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Todd Hale resigns, Dena Norris appointed as Village of Lovington trustee

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•August 19, 2026•

by E. Scott England

Following an absence from previous meetings, Todd Hale has officially resigned his post as trustee for the Village of Lovington. In a resignation letter read by President Brittany Bates, Hale remarked that his time as a trustee has “been an honor” and he vowed that the board “keep fighting the good fight.” His resignation was unanimously accepted by the board. 

The remaining trustees then briefly convened into closed session before resuming the open meeting to take action on the appointment of new trustee, Dena Norris. Norris, a lifelong Moultrie County resident, has resided in Lovington for over 10 years. Norris says she is looking forward to “helping out the community” and “giving back more” to the village.

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Findlay native recognized by Illinois Library Association for statewide advocacy

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•August 19, 2026•

Ryan Livergood, a Findlay native now leading a public library district in the Chicago suburbs, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Illinois Library Association’s Robert R. McClarren Legislative Development Award, one of the state library community’s top honors for legislative work.

Livergood serves as Executive Director of the Warren-Newport Public Library District in Gurnee. He was recognized for his leadership on House Bill 5236, the Digital Library Protection Act, which passed the Illinois House of Representatives by a unanimous vote of 99 to 0.

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Rules of the road for the new school year 

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Safety tips for walkers, bicycle riders, drivers, and families
•August 19, 2026•

by Angela Hogan

School is in session, and traffic patterns have changed. School buses are out and about, children are walking or riding bicycles to school, and parents and teen drivers fill parking lots and drop-off lanes. Here are some important reminders as we share the roads with our students.

Slow Down in School Zones

School zones require extra caution because traffic is heavier and children can be unpredictable. Always obey posted speed limits and watch carefully for crossing guards. Be prepared to stop for students entering or leaving crosswalks.

Avoid distractions such as texting, adjusting your GPS, or eating while driving. A moment of inattention can have lifelong consequences.

Know Illinois School Bus Laws

One of the most important back-to-school safety rules involves “stopped” school buses.

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September Mid-Illinois Senior Services calendar

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•August 19, 2026•

1: Dine w/Doc 11:00a.m.-1:00p.m. Call to pre-register (217) 728-8521 

2: Bridge and Hand and Foot 1:00p.m.

3: Exercise class 10:00a.m., Birthday Bingo Noon, Caregivers Support Group 12:30p.m., Relatives Raising Children 2:00p.m.

4: Senior Expo

8: Exercise class 10:00a.m.

9: Bridge and Hand and Foot 1:00p.m.

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September Peace Meal

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•August 19, 2026•

For Peace Meal Reservations at the Sullivan Senior Center-Mid-Illinois Senior Inc call (217) 728-8521

1: Chicken Alfredo, California Blend Vegetables, Peas, Fruit Salad 

2: Hamburger on a Bun, Cheesy Potatoes, Cherry Crisp, Creamy Coleslaw 

3: Baked Ham, Sweet Potatoes Roasted Seasoned Brussel Sprouts, Dreamsicle Salad, Bread/Roll

4: Fried Chicken, Baked Beans, Corn, Potato Salad, Roll 

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Become a member of the EIU Alumni Association

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•August 19, 2026•

by Joshua Reinhart

The Eastern Illinois University Alumni Association is on the prowl, inviting their network of Panther alums to explore joining the association as new or returning members.

Becoming a member of EIU’s Alumni Association offers a list of exclusive benefits for participants at different levels, including membership credentials, a bi-annual subscription to the EIU alumni magazine Forever EIU, discounts at the newly renovated EIU Bookstore, dedicated help in finding old EIU friends or roommates, special invitations to alumni events, and memberships to EIU’s Student Rec Center, among other benefits.

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Lake Land College to celebrate new school year with Welcome Week

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•August 19, 2026•

Lake Land College will celebrate the start of the new school year by hosting Welcome Week, an event designed to help new and returning students settle into life at Lake Land and prepare for a successful year. 

Welcome Week will begin the week before classes start and continue into the first week of the Fall semester, with activities and events offered Tuesday, August 18 through Saturday, August 22 and Monday, August 24 through Thursday, August 27.

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Sullivan fourth-grader builds Little Miss Duzy one craft at a time

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•August 19, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

When Charlotte Duzan learned how much it cost to participate in competitive cheerleading, she wanted to help.

The 9-year-old Sullivan Elementary School student had read her All Star cheer contract and offered to help pay the fees. Her parents, Heather and Cody Duzan, told her they appreciated her willingness to contribute but would cover the costs. Instead, they encouraged her to earn spending money for the family’s travel to competitions.

That conversation sparked the beginning of Little Miss Duzy.

Now preparing to enter fourth grade in Mrs. Wilson’s class at Sullivan Elementary School, Charlotte creates and sells handmade items including Spirit Sparkle hair glitter, keychains, beaded pens, lanyard pulls, T-shirts and other crafts. She has participated in five vendor fairs and sets up at the Sullivan American Legion Quarter Auction on the second Wednesday of each month. The auction raises money for local organizations, and Charlotte regularly donates items to help support those efforts.

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Remembering Who We Are……

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The Kellars...Sons of the American Revolution

•August 19, 2026•

by Janey Roney

In honor of our country’s 250th anniversary, we have been reviewing our county’s connections to the Revolutionary War which includes the names of our county and county seat that honor two Revolutionary War generals, William F. Moultrie from the south and the northern General John Sullivan.   

I also reviewed two of the Revolutionary War veterans buried in our county, Isaac Waggoner and James Patterson. The name of a third veteran, Pvt. John S. Howell, appears on an Illinois DAR list as being buried in 1860 in Kellar Cemetery near Lovington. Although plenty of Howells are buried there, none match his name or death date. So, while waiting for more information to appear about dear John S. Howell, let’s let him lie in peace while we learn about some relatives of Revolutionary War veterans buried in Kellar Cemetery, starting with the Kellars themselves.    

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