News Progress

Comets and “Cousin” Tecumseh (continued)
•February 4, 2026•

by Janet Roney

Previously, I told you about the famous Shawnee Indian leader, Tecumseh, who attempted to unify the Indian tribes in a confederation to fight the advance of white settlers into the Northwest Territory, which the tribes claimed as their land. In September 1811, while Tecumseh was trying to enlist the Creeks and other southern tribes in his cause, a comet appeared in the night sky. His brother, who called himself The Prophet, convinced Tecumseh’s forces that it was a sign that the Great Spirit had made them immune to white men’s bullets. Then, in November, The Prophet led them in an attack on U.S. forces on the upper Wabash near Lafayette, Indiana. In the ensuing Battle of Tippecanoe, Tecumseh’s warriors were soundly defeated in a bloodbath that nearly destroyed Tecumseh’s confederation.

On Saturday, January 17th, at the Bethany American Legion Post No. 507, Bethany Celebration hosted a chili cook-off, with a great turnout. The Bethany Celebration’s 2026 Chili Cookoff winners were: 1st Place Traditional- Ryan Whitten (not pictured), 1st Place Unique - Annie & Bill Blackwell, 1st Place Spicy - Troy Stockdale, and People’s Choice - Ryan Whitten.

•January 28, 2026•

2nd: Ham and beans, copper carrots, tropical fruit, and cornbread.

3rd: Shepherd’s pie, hot fruit crisp, 3-bean salad, and a biscuit.

4th: Chicken Cordon-Bleu, garlic vegetables, maple-glazed Brussels sprouts, pea salad, and bread/roll.

5th: Meatloaf, sour cream and chive mashed potatoes, stewed tomatoes, peaches, and bread/roll.

6th: Tuna casserole, peas, cinnamon-glazed carrots, cottage cheese salad, and bread/roll/

9th: Hamburger and bun, tater tots, baked beans, and a mandarin orange. 

Comets and “Cousin” Tecumseh
•January 28, 2026•

by Janet Roney

The term “peaceful” is seldom used to describe the Kickapoo tribe in history, for it was one of the most warlike tribes in Illinois and western Indiana. Yet, the 1881 history of our county said the Native Americans (the Kickapoo) living here when the first settlers arrived in Moultrie in the 1820s were peaceful.

Although some Kickapoo helped George Rogers Clark retake Vincennes from the British during the Revolutionary War, forty years before, they generally supported the British against the Americans after the war. They also helped Tecumseh unify the tribes of the Northwest Territory against the Americans.

2016

Dick’s Pharmacy, a well-known establishment on Vine Street in Arthur, recently came under the ownership of Cindi Reed, who owns the Oakwood Apothecary in Sullivan. It’s part of an expansion of her business, Reed Pharmacies, LLC. “We closed on it on November 2nd,” Reed said.” In June of last year, I got wind that Dick’s was on the market again.”

Objections to presidential candidates’ petitions will delay official general primary ballot release past the first day of voting in Illinois, February 4th. Moultrie County Clerk, Georgia England, announced the presidential candidates’ petition objections to the State Board of Elections are not anticipated to be resolved before the first day of voting in the general primary election, since the names on the questioned petitions will have to undergo individual review.