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LLC Board of Trustee election

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•July 29, 2026•

The Community College Trustee Election will be held April 6, 2027, as part of the 2027 consolidated election. Two six-year terms will appear on the Lake Land College ballot. The two six-year terms are currently held by Mr. Gary Cadwell, Mode, and Mr. Tom Wright, Dieterich. 

People who wish to file for a seat on the Board of Trustees of Lake Land College, Community College District No. 517, may request an election packet from the president’s office by calling 217-234-5222, submitting an email to officeofthepresident@lakelandcollege.edu or visiting the president’s office from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, when the College is open. The office is in the Board and Administration Center at the College’s campus in Mattoon.

To run in the election for trustee, interested people must:

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Local financial representative honored

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•July 29, 2026•

COUNTRY Financial Representative Elizabeth Houser of Sullivan has earned a position on the insurance groups distinguished All Star team for the 7th time.

Houser is among a select group of top COUNTRY Financial Agency Managers and Financial Representatives who qualified for the award. COUNTRY Financial has more than 2,000 agency managers and financial representatives in 17 states. Houser is ranked in the top 10% of agents as of 05/31/2026.

All Star is awarded each year by COUNTRY Financial to Agency Managers and Financial Representatives who have excelled in identifying insurance products and financial solutions that fit the needs of their customers. Agency Managers and Financial Representatives who receive the award provide outstanding service to their clients.

Elizabeth, with her son Kyler, Agent, Beretta Black, Associate Agent, and their assistant Jeslyn Scott, serve their clients at the Houser Agency at 1102 W Jackson St., Sullivan.

Sullivan Blue Dolphins earn seventh at meet

News Progress Posted on by


•July 29, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

The Sullivan Blue Dolphins regional team. Front row, from left: Jace Van Uytven, Johnnie Hinnerichs, Kylan Hall, Aubrey Fultz, Avery Hess, Mack Pogue and Michaela Blickensderfer. Back row: Emily Crosier, Grant Martin, Jack Van Uytven, Kinsley Eads, Nathan Rafferty and Cadence Schmohe. Not pictured: Scarlett Perrott and Emme Kirkley.

The Sullivan Blue Dolphins traveled to Bloomington, Illinois, during the weekend of July 18 to compete in the Summer Regionals, finishing seventh out of 14 teams with 1,048.5 points.

The team brought 15 swimmers who competed in 86 individual events. Of those swims, 72 resulted in top-10 finishes, including five regional champions.

Four Sullivan Blue Dolphins qualified for the State Championships: Emily Crosier, Mack Pogue, Jace Van Uytven and Emme Kirkley.

The four state qualifiers will represent Sullivan at the State Championships, while the team’s performance at regionals capped a successful meet in Bloomington.

Thrasher inks letter of intent

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On July 20, Sullivan High School graduate Aeralyn Thrasher signed her letter of intent to continue her volleyball career at Southeastern Illinois College. Thrasher plans to study nursing with the goal of working in labor and delivery. Her favorite quote is, “I never lose. Either I win or learn.” One of her favorite memories from her time at Sullivan High School was senior night, when she and a teammate received customized shirts with their nicknames, “Toots” and “Sher Bear.”

Pictured (L-R): Jerica Thrasher, Aeralyn Thrasher and Jake Thrasher.

Girls grow more than flowers through family project

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•July 29, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

Photo Submitted

What started as a walk to a backyard flower garden has blossomed into a summer project that is teaching two young Sullivan sisters lessons about hard work, patience and financial responsibility.

Bretton and Hattie Crouse’s daughters, Josephine, 5, and Dorothy, 3, spend part of their summer helping care for a patch of colorful zinnias before arranging bouquets that are sold to the community. Every dollar earned goes into investment accounts for the girls, giving them an early introduction to saving for the future.

The idea for the flower stand grew from a simple family tradition.

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Sullivan Senior Center August Peace Meal

News Progress Posted on by


•July 29, 2026•

For Peace Meal reservations at Sullivan Senior Center/Mid-Illinois Senior Inc. call 217-728-8521.

3 - BBQ pork riblet on a sub bun, tater tots, black eyed peas, cucumber salad

4 - Chicken Alfredo, California blend vegetables, peas, fruit salad

5 - Hamburger on a bun, cheesy potatoes, cherry crisp, creamy coleslaw

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Backhoe purchase approved by Lovington village trustees

News Progress Posted on by


•July 29, 2026•

by E. Scott England

It was a fairly unremarkable board meeting for the Village of Lovington on Monday, July 20. The regular board meeting had been postponed a week after failing to get a quorum the previous Monday. With all but one present—Todd Hale was absent—the July meeting went off without a hitch.

Speaking before the meeting in the public comments were Scott Freese and David Bowers. Freese was representing the Lions Club and expressed his interest in starting a chapter in Lovington. He invited the trustees to an upcoming Candy Jamboree to be held on the second Monday in August at Yoder’s Kitchen in Arthur. The trustees said they would recommend places where Freese could hold a meeting to see if there was local interest in starting a chapter.

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Sullivan library offers free summer programs for all ages

News Progress Posted on by


•July 29, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

Families settle into their seats each Friday afternoon at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library in Sullivan, waiting for the lights to dim and a movie to begin. Free popcorn and water are available, children gather with parents and grandparents, and for a couple of hours, the library becomes a place for entertainment as well as learning.

The weekly movie series is just one of several free programs the library offers throughout the summer as part of its commitment to serving the community.

While the library is unable to publicly announce movie titles because of licensing requirements, families can find the schedule posted inside the library or by calling the library directly. Movies are shown every Friday at 1:00 p.m. through the start of the school year. Registration is not required, and the library can accommodate up to 75 people.

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Remembering Who We Are….

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Kings of the Mountain


•July 29, 2026•

by Janey Roney 

Some of the bratty boys at Jonathan Creek country school used to play “King of the Hill” on a large grass covered mound in the corner of the huge playground. Their shoving matches didn’t impress us girls much for their reign lasted only until noon or the next recess when another “king” claimed the title.

“I’ll be King of the mountain!” shouted British Major Patrick Ferguson to his British loyalist militia gathered at the top of Kings Mountain, South Carolina in October of 1780. Likewise, the patriot militia surrounding Kings Mountain were not impressed either. James Patterson, one of our county’s Revolutionary War veterans, was among those patriot militiamen.  

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Mid-Ilinois Senior Services August schedule

News Progress Posted on by


•July 29, 2026•

3: Pedicures by Robin, must call to register. 1:00-3:00pm Sewing/Quilting group

4: 11:00am-1:00pm Dine with a Doc. Free lunch provided by Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Care, speaker Don Tucker, Respiratory Specialist.

5: 1:00pm Hand & Foot, Bridge

6: 10:00am Exercise class, Noon Birthday party, 12:30pm Bingo sponsored by State Farm Insurance - Duriah Delp

7: 1:00pm Pool tournament

10: 1:00-3:00pm Sewing/Quilting group

11: 10:00am Exercise class

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