Category Archives: News Section

Cruisin’ for St. Jude brings Bethany and Sullivan groups together

News Progress Posted on by


•August 5, 2026•

Photo by Sonya Best
Team Mattoon runners stepped off for their journey to Peoria last Friday morning. Team Mattoon has raised over $2 million dollars for St. Jude’s. Several members of the team come from Moultrie County.

by Jamie Crosier

The Bethany Celebration and Sullivan Dash and Bash are joining forces for the first Cruisin’ for St. Jude Jeep and Bike Run Saturday, Aug. 22, beginning at The Publisher in Bethany.

Registration will open at 10:00 a.m., with the run departing at noon. The registration fee is $10 per person. Participants may preregister through the link posted on the event’s Facebook page or register at The Publisher the morning of the event.

Although the event is being promoted as a Jeep and bike run, all makes and models of vehicles are welcome.

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Golf outing to support Sullivan Community Development set

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•July 29, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

Businesses, organizations and community members will gather at the Sullivan Country Club on Friday, Aug. 14, for the annual Sullivan Illinois Community Development Golf Outing, a fundraiser that supports projects aimed at strengthening the local economy and community.

Lunch will be served at 11 a.m., with a noon tee-off. The outing raises funds for Sullivan Community Development’s year-round efforts to support local businesses, encourage economic growth, promote tourism and partner with organizations on projects that enhance the community.

Executive Director Laurrie Minor said the golf outing has become one of the organization’s signature annual events and serves a purpose beyond a day on the golf course.

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Project 61 Ministries to host open house and 5K in Sullivan

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•July 29, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

Project 61 Ministries will host its third annual 5K and an open house at the House of Ruth on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 1308 Illinois Route 121 in Sullivan.

Race registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with the 5K starting at 8:00 a.m. The registration fee is $25, with proceeds supporting Project 61 Ministries.

Food, activities and guided tours of the House of Ruth will be available from 9:00 a.m. to noon. This year’s event will include additional food options and train rides around the property.

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Community support group helps equip Sullivan classrooms

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•July 29, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

For the past six years, a Facebook group has quietly connected Sullivan community members with teachers and school staff in need of classroom supplies, creating a steady stream of donations that has helped support local education.

Founded by Nathan Ogle, Becky Ogle and Jamie Crosier, the Sullivan CUSD 300 Supply Group now has 649 members. The private Facebook group welcomes any community member who wants to support Sullivan CUSD 300 classrooms. Teachers, administrators and school staff use the group to post classroom needs, while community members can offer items they wish to donate or share information about local sales that could benefit classrooms. The format connects educators with people looking for practical ways to support local schools.

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Backhoe purchase approved by Lovington village trustees

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•July 29, 2026•

by E. Scott England

It was a fairly unremarkable board meeting for the Village of Lovington on Monday, July 20. The regular board meeting had been postponed a week after failing to get a quorum the previous Monday. With all but one present—Todd Hale was absent—the July meeting went off without a hitch.

Speaking before the meeting in the public comments were Scott Freese and David Bowers. Freese was representing the Lions Club and expressed his interest in starting a chapter in Lovington. He invited the trustees to an upcoming Candy Jamboree to be held on the second Monday in August at Yoder’s Kitchen in Arthur. The trustees said they would recommend places where Freese could hold a meeting to see if there was local interest in starting a chapter.

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Sullivan library offers free summer programs for all ages

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•July 29, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

Families settle into their seats each Friday afternoon at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library in Sullivan, waiting for the lights to dim and a movie to begin. Free popcorn and water are available, children gather with parents and grandparents, and for a couple of hours, the library becomes a place for entertainment as well as learning.

The weekly movie series is just one of several free programs the library offers throughout the summer as part of its commitment to serving the community.

While the library is unable to publicly announce movie titles because of licensing requirements, families can find the schedule posted inside the library or by calling the library directly. Movies are shown every Friday at 1:00 p.m. through the start of the school year. Registration is not required, and the library can accommodate up to 75 people.

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CHI Color Run benefits Moultrie County and Douglas County mental health services

News Progress Posted on by


•July 29, 2026•

by Jamie Crosier

Left to right: Lisa Stevens, Brett Bryden, Alejandra Huerta Hernandez, Ryan Grussing, Dave Cole, Robbie Heykoop and Lauren Matson.

Community support for mental health continued well beyond Mental Health Awareness Month as proceeds from the second annual CHI Color Run were presented July 16 to two organizations serving residents in Moultrie and Douglas counties.

The run, held May 30 at CHI in Arthur, drew 146 preregistered participants, 43 day-of registrations and more than 40 volunteers. Participants raised more than $6,000, which CHI matched, resulting in more than $12,000 being donated to the Moultrie County Counseling Center and the Douglas County Public Health school-based clinic.

For CHI, the event represents more than a fundraiser. It reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting the physical and emotional well-being of its employees and the communities where they live and work.

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Guns douse Hoses’ hopes in second annual charity game

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•July 29, 2026•

by E. Scott England

It was hot but an otherwise beautiful evening at Crowder Park in Bethany for the second annual Guns vs. Hoses charity softball game. The event raises money for school supplies for elementary schools around the area. 

Guests umpires Joe Fultz and Troy Rogers oversaw the game that looked to be a close contest but quickly turned into something of a blowout.

Sometimes the first inning can set the tone for the entire game. This looked to be the case in last weekend’s Guns vs Hoses charity softball game. Moultrie County Sergeant Jesse Scribner was tapped as starting pitcher for the guns. He struggled through the first few batters, walking three of them. But it’s a team sport for a reason. Backed by a strong field, Sergeant Scribner escaped the inning only allowing one run.

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