•November 4, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

Churches from across the Sullivan area will come together Sunday, Nov. 22, for the annual Community Thanksgiving Worship Gathering, offering residents an opportunity to worship and give thanks as one community.

The gathering, organized by the Sullivan Area Ministerial Association (SAMA), will begin at 3 p.m. at Building 1225, located at 1225 S. Hamilton St. in Sullivan. The event is open to the public, including those who do not regularly attend a participating church.

SAMA includes 14 actively participating churches that work together on community outreach and assistance programs throughout the year. The annual Thanksgiving gathering provides an opportunity for those congregations to come together outside their regular Sunday services.

“Most Sundays, our congregations worship separately in our own traditions and spaces,” said Rev. Grant Wade, DMin, a SAMA board member. “This is one opportunity each year to come together as a larger Christian community for worship, prayer and thanksgiving.”

•October 28, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

The Moultrie County Board approved several financial and personnel measures during its Oct. 15 meeting, including employee health insurance expenses, adjustments to the proposed county budget and additional compensation for certified Assessment Office employees. Board members discussed a proposed timekeeping system, while a resident raised concerns about property assessments and requested changes ahead of the county’s 2027 reassessment.

County budget and 

insurance

During the meeting, officials described the health insurance renewal as an increase of just under 12%, citing changes in fixed costs and maximum liability. The board approved $828,055 for health insurance expenses.

The county’s health insurance plan covers 48 members. The approved renewal maintains the existing HealthLink network and uses a $35,000 specific deductible, which determines how much the county is responsible for on an individual claim before stop-loss insurance applies.

•October 21, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

For nine Sullivan High School students, Friday night football games mean trading time on the sidelines for a place in the marching band.

The students participate in both football and marching band, moving between their responsibilities throughout the evening. While football players participating in band is nothing new at Sullivan, band director Dr. Ian Kinkley said this year’s group is larger than usual.

•October 21, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

Putting a traditional Thanksgiving meal on the table can add another expense to a household budget already stretched by rent, utilities, groceries and other necessities.

The C.E.F.S. Moultrie County Outreach Office works to ease some of that pressure each year by providing Thanksgiving meals to individuals and families who regularly use its food pantry.

“Providing a Thanksgiving meal means giving families one less thing to worry about during an already stressful time of year,” Moultrie County Outreach Coordinator Crystal Edwards said. “Many of the people we serve are working hard and doing everything they can to make ends meet, but when you’re trying to cover rent, utilities, groceries, and other everyday expenses, a holiday meal can be difficult to afford.”

Last year, the program provided 275 Thanksgiving meals — 100 turkeys with ingredients and 175 premade meals. Edwards said C.E.F.S. expects participation to remain at about the same level this year.

How those meals are provided depends on household size. Households of one or two people are offered a prepared Thanksgiving meal purchased from a local restaurant and distributed a few days before Thanksgiving. Families of three or more are offered a turkey and traditional side items to prepare their meal at home.

In previous years, C.E.F.S. provided turkeys and side items to all participating households. Increasing financial costs and the physical demands of purchasing and distributing the groceries eventually led the organization to change its approach for smaller households.

Photo by R.R. Best

City of Sullivan employees are showing their support for community members battling breast cancer by wearing pink on Fridays throughout October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

According to Kassie Waggoner, the idea began when an employee suggested that city workers wear pink each Friday during October as a way to show support for those currently fighting the disease.

Employees joined together in the effort, using the simple gesture to express their care and encouragement for those in the community affected by breast cancer.