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Is it too late to get your flu and COVID vaccines?

News Progress Posted on by


•January 7, 2026•

by Angela Hogan

Moultrie County Health Dept. Administrator

This winter has brought a noticeable rise in respiratory illnesses. Flu and COVID‑19 are circulating widely across Illinois and much of the country. There is still meaningful value in getting vaccinated now. Updated vaccines remain one of the most effective tools for reducing the risk of severe illness. Late-season vaccinations can still help protect you, your family, and our Moultrie County communities.

Choosing to get vaccinated now is a practical step to safeguard your health and support the well‑being of your loved ones and your community. Getting vaccinated now still matters because the flu doesn’t follow a set schedule. Many people get their flu shot in early fall, but that isn’t a deadline. Flu season routinely stretches well into winter and sometimes early spring. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who haven’t been vaccinated can still benefit from getting a flu shot later in the season.

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Learning to love yourself

News Progress Posted on by


•January 7, 2026•

On February 20th at the Mid-Illinois Senior Services Center in Sullivan from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The Moultrie County ROSC Council is partnering with Dove, with celebrity speaker Shawn Woods, on the topic, ‘Learning to Love Yourself.’ Shawn will be sharing his personal experience with learning to love himself through the process of recovery. He has made appearances in a number of well-known full-featured films and television shows. He has appeared in ‘Sons of Anarchy’ and full-length feature films such as ‘Charlie’s Angels’. This will be a family-friendly event, featuring activities for children to create their own Valentine’s Day cards for themselves, and a great way for the community to come together for positive self-help. For more information, contact Josh Forbes at joshf@hourhouserecovery.org

The Hour House ROSC Council serves Coles, Clark, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Shelby, & Moultrie counties. Recovery Coaching Network at GSU (govst.edu).

MoCo Quarter Madness 

News Progress Posted on by


•January 7, 2026•

Moultrie County Monthly Quarter Madness will hold its first 2026 Quarter Auction on Wednesday, January 14th. The event will be held at the Sullivan American Legion. Sullivan Legion Riders is the organization of the month. They are not a motorcycle club. Instead, they are a group of like-minded people who love riding motorcycles and are an extension of the American Legion. Their mission and values are keeping with the American Legion values, to serve their fellow veterans and their community. All of their fundraising efforts are donated back to help in any way they can.

At the January Quarter Madness, vendors could include: Burdick Farm Stand, jBloom Jewelry, Scentsy, Tastefully Simple, Holley’s Hobbies, Color Street, Pampered Chef, Plunder Jewelry, and Avon plus different craft and food vendors with tumblers, t-shirts, wreaths, earrings, wind spinners, potholders, signs, garden stakes, décor, freeze dried candies, 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, and the Quarter Auction begins at 6:30. All ages are welcome to attend. GRIFFINS’ Catering will have food for sale in the kitchen. There will also be a Bake Sale. Drink purchases can be made through the Legion as well. For more information, visit the “Mo Co Monthly Quarter Madness” Facebook page.

Bethany Chili cook-off

News Progress Posted on by


•January 7, 2026•

On Saturday, January 17th, at the Bethany American Legion Post No. 507, located at 112 IL-121, Bethany Celebration will be hosting a chili cook-off, which will be open to the public. The evening promises to be a fun-filled one, with bold flavors and friendly competition.

The categories for the chilis are traditional, spicy, and unique. The entry fee is $10 per chili category entry. Judging will be done by a panel of three judges between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Awards will be presented at 7:45 p.m. Doors open to the public at 7:00 p.m., and chili options are a $3 fee to sample or $5 for a bowl.

Attendees are invited to stay post competition to enjoy entertainment by Larry Daniels/LD Entertainment. 

Pre-registration is preferred. Contact Cassandra Lambdin at (217) 259-9953 with any questions or to sign up to compete. Sign-up may also be done in person at the American Legion. 

“Tiaras and Ties”

News Progress Posted on by


•January 7, 2026•

Empower Academy is hosting its ‘Tiaras and Ties Dance’ on January 31st, from 5:45 to 7:30 p.m. at the new Empower Academy location at 16 East Empower Road in Sullivan. This event is recommended for princesses aged three 3 and above, accompanied by the special guy in their life, whether that is dad, grandpa, an uncle, brother, or another meaningful male role model. 

Dancing, a photographer, crafts, and refreshments are part of the fun. A VIP Experience is available, including a catered dinner, a princess gift, a VIP dessert, early entry seating, and more. VIP registration closes on January 16th. The VIP Experience doors open at 4:45 p.m., and general admission doors open at 5:45 p.m. Tiaras & Ties is open to the public and welcomes all families looking to celebrate the unique bond between a princess and her special guy. 

Register online at https://www.myempoweracademy.com/tiaras-ties. For more information, call (217) 728-9111 

Hams for the holiday dinner table

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by DM Williamee 

On Tuesday, December 16th, Kirby Foods delivered 150 hams, paid for by an anonymous donor, to the CEFS Food Pantry, which are then delivered as part of the Christmas food box CEFS provides for those in need in the Sullivan Community. Kirby has been a part of this for a number of years now. Said store manager Pat Stinson, “Kirby Foods is both happy and proud to be a part of this annual tradition, caring for those in need during the holidays in the Sullivan community.” Pictured L-R Seth Cobb, Shawn Eccles, and Pat Stinson.

Santa brings breakfast and good cheer to Lovington

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Photo Submitted

On December 20th at the Family Life Center in Lovington, the Lovington Park Board sponsored ‘Breakfast with Santa’. Donuts were provided by Casey’s General Store, and there were pancakes, biscuits and gravy, cinnamon rolls, bacon, milk, orange juice, and coffee. This event was a gift to the Lovington community from the Park Board.

Lake Land College recognizes EMS graduates 

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Lake Land College recently recognized Emergency Medical Services (EMS) graduates at an annual pinning ceremony. During the event, several students received awards for their outstanding performance in the program. The Perseverance Award was presented to Curtis Robinson, Bethany, for overcoming obstacles to succeed in the program.

Moultrie County ‘Year in Review’ 12-31-2025

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January

The Sullivan City Council wrapped up its 2024 meeting schedule by approving annexing some property and revising some city codes. The council opened the meeting with a public hearing on a plan to annex Windmill Legacy Farms, south of the city, on South Hamilton Street west side of the road.

Kennady Wilson, from Bethany, made the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Dean’s List for the 2024 fall semester. 

The Lady Redskins won again on Monday night. This time it was a win over Cerro Gordo, 53-16. They even did it without a single three-pointer. Yet, they had three girls with double digits for points.

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