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Obituaries 2-4-2026: Betty Bushert

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Betty Bushert

Betty E. Bushert passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at Bethel Oaks Assisted Living Center in Viroqua, WI at the age of 101. She was born on December 30, 1924, the daughter of Ralph and Cecelia (Shively) Lehman of Sullivan, Illinois. She had two brothers, Sam and Don and one sister, Kathleen. She graduated from Sullivan High School in Sullivan, IL in 1943. 

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A Look Back…2-4-2026

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2016

One Town, One Million Dreams initiative for Sullivan was presented to 120 Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development luncheon guests, January 29th. Executive Director Stephany McMahon addressed the crowd in the First United Methodist Church banquet hall, explaining SCED’s new initiative. “We hope to inspire each of you to brainstorm what dreams you have…” McMahon challenged the group. “By sharing our dreams, we hope to nurture many to fruition in 2016.”

The 2016 Sullivan School District Spelling Bee was held on Wednesday, January 27th, in the Sullivan High School Commons. Students in grades 4-8 earned the privilege of representing their grade level at this spelling bee. The six winners and two alternates who are moving on to the Moultrie County Bee are Lara Herschberger (5th), Zachary Kursell(5th), Aastha Patel (6th), Alyssa Thompson(6th), Reagan Crouse (7th), and Brett Johnson (7th). The alternates are Maggie McLaughlin (8th) and Zoe Walton (7th).

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Empower Academy’s Dance hosts preview showcase

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Empower Academy’s Dance Competition Team hosted its annual Preview Showcase at Sullivan Elementary School on Sunday, January 18th. Friends, family, and the public were invited to attend and view the team’s 28 different routines. Competition season for the team begins in just a few weeks.
This year’s team is made up of 29 dancers who range in age from 5 to 17 and come from Sullivan and surrounding towns. Members include (in no particular photo order): Adalee Foster, Addi Finn, Alayna Ard, Alayna Young, Aubrey Young, Aubrie Payne, Blair Camp, Brinnley Hobbs, Caroline Hobbs, Claire Kelly, Gianna Krieger, Hadlee Blakey, Harper Smith, Josslyn Brown, Kaylee Hostettler, Knox Weakly, Lexi Yoder, Lucille Pope, Mara Inman, Miah Voegel, Sophie Elliott, Sophie Foster, Synthea Doss, Tiffany Hostetler, Tinley Krieger, Vaeda Spencer, Zoe Lynch, and Zola Krieger. Empower Academy’s Dance Director is Melissa Krieger.

Sullivan’s First United Methodist has interim pastor

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•February 4, 2026•

by DM Williamee

Beginning on January 1st through to June 2026, Sullivan’s First United Methodist Church has an interim pastor, Mike Smith, a busy man. Pastor Smith is a retired UMC pastor with over fifty years of pastoral experience in local churches, serving in numerous conference leadership roles through the years. After retiring in 2020, he was appointed by three different bishops to serve several churches that needed short-term, transformative leadership. He has also developed an innovative/experimental program for churches to turn their stories around, with five churches currently engaged. He is also a part-time professional (certified) tour guide for Chicago, writes a blog, speaks at conferences, and has published a book (with more writing in the works) titled “Teaching the Preacher to Curse.” His wife Jie is the pastor of the Mansfield United Methodist Church, and they have three daughters and four grandchildren. 

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Sullivan Fire and Protection District: a busy 2025 saw more calls

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•February 4, 2026•

by DM Williamee

We see the lights and hear the sirens as the SFPD trucks mobilize on a call, but oftentimes we don’t see or know the outcome of that call. No story is reported in the newspaper or released online, and nothing is coming down the grapevine. That does not mean, however, that nothing important occurred on that call. Sullivan Fire Protection District’s team of staff and volunteers is continuously hard at work, and what we see is a small fraction of what happens behind the headlines. When not out on a call, the Sullivan Fire Protection District staff is involved in a multitude of diverse duties such as ongoing training, smoke detector installations, pre-plan development, and maintenance on a daily, weekly, and monthly (always ongoing) basis. And this list is not all-encompassing.

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MoCo Madness – February

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•February 4, 2026•

Moultrie County Monthly Quarter Madness will hold its February Quarter Auction on Wednesday, February 11th. The event will be held at the Sullivan American Legion. Heritage Woods of Sullivan, formerly Courtyard Estates, is the organization of the month. They offer an assisted living lifestyle that is affordable for all seniors. Heritage Woods opened in October 2008 and was recently acquired and is now managed by Gardant Management Solutions. 

Bring a BINGO prize and receive a free $1 bidding paddle. Residents specifically love candy, puzzle books, word searches, Kleenex, toilet paper, and snacks. At the February Quarter Madness, vendors could include Plunder, Pampered Chef, Scentsy, Avon, Tastefully Simple, Color Street, plus different craft and food vendors with tumblers, t-shirts, crafts, earrings, signs, garden stakes, décor, sourdough baked goods, meat bundles, and more. Come shop with the vendors and stay for the Quarter Auction. Bring your quarters for charity items and extra bidding. All-In-Paddle will be $20. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the Quarter Auction begins at 6:30. All ages are welcome. A bake sale to also benefit Heritage Woods will have goodies for purchase. The SAL will be in the kitchen with food available for purchase. Drink purchases can be made through the Legion as well. For more information, visit “Mo Co Monthly Quarter Madness” Facebook page.