•May 20, 2026•
by DM Williamee
After school ended for the week on Thursday, May 15th, the SES track meet began, and the vibe was one of carefully controlled chaos and excitement, managed exceptionally and expertly by all who helped keep things on ….track!
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•May 20, 2026•
by DM Williamee
With winter finally in the rear-view mirror, the allure of crackling flames and the cozy ambiance of backyard fire pits are growing increasingly more popular for both renters and homeowners alike. Whether creating an expanded indoor/outdoor space aesthetic or simply wanting to enjoy the campfire without traveling to a campground, more individuals are embracing fire pits in their back yards. Regardless of the motivation, constructing a fire pit should be thoughtfully planned out, with adhering to safety guidelines and local ordinances.
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Photo by R.R. Best
Cooper Atchison, dressed as King George, gave attendees a history lesson while wearing full historical regalia on Thursday, May 14th, at Sullivan Elementary School as part of the school’s yearly fourth-grade Wax Museum event.
•May 20, 2026•
by Sharon Barricklow
Money and future projects were up for discussion at the Sullivan City Council meeting with a side discussion about stray cats.
The council heard the first reading of a $54 million appropriations ordinance. “This is different from the budget ordinance, Mayor Mike Mossman said. “This is larger than the budget but it does not reflect what we’re going to spend but gives us some room beyond the budget if we need to spend.”
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•May 20, 2026•
by Dave Cole
Executive Director Moultrie Counseling
May is recognized as “Mental health Awareness” month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting resources for mental and emotional well-being. Established in 1949, it emphasizes that ‘no one struggles alone’ and encourages self-care and support for those with mental health conditions.
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•May 20, 2026•
Thanks to a generous grant from the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, students at Okaw Valley Elementary will soon have an exciting new way to celebrate positive behavior and academic success. Funding provided through the foundation made it possible for the school to purchase a book vending machine as well as 230 books. Best of all, the school will be able to keep the machine for years to come.
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•May 13, 2026•
Op-Ed by DM Williamee
I have written in one form or another most of my life. From poems and short stories in first grade on grocery bags, compositions in high school, keeping a journal, multiple forms of writing taught in college, legal writing, and writing for professional publications, I have always loved putting thoughts to paper. Writing for a newspaper was a pivot for me, but one I welcomed and continue to try to become more skilled at each day. I read voraciously, and while I do own a Kindle and spend a lot of time in front of screens, I, like many others, prefer having a book, magazine, or newspaper in my hand and on my shelves. Why scroll endlessly when you can turn real pages, smell the scent of paper, and pause to consider the content? In today’s busy world, any opportunity to slow down feels like a luxury.
In this digital age, many people suffer from information overload and the resultant stress. Is what is being read real news or fake news, and was it written by a human or artificial intelligence? With a newspaper, you can set these questions and stressors aside, put up one’s feet, sip one’s coffee, and experience your news more slowly and with a decided measure of confidence. Reading a newspaper is a tactile experience. The feel of the paper, the sound of turning pages, and the smell of ink on paper all create a sensory engagement that digital media can’t replace. The physical interaction can enhance comprehension and retention, and studies have shown that people can absorb more information from print than can from screens. With paper, you can get out your pen and scissors and highlight points, do puzzles, or save information in a way you can’t from a screen.
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River Helmeth received an Amtryke from the Sullivan AMBUCS at their fundraising cookout last Saturday, May 9th, in the Kirby Foods parking lot. River rode her new Amtryke for the first time like a pro as her mom Stephanie, looked on. With a big smile and look of determination, River showed everyone how well she could ride.
•May 13, 2026•
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has designated the Shuman farm as a Sesquicentennial Farm. To qualify as a Sesquicentennial Farm, a straight or collateral line of descendants must own the agricultural property for at least 150 years. The family received this historical distinction to their farm after their application for designation as a Sesquicentennial Farm was approved.
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Sullivan High and Middle School students will notice some changes when they return to school after this summer, most notably a modernized revamp of their library. The library is currently a small, utilitarian space compared to what students will find when they return to classes this fall. Principal Nathan Ogle, lead of the project, shared the new floor plans, layout, furniture, and modernization in the design of the coming space, which were all impressive and reflected a great deal of detailed planning.
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