The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, is notifying the public of ongoing dredging operations at Lake Shelbyville that will include the installation of a floating dredge pipeline on the lake. The dredge pipeline was originally planned to be submerged; however, due to current winter pool water levels, there is not enough water depth to safely allow watercraft to pass over a submerged line. As a result, the pipeline will remain floating for the duration of this phase of the project.
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.
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).
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.”
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.
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.”
HICF Philanthropic Advisor for Moultrie County, Grant Wade, presents a check to Pam Anklam and representatives of Sparrows Unlimited, Inc.
Lovington residents saw a familiar story of kindness continue the weekend before Thanksgiving as Sparrows Unlimited delivered 173 fruit boxes to seniors throughout the community. The effort came on the same day the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation presented the organization with a one-thousand-dollar grant to support its ongoing work.
The gift was part of a larger celebration within the Foundation. As the Foundation surpassed 5,000 followers on social media, $5,000 in grants were awarded across Macon, Moultrie, and Piatt counties. Sparrows Unlimited was selected as the Moultrie County recipient in recognition of its long-standing commitment to meeting needs within the Lovington area.
Photo by DM Williamee Sullivan’s One Book, One Sullivan group at Tuesday’s announcement at Sullivan Middle School. Front row, L-R: Mrs. Rebecca Powell, Noah Davis, Ezekiel Walk, Edith Gibbons, and Mrs. Rikki Ray. Center, L-R: Bentley Meadows, Gideon Walk, Hazel Crothers, Nora Becker, Ava Warren, Libby Wall, Scarlett Perrott, and Aubrey Fultz. Back row, L-R: Violet Cohan, Mitchell Wesselman, Emma Drake, Sarah Windhorst, Michaela Blickensderfer, and Charlotte Martin.
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.
Front row L-R: Millie Hendry, Erin Woolridge, Sadie Meadows, River Polley, Claire Kursell, and Becky Lawson. Back row: Tina Bolsen, Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary President; Ruth Keown, and Mike Keown.
The Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit #68 presented awards for its 2025 Veterans Day Art and Writing Contest at their Veterans Day Dinner on November 7th. Club Vice President Ruth Keown, Sgt. at Arms and contest coordinator Becky Lawson, and Sullivan American Legion Post 68 Board Member Mike Keown gave out trophies to junior Claire Kursell (1st place 11th/12th grade art and Best in Show); sophomore River Polley (1st place 9th/10th writing); and to three 5th graders who submitted art pieces: Sadie Meadows, first place; Erin Woolridge, second place; and Millie Hendry, third place.
Claire Kursell with her Best in Show and 1st place 11th/12th grade art piece.
Claire Kursell also received a monetary award for her Best in Show piece, and Polley was recognized for his piece, which honored Moultrie County veterans. Auxiliary President Tina Bolsen and Secretary/Treasurer Melanie Byers also assisted with the contest and the dinner.
Photo Submitted
Members of the Moultrie County Impact Giving Circle hold a check for $5,000, which was split evenly between two local organizations.
Submitted
The evening of November 13th marked the very first gathering of the Moultrie County Impact Giving Circle, where members broke bread at Sweet Vail Cafe before settling in for an evening centered on generosity, collaboration, and community.
One of the most meaningful parts of this giving circle is its member-driven spirit. Any member can nominate a nonprofit serving Moultrie County. After hearing the nominations, members voted for the organization they felt most called to support.
$5,000 was granted, shared by two local organizations. $2,500 was granted to the Sullivan Area Ministerial Association, quietly and faithfully offering emergency assistance, supporting local initiatives, and uniting clergy to care for the community with compassion.
Another $2,500 for the CEFS Outreach Moultrie County Food Pantry, providing groceries, personal care items, and hope to neighbors facing food insecurity.
To learn more about or to join the Impact Giving Circle, go to heartofillinois.org/moultrie-county-impact-giving-circle.
