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Sullivan Trap Team makes its mark at National Championship

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•September 2, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

Kolten Kidd displays his eighth-place trophy after competing in the individual championship finals at the 2026 USA High School Clay Target League National Championship.

The Sullivan High School Trap Team capped off its season this past summer on the national stage, competing among approximately 400 teams and 1,800 individual shooters at the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship.

For Sullivan, simply arriving as a team marked a milestone. It was the first time the young program had fielded a team at Nationals, and only Carter Honchell and Kolten Kidd had previously experienced the national competition.

Despite entering an unfamiliar environment and facing teams from across the country, Sullivan posted a score of 460 in the team qualifier, finishing 89th. Only the top 80 teams advanced to the championship round, leaving Sullivan just nine places — and two targets — short of moving on.

Head Coach Rob Kidd said the magnitude of Nationals creates an entirely different atmosphere for shooters.

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BASO Car Show a success

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Photo by R.R. Best

The Bethany Advocates and Support Organization hosted its annual car show on August 22 at Crowder Park. The perfect afternoon weather bought out 52 entries and many enthusiastic onlookers. Greg Fitzgerald’s 1966 Pontiac GTO took home Best off Show honors.

On to the next chapter

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Photo by Sonya Best

A retirement open house was held Thursday, August 27, to honor Dave Cole at the Moultrie County Counseling Center. Cole served as executive director of the counseling center since March 2003.

Sullivan Scout programs face leadership shortage

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by Jamie Crosier

Six active Scouts remain in Boy Scout Troop 39 in Sullivan, while the community’s Cub Scout Pack 39 is currently unable to hold meetings after it was unable to renew its charter with Scouting America because of insufficient adult leadership.

The two situations are connected. Cub Scout Pack 39 has traditionally provided a path for younger Scouts to advance through the Cub Scout ranks before moving into Boy Scout Troop 39. Without an active pack, the troop loses that source of future members.

Eric Bettinger, who has been involved with Scouting for 14 years, said his own son has been out of Scouts for four years. Bettinger continued his involvement and had been serving as Cubmaster in an effort to keep Sullivan’s Cub Scout program going.

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City of Sullivan well project continues

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•September 2, 2026•

by Sharon Barricklow

A frustrated Sullivan City Council tabled approving a $452,000 invoice for well work Monday, August 24, because the vendor has failed to finish the job. Commissioner Chuck Woodworth said Cahoy Pump Service had not returned to finish completing pumping tests on the new well. “They said they’d be there next week and that was three weeks ago,” Woodworth said. “I recommend we not pay the invoice until the work is completed.” The council approved construction of the new well earlier this year after a drop in the aquifer that supplies the city’s water led to summer water usage restrictions.

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Lee transitions to Horticulture Educator role with Illinois Extension

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•September 2, 2026•

University of Illinois Extension recently announced Jenny Lee as the Horticulture Educator serving Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie, and Shelby counties.

In her new role, Lee develops and delivers educational programs that help individuals and communities create healthy, sustainable landscapes and gardens. Her programming focuses on home gardening, tree selection and care, native plants, pollinator conservation, sustainable landscaping, and environmental stewardship. She works with homeowners, community organizations, and local partners to increase horticultural knowledge and promote practices that enhance both the environment and quality of life.

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Be a 2026 Special Olympics Family Festival volunteer

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More than 1,000 volunteers needed
•September 2, 2026•

The Special Olympics Family Festival (SOFF) volunteer committee is calling on big-hearted individuals to join the fun at the 43rd annual SOFF, happening Saturday, September 19, on the grounds of Lake Land College. This year’s theme, There’s No Place Like SOFF, celebrates the magic, belonging and joy that make this festival unlike anything else.

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Public notice for the elderly and persons with disabilities regarding voting for the General Election 

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•September 2, 2026•

Public notice for the elderly and persons with disabilities regarding voting for the November 26, 2026, General Election   Citizens who are not registered to vote and cannot leave their home or Nursing Home/Assisted Living Facility because of a permanent physical disability can arrange for voter registration and voting by contacting the Moultrie County Clerk’s office.  The last day of regular registration for voting before the November 3, 2026, General Election is Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Grace Period registration, transfer of registration, and voting are October 7, 2026, through Election Day. Anyone can register at the County Clerk’s office, Moultrie County Courthouse, 10 S. Main, Suite 6, Sullivan, Illinois, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, if a person is unable to come to the Courthouse, they may call the County Clerk’s office to arrange for registration. Or, you can register electronically at https://ova.elections.il.gov. All polling locations in Moultrie County are accessible to the elderly and persons with disabilities. Voting aids and assistance are available, if needed, in marking the ballot. If for some reason a person is unable to go to the polls on Election Day, they may call the Clerk’s office and arrange for a Vote by Mail ballot. The last day a Vote by Mail ballot can be mailed out is Thursday, October 29, 2026. The last day to Early Vote in person at the County Clerk’s office is November 2, 2026, with the exception of Grace Period Registration and Voting. For further information concerning polling locations, Vote by Mail, Early Voting, or Grace Period Registration/Voting, contact the Moultrie County Clerk’s office at 728-4389.