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Sullivan escapes thriller in Villa Grove to finish 8-1 in regular season play

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•October 21, 2026•

by E. Scott England

It was the final game of the regular season for both teams. Sullivan traveled to Villa Grove to take on the newly established Villa Grove/Heritage Blue Devils. Both teams had already secured their spots in the playoffs as well. So what were they playing for? Playoff points in hopes to secure a first round bye. 

VGH came into the game with just two losses on the season, to ALAH and Fisher. Sullivan had beaten Fisher but fell to ALAH. The Blue Devils are known as a passing team with a quarterback who’s not afraid to scramble for extra yards. But they are also known for their defensive line that struggles to shut down the run game. The Redskins haven’t faced a pass heavy team this year, but they have one of the top rushers in the state with over 1200 rushing yards going into the game. All that combined for what was an exciting game from start to finish.

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Reduce the spread of illness at home

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Simple steps can help prevent one person’s illness from becoming a full family event

•October 21, 2026•

by Angela Hogan

When one person in a household gets sick, it can be difficult to keep the illness from spreading to everyone else. Respiratory viruses such as influenza, COVID-19, and RSV can spread through the air and through close contact with an infected person. Germs can also spread through our hands after touching shared surfaces. Fortunately, families can help keep the illness from spreading throughout the household with a few simple steps.

Give the Sick Person Some Space

When possible, individuals with a respiratory infection should stay away from other household members, especially those at greater risk for serious illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends staying home and away from others when experiencing respiratory-virus symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, or headache. Creating some distance within the home can also reduce exposure.

Complete separation may not always be practical, particularly for parents caring for sick children. The goal is simply to reduce unnecessary close contact when possible.

Wash Hands Often

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A Look Back…10-21-2026

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1966

Ann Poland, homecoming queen candidate for the senior class, beamed radiantly following her coronation at the intermission of the annual dance held in the high school gym. Ann is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Poland.

Sgt. John Hollonbeck of Sullivan was one of 20 members of the Illinois State Police who observed their silver anniversaries as policemen at a reunion dinner at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.

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C.E.F.S. Thanksgiving program helps Moultrie County families prepare for holiday

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•October 21, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

Putting a traditional Thanksgiving meal on the table can add another expense to a household budget already stretched by rent, utilities, groceries and other necessities.

The C.E.F.S. Moultrie County Outreach Office works to ease some of that pressure each year by providing Thanksgiving meals to individuals and families who regularly use its food pantry.

“Providing a Thanksgiving meal means giving families one less thing to worry about during an already stressful time of year,” Moultrie County Outreach Coordinator Crystal Edwards said. “Many of the people we serve are working hard and doing everything they can to make ends meet, but when you’re trying to cover rent, utilities, groceries, and other everyday expenses, a holiday meal can be difficult to afford.”

Last year, the program provided 275 Thanksgiving meals — 100 turkeys with ingredients and 175 premade meals. Edwards said C.E.F.S. expects participation to remain at about the same level this year.

How those meals are provided depends on household size. Households of one or two people are offered a prepared Thanksgiving meal purchased from a local restaurant and distributed a few days before Thanksgiving. Families of three or more are offered a turkey and traditional side items to prepare their meal at home.

In previous years, C.E.F.S. provided turkeys and side items to all participating households. Increasing financial costs and the physical demands of purchasing and distributing the groceries eventually led the organization to change its approach for smaller households.

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Flesor’s Candy Kitchen continues sweet tradition of giving with 15th Annual Fundraiser

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•October 21, 2026•

by Ariana R. Cherry

A longtime holiday tradition is returning to Sullivan as Flesor’s Candy Kitchen in Tuscola prepares for its 15th annual candy fundraiser benefiting the Moultrie County Food Pantry.

The fundraiser gives area residents an opportunity to purchase homemade candy for the holidays while helping families in need.

According to Devon of Flesor’s Candy Kitchen, the fundraiser originally included an in-person candy sale in downtown Sullivan, along with Christmas candy orders. However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed how the event operated.

“During COVID, we just took orders,” Devon explained. “That worked so well that we decided just to continue doing it that way.”

Today, customers place their orders in advance, and the candy is prepared for pickup in Sullivan during the holidays.

Twenty percent of candy sales through the fundraiser will benefit the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Over the years, the fundraiser has raised well over $20,000 for the organization.

Devon said supporting the food pantry is especially important during the holiday season. 

For Devon, the fundraiser is about more than simply selling candy. Many customers purchase the homemade treats to share with family members, friends, neighbors and coworkers during the Christmas season.

“That candy that people buy, they’re not just buying it for themselves,” she said. “They’re buying it to share with their friends and neighbors and family.”

She believes those small acts of sharing help bring people together while also benefiting a worthwhile cause.

“There’s fellowship on a lot of different levels,” she added.

The fundraiser also supports a small, independently owned business that continues the increasingly uncommon tradition of making candy by hand.

“You’re not going to find homemade candy in too many places,” Devon said. “It’s a dying art.”

