Laurie Leonard
Laurie Ann Leonard, 65, of Sullivan, passed away 5:12 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Sullivan surrounded by her family.
Read MoreObituaries 4-15-2026:
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Obituaries 4-15-2026: Norma Jean Hickenbottom
Norma Jean Hickenbottom
Norma Jean Hickenbottom, 94, of Sullivan, IL, formerly of Decatur, passed at 2:50 p.m. Monday, March 16, 2026 in her residence.
Read MoreObituaries 4-15-2026: Rosemary Brown
Rosemary Brown
Rosemary L. Brown, 89, of Lovington, passed away 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Villas of Holly Brook, Charleston.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice or the donor’s choice. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Read MoreA Look Back…4-15-2026
2016
The way students learn keeps changing through the years, especially as technology advances and other opportunities become available. While staff and administrators have felt the effects of the financial distress, they have learned how to be more creative when it comes to learning and how to take advantage of resources that are already out there. The teachers of ALAH School District looked to the Internet for new learning materials that met the new Common Core standards.
They perform their duties, then return to their daily routine. The Sullivan American Legion Post 68 color guard has always been there. Since January 1st, the color guard put on their uniforms, grabbed their rifles, and gathered their flags to perform military rites for 11 of their brothers and sisters in arms who have passed away so far this year.
Read MoreSullivan’s Clean Up Day is coming
•April 15, 2026•
It’s that time of year again- clean-up day. As many Sullivan locals are already well into their spring-cleaning rituals, welcoming and taking pride in the additional space in their homes and garages, the next step is to dispose of those items permanently and responsibly.
Beginning April 20th through to the 24th, Sullivan will hold its annual Clean Up Day, (see map), delineating which days items will be retrieved from their area. Those who reside on Jackson and Hamilton streets will have their items picked up on Monday, April 20th. As a reminder, all items must be placed on the curb by 6:00 a.m. Only those residents within the city limits are eligible to participate. The townwide clean-up is only available to residential (not commercial) customers.
Read MoreOne Book/One Sullivan has a record turnout
•April 15, 2026•
L-R, beginning at the top: Zeke Walk, Noah Davis, Edie Gibbons, Nora Becker, Libby Wall, Ava Warren, Violet Cohan, Aubrey Fultz, Charlie Martin, Scarlett Perrott, Michaela Blickensderfer, Gideon Walk, Sarah Windhorst, Mrs. Ray, Bentley Meadows, Emma Drake, Mrs. Powell, and Mitchell Wesselman.
by DM Williamee
On Thursday, April 9th, One Book, One Sullivan (OBOS) experienced a record turnout of 130 people from the community, the largest turnout in nineteen years, for their annual student-led book reading. This year’s title, “The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn,” by Sally J. Pla, drew both insightful and some rave reviews from those who read it. Rikki Ray, who began the OBOS program, shared that her students are especially passionate about OBOS, with three students sharing their experiences and perspectives.
Said SHS Emma Drake, a student participant of OBOS, “I signed up for OBOS at the suggestion of my elementary school librarian, Mrs. Fleming. I joined my 5th-grade year, and I have participated in OBOS since then. OBOS has helped me with so many life skills through middle school and high school. I’ve learned how to look at situations from new perspectives. I’ve also gained confidence in my leadership skills, trying to be the best role model I can, especially as a high schooler. I would encourage younger students to join and become involved. You always have strengths to add to a group, even if you don’t think you do. And if OBOS is not for you, get involved in something and find out what you are passionate about.”
Read MoreLovington blood drive
•April 15, 2026•
On Thursday, May 14th, from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Lovington Church of God and Family Life Center, located at 301 West State Street, Lovington, the American Red Cross will be on site for their “Spring into Life” blood drive. For an appointment, contact Shelley Martina at (217) 855-4953 or 1 (800) RED CROSS, or visit redcrossblood.org.
Windsor Storm special events
•April 15, 2026•
With the ‘Project Next Generation’ grant, the Windsor Storm Memorial Library will be having an after-school program for 5th through 8th-grade students. April showers, rain, and weather experiments and activities will be held on Wednesday, April 22nd, at 3:30 at the library.
On Saturday, April 25th at 10:00 a.m., the library will welcome WAND-TV meteorologist Alivia Colon for a special weather program. Colon will read a weather-themed story, lead a fun, hands-on weather experiment, and talk with children about the fascinating world of weather forecasting. The event will also feature the exciting introduction of the library’s brand new mascot. All programs are free and open to the public.
For more information about these programs, please contact Windsor Storm Library at (217) 459-2498 or visit our Facebook page at Windsor Storm Memorial Public Library; https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576623628273.
MISS Spring Fashion Show
•April 15, 2026•
On Wednesday, April 22nd, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., the Mid Illinois Senior Services will be presenting a Spring Fashion Show at 113 E Jefferson Street in Sullivan. Join MISS, RSVP, and Mrs. Voegel’s FCS class as they showcase spring fashions from MISS’s Thrifty Boutique. The Thrifty boutique provides a wide array of items for sale, from clothing and cookware to shoes and household goods for sale, with all proceeds used to help fund Mid Illinois Senior Center.
DEA ‘Take Back’ day is Saturday, April 25th
•April 15, 2026•
by DM Williamee
The DEA’s National ‘Prescription Drug Take Back Day,’ held twice yearly (April and October), offers a safe, anonymous way to dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired medications. This spring, Saturday, April 25th, is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day began in September of 2010 to combat the growing opioid crisis and reduce prescription drug misuse. The initiative was launched to provide a safe, convenient, and anonymous way to dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired medications, preventing them from being stolen, abused, or harming individuals and the environment. It was created as a critical component of the White House’s strategy to address the nation’s rising prescription drug abuse crisis and accidental poisoning rates.
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