this past Monday. All members were physically present. The evening began with presentations from the National English Honor Society, Spanish Club, and National Honor Society.
The meeting then rolled right into the FY25 budget hearing. Superintendent Ted Walk did a good job giving a very broad view of the budget for this year. The bottom line is that the budget will again be balanced this year. Board member Zachary Horn took a keen interest in various aspects of the budget, engaging Superintendent Walk in many discussions to gain a deeper understanding. The other six members remained silent. Read More
•September 11, 2024•
Focusing to aid a graduating senior for the 2025 year, a cookout hosted by Kirby Foods will be taking place on September 14th from 10:30-1:30. Honoring the support Kyle Lehman had for the community and contributions to Sullivan, the cookout is a means to raise money for the honorary scholarship which would be given to a graduating senior working at Kirby Foods. Established just the year prior, the Lehman Family have awarded two separate $1,000 scholarships to two deserving graduates. The cookout meal consists of two choices of main course and drink, a ribeye sandwich for $8, tenderized pork chop for $5, Dasani water for $2 or at 16.9oz soft drink for $2.
•September 11, 2024•
James Rainey from St. Louis will be performing live on Saturday, September 14th at 6pm at the Allenville Christian Church, 201 S Allen St in Allenville. Following the concert, there will be finger-food fellowship and offerings will be collected.
•September 11, 2024•
The Bethany Senior Citizen Potluck will be a cook out held on Wednesday, September 18 at 11 a.m. at the Bethany park. Meat will be furnished. All are welcome. In case of rain, the lunch will be moved to the Bethany library.
•September 11, 2024•
The Lovington Christian Church, across from Casey’s, will host their annual chicken fry on Saturday, September 14 from 5-7 p.m.
Photo by Mikaela Moore
•September 4, 2024•
by E. Scott England
A decent crowd—armed with umbrellas, ponchos, and towels—braved a weather delay to watch the Sullivan-Okaw Valley Redskins cruise to a season-opener win over the Villa Grove Blue Devils. Weather wasn’t the only havoc wrecking variable as cramps kept sidelining players for a couple plays. At one time it looked like a makeshift infirmary on the SOV sideline with players scattered about getting their legs worked on to relieve the cramping muscles.
First Half
SOV received the ball to start the game, and it appeared that Villa Grove’s defense came to take care of business. They held the Redskins to a three and out, forcing a punt that gave the Blue Devils their first possession starting on their own 42 yard line. Read More