•July 22, 2026•
Braxton Keith, known for his modern take on country and his roots in Texas Honky Tonks, will be the headliner for the 2026 Moultrie-Douglas County Fair. The concert is set for Saturday, August 1 at the fairgrounds in Arthur. Braxton’s energetic shows and fresh spin on tradition have earned him a fast-growing fanbase. His single, “Cozy” is featured on major playlists, and his vibrant live performance is sure to be a highlight at this year’s fair.
Read MoreIsaac Waggoner, Moultrie County Patriot
•July 22, 2026•
by Janey Roney
Moultrie County can be proud that we have Revolutionary War veterans buried in our soil, even though our first pioneers did not arrive until five decades after we declared independence from England. Isaac Waggoner, from South Carolina, was one of those Revolutionary War veterans.
Isaac’s service may have been inspired by his own father, Hans, who was an immigrant from either Holland or Germany. Hans had fourteen children by five different wives. He was a man of action who fought Cherokee Indians and built Wagner Fort in 1760 where Isaac was born a year later.
Read More2016
One hundred fifteen kids, numerous donations, and a little heart let the Summer Park Program flourish in Sullivan. Jake and Melissa Haegen worked hard to improve Sullivan’s Park and Rec program. An over 50-year-old program evolved from 30 to 40 kids to 115, from two supervisors to multiple teenage volunteers who had been through the program, and from a quick lunch break to a provided food program.
Blair Monroe of Bethany and Ben Bushue of Solomon won ribbons in the Moultrie Douglas Fair 4-H Livestock show.
Read MoreExperts share practical tips to help travelers spot scams and protect their money this summer
•July 15, 2026•
As millions of Americans head out on vacation this summer, First Mid Bank & Trust (First Mid) is encouraging travelers to stay alert for increasingly sophisticated scams designed to steal money and personal information before, during, or after a trip.
From fake vacation home rentals and airline alerts to fraudulent refund offers and Wi-Fi networks, fraudsters are using artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing scams that pressure travelers into making quick decisions.
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•July 15, 2026•
Plenty of people can be found working their grilling magic year-round. But the vast majority of people do the bulk of their grilling over the summer, when warm temperatures contribute to a relaxed atmosphere that makes outdoor cooking and dining that much more appealing.
The relaxing nature of summer can make it easy to overlook safety, particularly when grilling. However, the right safety measures when cooking over an open flame can prevent home fires and other accidents that can cause injury and even death. In recognition of the many things that can go wrong when grilling, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Fire Administration offer these simple fire safety tips that every grillmaster can keep in mind as summer grilling season hits full swing.
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•July 15, 2026•
Every golfer loves to hit a booming shot off the tee. Such a strike can be impressive and inspire confidence. But estimates indicate that as many as 65 percent of the shots the average golfer takes in a typical round are chip shots or putts. So while it can be fun to let it rip from the tee box, data suggests golfers would be wise to direct more focus on their short game.
Read MoreKeep foodborne illnesses out of your summer celebrations
•July 15, 2026•
by Angela Hogan
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy cookouts, family reunions, picnics, and neighborhood celebrations. Unfortunately, warmer temperatures also create ideal conditions for bacteria to grow on food. Each year, millions of Americans become sick from foodborne illnesses, many of which can be prevented by following a few simple food safety practices.
Whether you’re hosting a cookout or bringing a favorite dish to a community gathering, take precautions to help keep everyone healthy. These summer food safety tips are easy and worth practicing.
Keep Hot Foods Hot and Cold Foods Cold
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•July 15, 2026•
2017 Okaw Valley graduate, Moranda “Mo” Matheson, MSN, MBA, RN, has been named one of the Illinois Nurses Foundation’s 2026 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders, an honor recognizing 40 nurses across Illinois under the age of 40 who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, education, advocacy, research, and service to the nursing profession.
Read MoreSome More about Col. Moultrie and Sullivan’s Island
•July 15, 2026•
by Janey Roney
Moultrie County residents should note that in this 250th anniversary of our country we have some significant connections to the Revolutionary War. The most obvious one is our name, Moultrie, that honors Colonel, later General, William F. Moultrie of South Carolina who led the successful defense of Fort Sullivan at the entrance to Charleston Harbor from British land and sea forces on June 28, 1776. That is two weeks and 250 years ago as I write this.
Read More2016
When Dr Glen Dust converted his Sullivan Health Care practice to direct primary care, he joined four physicians in Illinois offering concierge medicine. Interest in the trend to replace insurance companies with a membership for primary care grew nationwide as it helped lower health care costs.
Hunter Kamm’s childhood love of fireworks turned into a full-time job designing shows for Bethany, Arthur, Sullivan, and Lovington during the Independence Day celebration season. Kamm, who works for Central States Fireworks in Athens, was in the busiest of the fireworks season.
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