On August 20th, Officer Ben Schoonover of the Findlay Police Department was awarded the ‘Life Saving Award’ for his selfless acts in helping to save a life on a recent call.
Presenting the awards was EMS Captain Shawne Martz.
The Springfield Road
•August 27, 2025•
By Janet Roney
No one knows for sure the route Abraham Lincoln’s family followed when they passed through our county in March of 1830 on their way to their new home west of Decatur.
From Paradise in western Coles County, they may have passed east of the large Kickapoo Indian winter camp site on the south side of the Shelbyville Moraine, and noted the cabins of the Whitley and Waggoner families, who had only recently settled along the ancient Whitley Point Road. At some point, they would have followed the Kaskaskia-Detroit Road that led to the young village of Nelson.
Nelson had few residents when the Lincolns may have stayed there, for it was recently platted in 1829. The next night, they camped at the edge of the timber near the Selby cabin (near the CRP prairie grass field south of Lovington, east of Route 32).
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•August 27, 2025•
1st - Closed for Labor Day
5th - Kids Craft from 3:30-4:30 p.m. This month, they will be making a fall tree with puzzle pieces.
8th - Adult Craft Club from 5-7:00 p.m. Bring whatever project you are working on and join them for the fun.
9th - Story Time at 10:00 -10:30 a.m. and 3:00-3:30 p.m. They will read a story and have an activity.
12th - Teen Craft from 3:30-4:30 p.m. This month, they will be making a standing paper tree craft.
15th & 29th - Needle Night from 5:00-7:00 p.m. If you would like to learn to crochet, knit, needlepoint, or even how to sew, they have people who can help teach you. If you already know how and just want to hang out, come join them.
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Photo Submitted
Victory
SHS Varsity Girls Volleyball team started the season off strong with a straight set victory over Meridian Monday night.
Photo by DM Williamee
AMBUCS Fishing Derby
Last Saturday, Quincy Stutzman, 15, of Arthur, was enjoying his time fishing at the AMBUCS-hosted “Big Jim” memorial 3rd annual fishing derby at Woods Lake West, just South of Sullivan. The derby is in honor of Jim Bales and his tireless work in making the handicap accessible fishing pier on Woods Lake a reality.
Last Saturday, the Sullivan American Legion post hosted a Bike Day during the afternoon, open to the public. Food was provided by Griffin’s BBQ Crew Catering, and drinks by the American Legion to all who attended.
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•August 27, 2025•
Peace Meal helps boost the nutritional health of older adults by providing healthy pre-cooked meals, conducting nutrition assessments and education, and sharing food safety instructions.
For reservations, call (217) 728-8521. Skim milk and desserts without added sugar are available in many locations; ask the site Supervisor for more information. Sometimes substitutions need to be made to the menus, but a nutritious meal is guaranteed. The Peace Meal Nutrition Program suggests a $4.00 donation for each congregate and home delivery meal. No older person shall be denied a meal because of their inability to contribute towards the cost of the meal. Illinois LINK cards are accepted.
Sept.1- CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY
Sept.2- Pork burger and bun, German potato salad, baked beans, and fruit.
Sept.3- Meatloaf, sour cream and chive mashed potatoes, carrots, potato salad, and a roll.
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•August 27, 2025•
Op-Ed by DM Williamee
A new Illinois law (SB1560) will mandate that all students in 3rd through 12th grade have annual mental health screenings beginning the 2027-2028 school year. (105 ILCS 5/2-3.203)
The Illinois State Board of Education has until September 1st, 2026, to develop its guidelines, such as how these screenings will be conducted, how any follow-ups/referrals will be implemented, and how they plan to protect students’ privacy as well, as the information gathered will be done so digitally. Parents can opt out of the screenings, but the process for doing so, as well as any consequences for opting out, if they exist, are still unclear. As many already know, educators are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse, and while it is widely accepted that more resources are needed for mental health services for all ages, is implementing a program like this (with the word “mandatory”) in our schools 1) necessary, 2) wise, and 3) an overreach of the State? How will this mandatory screening impact mandatory reporting?
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•August 27, 2025•
Sept. 3rd, 2:00-5:00 p.m.: Crafternoon
Sept. 4th, 6:00 p.m.: Book club
Sept. 17th, 6:00 p.m.: Yarn and Friends
Oct. 1st, 2:00- 5:00 p.m.: Crafternoon
Oct. 2nd, 6:00 p.m.: Book club
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•August 27, 2025•
Submitted
Cheryl Avitts shared with the Moultrie County Genealogical and Historical Society regarding her discovery of her family’s First Nations lineage. Titled, “I am Miami,” Cheryl shared, “Our family of Nitzschke’s had no idea of our heritage until Grandpa Albert A. Nitzschke was asked questions of the when’s and where’s of their mother’s and father’s lineages. That was when we learned of his amazing journey. Since 1958, our family has journeyed into genealogy: find a grave, newspapers, court records, family letters, and such. In the U.S. Government rolls, we found the Miami connection.”
