On Tuesday, May 2nd, Mid Illinois Senior Services of Sullivan’s monthly ‘Dine with a Doc’ had guest speaker, Dr. Wesley D. Allan, PhD, give a presentation on anxiety. Dr. Allan is an Associate Professor, Coordinator of Clinical Psychology, M.A at EIU.
Dr. Allan, a warm and engaging speaker, covered the various aspects of anxiety, including what it is, its causes, and what can be done about it. First focusing on its multiple effects on the body and what it feels like, he then shared that older adults are most worried about health and financial issues as they age, which resonated with many in attendance.
Are you curious about the radio stations that shaped Moultrie County? Then consider “tuning in” at the Moultrie County History Center on Thursday, June 18th at 7:00 p.m. for an engaging look at the history of radio broadcasting in Sullivan and Moultrie County with radio veterans Larry Oathout and Scot England. Larry and Scot will spotlight the creation of Sullivan radio station WFWA in 1974 and trace its journey through multiple owners and name changes over the years. The History Center is located at 1303 South Hamilton in Sullivan. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (217) 728-4085 or email mocohgs@gmail.com.
On Saturday, May 30th, in Arthur, C.H.I hosted its annual color fun run to raise funds to support mental health service providers in the surrounding counties. This year’s run had a fantastic turnout: 146 pre-registrations, 43 day-of registrations, and over 40 volunteers participated. Over $6,000 was raised by participants, and C.H.I. will match that amount, bringing the total to over $12,000 to be donated to Douglas County Public Health (school-based clinic) and Moultrie Counseling Center.
Prizes from donors were also awarded, including Milwaukee & Echo power tools, RTIC & Igloo coolers, gift cards, and apparel from local businesses, travel chairs, birdhouses, and tactical gear.
On the afternoon of Saturday, May 23rd, the Sullivan Street Machine Association held its season-opener car show on the Square in Sullivan, whetting auto enthusiasts’ appetites as car show season begins for 2026. While early on it looked as if it might rain, the weather cooperated, and it was not only dry but perfectly temperate, with a nice breeze. Local enthusiasts and club members converged on the square to show off a wide variety of street machines, including classic cars, muscle cars, trucks, golf carts, and anything else proud owners brought down to be admired, whether classic or current. The sun might not have been shining, but the autos on the square were.
Their next events will be the St. Jude’s ‘Dash and Bash’ car show at Wyman Park in Sullivan on Saturday, June 13th, with registration at 10:00 a.m., 11:00 to 1:30 p.m. the car show itself, and awards presented at 2:30 p.m. The event following the ‘Dash and Bash’ will be “Cruise Night on the Square’ on Saturday, September 5th, on Sullivan’s Square. All makes, models, and years will be welcome, and dash plaques will be available for the first 100 registrants. There will also be free popcorn provided by Boy Scout Troop 39, live music by Shovelhead, and door prizes awarded at 6:00 p.m. For more information, call (217) 728-7848 or (217) 273-8487, or visit Facebook at www.facebook.com/SullivanSMA.
Construction preparations continue to move quickly at Arthur CUSD #305 as district officials prepare for a summer filled with moving, demolition, and building activity, while also recognizing student accomplishments and community support during the May 20th school board meeting. Superintendent Shannon Cheek told board members construction efforts continue moving in a positive direction, with major project milestones approaching over the next several weeks. “As of right now, pretty positive, pretty positive,” Cheek noted.
One of the next major steps will begin on Tuesday, May 26th, when asbestos removal work starts in portions of the building, including areas around the chorus, band, and weight room spaces, along with additional smaller areas. Cheek said the district’s goal is to continue transitioning spaces as work progresses. Demolition activities are expected to begin on June 8th, with fencing around portions of the building also scheduled to be installed in early June.
The Moultrie County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) has announced a new emergency notification system for Moultrie County residents and business owners. Moultrie County has transitioned from the previous CodeRED system to a new Moultrie County Emergency Notifications service. It’s designed to quickly send notifications about severe weather, road closures, public safety matters, and other time-sensitive events to specific locations when and where they matter most.
When severe weather strikes, roads may close unexpectedly, or emergencies may affect your community. Timely information can help keep families, employees, customers, and property safe. Whether you’re a parent trying to keep your family safe or a local business owner responsible for employees and operations, receiving timely information can help you make decisions during rapidly changing circumstances.
If you’ve passed over the Fox Harbor bridge near Sullivan Marina recently and wondered what is going on with all of the heavy equipment at Lake Shelbyville, a special public event at the Moultrie County History Center seeks to answer your questions.
On Saturday, June 6th at 1:00 p.m., Rolling Thunder Chapter 3 will be placing a POW/MIA Chair of Honor at the Sullivan American Legion Post 68, located at 8 East Strain Street in Sullivan. POW/MIA Chairs of Honor are perpetually empty seats placed in public spaces to solemnly commemorate the tens of thousands of American service members who are Prisoners of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA) and have not yet returned home. The empty space is designed to remind the public that even though missing soldiers are absent, there is always a reserved space waiting for them upon their return, and these chairs symbolize a steadfast vow that America will never stop searching for those who have not returned. Rolling Thunder, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of U.S. Prisoners of War (POWs) and Missing in Action (MIA), and supporting veterans and their families. Rolling Thunder is not a motorcycle gang; rather, they are a veterans’ advocacy group. Membership does not require you to own a motorcycle or be a veteran.
In the early morning hours of Monday, May 25th, the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 held a Memorial Day ceremony at Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan, as well as at their Legion Hall, available for all to attend. The Legion’s Color Guard, Firing Squad, Chaplain, as well as Scouting America Troop number 39, somberly marched down East Water Street toward the cemetery, with police escort. The ceremony was solemn and reverent, which brought to the forefront that Memorial Day is a tribute; that it represents national unity, and the ceremony, as well as the day itself, is a tribute to the over one million U.S. service members who have died in the line of duty since the Revolutionary War.
