•March 25, 2026•
State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) is announcing that he will hold open office hours from 8:00 a.m. to noon every Friday in Shelbyville to provide residents of the 107th District an opportunity to meet with his team, ask questions, and receive help with state-related issues.
Rep. Halbrook’s legislative staff will be available to assist constituents with concerns about state programs, legislation, or any issues involving state government.
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•March 25, 2026•
Submitted by Tonya Frevert
In recognition of Developmental Disabilities Month, Brittany Collins presented the history of the Moultrie County Beacon to an engaged audience at the Moultrie County History Center on Thursday, March 19th. Now in its 58th year, the MCB arose in response to the changing political and social landscape surrounding disability rights in the 1960s. As the law and public opinion of disability rights continued to evolve over the last several decades, so too did the MCB. Starting as a sheltered workshop for adults with disabilities in the late 1960s, the MCB expanded to provide an adult day training program and community living homes in the early 1980s. Today, there are seven community homes in Sullivan and one in Arthur. There are currently 113 MCB staff serving 69 adults with disabilities across Moultrie County.
Want to know more about local history? The Moultrie County Historical & Genealogical Society hosts a monthly presentation at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at the Moultrie County History Center, 1303 South Hamilton, in Sullivan. These presentations are free and open to the public. On April 16th, Mark Seeley will talk about “Life on the River Before Lake Shelbyville.” For more information, contact the History Center at (217) 728-4085, mocohgs@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MCHGS.
•March 25, 2026•
Confidence took center stage as youth from Cumberland, Douglas, and Moultrie counties gathered for the Multi-County 4-H Public Speaking Contest, held at the Sarah Bush Lincoln Education Center on Saturday, March 21st. Three outstanding Moultrie-Douglas youth stepped up to the microphone, showcasing their communication skills, creativity, and courage.
Moultrie-Douglas participants included Jenna Welsh, member of the Arthur Prairie Dogs 4-H Club, Connor Swango, member of the Arcola Purple Ribbon Riders 4-H Club, and Sophia Horst, member of the Moultrie-Douglas Emerging Leaders 4-H Club. Each participant demonstrated poise and strong presentation abilities in their respective categories. Jenna Welsh earned Champion in Illustrated Beginner Speech, with Connor Swango receiving Reserve Champion in the same category. In the advanced division, Sophia Horst was named Champion in Illustrated Speech Advanced.
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•March 25, 2026•
The Lovington Park Board will hold its annual Easter egg hunt on April 12th at the Lovington Grade School.
At 12:00 p.m., there will be a free lunch provided consisting of hot dogs, chips, cookies, and drinks. At 1:00 p.m., the hunt begins.
Magoody’s Coffee truck will be on site for coffee and treats to purchase.
•March 25, 2026•
The 2026 Illinois spring trout fishing season will open Saturday, April 4th, at 58 ponds, lakes, and streams throughout the state. An early opportunity at select trout sites – the spring catch-and-release fishing season – opened Saturday, March 21. No trout may be kept during the catch-and-release period, but anglers can keep trout after the opening of the regular season, beginning April 4th. The daily harvest limit for each angler is five trout.
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•March 25, 2026•
By Angela Hogan
Administrator of the MCHD
What does Dementia Friendly Moultrie County mean to our residents, communities, and our county? Being designated as a dementia-friendly county is more than just a title. It means our communities, businesses, organizations, and residents support an environment where individuals experiencing cognitive decline can live with dignity, connection, and purpose.
Characteristics of a dementia-friendly community: The following two key characteristics are typical of a dementia-friendly community: awareness and understanding. Community members need to know what dementia is, recognize its signs, and respond with patience and respect. In Moultrie County, training sessions are available for businesses, churches, public workers, and the general population.
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•March 25, 2026•
On Wednesday, April 1st, Sullivan High School will be sponsoring a blood drive from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Sullivan American Legion, 8 East Strain Street, in Sullivan. For an appointment, call 1 (800) RED-CROSS (733-2767), or visit RedCrossBlood.org. You can save fifteen minutes when you donate blood by using RapidPass. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass for more information. By donating blood at this blood drive, you are helping one or more graduating seniors earn a scholarship.
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The First Sermon in Moultrie County
•March 25, 2026•
by Janey Roney
The year 2028 will be the two-hundredth anniversary of the first Christian sermon preached in Moultrie County. It was delivered at the cabin of Samuel Washington Lindley by Rev. Miles Hart, a Methodist.
Lindley had come with his father-in-law, John Whitley, in the fall of 1826, a part of the first pioneer settlement in Moultrie County. While most of the Whitleys built their cabins along Whitley Creek, Lindley settled a mile south on Linn Creek along the ancient Kaskaskia-Detroit Road (a short distance northeast of the jog in the present Western Avenue Road, four miles east of Illinois Route 32).
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Sullivan students should enjoy leak-free roofs and better climate inside, following Sullivan Community Unit District #300 school Board action. At that meeting, the board approved bids to replace the roofs and HVAC systems for the elementary, middle, and high schools.
A non-profit organization called Christian Aid Ministries, CAM, had a small operating branch right here in Sullivan. Ray Miller, a Mennonite from the community of Bourbon, was assisting with the donations for the past five years.
Nearly 50 weather warnings were issued across the northern half of Illinois, including 19 tornado warnings. Several tornado touchdowns were reported, resulting in damage to dozens of structures. Fortunately, it appeared no serious injuries or deaths resulted from the storms.
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•March 18, 2026•
March 25th, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.: Money March Madness. This event is geared towards children in grades 5 through 8. Shelby County State Bank will be speaking with youth about saving money, finance, and investing.
April 2nd, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.: Book Club. The book club’s concept is centered on reading a book with the themes of fresh starts and new beginnings.
April 18th, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.: Princess Day. Children are encouraged to dress up in their princess best and listen to stories read by the Shelby County Fair Queens.