News Progress

•August 14, 2024•

The Village of Lovington held their monthly village board meeting on Monday, after the pledge was said, community members were asked to speak on ideas or problems they may have had. Starting off with two community members asking the necessary steps to have signage posted around town with veteran names and branches on them. The duo were asking for signs to be posted on poles which the city owns, each sign would be estimated to be about 12 inches by 12 inches to be seen from the road. The board also mentioned the possibility of these signs going on the welcome signs in town, drawing inspiration from nearby town Arcola, the community members suggested an active street placement. In this case, visitors driving through town or residents could frequently see the names and honor those who have served. This is on hold until next meeting due to Ameren and the Village of Lovington needing to discuss which power line poles are the power company and which are the villages.  Read More

•August 14, 2024•

Welcoming all this fall, on August 31 there will be a Fall Maker’s market in Sullivan located at 1225 S. Hamilton Street. Offering free admission, this annual event supports small business and handmade or home created crafts and goods at this homegrown event. Offering over 40 different vender to explore with different crafts and creations as well as a lemonade truck, taco truck, drinks sponsored by Sully’s Tap house, acai bowls, special coffees and so much more. The Annual market is giving the community a family friendly shopping experience also having the children’s indoor playground.

•August 7, 2024•

The Okaw Valley Orchard in Bethany hosted a peach party appreciation day on Saturday, July 27th from 9am to 4pm. Offering a free hotdog to each person from 10:30am until they run out, the peach party celebrated the fruit by coming together and creating with the beloved food. Starting at 9:30 in the morning, a “Peachy Baking Contest” began, with two different competing age groups 16 and up and 15 and under, the only rules for the baking contest were it must include peaches, must serve six to ten people and be ready to eat.  Read More

Travelers on the Kaskaskia-Detroit Road

•August 7, 2024•

by Janet Roney

The 1700s French Kaskaskia-Detroit Road has captured the imagination of others before our group of hardy explorers found its route through Moultrie and Shelby Counties. Adin Baber, a Coles County historian, describes travelers gathered in a Kaskaskia inn at the end of the trail in an article for the Illinois Historical Society Journal.

“Our couriers de bois had just come in over the long trail by the shortest way from Fort Detroit…He was born and raised in a French Canadian backwoods and is a master hunter, trapper and boatman. His companion is but recently over from Old France, and sits apart, silent. He is on some mysterious errand for his King and must needs hurry on down the Mississippi tomorrow…Mostly French they are, one a trader who has brought some Spanish mares from the southwest and plans to take them to a better market at Vincennes; …another sits there, a swarthy man, a Spaniard. Some Indians stand stolidly by.”  Read More

2014

Near the beginning of June, 16 Sullivan students from both the eighth and ninth grade classes traveled to Tampa, Fla. and experienced nonstop hands-on science, first beginning with a trip north of Tampa to the Crystal Springs Preserve. There the students swam with manatees and even interacted with a mother and its calf, before then traveling to the Rainbow River, where students enjoyed more snorkeling in the fresh water spring fed river.

Thirty-four new practical nurses were welcomed to the nursing field at a recent pinning ceremony held at Lake Land College, including Brennyn Kirk of Gays. Read More