•November 19, 2025•
On Thursday, November 13th, Sullivan High School Senior softball player Harmony Ray signed to play at Frontier Community College in Fairfield, while majoring in early childhood education, in the new SHS gymnasium.
Parents Matt and Jenn Ray looked on proudly, as did her teammates and friends, while Sullivan High School coach Valerie Denier spoke about Harmony’s commitment to the game and her team. Harmony’s Cobras coach was Jim Cross.
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•November 19, 2025•
by DM Williamee
On Friday, November 14th, a retirement was held at the Moultrie County Courthouse for Chief Deputy County Clerk Pam Wittkowski, after her over twenty-five years of service. Many of her friends and colleagues came to the party to wish her well, thank her for her service, and many an eye teared up as hugs, handshakes, laughter, and stories went around. As Pam said, “Many of the people I have worked with have become like family, and we support each other both at work as well as at home.”
Pam moved to Sullivan in 2000, and when she began looking for work outside of the home, after spending time first working on her home and volunteering with her church, the position was a perfect fit for her strong bookkeeping skills. “Georgia needed a lot of help,” she said. Pam shared that the position kept her very busy, from hearings, ongoing law changes, helping employees, servicing the board and election judges, as well as the community.
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•November 19, 2025•
The Lake Land College Clay Target Shooting team was named the National Trap Shooting Champion Runner-Up Team at the USA College Clay Target Nationals. The team placed second, trailing only Lindenwood University in the national event in which 244 athletes participated, representing 25 colleges and universities across the country.
“I am very proud of the way we closed out another fantastic season for our Clay Target team,” Clay Target Shooting Head Coach Josh Fulk said. “The team is still very young, with this being just our third year offering the sport at Lake Land. Already, we’ve proven we belong alongside some of the most accomplished programs in the country. I’m proud of the way our athletes performed and am looking forward to how this program continues to grow each year.”
Individually, Lake Land College Clay Target team member Collin Hewing placed second in the High Gun Gold Male category, finishing with a score of 198/200.
•November 19, 2025•
Ready, aim, learn-the Moultrie-Douglas 4-H Shooting Sports Club is officially open and inviting youth to discover a world of skill, safety, and fun. Designed for ages 8-18, this hands-on program goes beyond marksmanship-it builds confidence, leadership, and lifelong outdoor appreciation. Whether curious about archery, rifle, pistol, or shotgun, participants train with nationally certified instructors in a supportive environment that emphasizes teamwork, responsibility, and ethical sportsmanship.
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•November 19, 2025•
On November 11th at 2:10 a.m., a Sullivan Fire Protection District Ambulance was involved in a collision with another vehicle on Illinois Route 121 and approximately 300 feet east of Moultrie County Road 1600E. Both firefighters/EMTs were taken to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center for non-life-threatening injuries, and both have been released. There were no occupants in the other vehicle.
The crew was returning to quarters after completing a transport to a local hospital. The ambulance sustained heavy fire damage and is considered a total loss. The Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office completed the investigation and report. The Sullivan Fire Protection District was assisted by Coles-Moultrie 911 and the Bethany Fire Protection District.
Photos by RR Best
•November 19, 2025•
On Tuesday, November 11th, in the Okaw Valley High School Gymnasium, Okaw Valley put on its annual Veterans Day Program. The Master of Ceremonies, Jack Scott, welcomed everyone to the program, and the opening was presented by Mr. Kent Stauder, Superintendent of Okaw Valley CUSD #302, who thanked the Veterans in the audience for their service.
•November 19, 2025•
As temperatures drop across the Illinois Region, the American Red Cross urges families to take several steps to heat their homes safely. “Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in this country,” said Kellie O’Connell, CEO of the Red Cross of Illinois. “But there are steps people can take to avoid having this happen to them. Help keep your family safe by providing at least three feet of space around all heating equipment, testing your smoke alarms monthly, and practicing your two-minute home fire escape plan.” Overall, home fires account for most of the 60,000-plus disasters that the Red Cross responds to each year - and home fire responses are 30% higher during cold months than warmer times of year.
Read MoreTraveling on the Springfield Road (Part 3)
•November 19, 2025•
by Janet Roney
Traveling across the prairie of central Illinois on the Springfield Road in the 1830s was not easy, whether on a horse, in a covered wagon, or on foot, as seen in the last two columns. An alternative way to travel was by stagecoach. The Springfield Road was laid out by the state in 1826 specifically as a route for stagecoach travel and for the US mail.
Unfortunately, stagecoach travel was not much better than going by wagon, horse, or walking. In The Sangamon Saga, one lady described riding in a stagecoach on a trail in Sangamon County as “one prolonged torture.” The body of the stage was suspended on leather straps between the wheels, which acted as a crude form of springs, but gave little relief from bouncing along on the rough, rutted trail.
“When she got into the stage at noon, she found her traveling companions included an elderly woman and six young men. The latter were all going west to seek their fortunes. The roads were so tough that the harness was broken twice that afternoon and had to be mended before they could continue.”
Somewhere in Sangamon County, they stopped at an inn, “which seemed about ready to fall down. For supper, there was greasy side meat, soggy and ill-smelling saleratus biscuits, and coffee made from parched corn. Flies swarmed the table unnoticed by the host.”
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Larry Lowe
Larry Thomas Lowe, 82, of Winter Garden, Florida passed away suddenly at his home on November 4, 2025 with his wife by his side.
Larry was born on March 10, 1943 in Lovington, Illinois. He is the son of Beatty and Helen (Reed) Lowe.
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Linda Beavers
Linda Marie Lowe Beavers passed from this world on October 12, 2025, at her residence in Chula Vista, California, surrounded by family, and entered into the Lord’s presence, where she will be reunited with her beloved husband, Roger Lee Beavers, who preceded her into heaven in 2013.
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