MC Clerk Qualls: Notary fraud alert

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•June 3, 2026•

Moultrie County Clerk Linda Qualls has implemented a Notary Fraud Alert for documents being recorded in her office. Notary Fraud happens when someone forges your signature, misuses your seal, or notarizes documents illegally, often without your knowledge. Notary fraud and other closely related identity scams are on the rise, with significant surges in mortgage, deed, and seller impersonation frauds. Fraudsters are increasingly using artificial intelligence to forge credentials and are hijacking legitimate notaries’ identities. 

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IL spring turkey hunters: harvest record 

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•June 3, 2026•

Illinois hunters harvested a preliminary record total of 20,821 wild turkeys during the 2026 spring turkey season, surpassing the previous record of 18,189 birds harvested in 2025. The top counties for turkey harvest during the 2026 season were Jefferson and Jo Daviess counties, tied with 646 birds harvested; followed by Marion, 530; Pike, 525; and Wayne, 464. This year, hunters purchased 94,704 permits compared to 89,580 last year. This year’s total included a record youth spring turkey season harvest of 2,326 birds compared to 2,099 birds in 2025. 

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Remembering Who We Are………

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Sullivan: The Island or the General?
•June 3, 2026•

by Janet Roney

Last week, I reviewed the history of our county’s namesake, General William Moultrie, who saved the fort on Sullivan’s Island in the harbor at Charleston, South Carolina, from British capture during the Revolutionary War in 1776. Although the British captured the fort and Charleston later in the war, Moultrie’s 1776 victory over the British navy and marines delayed their invasion of the southern colonies, which allowed the local Carolina patriot militias more time to prepare for their defense. Moultrie, a native of South Carolina and leader in its patriot militia, became a war hero, especially in the South.

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A Look Back…6-3-2026

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2016

Thanks to those who gave their lives fighting for America. It was the expression of Taps as Memorial Day services ended at Green Hill Cemetery in Sullivan. American Legion Post #68 Honor Guard, auxiliary, and Lincoln Trails Council Boy Scouts marched from the Moultrie County Courthouse to the cemetery with a Sullivan Police Department escort.

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Lunch on the lawn

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On Wednesday, May 20th, both Lovington parents and grandparents join with their students at Lovington Grade School for the family-bonding ‘Lunch on the Lawn’ annual gathering, which signifies the end of the school year with a fun, picnic-style meal, leaving plenty of room for active kiddos to burn off calories and energy.

Sparrow’s annual bike giveaway

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Last Wednesday at the Lovington school Lunch on the Lawn, Sparrows Unlimited held their yearly bike and gift card giveaway. All kids who attend Lovington grade school were entered to win a bike from Sparrows. The winners are as follows: Pre-K/K: Raiden Hutchcraft and Autumn Brown; 1st/2nd grades: Kane Comp, Carley Cummings; 3rd/4th grades: JW Shepard and Scarlett Franklin; and 5th/6th grade: Colton Harris (Pictured) and Sophie Utsler. The 7th/8th graders entered to win a $50 gift card, and the winners were Isaiah Shields and Jaselyn Helmuth.

Sparrows Unlimited is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Lovington, Illinois, that was established in 2016. The organization is dedicated to community outreach, assisting local families in need, and providing resources like children’s coats and holiday support.

SHS Class of 2026

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For Sullivan High School’s graduation Class of 2026, the Class President was Zaden Hussong, who also gave the official welcome. SHS Class Valedictorian was Mae Dawkins, and the Salutatorian was Madilyn Shonkwiler. A total of 77 students graduated this year, and 73 walked in the graduation ceremony. Graduation was held Sunday, May 17th.

SBL providing physicals

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•May 27, 2026•

Sarah Bush Lincoln will provide sports physicals to athletes from Sullivan schools and the Okaw Valley school district. Sports physical clinics will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed noon to 1:00 p.m.) on Wednesday, June 3rd, and on Wednesday, August 5th at the SBL Sullivan Clinic, 7 Hawthorne Lane, Sullivan.

“We’re proud to offer these sports physicals as a way to give back to our local schools and support student-athletes,” SBL Vice President of Practice Management Brooke Zerrusen said. “By donating the fee to the schools’ athletic booster clubs, we’re helping strengthen programs that mean so much to our communities.”

The cost is $20 per physical. All fees from the June 3rd clinic will be donated to the Sullivan Sports Boosters, and fees from the August 5th clinic will be donated to the Okaw Valley Sports Boosters. Appointments are required and can be made by calling (217) 728-8441. These physicals do not meet the kindergarten, sixth, or ninth grade physical requirement. For more information, visit https://www.sarahbush.org/sportsphysicals/.

Remembering Who We Are…111

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The Battle of  Sullivan’s Island


•May 27, 2026•

by Janet Roney

Two hundred and fifty years ago on June 1, 1776 (this coming Monday), a British fleet of nine warships carrying 300 cannon and seven regiments with 2,200 British soldiers, arrived in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. At the time, Charleston was as important to southern colonial trade as New York City was to the northern colonies. After scouting out the city’s only defense which was an unfinished fort on Sullivan’s Island at the entrance to Charleston’s harbor, the British believed it would be an easy victory and ordered the patriot rebels in control of Charleston to surrender. The British were in for a surprise.

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