The plowed furrow
•September 10, 2025•

by Janet Roney

After Amos Williams surveyed the route of the Springfield Road across the northern part of Moultrie County in 1825-26, they blazed the trees in the timbered areas and plowed a furrow with a team of oxen and a breaking plow across the open prairie to mark the route. Thereafter, “the Plowed Furrow” was a name for the Springfield Road along with the “Terry Haute Road”.

Before three years had passed, they were resurveying and changing parts of the route. In 1833, the Macon County commissioners changed it again and ordered another survey of the road to find a crossing over the West Okaw River suitable for a bridge. (Macon controlled the north half of Moultrie in those days.) That’s when the road shifted north to pass through the future site of Lovington and along a string of cabins leading to the site of the new Stringtown Bridge. A few years later, in 1838, the Blackhorse Tavern inn was built along the road, which was the beginning of the village of Lovington. 

•September 10, 2025•

September is National Preparedness Month, and the American Red Cross urges everyone to protect their loved ones by getting their households ready now. “National Preparedness Month is a great time to ask whether your family would be ready if something unexpected happened tomorrow,” said Kellie O’Connell, CEO of the Illinois Red Cross. “It’s not about being scared; it’s about being smart and looking out for the people you love. Taking a few simple steps now so that you have a plan can make all the difference when it matters most.”

Disasters don’t wait for the “right time” - they can happen in the middle of the night, during your commute, or while your kids are at school. Protect your family by making a plan to stay safe, gathering important supplies, and knowing how you’ll stay connected by taking these steps: 

2015

Sullivan’s Scavenger Hunt was growing up, and on October 10th, the Adults Only version kicked off. Jeri Davis explained the adult hunt was held on homecoming weekend, and the group would be part of the parade. It was adult-only because some of the prizes contained alcohol, she explained. Some sixty prizes were anticipated, with clues posted every half hour on Facebook.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations (DFPR) announced the registration of its first medical cannabis dispensary. Harbory, located at 8195 Express Drive in Marion, IL, successfully completed the DFPR business dispensary registration process and inspection and was licensed to operate as a medical cannabis dispensary.

•September 3, 2025•

Would you want a personalized library card? The Elizabeth Titius Memorial Library is holding a contest for the most popular library card designs. Any patrons in our service area are welcome to enter. There are multiple categories, and winners will be decided by popular vote.

•September 3, 2025•

Mission #75 will serve 95 Veterans, including 7 Korean Era veterans and 88 Vietnam era veterans from 65 Illinois home towns, including Allenville, Shelbyville, and Sullivan. The September 9th veterans represent all branches of the military.

These Veterans and their Guardians will report September 9th,  to the Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport at 4:00 a.m. to travel to Washington DC on a chartered Sun Country 737 aircraft to visit the World War II, Korean and Vietnam War Memorials, as well as Arlington National Cemetery Tomb of the Unknowns, the Lincoln Memorial, the National Air & Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia, the US Marine Corps Memorial and the US Air Force Memorial. This day of honor is provided at absolutely no cost to our veterans and is completely funded by donations from the general public.