•January 28, 2026•

by Angela Hogan

Moultrie County Health Administrator

Winter brings plenty of challenges to Central Illinois, including the risk of frostbite. It can develop quickly, even during routine activities like walking the dog, shoveling snow, or commuting to work. Frostbite can cause lasting tissue damage and often strikes before a person realizes they’re in danger. The time necessary for frostbite to occur depends heavily on the temperature, wind chill, and how long the skin is exposed. Understanding how it happens and how to prevent it is essential. This article offers practical steps to stay safe, protect vulnerable loved ones, and make informed decisions during harsh winter weather. 

What is frostbite? Frostbite occurs when skin and underlying tissues freeze due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. It typically affects body parts farthest from the heart, such as fingers, toes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin. Reduced blood flow to these areas allows ice crystals to form in the tissue. Frostbite results in tissue damage that ranges from mildly uncomfortable to permanent tissue death. Early recognition and prevention are key.

•January 14, 2026•

by E. Scott England

Many great athletes have graced the courts, fields, and pools for Sullivan athletics. State champions, collegiate standouts, and overall talented student-athletes have long represented Sullivan High School on some of the biggest platforms. While SHS has long recognized alumni during homecoming with their Sullivan Who’s Who and Sullivan High School Hall of Fame, never before had they had an athletic-specific recognition.

That has all changed this year with the inaugural class of former Redskin athletes being given the honor of being inducted into the recently formed Sullivan High School Athletics Hall of Fame. Three former student-athletes, who excelled both on and off their respective playing arenas were recently recognized before a crowd at the new high school gym. Originally planned for the Redskin Christmas Shootout that ended up cancelled due to weather, the induction came between the JV and varsity basketball games on December 19. Roger Beavers (1959), Seth Dunscomb (1993), and Luke Standerfer (1998) were all awarded this prestigious honor.

•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.”

by Sharon Barricklow

A drop in the aquifer that provides Sullivan with water and an increase in electrical rates were on the discussion table at Sullivan City Council at their December 8th meeting. Commissioner Chuck Woodworth, who oversees the city’s Water Department, said that drought conditions in East Central Illinois had depleted the aquifer the city wells use to provide water to Sullivan residents. “Our (water) recharge area is one of the largest in the state,” said Woodworth, who showed a map showing the aquifer running from north of Champaign to essentially southern Illinois. “It’s been in a drought condition, and that affects us.” 

•December 3, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Tuesday, November 25th, in the Sullivan Middle Gymnasium, the air was crackling with excited energy as students and other attendees awaited the announcement of the book selected by the students of One Book, One Sullivan as this year’s community read. One by one, student members stepped up and took the mic, sharing information about the book, the author, why this book was significant, and chosen by the group as this year’s read.