On Saturday, January 17th, at the Bethany American Legion Post No. 507, Bethany Celebration hosted a chili cook-off, with a great turnout. The Bethany Celebration’s 2026 Chili Cookoff winners were: 1st Place Traditional- Ryan Whitten (not pictured), 1st Place Unique - Annie & Bill Blackwell, 1st Place Spicy - Troy Stockdale, and People’s Choice - Ryan Whitten.
•January 28, 2026•
The Mid-Illinois Senior Center is located at 113 E. Jefferson Street in Sullivan. The Peace Meal Senior Nutrition program lunch is served weekdays (except holidays) at 11:30 a.m. Call (217) 728-8521 for more information on the events below or the Peace Meal. We are a SHIP site and can assist you with Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, VA, and other insurances. Call to schedule an appointment.
2nd: Pedicures by Robin- by appointment only. Call (217) 728-8521.
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•January 28, 2026•
2nd: Ham and beans, copper carrots, tropical fruit, and cornbread.
3rd: Shepherd’s pie, hot fruit crisp, 3-bean salad, and a biscuit.
4th: Chicken Cordon-Bleu, garlic vegetables, maple-glazed Brussels sprouts, pea salad, and bread/roll.
5th: Meatloaf, sour cream and chive mashed potatoes, stewed tomatoes, peaches, and bread/roll.
6th: Tuna casserole, peas, cinnamon-glazed carrots, cottage cheese salad, and bread/roll/
9th: Hamburger and bun, tater tots, baked beans, and a mandarin orange.
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On January 5th, Windsor High School teacher Tammy Helm was awarded a Shelby County Retired Teachers’ Association (SCRTA) mini-grant. The Shelby County Retired Teachers’ Association mini-grant is a program that provides small grants to active K-12 teachers to fund innovative classroom projects, supplies, or technology not covered by regular budgets, easing teacher financial burdens and enhancing student learning through local fundraising by retired members.
Pictured L-R: Jamie Martin, Dean of Students, Tammy Helm, and James Sparks, SCRTA President.
Comets and “Cousin” Tecumseh
•January 28, 2026•
by Janet Roney
The term “peaceful” is seldom used to describe the Kickapoo tribe in history, for it was one of the most warlike tribes in Illinois and western Indiana. Yet, the 1881 history of our county said the Native Americans (the Kickapoo) living here when the first settlers arrived in Moultrie in the 1820s were peaceful.
Although some Kickapoo helped George Rogers Clark retake Vincennes from the British during the Revolutionary War, forty years before, they generally supported the British against the Americans after the war. They also helped Tecumseh unify the tribes of the Northwest Territory against the Americans.
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•January 28, 2026•
2nd - Needle Night from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. If you would like to learn to crochet, knit, needlepoint, or even how to sew, we have people who can help teach you. If you already know how and just want to hang out, come join us.
3rd - Story Time from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. We will have Valentine-themed stories and a craft.
6th - Kids Craft Time from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. We will be making a Valentine-themed craft.
9th - Craft Club from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Bring whatever project you are working on and join us for the fun.
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Dick’s Pharmacy, a well-known establishment on Vine Street in Arthur, recently came under the ownership of Cindi Reed, who owns the Oakwood Apothecary in Sullivan. It’s part of an expansion of her business, Reed Pharmacies, LLC. “We closed on it on November 2nd,” Reed said.” In June of last year, I got wind that Dick’s was on the market again.”
Objections to presidential candidates’ petitions will delay official general primary ballot release past the first day of voting in Illinois, February 4th. Moultrie County Clerk, Georgia England, announced the presidential candidates’ petition objections to the State Board of Elections are not anticipated to be resolved before the first day of voting in the general primary election, since the names on the questioned petitions will have to undergo individual review.
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•January 21, 2026•
On Friday, February 6th, Lake Land will host local high school students for the first-ever Laker Academic Invitational, a competitive event designed to challenge and recognize academic excellence. During the event, more than 300 students across 17 local high schools will compete in a series of multiple-choice exams, demonstrating their knowledge in biology, chemistry, computer science, software applications, English, mathematics, and physics. Through these experiences, the event fosters curiosity and confidence as students challenge themselves in a supportive environment and explore future college and career pathways.
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•January 21, 2026•
A new law requiring guns to be locked up in Illinois’ homes and mandating lost or stolen firearms be reported within 48 hours took effect January 1, 2026. Signed by the Illinois Governor in July 2025, this law mandates secure storage unless the firearm is under the owner’s direct control, aiming to prevent accidental shootings, suicides, and intentional harm.
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•January 21, 2026•
In 2025, Safe Families for Children of East Central Illinois, under the Direction of Kimberly Cullen, continued its mission of keeping children safe and families together by surrounding them with compassionate and community-based support.
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