



•May 22, 2024•
The road across the main dam at Lake Shelbyville will be closed thru 12:p.m. on Friday, May 24th and again Tuesday, May 28th thru Friday, May 31st. The road should open each day at 5:00 p.m. The road will also be open for holiday weekend traffic. The closures apply to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic; however, access to the Dam West Overlook area will continue to be open during this time. Read More
•May 22, 2024•
Changes made to high school handbook
by Ariana R Cherry
The ALAH School Board passed the FY24 Tentative Amended Budget at their most recent board meeting May 15, 2024. “The budget looks about what we thought it would look like,” noted Superintendent, Shannon Cheek. He also noted that the district has been receiving transportation payments earlier than normal. “We might actually receive a fourth payment this fiscal year,” Cheek added.
The fund balances for June 30, 2023 were listed as: Read More

Photo by R.R. Best
Dancing Through The Eras
The Sullivan Dance Studio held their annual spring dance recital at the Mt. Zion High School this past Mother’s Day weekend. Pictured is Rudy Huber and granddaughter Addi Finn of Sullivan in the Daddy Daughter Dance routine.
•May 15, 2024•
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Friends of Lake Shelbyville are hosting the Loop Lake Shelbyville bike ride on Saturday, June 8th. All rides will start from the Lake Shelbyville Visitor and will include options for a 30 mile, 48 mile or a 65 mile ride. Proceeds for the ride will benefit the Friends of Lake Shelbyville (FOLS). The FOLS provides education, historical interpretation, recreational and environmental improvements at Lake Shelbyville. Read More

Photo furnished
First graders visit Ballard Nature Center
On May 8, first grade students from Sullivan Elementary School attended a field trip as part of their studies in life science. After several weeks of studying different habitats around the world, 72 students traveled to Ballard Nature Center in Altamont, IL. For many of these students, this was a new kind of experience. They learned about the different types of birds that are native to Illinois and how they interact within their native habitats. This trip was solely possible due to a grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Conservation Foundation. This grant is funded by the D.F. and M.T. Grohne Family Foundation and the Daniel F. and Ada T. Rice Foundation. Sullivan Elementary is grateful for this opportunity and for the support their students have been shown. More photos on page 11.


Photo by Ariana R. Cherry
Joanna and her sister from Chadsworth, IL take a moment
to pet the llamas.
•May 8, 2024•
by Ariana R. Cherry
The Illinois Amish Heritage Center hosted its largest sheep-shearing event ever this past Saturday, drawing visitors from all over the state and beyond. “This is the largest sheep-shearing event we have done,” stated Wilmer Otto who has been a part of the growing Illinois Amish Heritage Center. Since moving the Yoder and Shrock homes to the land in 2016, the five-acre farm/facility has developed into a well known attraction as tourists find their way to Arthur passing through Chesterville. Read More
•May 8, 2024•
by Sharon Barricklow
The Moultrie County Courthouse Square in Sullivan is blooming this spring after students from Sullivan High School’s Horticulture Class made a planting visit.
The students worked on the spring spruce up including planting flower beds and working on the Lincoln Memorial on the courthouse grounds. Read More
•May 1, 2024•
by Ariana R. Cherry
Superintendent Shannon Cheek continues to inform the public about the urgent need for renovations and repairs in the district’s school buildings. Ongoing work is underway at the Arthur Grade School restrooms. During the BOE meeting on April 17, Cheek shared photos showing plaster work needed at the Lovington Grade School. Additionally, he mentioned lingering HVAC and plumbing issues at the high school, which will continue to increase as the building ages. Cheek warned that the plumbing and HVAC issues at the ALAH building could come with a significant price tag. Read More
•April 24, 2024•
By Sharon Barricklow
The Moultrie County Dive Team will honor a mutual aid agreement with the newly reformed Shelby County Dive Team after their monthly meeting on April 17.
After a stand down order given by Shelby County Board member Sonny Ross, the Shelby County Dive Team resigned nine months ago. Read More