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Shrove Tuesday pancake feast

News Progress Posted on by


•February 11, 2026•

All are invited to enjoy festive music and delicious pancakes with sausage, free of charge, at the Sullivan First United Methodist Church on Tuesday, February 17th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the church, located directly across the street from the Sullivan fire station, in their annual celebration of Shrove Tuesday.

Tuesday, February 17th, is the final day of Mardi Gras, also known as Shrove Tuesday. Historically, Shrove Tuesday, also referred to as ‘Pancake Day’, is the final day before Lent (Ash Wednesday on the 18th). Lent is a Christian period of fasting and reflection leading to Easter, where people confess sins (“shrive”) and use up rich ingredients like eggs, sugar, and butter to make pancakes before the 40 days of Lent begin. Celebrated globally with traditions like pancake feasts, it’s a day of indulgence and preparation for spiritual renewal. 

Scholarship open house

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•February 11, 2026•

On Thursday, February 12th, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., the OVHS Career Exploration Center will be holding a Scholarship Open House in their new Career Exploration Center. This event is open to high school seniors and juniors, looking to get a jump start on the scholarship application process. Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend. Available scholarships and important deadlines will be shared, as well as tips on how to prepare for the scholarship application process. For more information, contact Bonnie Scott at acott@okawvalley.org.

Recent Obituaries: Janette McReynolds

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Janette Kay (Beals) McReynolds, 81, of Bethany, passed away 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at Heritage Woods of Sullivan.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Sunday, February 15, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Bethany. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 16, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Bethany. Burial will be in Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany. Memorials may be made to the Bethany Cumberland Presbyterian Church: 219 S. Lincoln St. Bethany, IL, 61914 or to Heritage Woods of Sullivan Activity Fund.

Jan was born on February 2, 1945, in Coles County; the daughter of Hubert Vanus and Zola Grace (Thomas) England. Adopted by George F. and Kathryn (Thomas) Beals. She married Walter Dean McReynolds on May 24, 1969, in Charleston; he preceded her in death on September 21, 2024.

She graduated from Sullivan High and went on to graduate with a teaching degree and Masters of Guidance and Counseling from Eastern Illinois University. She loved teaching in the area schools and was a member of the Bethany Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She was a church camp director and past president of the CPWM, traveling across the United States, Colombia, Japan and China.

Jan is survived by her children, Adam (Leslie) McReynolds of Trilla, Alisha McReynolds of Castro Valley, CA, and Aaron (Candace) McReynolds of Sullivan; grandchildren, Holly McReynolds of Charleston, Avery McReynolds of Oakland, CA, and Burton McReynolds of Sullivan; brother, Duane Beals of Decatur; twin sister, Joan (David) Richardson of Yuma, AZ. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters, Mary Jane, Nola Mae and Clara Mae; brothers, Duane V., Gene Calvin, Darrell Hubert, Dale and Dean.

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

Recent Obituaries: Betty Born

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Betty Born

Betty J. Born, 99, of Lovington, passed away 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Bridle Brook Assisted Living & Memory Care Community in Mahomet.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Lovington. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service at the funeral home in Lovington. Burial will be in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to Lovington First Christian Church.

Betty was born on October 1, 1926, in Lovington; the daughter of Glen and Mary (Snyder) Gladville. She married William Delton Born on February 24, 1946, in the Lovington First Christian Church; he preceded her in death on August 29, 1978. Betty worked for many years as a secretary for the Lovington Schools. She was a member of the Lovington First Christian Church. Betty enjoyed reading, watching the Wheel of Fortune and traveling. She loved spending time with her family and was known for her “Flying 20s” as she always wanted to pay for their sweet treats, and the $20 bills would fly out of her purse as she went to pay.

Betty is survived by her children, W. Stan (Linda) Born of Mahomet and Lori (John) Nale of Panama City Beach, FL; sister, Kay (Jim) Gilbert of Brentwood, CA; grandchildren, Ashley (Jon) Hentrich of Albany, NY, Angela (Matt) Peckham of Chicago and Bri (Jamie) Grubbs of Charleston. She is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

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

Groundhog Day 2026: six more weeks of winter

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•February 4, 2026•

by DM Williamee

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on February 2nd, 2026, predicting six more weeks of winter. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club confirmed that the groundhog saw his shadow at 7:25 a.m. EST in Gobbler’s Knob, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, signaling a continuation of cold weather. 

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City declares water emergency 

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•February 4, 2026•

by Sharon Barricklow

Sullivan residents are restricted in some areas of water usage through February after the Sullivan City Council declared a Water Emergency at their January 26th meeting. A water emergency means non-essential water usage, specifically turf irrigation, filling swimming pools, and personal car washing during the emergency are punishable by a $750 fine. 

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February: ongoing polar vortex activity?

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•February 4, 2026•

by DM Williamee

As if the recent snowfall, wind, and colder temperatures were not sufficient to get everyone’s attention as we rang in the New Year, it is being predicted that the frigid weather will continue despite a warmer forecast over the next week to ten days. According to the National Weather Service, NOAA, and as cited by Accuweather, February is expected to bring with it an intense polar vortex, chilling weather patterns. A polar vortex refers to a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding the Earth’s poles. When it weakens or shifts, it can push frigid air into lower latitudes. One is expected to impact the Midwest with another round of cold temperatures, brought down even colder with wind chills factored in

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SNAP benefits change now in effect

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•February 4, 2026•

by DM Williamee

Beginning on February 1st, SNAP benefits changes were put into motion by H.R. 1, or the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’, signed into law last July 4th. This legislation enacted major changes to federal taxes, Medicaid, and other programs, becoming Public Law 119-21. The primary impact on SNAP is the changes to the work requirements. Adults aged 18 to 64 without dependents under age 14 must work, participate in employment and training programs, or volunteer at least 80 hours each month to receive benefits.

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Watershed Steward Training: improve water quality

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•February 4, 2026•

Emily Steele

Media Comm. Manager, U of I Extension

Every day, rain nourishes fields of growing crops, and rivers steadily flow through natural areas and communities until, eventually, drinking water trickles out of faucets into our homes, schools, and businesses. The health of a watershed is tied to the health of a community, and understanding where water comes from, how it moves, and what impacts its quality and quantity is crucial to maintaining safe and sustainable water resources now and in the future. 

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Winter weather and extreme cold bring increased fire and carbon monoxide risks

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•February 4, 2026•

As winter weather brings extreme cold across Illinois, fire safety officials are urging residents to use extra caution when heating their homes. Frigid temperatures often lead people to rely more heavily on heating systems and alternative heat sources, which can increase the risk of home fires and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning if proper safety precautions are not followed.

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