•September 3, 2025•
by DM Williamee
The turnout for Saturday the 30th’s “Cruise Night on the Square” held in Sullivan found autos of all makes and models - new and old, of all colors and styles (classic to modern): original, restored, boosted, lifted, and otherwise modified for both personal tastes, brand aesthetics, and speed.
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•September 3, 2025•
by Sharon Barricklow
The Sullivan City Council approved a Tax Increment Financing agreement with a development company for a new subdivision. Central Properties and Investments, LLC will develop the Willow Brooke estates as part of the agreement. The plan goes along with the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Committee 2020 goal of 100 new homes in a ten year period.
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•September 3, 2025•
by DM Williamee
A palindrome is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “a word, phrase, or sequence that reads the same backward as forward.” Many are entertaining, and palindrome phrases are notoriously hard to create on one’s own. From Wikipedia, “The word ‘palindrome’ was introduced by English poet and writer Henry Peacham in 1638. The concept of a palindrome can be dated to the 3rd century BCE, although no examples survive. The earliest known examples are the 1st-century CE Latin acrostic word square, the Sator Square (which contains both word and sentence palindromes), and the 4th-century Greek Byzantine sentence palindrome, “nipson anomemata me monan opsin. (which in English is “Wash the sins, not only the face”). Palindromes are also found in music (the table canon and crab canon) and biological structures (most genomes include palindromic gene sequences).” The humble palindrome knows how to get around and travels in some cultivated circles as well.
Read MoreMCHD offers Powerful Tools for Caregivers to support individuals
•September 3, 2025•
by Angela Hogan
The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) is pleased to sponsor a Powerful Tools for Caregivers curriculum at the Jonathan Creek Christian Church near Sullivan, IL. The six-week course will be offered from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Wednesday beginning September 24th through October 29th. Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an evidence-based program that focuses on the special needs of caregivers for persons living with dementia. During the six-week curriculum, caregivers learn new ways to identify and address the physical, mental, and emotional stresses of caregiving.
Who are the Caregivers?: Caregivers help individuals meet their daily needs. These needs may include assistance with household tasks, managing financial and personal affairs, or completing personal care needs such as bathing, meal preparation, and transportation.
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•September 3, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Heroism takes many forms. On Friday, August 29th, Moultrie County First Responders from multiple agencies came together to deliver school supplies to elementary schools in Sullivan, Lovington, and Bethany. Born of an idea that three Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office Deputies had to develop a fundraiser for the kids, specifically; much-needed school supplies for the elementary schools in the county. From this, the First Responder’s “Guns and Hoses” softball game evolved, showing the support of all Moultrie County First Responders for their communities and the needs of its children.
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•August 27, 2025•
On Saturday the 23rd, crowds gathered in the community of Bethany to enter and admire cars, trucks, and motorcycles of all years, makes, and models entered in the BASO car show. With a beautiful and balmy afternoon, it was the perfect day for a car show, as many in attendance commented. Entrants came from near and far for the opportunity to show their appreciation for the automobile and their craftsmanship in both restoration and showing. Both young and young at heart appreciated the wide array of beautiful autos being showcased. Awards are as follows:
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Photo by DM Williamee
AMBUCS Fishing Derby
Last Saturday, Quincy Stutzman, 15, of Arthur, was enjoying his time fishing at the AMBUCS-hosted “Big Jim” memorial 3rd annual fishing derby at Woods Lake West, just South of Sullivan. The derby is in honor of Jim Bales and his tireless work in making the handicap accessible fishing pier on Woods Lake a reality.
•August 27, 2025•
Op-Ed by DM Williamee
A new Illinois law (SB1560) will mandate that all students in 3rd through 12th grade have annual mental health screenings beginning the 2027-2028 school year. (105 ILCS 5/2-3.203)
The Illinois State Board of Education has until September 1st, 2026, to develop its guidelines, such as how these screenings will be conducted, how any follow-ups/referrals will be implemented, and how they plan to protect students’ privacy as well, as the information gathered will be done so digitally. Parents can opt out of the screenings, but the process for doing so, as well as any consequences for opting out, if they exist, are still unclear. As many already know, educators are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse, and while it is widely accepted that more resources are needed for mental health services for all ages, is implementing a program like this (with the word “mandatory”) in our schools 1) necessary, 2) wise, and 3) an overreach of the State? How will this mandatory screening impact mandatory reporting?
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by DM Williamee
Since 2019, Misty Parrish, with her friendly companion Zo, has dressed in numerous kid-friendly costumes (with the T-Rex being a crowd favorite) and shared smiles, waves, and comments of good cheer and encouragement with students on their way to SES on their morning trek to school. Parrish, a former preschool teacher of 12 years, bought the costumes while she was teaching to greet students each day.
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