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Sullivan-Okaw Valley Football Team Helps With Move

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Pamela Browning had a moving team to help her move out of her three story home in Sullivan on Sunday. She noted that she had nobody to help her initially but that members of the SOV football team volunteered to help her out. Browning said that her group of helpers were an answer to prayers for help.

•September 27, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Pamela Browning moved out of her house in Sullivan on Sunday, September 24 so that she can live closer to her daughter who lives in Southern Illinois. Something that weighed on her mind though was how was she going to get everything moved out of her three story house all on her own. Browning said that she prayed for someone to help and she not only had help she had a whole team, a football team that is.

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Sullivan Fire Chief Retires After Over 26 Years Of Service

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photo by Crystal Reed
A walk out ceremony was held for Sullivan Fire Chief Larry Edwards on Friday, September 22 at the Sullivan Fire Department. He had over 26 years of service to his community through the Sullivan Fire Department. He is looking forward to spending more time with his wife and family.

•September 27, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Sullivan Fire Chief Larry Edwards noted in a speech he gave last Friday that it had always been a dream of his to retire on his 50th birthday. Last Friday that dream came true for Edwards as the department held a walk out ceremony for a fire chief who had dedicated more than 26 years of service to the Sullivan community.

Edwards said he is retiring from a career he fell in love with. At the age of 22 or 23 he recalled driving by a wreck and thought that being a firefighter might be something interesting to do. He stopped by the Sullivan Fire Department to get an application. Edwards noted that about a year later he got a call asking whether he was still interested in being a volunteer. He started his career volunteering for the department but was hired on full time on July 18, 1998. Over the years he moved up through the ranks and was promoted to Fire Chief in 2022 after the retirement of Mike Piper. Read More

Sullivan Women’s Civic Club Chili Supper

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•September 27, 2023•

The Sullivan Women’s Civic Club will hold its annual Chili Supper on Friday, October 6 from 4:30 to 7:00 pm at the Sullivan American Legion. Proceeds from the chili supper go to Sullivan High School scholarships. The Civic Club was formed in 1976 by Maxine Davis and Mary Lou Kidwell. The first chili supper was held at the Masonic Temple. With the kitchen being limited, the ladies borrowed trays and pans from Sullivan School cooks, Maxine Barrett and Phyllis Hughes. After a while the event grew and the meal was moved to Sullivan High School and later to the American Legion where it remains. Now the chili and potato soup was always delicious but people came for the homemade pies. In the past, Oleta Lane baked some mouth-watering cream pies, but due to more recent regulations the bakers are only allowed to serve fruit pies. The pies still seem to be a big hit. The Civic Club is still going strong after 47 years. Over those 47 years, the civic club has given more than $65,000 in scholarships. They are always welcoming new members. If you’re interested, they meet the second Monday at the Moultrie County Senior Center. Join them after this year’s Homecoming parade to help them support the graduating class of 2024.

Biscuit and Gravy Breakfast Benefit

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•September 27, 2023•

There will be a biscuit and gravy breakfast benefit for the Anthony Hettinger Family on November 4 from 6 to 11 am at Lovington Fire House. Anthony and his children tragically lost his wife/mother of his children in September. Anthony is an Illinois State Police Officer and will have many challenging days ahead. All proceeds will be given to the family to support them in their time of need. There will also be a bake sale and silent auction. An account has been set up at Lovington Community Bank if you wish to donate. If you would like to donate to the silent auction or bake sale contact Shelly Martina at 217-855-4953. For more information contact Pam Anklam at 217-201-0662.

County Board Article Correction

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•September 27, 2023•

In the Wednesday, September 20 Moultrie County Board article it was incorrectly reported that the special use permit request for a manufactured home by Janie Tippit and Josh Rhodes, 595 CR 1500N, Bethany was denied. The motion on the table was to approve and it passed 6-1-2 with 2 abstaining, those being John Vander Burgh and Kenny Graven, the no vote being Travis Phelps. We regret the error.

Upcoming Blood Drives

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•September 27, 2023•

ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals will be having three blood drives in our area soon. The Cadwell community will host a community blood drive on Tuesday, October 17  3 to 7 pm at 1533 CR 1900N, inside the donor bus parked by M&E Woodcrafts. Mid-State Tank will host a blood drive on Wednesday, October 18 from 11 am to 4 pm at 1357 Jonathan Creek Road, Sullivan inside a donor bus. Agri-Fab will host a blood drive on Friday, October 20 from 9 am to 2 pm at 809 S. Hamilton St., Sullivan inside the Gold Classroom. To donate contact ImpactLife at (800) 747-5401 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 70636 if registering for Cadwell drive, use code 71293 if registering for Mid-State Tank drive and use code 71025 to locate the drive for Agri-Fab.

Scholarship Fundraising Cookout

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•September 27, 2023•

There will be a fundraising cookout held on Saturday, September 30 from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm for the Kyle Lehman Honorary Scholarship at Kirby Foods in Sullivan. All profits from the cookout go towards funding the scholarship given to a graduating senior working at Sullivan Kirby Foods. Established in 2023, the Kyle Lehman family awarded 2-$1,000 scholarships to 2 deserving graduating seniors. Join them in honoring Kyle Lehman’s contribution to the Sullivan community and raise money for the 2024 scholarship.

SOV Clinches Fourth Win of Season for OV Homecoming

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photo by Greg Floyd
SOV’s Hayden Moody (25) completing one of his ten total tackles of the evening during the football game against Argenta-Oreana held at Okaw Valley High School for Homecoming.

•September 20, 2023•

by E. Scott England

Argenta-Oreana Bombers, coming off a win last week, stormed into Bethany looking to hand the Redskins their first loss of the season. A-O’s plan was diffused by Sullivan-Okaw Valley on Bethany’s homecoming, extending their record to 4-0.

Both teams came out with strong defensive stands, forcing each other to punt after a three and out. However, on the Bombers’ second possession, SOV’s defense stayed persistent, eventually forcing a failed fourth down attempt. The Redskins’ offense came alive on their second possession, driving 75 yards to set up Aiden Ballinger for an 8-yard touchdown reception. 

The defense got back to work with senior Kaden Guest forcing a second A-O fumble. With the ball back in their possession, the Redskins only needed one play to extend their lead. Ballinger took a shovel pass 84 yards to the endzone. Junior signal caller Cooper Christensen completed 8 passes on 13 attempts for 231 yards. Senior kicker Easton England tacked on his second of three extra points for the evening. The Bombers attempted to close the gap in the second quarter with a touchdown run by senior running back Michael Spurling. The point after attempt was no good.  Read More