2016
Bethany City Council members showed renewed interest in renovating the Village’s downtown buildings following a proposal by the four co-owners of Bethany’s newest, The Publisher. The establishment, Bethany’s only operating bar, took the place of the beleaguered Hired Hand Winery and Saloon.
Xenophobic was the word Reagan Crouse spelled correctly to win the Moultrie County Spelling Bee. Crouse edged out fellow Sullivan seventh grader Brett Johnson after his attempt at “guttural.”
Read MoreParties on the Prairie (part two...)
•February 18, 2026•
Janet Roney
On Sunday afternoons, from the fall of 1826 through about 1833, some very unusual events occurred on the high dry prairie in the southern part of the county (near the present Ash Grove Christian Church). A large winter camp of Kickapoo Indians was located there on the moraine at the south edge of the county. The 1881 county history described the events.
“This (Indian) camp was a lively place, particularly on Sunday, made more so by the presence of a great many white people, who would come from the settlements for miles around to spend the day. The camp was kept lively by horse-racing, shooting, foot-racing, jumping, and trying their muscle in various ways...These Indians were very friendly and considered honest by the early settlers.”
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On Saturday, February 14th, the Sullivan Show Choirs continued their season at the Naperville North ‘Clash of the Sequins’ in Naperville, Illinois. The Sullivan Singers Jr. brought home a 1st runner-up trophy in their division. Ava Warren was recognized as ‘Best Performer’. The Sullivan Singers won 1st Place in the ‘Best Choreography’ and ‘Best Vocals’ categories, with Avery Casteel winning ‘Best Performer’ in their division. The groups compete again next weekend at the El Paso-Gridley Show Choir Showdown in El Paso, Illinois. Singers Jr. will perform on Friday, February 20th, and the Singers will take the stage on Saturday, February 21st.
•February 18, 2026•
Today, millions of Americans serve as caregivers, supporting both young children and aging loved ones - often at the same time. Yet many lack critical lifesaving training, including how to respond in a cardiac arrest emergency. Only about one-third of U.S. adults say they feel confident and ready to act if someone goes into cardiac arrest.
More than 300,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside of hospitals each year in the United States. Infants, older adults and those with chronic health conditions are among the most vulnerable. For children of all ages, more than 80% of these emergencies happen at home - making the home the front line of response. CPR and AED training isn’t just a medical skill - it’s a caregiving essential.
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•February 11, 2026•
A Benefit Dinner, Silent Auction, a DJ, 50/50 Raffle, and a meat bundle auction will be held on March 28th at 5:00 p.m., at the Sullivan American Legion, located at 8 East Strain Street, for Avery Willoughby. Avery is currently battling metastatic carcinoma. Said Tracy of Avery, “He is the greatest person ever; he is kind, generous, and thoughtful, there isn’t anything he would not do for anyone else.”
The meal options at $10.00 per plate are BBQ Pulled Pork or spaghetti, and will be served with sides. Desserts and drinks are included. To have enough food prepared, it is requested that those attending RSVP by March 20th to Tracy Willoughby at (217) 402-2183 or email tracywilloughby57@gmail.com. Any donations are gratefully appreciated. There will also be T-shirts for sale with two different designs, sold for $20.00 each, as well as the ones sold by Agri-Fab for $25.00. To order T-shirts, contact Tracy at tracywilloughby57@gmail.com.
•February 11, 2026•
On Sunday, February 22nd, the Lovington American Legion Post 429’s Women’s Auxiliary will be holding lunch from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., located at 32 W State Street in Lovington. The menu will be meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and a dinner. Tea and lemonade will also be served. Everyone is welcome. The cost for the meal is a donation. For more information, go to their Facebook page.
•February 11, 2026•
Lake Land College recently announced that more than 700 full-time students earned academic honors for the Fall 2025 semester. To qualify for the president’s list, a student must have completed at least 12 credit hours in courses numbered 040 or higher per semester, excluding summer term, with a GPA of 3.8 – 4.0. To qualify for the dean’s list, a student must have completed at least 12 credit hours in courses numbered 040 or higher per semester, excluding summer term, with a GPA of 3.65 – 3.79. To qualify for the honors list, a student must have completed at least 12 hours in courses numbered 040 or higher per semester, excluding summer term, with a GPA of 3.5 – 3.64. A grade “A” is four points, a “B” is three points, a “C” is two points, etc.
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•February 11, 2026•
Lake Land College recently announced that more than 700 part-time students earned academic honors for the Fall 2025 semester. To qualify for the president’s list, a student must have completed six to 11 credit hours in courses numbered 040 or higher per semester, excluding summer term, with a GPA of 3.8 – 4.0. To qualify for the dean’s list, a student must have completed six to 11 credit hours in courses numbered 040 or higher per semester, excluding summer term, with a GPA of 3.65 – 3.79. To qualify for the honors list, a student must have completed six to 11 hours in courses numbered 040 or higher per semester, excluding summer term, with a GPA of 3.5 – 3.64. A grade “A” is four points, a “B” is three points, a “C” is two points, etc.
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•February 11, 2026•
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Daily Farm Scholarship. The application is available online at www.southeasternillinois.org/students. Applications must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026, for consideration.
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