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MCHGS hosts annual dinner 

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•October 21, 2026•

The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society will host its annual dinner on Thursday, November 19th at the Moultrie County History Center, 1303 South Hamilton, Sullivan. This year’s event will celebrate the Village of Bethany’s music heritage, highlighting the quality and diversity of the music programs that shaped Bethany’s local, state, and national recognition over the past 150 years.

Starting at 6:00 p.m., guests can enjoy a paid buffet dinner provided by Judy’s Kitchen and Catering. Dinner tickets are $25 each. As limited seating is available for dinner, reservations must be received by MCHGS no later than noon on Thursday, November 12th and can be made by calling (217) 728-4085. During the dinner hour, guest pianist Julie McClarey-Smith will “tickle the keys” with music selections of the era.

Starting at 7:00 p.m., dinner guests as well as the general public can enjoy a free performance and history retrospective showcasing Bethany’s lauded music heritage. All guests will join Jack Scott as he strolls down memory lane back to 1877 when Bethany was first incorporated and the first band was organized. Sam Scott will then share the story of Bethany’s opera house. Local music directors Doug McCausland and Jack Rogers along with students Allen Webner and Ellen Ferrara will share the impact of the community’s musical heritage in their personal lives. Lastly, Jack Scott and Julie McClarey-Smith will close out the evening with some additional entertainment.

Lions Club Turkey Party

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•October 21, 2026•

The annual Lions Club Turkey Party will be held at the Sullivan American Legion on Friday, November 13. Door will open at 5:00 p.m. and the games start at 6:00 p.m.

Children 10 and under will receive a Beanie Baby. Food will be available for purchase. A 50/50 will also be conducted with proceeds going towards the SES Weekend Food Program.

Okay Valley Haunted House

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•October 21, 2026•

Okaw Valley High School will be the sight of a Haunted House on October 23 and 24. A kid friendly hour will be held from 6:00-7:00p.m. before the lights go out from 7:00-9:00 p.m. for a darker, scarier experience. Admission is $8.00 per ticket.

Recent Obituaries: Keith Richardson

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Keith Richardson, 91, of Sullivan, formerly of Bethany, passed away peacefully at his home at Heritage Woods “Courtyard Estates” of Sullivan on October 19, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Sunday, October 25, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Bethany. Memorial services will be held 12:00 p.m. Sunday at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Bethany. A private burial will be in Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany, with Military Rites by the Bethany American Legion Post #507. Memorials may be made to the Bethany Veterans Service Organization Post #507.

Keith was born on January 25, 1935, in Decatur, to Reverend Otto and Sylvia Richardson. His early years were spent getting into a little trouble, but his life took a different direction when he joined the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Serving as an aircraft mechanic, Keith developed lifelong knowledge of airplanes. Even at 91, he could still name the planes he worked on and explain what they did.

Following his military service, Keith married his beloved wife, Joyce Moore and they welcomed their oldest daughter, Pamela. The family then moved to California, where they spent 15 years and welcomed daughters, Nancy and Kathy. Eventually, they returned to Illinois, where their twin sons, Brian and Brent, completed the family. At the urging of Keith’s best friend, Chester Doris, they settled in Bethany, where they raised their five children and built a lifetime of memories.

Keith worked at Firestone for 25 years, retiring in 1991. Retirement, however, never meant sitting still for long. He stayed busy with handyman work, giving advice at the “Garage of Knowledge”, riding around in his golf cart with Joyce, and walking his best friend, Lucky (the dog he never wanted but came to love.)

Above all, Keith was a proud father to Pamela (Kevin) Stetler, Nancy (Terry) Wendel, Kathy (Rick) Rhodes, Brian (Chris) Richardson and Brent (Traci) Richardson. He shared a special love for each of his children and the families they built.

Keith lost his beloved Joyce in 2020, leaving behind a lifetime of love and memories. He adored his grandchildren: Zachary Stetler, Cody Stetler, the late Jeremy Hill, Justin Hill, Mandy Stollard, Molly Rhodes, Leslie Richardson, Taylor Eckel and Sydney Clawson. His family continued to grow, blessing him with 14 great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, grandson, Jeremy Hill; sisters, Sharon Hook, Sue Grotjan and Betty Jane Richardson.

In his final days, Keith was able to visit and share conversations with the people he loved most. As he grew weaker, his family remained by his side, surrounding him with love until he peacefully fell into his final sleep. On October 19, 2026, Keith was reunited with Joyce, resting once more in God’s glory and peace.

The family would like to give special appreciation to the staff at Heritage Woods “Courtyard Estates” of Sullivan for the care and treating our Dad as Family.

Keith will be loved and missed forever, but his family knows how blessed they were to have him for so many years. His life was filled with hard work, family, friendship, laughter and memories that will live on for generations.

And, as Dad always said “They all went to heaven in a peach basket; Toodles!”

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Sullivan mayor urges cautious spending

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•October 14, 2026•

by Sharon Barricklow

Mayor Mike Mossman urged the Sullivan City Council to be aware of spending at the September 28 city council meeting.

“We’ve been talking about the need to raise electrical rates but I think we need to be careful,” Mossman said. “We’re going to price ourselves out of the marketplace.” 

Mossman praised the city’s use of grant funding to complete many needed projects and said he believes Sullivan does very well in obtaining grant funds.

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