•April 1, 2026•

by DM Williamee

On Saturday, March 28th, at the Sullivan American Legion, the community showed its support for local Avery Willoughby, who is currently battling metastatic carcinoma. Metastatic carcinoma is a cancer that originated in epithelial tissues (carcinoma) and has migrated, most commonly to the bones, liver, or lungs. Despite the grueling treatments and long road ahead, Avery keeps his spirits high, always with a ready smile for anyone.

Wearing custom T-shirts with #AveryStrong, locals supported Avery and his family through T-shirt sales, a silent auction, and a 50/50 raffle, while enjoying a pulled pork and spaghetti dinner. All proceeds will go directly toward Avery’s medical expenses, travel for treatments, and recovery care. As Tracy shared, “Family Strong backed by surrounding communities; we will win this Fight.”

by Sharon Barricklow

If there is one thing Sullivan Economic Development Director Laurrie Minor knows, it is that the best projects sometimes take the longest to fruition. So Minor was happy to be at the Sullivan City Council on Monday, March 23, to share an update to an eight year long housing development designed to bring affordable housing to the community. 

“This process started eight years ago in 2018,” Minor told the council. “We began identifying uninhabitable houses in the community.”

Minor told the council she and others had entered abandoned homes, researched records and ultimately identified 30 properties in the city limits targeted for demolition and new construction. The properties were purchased in partnership with a developer and the lots cleared for new construction. The project then stalled out after a grant application was denied in 2020. 

•March 25, 2026•

by DM Williamee

Living in tornado alley poses its own unique set of challenges. Thunderstorms, hail, high winds, flooding, and of course, tornadoes. Preparation is also a vital component of personal safety, particularly in relation to natural disasters. Knowledge of storms and weather-related events can be lifesaving, and various government agencies encourage adults and children alike to learn what they can do to stay safe should a storm strike. But it’s equally vital to personal safety to assemble a disaster supplies kit. Ready.gov, the official website of the United States Department of Homeland Security, recommends individuals gather and maintain the following items as part of a basic emergency supply kit, which should be stored in your family’s designated safe place. The following items are highly recommended to have in case disaster strikes;

•March 25, 2026•

Despite a low voter turnout of around twenty percent, the election results are in.

The City of Sullivan referendum to adopt the managerial form of government passed with 362 yes votes (51.79 %) to 337 no votes (48.21%). In the Republican contested race for the office of County Clerk and Recorder, incumbent Linda S. Qualls defeated challenger Kristie Russell by a vote of 1,113 (74.2 %) to 387 (25.8 %). There was no nominee on the Democratic ballot.

•March 18, 2026•

by Sharon Barricklow

Water issues continued to be on the agenda for the Sullivan City Council at their March 9 meeting, with how to find it and how to pay for it on the City Council’s mind.

Council member Chuck Woodworth, who oversees the water department, said a test well dug at the city’s well field had yielded good results. The city is waiting for approval of the water quality before moving any further ahead. And, Woodworth said, the drought that has caused the water shortage could be easing.

“They’ve downgraded the drought from extreme to severe,” Woodworth said. “I guess that’s good news.”