•July 15, 2026•

by E. Scott England

It’s fun. It’s competitive. It’s for a good cause. The Second Annual Moultrie County First Responder softball game is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 18 starting at 6:00 p.m. The event will be held at Crowder Park in Bethany. 

Organized by Moultrie County Deputies Alec Ballinger, Bryce Farris, Jesse Scribner; Sullivan Fire Captain Kenny Graven; and Bethany Fire Chief Mike Jennings, this fundraiser is for school supplies for local schools. “We split the money raised between Sullivan, Bethany, and Lovington elementary schools,” said Deputy Farris. 

Keep America’s 250th Independence Day free from mishaps
•July 1, 2026•

by Angela Hogan

Few things in America say “summer” like the Fourth of July. Our entire nation goes on holiday with cookouts, fireworks, and other festivities. Regardless of how you plan to celebrate, a few simple precautions can help keep the holiday fun for everyone. Here are five key areas to help you and your family safely enjoy Independence Day:

#1. Fireworks: Leave It to the Professionals

Fireworks are a holiday favorite, but they’re also a leading cause of injury every July. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a professionally managed public display. If you choose to use consumer fireworks:

• Check local laws and fire bans. Some areas prohibit fireworks altogether.

• Don’t allow young children to handle fireworks. Even sparklers, which burn at 1,200°F, can cause significant injuries.

• Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby for easy access. Use fireworks with caution and have water ready in case of an accident or fire.

• Light one firework at a time and move away quickly.

• Never relight a “dud.” Wait 20 minutes and soak it in water.

#2. Protect Your Hearing: Turn Down the Boom

•June 17, 2026•

by DM Williamee

On Sunday, June 14th (Flag Day), members of the Sullivan American Legion Post No.68 and the Sullivan Boy Scouts Troop 39 conducted their annual Flag Retirement Ceremony at the Sullivan American Legion. This year, close to one-thousand flags were collected for retirement at this Flag Day ceremony, with friends and family members, as well as others in the community, attending the ceremony, placing flags on the fire in honor and memory of friends and loved ones who served. For those who have not attended this ceremony before, it imparts deep reverence, respect, and fraternity and reminds us that our nation’s flag symbolizes the history, sacrifice, and shared identity of all. The flag retirement ceremony is treated as a final tribute.

•June 3, 2026•

On May 29th, the Elizabeth Memorial Library kicked off its annual Summer Reading Program, and it was the place to be, where droves of community members, both large and small, were eager to sign up and partake of the opening festivities. On offer were free snow cones and cotton candy, bounce houses, a croquet match-up game with prizes, the ever-popular face painting, and the actual sign-up, which will reward readers with prizes for their summer reading accomplishments. The event was high-energy and filled with kiddos, from tots to teens, enjoying all of the sweet treats and activities, with many leaving with armfuls of books to get their reading off to a stellar start. Inside, many were taking advantage of the computers, games, and play area, with clusters of youngsters passing through all genres and reading sections, especially the new releases.

•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.