Okaw Valley Homecoming
Giving life
Photo by Sonya Best
Will Miller, first time donor, provided support to Daisy Richardson while she donates her third unit of blood at the American Red Cross blood drive at the Sullivan American Legion last Friday.
Nine Sullivan football players balance time on the field and in the band
•October 21, 2026•
Sullivan High School football players demonstrate their involvement in both football and marching band during a home game at Victory Field. Nine SHS students participate in both programs this year, balancing practices, performances and game-day responsibilities with support from coaches, staff and fellow band members.
by Jamie Crosier
For nine Sullivan High School students, Friday night football games mean trading time on the sidelines for a place in the marching band.
The students participate in both football and marching band, moving between their responsibilities throughout the evening. While football players participating in band is nothing new at Sullivan, band director Dr. Ian Kinkley said this year’s group is larger than usual.
Read MoreSullivan schools report achievements and district improvements
•October 21, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
The Sullivan Community Unit School District 300 Board of Education approved an application for a $50,000 state school maintenance grant during its Oct. 13 meeting, while district administrators reported on facility improvements, student achievements and community activities.
The Illinois State Board of Education grant requires districts to contribute $50,000 in local funds to receive an equal amount from the state. Superintendent Dr. Walk explained that board authorization was necessary before submitting the application for the fiscal year 2027 grant.
Walk said the program may be discontinued after this funding cycle. District officials are considering potential projects for the funds.
The board approved the application authorization.
Read MoreC.E.F.S. Thanksgiving program helps Moultrie County families prepare for holiday
•October 21, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Putting a traditional Thanksgiving meal on the table can add another expense to a household budget already stretched by rent, utilities, groceries and other necessities.
The C.E.F.S. Moultrie County Outreach Office works to ease some of that pressure each year by providing Thanksgiving meals to individuals and families who regularly use its food pantry.
“Providing a Thanksgiving meal means giving families one less thing to worry about during an already stressful time of year,” Moultrie County Outreach Coordinator Crystal Edwards said. “Many of the people we serve are working hard and doing everything they can to make ends meet, but when you’re trying to cover rent, utilities, groceries, and other everyday expenses, a holiday meal can be difficult to afford.”
Last year, the program provided 275 Thanksgiving meals — 100 turkeys with ingredients and 175 premade meals. Edwards said C.E.F.S. expects participation to remain at about the same level this year.
How those meals are provided depends on household size. Households of one or two people are offered a prepared Thanksgiving meal purchased from a local restaurant and distributed a few days before Thanksgiving. Families of three or more are offered a turkey and traditional side items to prepare their meal at home.
In previous years, C.E.F.S. provided turkeys and side items to all participating households. Increasing financial costs and the physical demands of purchasing and distributing the groceries eventually led the organization to change its approach for smaller households.
Read MoreFlesor’s Candy Kitchen continues sweet tradition of giving with 15th Annual Fundraiser
•October 21, 2026•
by Ariana R. Cherry
A longtime holiday tradition is returning to Sullivan as Flesor’s Candy Kitchen in Tuscola prepares for its 15th annual candy fundraiser benefiting the Moultrie County Food Pantry.
The fundraiser gives area residents an opportunity to purchase homemade candy for the holidays while helping families in need.
According to Devon of Flesor’s Candy Kitchen, the fundraiser originally included an in-person candy sale in downtown Sullivan, along with Christmas candy orders. However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed how the event operated.
“During COVID, we just took orders,” Devon explained. “That worked so well that we decided just to continue doing it that way.”
Today, customers place their orders in advance, and the candy is prepared for pickup in Sullivan during the holidays.
Twenty percent of candy sales through the fundraiser will benefit the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Over the years, the fundraiser has raised well over $20,000 for the organization.
Devon said supporting the food pantry is especially important during the holiday season.
For Devon, the fundraiser is about more than simply selling candy. Many customers purchase the homemade treats to share with family members, friends, neighbors and coworkers during the Christmas season.
“That candy that people buy, they’re not just buying it for themselves,” she said. “They’re buying it to share with their friends and neighbors and family.”
She believes those small acts of sharing help bring people together while also benefiting a worthwhile cause.
“There’s fellowship on a lot of different levels,” she added.
The fundraiser also supports a small, independently owned business that continues the increasingly uncommon tradition of making candy by hand.
“You’re not going to find homemade candy in too many places,” Devon said. “It’s a dying art.”
Read MoreSullivan mayor urges cautious spending
•October 14, 2026•
by Sharon Barricklow
Mayor Mike Mossman urged the Sullivan City Council to be aware of spending at the September 28 city council meeting.
“We’ve been talking about the need to raise electrical rates but I think we need to be careful,” Mossman said. “We’re going to price ourselves out of the marketplace.”
Mossman praised the city’s use of grant funding to complete many needed projects and said he believes Sullivan does very well in obtaining grant funds.
Read MoreSullivan Royalty
Photo courtesy Sullivan High School
Kaylee Smith and Christian Bennett were named Sullivan High School Homecoming Queen and King during halftime of the October 2 football game against Tri-County.
Sullivan city employees wear pink for Breast Cancer Awareness
Photo by R.R. Best
City of Sullivan employees are showing their support for community members battling breast cancer by wearing pink on Fridays throughout October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
According to Kassie Waggoner, the idea began when an employee suggested that city workers wear pink each Friday during October as a way to show support for those currently fighting the disease.
Employees joined together in the effort, using the simple gesture to express their care and encouragement for those in the community affected by breast cancer.
The Busy Woman’s Guide: The hidden reason simple conversations go sideways
•October 14, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
It’s funny how one word can mean completely different things depending on who you are and what world you live in.
Take the word “pitch.”
If you’re a sports mom like me, your brain might go straight to baseball practice, cleats and standing in the cold wondering why the game is never as short as the coach promised. If you’re a musician, you’re thinking about hitting the right note. If you work in sales, you may be thinking about the presentation that convinces someone to say yes.
Same word. Totally different meanings.
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