•September 24, 2025•
‘Letters to the Editor,’ written by Cami Badman‘s Honors English III students at Sullivan High School, explored controversial subjects with inquisitive minds and logic as well as emotion-based arguments. Badman opened the school year by challenging these 15 students to present well-rounded arguments for student-selected controversial subjects in the format of a ‘Letter to the Editor’.
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•September 17, 2025•
Submitted by Rev. Grant Wade
A new effort to strengthen local nonprofits took root last week, on September 9th, as residents gathered under a tent in downtown Sullivan for the launch of the Impact Giving Circle. The initiative, sponsored through the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation, is designed to pool community resources and direct them toward organizations serving Moultrie County.
The event celebrated its beginning by awarding two inaugural grants totaling $5,000 to local groups. More than the funding itself, however, attendees remarked on the spirit of unity that marked the gathering. One participant reflected, “This feels like a chance to remember what community is supposed to be, not arguing about what divides us, but working together on what matters most.”
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•September 10, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Sullivan ten-year-old 5th grader Matthew “Matty” Gudenrath heard his neighbors smoke alarm going off and when he was unable to reach his neighbor, he immediately hopped on his bike and rode directly to the Sullivan Fire Department to alert them to the situation. Offered a ride on the fire truck to show them where the address was, Matty opted to hop back onto his bike and lead them nearly 2 miles to residence address, where the call out was quickly resolved.
On Friday the 5th, Sullivan Fire Department Captain Kenny Graven awarded him a plaque of recognition, “for his courage and quick thinking alerting the fire department of a smoke alarm activation on August 15th, 2025.” A very surprised Matty accepted it humbly. Said Captain Graven of Matty with a handshake, “that was quick and smart-thinking.”
•September 3, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Heroism takes many forms. On Friday, August 29th, Moultrie County First Responders from multiple agencies came together to deliver school supplies to elementary schools in Sullivan, Lovington, and Bethany. Born of an idea that three Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office Deputies had to develop a fundraiser for the kids, specifically; much-needed school supplies for the elementary schools in the county. From this, the First Responder’s “Guns and Hoses” softball game evolved, showing the support of all Moultrie County First Responders for their communities and the needs of its children.
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•August 27, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Walter H. “Walt” Jenkins was born October 26th, 1934, in the brick house at what was, at the time, the Illinois Masonic Home. Walt and his older brother Glen were both born in the brick house, with Walt being born in 1934. Walt’s father was Walter Jenkins, and his mother was Effie Niccian.
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•August 20, 2025•
On Saturday, August 16th, the Sullivan community enjoyed ribeye sandwiches and tenderized pork chops at the Kyle Lehman Honorary Scholarship Fundraising Cookout, sponsored by and held at Kirby Foods IGA in Sullivan. The scholarship, established in 2023, honors Kyle Lehman’s contribution to the Sullivan community and raises funds for the scholarship’s continuation, with all profits funding scholarships awarded to high school seniors working at Kirby Foods. Since its inception, the scholarship has awarded scholarships to eight deserving students.
•August 13, 2025•
Submitted by Cheri Burcham
U of I Illinois Extension Educator
There is increasing evidence that being in and around nature can benefit humans physically and mentally. There is also more research showing how mindfulness techniques can be beneficial to a person’s well-being.
A group of Illinois Extension staff, consisting of horticulture and family life educators and Master Gardeners, and Naturalists EPCs, formed an interdisciplinary workgroup called “Wellness in Nature.” This workgroup has been developing materials and a curriculum that focuses on how green spaces, gardens, and nature benefit your overall well-being.
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•August 6, 2025•
by Sharon Barricklow
An ambitious plan to add 100 new housing units in ten years to Sullivan is coming along ahead of schedule, but at an added cost to the city’s utilities. During an extended discussion about economic development, the council discussed the costs of additional electric, water, and gas meters for new construction. “Lots of communities our size and bigger would like to have what we have,’ said Mayor Mike Mossman.
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•July 30, 2025•
On Tuesday, July 22nd, Linda Henry from the Moultrie County Soil and Water Conservation District provided a fun and educational water conservation activity for local youth at the Lovington Library, focused on water conservation. Mrs. Henry used a terrarium-building project to demonstrate water conservation, hands-on. Many of the youth have been learning about space, and Mrs. Henry shared the mnemonic “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos” (which elicited smiles and giggles) to help the children remember the order of the planets in our solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Those present were eager to ask questions, share their thoughts on the subject, and discuss what they had learned. All were especially excited to build their terrariums.
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•July 23, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Braving predicted thunderstorms and high temperatures as well as humidity, this past Sunday the first responders of Moultrie County came together to play a “Guns vs. Hoses” softball game in Wyman Park. This game was held to raise money for school supplies and other needs for students in the Sullivan, Bethany, and Lovington school districts. In addition to the game, there were bounce houses and pre-game events for the kids (and kids at heart), and food and beverages for the fans. The planned finale, a fireworks show scheduled for 9:00 p.m. by DC Wholesale and Pyrotechnics, had to be cancelled due to inclement weather.
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