NOTICE is hereby given that the office of MOULTRIE COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER’S will be open from 8:30 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M., beginning OCTOBER 27, 2025 through NOVEMBER 3, 2025, for the purpose of accepting candidate petitions or certificates for the GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION to be held on MARCH 17, 2026 for the following offices.
COUNTY CLERK & RECORDER
TREASURER
SHERIFF
PRECINCT COMMITTEE PERSONS
Linda S. Qualls
Signature of Local Election Official
•October 22, 2025•
The 94th annual Bethany High School Alumni Banquet was held on October 11th at the Okaw Valley High School gymnasium, with nearly 90 in attendance. Diane Foster Waggoner, Class of 1983, welcomed the alumni and friends to the banquet, and Bart Spencer, Class of 1980, gave the opening prayer. Terry Muzzy, Class of 1966, gave a Military Recognition and talked about the Wall of Honor with pictures of Bethany School graduates who served in the military.
The graduating classes of 1975 were honored for 50 years, and the graduating class of 2000 for 25 years. Alumni who passed away since the last banquet were recognized, and all alumni in attendance were invited to stand for the Roll Call of Classes. The featured speaker, Dave Overlot, Class of 1977, shared his memories of attending Bethany Schools and brought back fond memories for those attending. Door prizes were awarded to Harold Keown, Class of 1946, for being the oldest graduate, 80 years ago, and to Norma Tipsword Farris, Class of 1949, for serving the longest administrative term, with 24 years as high school secretary.
The 50/50 drawing was won by Joyce Shipman Jenkins, Class of 1954, and a drawing for a whole hog, donated by Corrington Farms, was won by Libby Larkin Booker, Class of 1980. The meal was catered by Rhodes Catering from Effingham and desserts by Sweet Vail in Sullivan. The Okaw Valley FFA students and their sponsor, Wes Wise and his wife Megan, assisted with serving and other duties. Officers for the next year will continue with Diane Foster Waggoner, Class of 1983, as President; Rita Kesterson Seelow, Class of 1983, as Vice President; Libby Larkin Booker, Class of 1980, as Secretary; and Nancy Sowers Mueller, Class of 1974, as Treasurer. The evening wrapped up with alumni visiting and taking pictures. The 2026 reunion date will be set for late September or early October. All alumni and friends are invited to attend.
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•October 22, 2025•
The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society monthly meeting was held October 16th at the History Center in Sullivan.
The featured speaker was Alice Durbin, a Moultrie County native. Alice was a dental hygienist and was instrumental in bringing modern dental practices to Kosovo, an Eastern European country. She told those attendance that she got involved in war-torn Kosovo in 2001 when she visited the area for the first time to set up a dental clinic.
Read MoreHere are a few simple tricks to help your children enjoy their Halloween treats
•October 22, 2025•
by Angela Hogan
Halloween is an exciting time for kids. They look forward to wearing their costumes. They also anticipate the delicious Halloween treats they’ll collect during their trick-or-treat activities. However, as parents, it’s crucial to ensure our children remain safe during this holiday. In this article, we’ll share some “tricks” to help you prioritize their safety.
Halloween Should Be Fun and Safe
For many, Halloween is a fun way to welcome the fall season. Unfortunately, the costumes, activities, and even the treats present some unique hazards. Help keep your kids safe by discussing the following tips before they begin their adventure.
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•October 22, 2025•
by DM Williamee
On Thursday, October 23rd at 7:00 p.m., Dove Domestic Violence Program in conjunction with HOPE of East Central Illinois will be holding a Candlelighting Service at First Christian Church, 1357 CR 1200 E in Sullivan.
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•October 22, 2025•
by DM Williamee
As we move closer to winter, the Midwest should be bracing for the impacts of La Niña, according to meteorological experts. La Niña is a climate phenomenon characterized by cooler ocean temperatures in the Pacific, which can significantly influence weather patterns across the United States. The Climate Prediction Center has issued a La Niña watch, indicating that conditions could persist through the winter months, affecting areas of the Midwest and of course, Illinois.
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•October 22, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Words, whether written or verbally communicated, have the power to influence thoughts, behaviors, and change. Almost ninety percent of individuals with substance use disorder and thirty-five percent with a serious mental illness do not get treatment. A large percentage do not seek help because of shame. What exactly is a stigma? A stigma is a mark of shame or disgrace.
Read MorePhotos by R.R. Best
On Saturday, October 18th, neither wind nor rain could deter Sullivan’s First United Methodist Church from holding their ‘Trunk or Treat’ event. With the weather uncooperative, the event was moved indoors where the festivities went on, and enjoyed by all.
Photo by DM Williamee
On Tuesday, October 7th, the Mid-Illinois Senior Services hosted their monthly ‘Dine with a Doc.’ Their guest speaker was Taylor Cook, APRN, with Sarah Bush Lincoln. Taylor works at the SBL Sullivan Clinic and presented on how to prepare for a visit with your healthcare provider. Tips included bringing a list of current medications, how to address health issues at home, as well as writing down any questions you may have for your provider before your appointment. Taylor, who holds a multitude of advanced nursing and care certifications, is a local to the area and has a passion for providing the best possible care for her patients.
Photo by DM Williamee
On Wednesday, October 8th, Sullivan 8th-grade Middle Schoolers were treated to a docent-guided tour of the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society. It was impressed upon them that stories come to life through objects, pictures, and experiences. Moreover, the importance of museums was stressed in that they protect history and culture, so that knowledge is not lost, as well as connect communities and inspire the future, among the innumerable other benefits of museums. The experience was as interactive as it was guided, with questions and answers and thought challenges throughout the tour.