Dawkins NEHS submission wows
Findlay Fire Protection District grain bin training
•March 4, 2026•
by DM Williamee
The Findlay Fire Protection District will be hosting a grain bin technical rescue class on March 6th through 8th, continuing on March 13th through 15th, for a complete and highly specialized 40-hour class. This training opportunity has been realized as a result of a multi-year process to implement all components: training, equipment, and manpower. Approximately two years ago, David Winans, Captain of the Findlay Fire Department, was able to purchase a set of grain rescue tubes through a local grain bin dealer who works with GSI (Grain Systems out of Assumption), with the cost being shared equally between the Findlay Fire Protection District, GSI, and Bins247.
Read MoreCity extends water emergency
•March 4, 2026•
by Sharon Barricklow
Residents of Sullivan will still be able to fill their water glasses and do their laundry despite the city extending their water emergency while they search for water alternatives, the city council said at their February 23rd meeting. “You can have a glass of water and wash your clothes,” Mayor Mike Mossman said. “We’re just asking people to be careful.”
Read MoreNarcan: better access can help save lives
•March 4, 2026•
by Angela Hogan
Administrator - Moultrie County Health Department
Across the United States and here in central Illinois, opioid overdoses continue to affect families, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Narcan is one of the most effective tools we have to prevent opioid overdose deaths. This easily administered nasal spray can take effect within minutes, giving someone a second chance at life.
Why Narcan access matters: Opioid overdoses remain a major public health crisis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 76,500 people died in the 12 months ending April 30, 2025, at a rate of 210 deaths per day. Most of these deaths involved opioids, including fentanyl. Illinois has also been affected, with thousands of overdose deaths each year.
Read MoreSBD’s support Senior Center
•March 4, 2026•
The Sullivan Blue Dolphins partnered with the Mid-Illinois Senior Services to collect items for the center.
This is SBD’s first year helping this organization, titling it, ‘Swimmers Supporting Seniors’. This collection was structured very similarly to the annual ‘Swimmers Supporting Soldiers’ that the Dolphins do every summer.
Mid Illinois Senior Services sent the SBD a list of items that were much-needed. The team collected numerous items such as puzzles, paper towels, bathroom tissue, cups, sweeteners, Lysol wipes, plastic cutlery, and flower arrangement items.
The SBD believes in giving back to the community that has so ardently supported them.
Shrove Tuesday pancake fest draws in community
The hard-working crew behind the festivities, from pancakes and sausage to cupcakes and music: L-R: Ann Wheeler, Yvonne Workman, Lisa Hagan, Lois Shuman, Ron Weaver, Susan Connor, Ray Burris, and Teresa Lane.
by DM Williamee
On Tuesday, February 17th, locals flocked to the Sullivan First United Methodist Church to enjoy the church’s annual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper feast. With live music, festive decorations, and fabulously fluffy pancakes of multiple varieties, accompanied by sausage, the warm and joyous atmosphere was a wonderful display of community at its finest. Even before the doors officially opened, community members made their way in to enjoy the feast.
Read MoreSullivan City Council discusses water options, sets cleanup days
•February 18, 2026•
by Sharon Barricklow
An unprecedented drop in the aquifer that supplies Sullivan’s public water supply has city council members discussing options after already declaring a “water emergency” at their February 9th council meeting. City engineer Lee Beckman told the council the aquifer had dropped 15 feet from previous levels. “We’ve never seen that before,” he said.
Read MoreValentine’s Day breakfast at Heritage
Photo by DM Williamee
On the morning of Thursday, February 12th, Heritage Woods of Sullivan held a Valentine’s Day breakfast for local seniors. The festively decorated atmosphere was one of lively chatter, laughter, and companionship amongst both friends and sweethearts. The menu featured fresh fruit, Denver omelets, bacon, and good old-fashioned biscuits and gravy.
Pictured are: Left, front to back: Johna Sims, Walter Jenkins, and Keith Richardson. Right, front to back: Beverly DeVore, Joyce Jenkins, and Ellen Feller. Keith and Beverly have been close friends for a long while, Ellen and Johna have been close friends for ‘ages’, and Walter and Joyce have been married for seventy years.
Steps to conserve water
•February 18, 2026•
by DM Williamee
Currently, the City of Sullivan is under an emergency water restriction declaration. As of right now, an exact time-frame in which this will lift has not been given, but the current declaration is in effect through March 1st. Currently, the restrictions are washing cars, filling swimming pools, and watering lawns, with offenders paying up to a $750 dollar penalty. While there is much being said on social media in response to the emergency declaration, individual water conservation steps taken at home can help, and they need not be drastic nor painful.
Read MoreMISS Valentine’s Bingo
Photo by DM Williamee
On Friday, February 13th, local seniors gathered at the Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc./ Moultrie County Senior Center for a few rounds of Valentine’s Day bingo, sponsored by Help at Home. Playing traditional bingo, I/O, and blackout, many won prizes, and all had fun catching up with each other and joking around, with friendly competition for the prizes, which ranged from edible delights and helpful housewares to scented candles and stuffies. Many were dressed for the occasion, wearing red and Valentine’s Day-themed clothing, and some even brought their sweethearts to play as well.