•July 9, 2025•
Addison Stollard named Shuman Memorial Scholarship winner Addison Stollard, of Sullivan, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Charles B. Shuman Memorial Scholarship sponsored by the Moultrie County Farm Bureau. Ms. Stollard is the daughter of Erik and Erica Stollard. She is a 2025 graduate of Sullivan High School and plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign this fall. Ms. Stollard plans to study agriculture with a concentration in agribusiness.
Read MoreMoultrie County Board member; Special Prosecutor assigned
•July 2, 2025•
by DM Williamee
On Thursday, June 26, 2025, Scott L. Buxton, 58, of Bethany, was charged in Moultrie County for Possession of Child Pornography. Illinois State Police (ISP) received a CyberTip related to suspicious internet activity linked to a Gmail account. Upon further investigation, ISP connected the Gmail email account and associated IP address to Buxton. Within online accounts, multiple images depicting child pornography were discovered. ISP learned that Buxton and Tyler Scott, age 26, formerly of Dalton City, engaged in communications that included requests for and transmission of images and videos containing child pornography. Investigation by ISP is ongoing. Tyler Scott was arrested by ISP on June 25, 2025, for offenses including Child Pornography and Grooming. He is being held in custody after a detention hearing conducted on June 26, 2025. He next appeared in court on June 30, 2025, for a preliminary hearing. Due to a conflict of interest arising from Mr. Buxton serving on the Moultrie County Board, the Moultrie County State’s Attorney’s Office recused itself. Jesse Danley, Coles County State’s Attorney, was appointed as a Special Prosecutor to oversee the prosecution of Buxton.
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•June 25, 2025•
American Legion Post 68 has selected Sullivan Native and United States Military Veteran Mike Keown as this year’s 4th of July Parade Grand Master. Mr. Keown has been a member of the American Legion for 56 years, becoming a member in 1971 and becoming active in 1978, and began moving through the Chain of Command in 1980-1981, serving as Commander. Mr. Keown has served on the Honor Guard since 1978 and is active in funeral military rights for veterans. Mr. Keown has also headed the Fireworks fundraiser since 2014, began managing the American Legion’s scholarships in 2007, was elected to the board in 2013 and has served since that time, continuously, as a board member, and is also very active in multiple local community activities as well as his duties with the American Legion. Mr. Keown considers his most important work to be that of the rights of Military Veterans.
Read MoreArthur’s Freedom Celebration
•June 18, 2025•
The Arthur Rotary Club, along with the whole community of Arthur, will roll out the red, white, and blue carpet as they welcome thousands of visitors on Saturday, June 28th, for the annual Freedom Celebration downtown and in Jurgens Park (the Moultrie-Douglas County fairgrounds).
The celebration has two parts, with a parade downtown and the Arthur Rotary fireworks in the park south of the high school.
Two special 6-horse hitches will once again be featured in this year’s parade. The first team is Tim Berry of Villa Grove, and the second is Duane Herschberger from Missouri. They will trot through the parade route just before the parade, stepping off at 2:00 pm, and then will make another pass towards the end of the parade at a walk. Both hitches are sponsored by Tri-County Welding of Arthur.
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A lifeline to county residents
•June 11, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Many are aware that the local Sullivan CEFS office is involved in, or directs, numerous programs that support Moultrie County residents: Sullivan, Arthur, Allenville, Gays, Dalton City, Bethany, and Lovington. Of note is its Food Pantry, which serves monthly food boxes, consisting of 4-5 meals per box, to between 180 and 220 families every month, and will deliver these food boxes to the homebound. This program is funded via private donations as well as in-kind donations from grocers and other food suppliers. During the summer growing season, the Illinois Extension donates produce as well. CEFS includes recipes when they can to help recipients maximize their food boxes, and especially when items like venison are distributed. So far this year, CEFS has been assisting primarily young families and the elderly, but those groups and numbers are subject to change. And although it’s a monthly food box, if you are still struggling to put food on the table, the CEFS office can still help.
Read more: Moultrie County CEFS food pantryOther items are available if requested, such as infant formula (and a referral to the Women, Infants, and Children program, if needed), personal hygiene products, diapers, and, when available, household cleaning products. CEFS Food Pantries’ biggest needs right now are cash donations and canned proteins, such as chicken.
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Nomination an honor, testament to his students
•June 4, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Sullivan Schools 2024-2025 Interim Band Director, Chris Keniley, has been selected as a quarterfinalist for the 2026 Grammy Music Educator Award. This is a significant honor recognizing his contributions to music education. When asked about the nomination, Chris shared, “I didn’t know how significant it was; I learned more after I got a letter a month ago saying that I had been nominated, and could I fill out a few more details about what I’ve done at the school.” There is supplemental material he needs to submit, a video interview, and he will find out later this summer if he made the top 10. “I’m hoping for that, because you receive a grant for your school music program. I think that would be the greatest thing in the world. I’m doing what I can to help students achieve success. Although I am now handing the torch over to someone else, that was my mission this year.”
Read more: Sullivan High School band director: Grammy music educator
•May 28, 2025•
A Memorial Day observance ceremony was held in Sullivan early this past Monday morning at Greenhill Cemetery and at the American Legion Post. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday, dedicated to honoring U.S. Military Personnel who have died in service to their country. Over 1.8 million Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nation to date. At both services, prayers were said, three volleys were fired in memory of the deceased, the mournful “Taps” was played, and Mayor Mike Mossman spoke to those in attendance. Afterwards, the community gathered at the American Legion Post Hall for a hearty breakfast and additional ceremonies. Local youth’s “Poppy Posters” were on display at the Hall, with many winners, numerous honorable mentions, and beautiful work by all for the Legion-sponsored contest.
SHS Students receive Holocaust writing awards
•May 21, 2025•
Five Sullivan High School students recently received awards as a part of the annual Through Their Eyes: A Holocaust Art and Writing Contest sponsored by the Holocaust Education Center of the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation.
Senior Madison Flexser tied for Best in Show for all art entries and took first place in the high school junior and senior painting and drawing division with her piece entitled “The Silent Tears from History.” Flexser’s Creator’s Statement explained her piece: “My piece is inspired by the story of Dorotka Goldstein born February 1st, 1932, in Warsaw Poland. She was saved by a German as her and her sister were sent to the gas chambers because they thought she had beautiful eyes. Her sister waved goodbye to her, so she wouldn’t go after her. Dorotka is obviously a very strong woman who survived the Holocaust.”
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The “Bests” of writing, photography, and community
by DM Williamee
Siblings Kathy and Bob Best, both Sullivan locals, were recently interviewed by Vanessa Ferguson in NPR Illinois’ “Community Voices” segment. Both have worked in multiple journalistic roles throughout their careers; editor, writer, publication owner, and photographer (to name a few), with Kathy having won (with her team, as she strongly emphasizes) the Pulitzer Prize twice (and recently nominated for the third!), in both the small-town and big-city journalism arenas.
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New Visitor Center and Museum expected to open in 2026
On Friday, April 25th, the Illinois Amish Heritage Society held a groundbreaking event for their new Visitor Center and Museum, which drew a sizable crowd. The mission is to respect the heritage, preserve the culture, and promote the understanding of the Illinois Amish. The vision is to be the gateway for experiencing Amish history and culture. Pictured are a horse and plough team at work, and the IAHC board, shovels in hand, performing the groundbreaking ceremony.