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Mo-Do 4-H launches three new clubs for youth

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•December 10, 2025•

Moultrie-Douglas 4-H has announced three brand-new clubs for youth to explore skills, make friends, and grow as leaders while having hands-on fun through learning opportunities.

Dog Obedience SPIN Club: Love dogs? Join the Dog Obedience SPIN Club and learn how to train and care for your canine companion at the Moultrie-Douglas Fairgrounds, Arthur – White Merchant’s Building Shed from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on December 17th, January 7th and 21st, February 4th and 25th, March 11th and 25th, April 1st and 15th, May 6th and 20th, and final practice on June 10th. The Dog Show will be held on June 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Coles County Fairgrounds (Participation optional). This activity’s club leader is Kathy Davis, who can be reached at (217) 249-2602 for more information. This activity is for children aged 8–18.

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North Point Homes ‘scattered site’ housing development begins construction

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•December 10, 2025•

The Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development (SCED) has announced that construction has officially begun on the North Point Homes scattered site housing development—an effort nearly eight years in the making and a major step forward in addressing Sullivan’s long-standing need for safe, modern, and affordable rental housing.

The project’s roots date back nearly a decade, when economic development efforts and local partners began removing dilapidated homes and blighted structures to prepare for future redevelopment. During this foundational stage, local business owner Zak Horn emerged as a key champion for the initiative. Horn invested personal resources into securing teardown properties, participated in meetings with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IDHA), worked alongside developers, architects, and city officials, and helped guide the early application process. His support included transferring his portion of the project sponsor development fee so that SCED could be the financial beneficiary.

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LLC accepting nominations for college awards

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•December 10, 2025•

Lake Land College is accepting nominations for the Distinguished Service Award, Pacesetter Award, Retiree Wall of Fame, Distinguished Alumnus Award/Alumnus Achievement Award, and Distinguished Alumni Society. All nominations for these listed awards are being accepted until February 1st, 2026. Nomination forms for all awards are available on the College’s website at LakeLandCollege.edu/Alumni/Award-Nominations/. Physical copies of each form are available by calling the Foundation at 217-234-5376.

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Food Pantry fundraiser

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Last Friday, December 5th, was pick-up day for the 14th annual hand-dipped chocolate fundraiser for the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Friends of the Moultrie County Food Pantry sent out order forms to past fundraiser supporters, and the Flesor’s Candy Kitchen in Tuscola donated 20% of sales proceeds from those orders. This year’s fundraiser raised more than last year’s, reflecting both the delight in Flesor’s treats as well as the generosity of both Flesor’s and the community. The candy was delivered to the Sweet Vail Cafe in Sullivan for those who placed orders, allowing them to pick up their sweet treats locally. Pictured is Shelly Mossman picking up her goodies.

ETML December Happenings 

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•December 10, 2025•

Every Monday at 9:00 a.m., ETML will be hosting the Memory Café. This is a social gathering for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Get helpful information and support from others who also have loved ones who struggle with memory loss. 

Every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. is Story Time. 

On December 10th, drop in between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. to create your own Ugly Sweater. ETML will provide T-shirts on a first-come, first-served basis, or you can bring your own shirt. Supplies will be provided. 

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SNAP benefits: eligibility to change Feb. ‘26 

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From the IDHS 
•December 10, 2025•

Full December SNAP benefits will be issued as normally scheduled.  Starting February 1, 2026, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) who do not meet work requirements or qualify for an exemption may only receive benefits for three months during a three-year period. That means individuals not meeting the new federal work requirements or otherwise exempt could lose benefits starting May 1, 2026. 

Prior to the Trump Administration’s budget bill, ABAWDS were defined as adults ages 18-54 with no “dependent” children under 18 and no disabilities. But under the new federal guidelines, people in the following categories will also be forced to meet the new work requirements to receive SNAP benefits: veterans, individuals who are 55-64 years old, homeless individuals, and ABAWDs whose at-home children are 14 years old or older

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Credit card checkout: How complicated with this become?

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•December 10, 2025•

by DM Williamee

In a landmark settlement that has sent ripples through both the retail and financial sectors, Visa and Mastercard reached an agreement with a coalition of merchants that will -fundamentally- alter the landscape of credit card transactions at checkout lanes beginning in early 2026. This settlement paves the way for businesses to implement tiered pricing based on the type of credit card that a consumer uses, and will no doubt lead to more complicated shopping experiences for consumers. From “ No purchases by credit card under $5” to “all purchases by credit card will be subject to a fee, depending on the card you use.” Huh? Don’t we already pay interest fees on our credit cards when we pay the bill every month? Yes. But wait, folks, now there’s more…

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IDPH fines 40 Central Illinois nursing homes, care facilities

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•December 10, 2025•

by DM Williamee

When one is unable to care for themselves at home due to age, illness, or injury and lacks the requisite support system to ensure proper care on a day-to-day basis, nursing care and rehabilitation facilities exist to fill that gap. Unfortunately, not all facilities are created equal when it comes to safe, quality care, as reflected by the recent IDPH “Quarterly Report of Nursing Home Violators” report.

43 nursing homes and care facilities throughout the Central Illinois region were recently fined in the April-June 2025 “Quarterly Report of Nursing Home Violators” by the Illinois Department of Public Health. These encompassed violations of both state and federal law. Some reports included multiple violations; some facilities have multiple reports against them, and some had fines statutorily doubled.

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Bethany Depot hosts Santa visit

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Submitted by  Nancy Mueller

Santa made his annual visit to the Bethany Depot on Sunday, December 7th, arriving by fire truck, driven by Tom Gregory. Children were excited to give Santa their wish lists, with a few just not sure about the bearded guy in the red suit. Stockings with toys and goodies were handed out by the young ladies of the Bethany Celebration royalty, and pictures were taken by Kathy Doty. Families were treated to cookies and hot chocolate provided by ladies from the Bethany churches. All children were entered in the door prize drawings with an extra entry if items for the Bethany Food Pantry were brought in. 

The BASO committee appreciated all donations that made this a successful event. Special thanks to Phyllis Swinehart for making the stockings, Cindy Sanner for the use of the Depot, Tom Gregory for bringing Santa, and to Santa, Tom Rucker. 

Photos by Nancy Mueller

Lights at Wyman

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Photo by RR Best

On Monday, December 1st, Wyman Park in Sullivan was looking full of colorfully lit festive cheer, with the weekend’s snowfall accumulation providing the perfect backdrop for the beautifully lit displays.