Category Archives: News Section

Moultrie County ‘Year in Review’continued

News Progress Posted on by


•January 7, 2026•

March

Continued from 12.31.25 Issue

The City of Sullivan Fire Department provided free smoke detectors and installed them for local homeowners in their fire district. They also provided free smoke detectors to renters if the landlord contacted the fire department on behalf of the tenant.

The United Women in Faith were taking orders for their homemade chocolate Easter eggs. Decorated peanut butter and vanilla eggs were available for purchase for family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

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Is it too late to get your flu and COVID vaccines?

News Progress Posted on by


•January 7, 2026•

by Angela Hogan

Moultrie County Health Dept. Administrator

This winter has brought a noticeable rise in respiratory illnesses. Flu and COVID‑19 are circulating widely across Illinois and much of the country. There is still meaningful value in getting vaccinated now. Updated vaccines remain one of the most effective tools for reducing the risk of severe illness. Late-season vaccinations can still help protect you, your family, and our Moultrie County communities.

Choosing to get vaccinated now is a practical step to safeguard your health and support the well‑being of your loved ones and your community. Getting vaccinated now still matters because the flu doesn’t follow a set schedule. Many people get their flu shot in early fall, but that isn’t a deadline. Flu season routinely stretches well into winter and sometimes early spring. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who haven’t been vaccinated can still benefit from getting a flu shot later in the season.

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Learning to love yourself

News Progress Posted on by


•January 7, 2026•

On February 20th at the Mid-Illinois Senior Services Center in Sullivan from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The Moultrie County ROSC Council is partnering with Dove, with celebrity speaker Shawn Woods, on the topic, ‘Learning to Love Yourself.’ Shawn will be sharing his personal experience with learning to love himself through the process of recovery. He has made appearances in a number of well-known full-featured films and television shows. He has appeared in ‘Sons of Anarchy’ and full-length feature films such as ‘Charlie’s Angels’. This will be a family-friendly event, featuring activities for children to create their own Valentine’s Day cards for themselves, and a great way for the community to come together for positive self-help. For more information, contact Josh Forbes at joshf@hourhouserecovery.org

The Hour House ROSC Council serves Coles, Clark, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Shelby, & Moultrie counties. Recovery Coaching Network at GSU (govst.edu).

Sullivan City Council approves electrical increase

News Progress Posted on by


•December 31, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Sullivan City Council used the last meeting of 2025 to approve an electrical rate increase Commissioner Mike Kirk said had been a long time coming.

“We knew this and said this was coming last spring,” Kirk said. “We tried to put it off through the air conditioning season but now it’s time.”

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Riders and the Christmas Crew help provide a merry Christmas for all

News Progress Posted on by

On Friday, December 19th, American Legion Riders Post #68 Director Rick Read presented a donation to Elizabeth Houser for her Sullivan ‘Christmas Crew’ charity on behalf of the American Legion Riders. This annual donation helps fund the charitable organization’s activities throughout the holiday season, ensuring a Merry Christmas for all.

Moultrie County ‘Year in Review’ 12-31-2025

News Progress Posted on by

January

The Sullivan City Council wrapped up its 2024 meeting schedule by approving annexing some property and revising some city codes. The council opened the meeting with a public hearing on a plan to annex Windmill Legacy Farms, south of the city, on South Hamilton Street west side of the road.

Kennady Wilson, from Bethany, made the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Dean’s List for the 2024 fall semester. 

The Lady Redskins won again on Monday night. This time it was a win over Cerro Gordo, 53-16. They even did it without a single three-pointer. Yet, they had three girls with double digits for points.

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Lovington fire displaces family, days before Christmas 

News Progress Posted on by


•December 24, 2025•

by DM Williamee  

In what can only be described as heartbreaking, a Lovington family was displaced last week, the week before Christmas, after their home was destroyed by a fire on the afternoon of December 15th. 

Local support efforts began immediately to assist them, with a call to action by the community of Lovington. A Facebook post shared that clothing items were the immediate need of the family. In addition, gifts were accepted for the family at the ‘Breakfast with Santa’ event, allowing the family to have a Christmas celebration.  

A “GoFundMe” page was set up as well, and can be found at https://gofund.me/608412d9a. The Page articulates the following: “Today, Sonja and Tony’s family faced a devastating loss as their home was destroyed by fire, leaving them with nothing just days before Christmas. Their heartbreak is unimaginable, and they need our support now more than ever. Sonja and Tony are wonderful parents who have always been there for others, and it’s time for us to rally around them. Every donation, no matter the size, will help them rebuild their lives and find hope in this difficult time. Please like, comment, and share this post to spread the word and show them they are not alone. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.” 

Photo by R.R. Best

IDNR collecting discarded Christmas trees for fish habitat

News Progress Posted on by


•December 24, 2025•

Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) fisheries biologists are collecting live Christmas trees to be used as fish habitat in local lakes after the holidays.

The collected trees will be bundled together, weighted, and submerged at lakes, providing critical habitat for multiple fish species and promoting algae growth for insects that attract fish for anglers. The trees will naturally decompose over time.

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Moultrie-Douglas 4-H clubs unite for ‘Ainsley Acts of Kindness Birthday Bag’ project

News Progress Posted on by


•December 24, 2025•

This holiday season, every Moultrie-Douglas 4-H Club came together for a heartwarming community service initiative: the Ainsley Acts of Kindness Birthday Bag collection. Youth across the two counties assembled special bags filled with everything a child needs to celebrate a birthday—cake mix, icing, a present, and festive decorations.

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C.H.I. Overhead Doors helps bring Christmas joy to Moultrie Co. families

News Progress Posted on by


•December 24, 2025•

Photo by Brian Beachy

Submitted by CEFS

Christmas is meant to be a season of joy, laughter, and togetherness—a time when families gather to celebrate and create cherished memories. But for some families in Moultrie County, the holidays can look a little different when financial hardships make it hard to provide even the basics. That’s where the community steps in to make a difference.

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