Okaw Valley High School’s Prom was held on April 25th at the Mt. Zion Conventions Center. Reese Bruns was crowned Queen, and Ames Drollinger King.
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Senior Night
Okaw Valley Softball senior night was held on April 30th. Girls honored were Lena Hildebrandt (German Foreign Exchange Student), Gracie Plummer, Ava Harshman and Riley Gentzyel.
LLC teen summer camps
•May 6, 2026•
LLC has announced its 2026 ‘Teens With Tools Summer Camps’ for 2026. From hands-on building projects and creative art experiences to career exploration and skill-building adventures, these camps are designed especially for Jr. High students who are ready to learn, try something new, and have a blast while doing it. Whether your student loves to create, build, explore, or discover future career paths, there’s something for everyone. Each camp is led by passionate instructors who are ready to inspire confidence, creativity, and curiosity in every camper. Benefits of the camp include making new friends, learning real-world skills, and building confidence that lasts beyond the summer camp experience. Spots will fill quickly, so register at https://learn.lakelandcollege.edu/, select ‘Youth Programs’, then select “Teens with Tools’. Here you can access all of the summer camps on offer, dates, number of openings left, any fees associated with the camp, and register your teen for the camp of their choice.
“Still a drought”: Sullivan water restrictions continue
•May 6, 2026•
by Sharon Barricklow
Recent rains notwithstanding, Sullivan water users are still under water restrictions as drought conditions continue in Central Illinois. Sullivan City Council member Chuck Woodworth said last Monday night that the area remains under drought conditions. “I know we’ve had a lot of rain, but down deep, there’s still drought,” he said. Woodworth said Sullivan is taking steps to address water shortages with a test well in a new location looking very promising for the city. “We’ll be building on that,” he said.
He also thanked the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers for posting notices about water restrictions at the Forrest “Bo” Woods campground. “They’ve been very considerate and good to work with,” he said. Mayor Mike Mossman said working with the Corps benefited the city. “We draw a lot of visitors each summer from the lake,” Mossman said. “The campground generates a lot of revenue for the community.”
Read MoreRemembering Who We Are…..108
Jonathan L. Lindley, Alamo Defender, Part 2
•May 6, 2026•
by Janet Roney
Last week, I left you with some questions. What was 22-year-old Jonathan L. Lindley, grandson of our first Moultrie pioneer John S. Whitley, doing at the Alamo in Texas in 1836? Wasn’t good old Moultrie County good enough for him? He was engaged to be married soon, so why did he go to the Alamo, knowing full well he probably was not going to survive? Let’s review some Whitley-Lindley family and early Texas history.
Read MoreMandatory mental health screening for students to begin 2026-27
•May 6, 2026•
by DM Williamee
The BEACON (Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation) system, designed for Illinois youth mental health services, officially launched in January 2025. This centralized portal was developed by the Illinois Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative and Google Cloud to streamline access to care across multiple state agencies. It is currently fully operational and was rolled out to system partners, including the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS-manages health benefits and state-funded programs), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ).
Read MoreObituaries 5-6-2026:
Letitia “Tish” Farris
Letitia ‘Tish’ Lorenson Farris passed away Monday, April 27, 2026, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon, IL.
Read MoreA Look Back…5-6-2026
•May 6, 2026•
2016
No state funds forced the ALAH and School District teachers and other staff to look for other ways to pay for the tools they needed to continue to educate students, as well as cope with the rising costs of technological needs. With the advancements in technology and learning, schools’ funding needs were pressing.
The US Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Volunteers Association hosted the 3rd Annual Loop Like Shelbyville Bike Ride. All rides started from the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center and included options for a 22-mile, 46-mile, or 65-mile ride. Proceeds from the ride benefited the Lake Volunteers Association.
Read MoreFree support for dementia caregivers
•May 6, 2026•
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia is one of the most demanding roles a person can take on. It impacts emotionally, physically, and mentally. The Senior Resource Center at Family Services and the Moultrie County Health Department are teaming up to offer a free resource designed specifically for family caregivers. In other words: you don’t have to do this alone.
Read MoreIAHC opens window to the past
•May 6, 2026•
Photo by DM Williamee
Weaver Kiri Fagen-Ulmschneider demonstrates
the split-shed weaving of a sampler tapestry.
by DM Williamee
On Saturday, May 2nd, the Illinois Amish Heritage Center (IAHC) held its annual (and newly named) “Sheep to Yarn to Quilts’ event in Arthur. The parking area was packed full, as attendees, both young and old, from near and far, attended the event. One young lady shared she came from Altoona, Pennsylvania, with a group of friends to attend the event and experience the Arthur and Amish communities and learn more about the Amish and their history.
The shearing of the sheep took place in the lower level of the Hershberger-Miller barn, with the animals both comfortable and familiar with the process as their heavy woolen and lanolin-laden coats were sheared off. Those shearing the sheep worked quickly and efficiently, from positioning the sheep to safely maneuvering them throughout the shearing process, which reflected practiced efficiency and years of experience.
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