The humble newspaper
•May 13, 2026•
Op-Ed by DM Williamee
I have written in one form or another most of my life. From poems and short stories in first grade on grocery bags, compositions in high school, keeping a journal, multiple forms of writing taught in college, legal writing, and writing for professional publications, I have always loved putting thoughts to paper. Writing for a newspaper was a pivot for me, but one I welcomed and continue to try to become more skilled at each day. I read voraciously, and while I do own a Kindle and spend a lot of time in front of screens, I, like many others, prefer having a book, magazine, or newspaper in my hand and on my shelves. Why scroll endlessly when you can turn real pages, smell the scent of paper, and pause to consider the content? In today’s busy world, any opportunity to slow down feels like a luxury.
In this digital age, many people suffer from information overload and the resultant stress. Is what is being read real news or fake news, and was it written by a human or artificial intelligence? With a newspaper, you can set these questions and stressors aside, put up one’s feet, sip one’s coffee, and experience your news more slowly and with a decided measure of confidence. Reading a newspaper is a tactile experience. The feel of the paper, the sound of turning pages, and the smell of ink on paper all create a sensory engagement that digital media can’t replace. The physical interaction can enhance comprehension and retention, and studies have shown that people can absorb more information from print than can from screens. With paper, you can get out your pen and scissors and highlight points, do puzzles, or save information in a way you can’t from a screen.
Read MoreHelmeth receives Amtryke
River Helmeth received an Amtryke from the Sullivan AMBUCS at their fundraising cookout last Saturday, May 9th, in the Kirby Foods parking lot. River rode her new Amtryke for the first time like a pro as her mom Stephanie, looked on. With a big smile and look of determination, River showed everyone how well she could ride.
Shuman Farm designated a Sesquicentennial
•May 13, 2026•
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has designated the Shuman farm as a Sesquicentennial Farm. To qualify as a Sesquicentennial Farm, a straight or collateral line of descendants must own the agricultural property for at least 150 years. The family received this historical distinction to their farm after their application for designation as a Sesquicentennial Farm was approved.
Read MoreSHS/SMS library gets a revamp
by DM Williamee
L- R: Grant Wade and Andrea Gerhard from HICF, Principal Nathan Ogle, and Library Aide Julie Parrish.
Sullivan High and Middle School students will notice some changes when they return to school after this summer, most notably a modernized revamp of their library. The library is currently a small, utilitarian space compared to what students will find when they return to classes this fall. Principal Nathan Ogle, lead of the project, shared the new floor plans, layout, furniture, and modernization in the design of the coming space, which were all impressive and reflected a great deal of detailed planning.
Read MoreOVHS Royalty
Okaw Valley High School’s Prom was held on April 25th at the Mt. Zion Conventions Center. Reese Bruns was crowned Queen, and Ames Drollinger King.
“Still a drought”: Sullivan water restrictions continue
•May 6, 2026•
by Sharon Barricklow
Recent rains notwithstanding, Sullivan water users are still under water restrictions as drought conditions continue in Central Illinois. Sullivan City Council member Chuck Woodworth said last Monday night that the area remains under drought conditions. “I know we’ve had a lot of rain, but down deep, there’s still drought,” he said. Woodworth said Sullivan is taking steps to address water shortages with a test well in a new location looking very promising for the city. “We’ll be building on that,” he said.
He also thanked the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers for posting notices about water restrictions at the Forrest “Bo” Woods campground. “They’ve been very considerate and good to work with,” he said. Mayor Mike Mossman said working with the Corps benefited the city. “We draw a lot of visitors each summer from the lake,” Mossman said. “The campground generates a lot of revenue for the community.”
Read MoreMandatory mental health screening for students to begin 2026-27
•May 6, 2026•
by DM Williamee
The BEACON (Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation) system, designed for Illinois youth mental health services, officially launched in January 2025. This centralized portal was developed by the Illinois Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative and Google Cloud to streamline access to care across multiple state agencies. It is currently fully operational and was rolled out to system partners, including the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS-manages health benefits and state-funded programs), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ).
Read MoreFree support for dementia caregivers
•May 6, 2026•
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia is one of the most demanding roles a person can take on. It impacts emotionally, physically, and mentally. The Senior Resource Center at Family Services and the Moultrie County Health Department are teaming up to offer a free resource designed specifically for family caregivers. In other words: you don’t have to do this alone.
Read MoreIAHC opens window to the past
•May 6, 2026•
Photo by DM Williamee
Weaver Kiri Fagen-Ulmschneider demonstrates
the split-shed weaving of a sampler tapestry.
by DM Williamee
On Saturday, May 2nd, the Illinois Amish Heritage Center (IAHC) held its annual (and newly named) “Sheep to Yarn to Quilts’ event in Arthur. The parking area was packed full, as attendees, both young and old, from near and far, attended the event. One young lady shared she came from Altoona, Pennsylvania, with a group of friends to attend the event and experience the Arthur and Amish communities and learn more about the Amish and their history.
The shearing of the sheep took place in the lower level of the Hershberger-Miller barn, with the animals both comfortable and familiar with the process as their heavy woolen and lanolin-laden coats were sheared off. Those shearing the sheep worked quickly and efficiently, from positioning the sheep to safely maneuvering them throughout the shearing process, which reflected practiced efficiency and years of experience.
Read MoreSpring concert
Photo by R.R. Best
On Tuesday, April 28th, under the direction of Dr. Ian Kinkley, Band Director, the Sullivan Band Program presented its symphonious Spring Band concert, titled “Evening Escapes,” which showcased the magnificent and diverse talents of the Sullivan 6th, 7th and 8th grade bands, combined with the Sullivan High School Band and Jazz Band.