Steven Durbin
Stephen R. “Steve” Durbin, 80, of Sullivan, passed away at 4:18 a.m. Sunday, October 5, 2025, in Aspen Creek of Sullivan.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 10, 2025, at Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to Moultrie County PAWS, 10 Leisure Acres, Sullivan, Illinois 61951. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
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Lorajean Evans
Lorajean Evans, 86, of Sullivan, formerly of Bethany, passed away at 12:05 p.m. Friday October 3, 2025 in Heritage Woods of Sullivan.
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There is more to Habitat for Humanity in Sullivan than building homes, even though they are nearing the completion of the 26th house in Moultrie County. While Habitat Care-A-Vanners from all over the country spend two-week stints volunteering labor on the latest home, Sullivan has gone above and beyond most communities by providing a place for volunteers to park their campers and daily meals coordinated by the Sullivan Area Ministerial Alliance.
Sullivan FFA placed second in the Sullivan Soils Invitational contest, missing first by one point. Austin Schmohe, Jon Gavinq, Brodie Scribner, Bryce King, Hailie Britton, and Devan Tull all qualified for the Sectional Championship. With all of the budget cuts experienced by the County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Moultrie County soils contest had to be cancelled this year.
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•October 8, 2025•
by DM WIlliamee
As the leaves begin to turn color and fall, crops are being harvested, and homes are being buttoned down in (great) anticipation of cooler temps, it’s time to appreciate an institution that has been around longer than home internet: National Newspaper Week (NNW), which is celebrated and observed October 5th through 11th. Established in 1940, this week serves as a reminder of the vital role newspapers play in both our local communities and society, regardless of size or location. Newspapers are much like a good cup of coffee on a Monday morning - essential, invigorating, and even a little bitter.
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•October 8, 2025•
by DM Williamee
On Saturday, September 27th in Sullivan’s Wyman Park, ROSC held their “Step into Purple” recovery walk to celebrate National Recovery Month and to remember those who lost their battle with addiction, those still fighting for their recovery, and those celebrating their recovery, as well as the recovery of friends and loved ones.
Participants walked around the pond and bridges at the park while sharing their stories and their reasons for participation. The atmosphere overall was hopeful and upbeat, with many feeling rejuvenated in being able to share their stories with each other, from their successes and losses to their strategies for sobriety and the issues many still face once achieving sobriety. One area of great concern echoed by those on the Recovery Walk was the lack of substance use disorder treatment options in Moultrie County, with many having to travel 30 or more minutes to obtain access to necessary recovery tools and resources. Despite numerous barriers, many have found a path to recovery and continue on this arduous journey. The support and camaraderie shared on the Recovery Walk were both encouraging and inspirational.
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•October 8, 2025•
Every Monday in October, Kandis will be at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library, leading her informative yet informal recovery conversations from 11:00 a.m. until noon. For more information, contact Kandis Mills, Recovery Navigator, at KandisM@hourhouserecovery.org or call (217) 549-6751.
•October 8, 2025•
The Okaw Valley High School Student Council will be hosting the upcoming Homecoming Parade on October 17th at 1:00 pm. All local and surrounding businesses and social club entries are welcome to participate. No registration is required. Parade lineup is at 12:15 at the high school in Bethany, and the theme is “Hollywood Movie Premiere”.
•October 8, 2025•
SAIL (Soyland Access to Independent Living) is having a ‘Health Screening and Testing Fair’ on Friday, October 10th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Shelby County Senior Center located at 325 E. North 9th Street in Shelbyville. This event is open to the public.
The fair will provide various types of testing such as balance testing, eye pressure testing, pulse oximetry, and blood pressure testing, etc. Different screenings are available for depression screening, indicators of substance abuse screening, Narcan screening, and sleep apnea screening. The fair also offers flu shots and Pneumonia shots. The Shelby County Health Department can bill Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance for the shots. Health screening and testing are free unless a cost is listed. For information call Betty Watkins, SAIL Rural Outreach Coordinator, at (217) 774-4322.
•October 8, 2025•
The Bethany Senior Citizen Potluck will be held on Wednesday, October 15th, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bethany library, located at 216 W Main Street. Soup and sandwiches will be provided. All are welcome.
•October 1, 2025•
The Illinois Amish Heritage Center invites you to celebrate the richness of the harvest season at Harvest to Home: A Fall Harvest Experience, held Friday, October 10 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, October 11 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., just off Route 133 in Arthur, Illinois.
This immersive two-day event offers a rare opportunity to step into the past and experience farming the way it once was - powered by steam, gas, horses, and hard work. It’s a celebration of rural heritage, agricultural roots, and the community spirit that defined the harvest season for generations.
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