News Progress

•October 15, 2025•

by DM Williamee

The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation recently began awarding adult learner scholarships, and Clifton Ulbricht of Bethany was the first recipient of this scholarship. We spoke with him recently about the scholarship and the impact it has made on both his personal and academic life.

When asked how he became aware of the scholarship, Clifton advised that he found out about it through the Richland Community College Foundation office. It was a new scholarship, available to Moultrie County residents, and it had just been implemented this year for the Fall semester. He went online and applied, as well as followed through with letters of recommendation and the other typical pre-scholarship award steps. HICF asked him to share who he was, and his goals and ambitions were in the essay portion. Next, he spoke with the foundation and found out shortly thereafter that he was accepted into the scholarship program. Clifton shared that HICF’s scholarship application was one of the most streamlined, efficient, and simplest scholarships he has applied for. The scholarship award amount was $1,500.00, and it can be reapplied for on a semester-by-semester basis. Being awarded this scholarship has immensely helped him and his family. Having a family it helped balance the cost of going into a graduate program in Higher Education and Community College, which he is currently pursuing while also working in his chosen field.

•October 15, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Friday, October 10th, in Arthur, the Amish Heritage Society hosted its annual ‘Harvest to Home Fall Harvest’ show. Among the many events: sorghum pressing, corn picking, shredding and shucking, threshing oats with horsepower, quarters in a haystack, field operations, and the noon whistle and ‘candy cannon’. Those in attendance were also able to partake of a petting zoo, buggy rides, a life-size Candyland game, balloon animals, horseshoeing, as well as blacksmithing demonstrations, and the children were especially fond of making their own rope. Demonstrated as well in the food tent was the making of apple butter from scratch (kettle to canned), grinding corn for cornmeal, and a bevy of delicious baked/prepared foods, including multiple fresh-made, kettle-cooked popcorn varieties to sample and for purchase. There was even a John Deere motorized ice cream maker, churning out delicious chocolate ice cream to pleased partakers. The weather was seasonably cool and enjoyable. The event elicited smiles, laughter, questions, and a sense of awe. Many came from non-local areas such as Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee specifically for the event.

Photos by DM Williamee

•October 8, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Saturday, October 4th Bethany Fire held an Open house at the Fire Station, scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., open to all. Just over an hour and a half into the event, duty called and a fire call came in, with firefighters at the station dispatched to respond. Scheduled for the open house were the following events: free hot dog lunch, bounce house, firehouse tour, truck and ambulance tour, ‘Smoke House’ tour, obstacle course, gear photobooth, fire extinguisher demonstration, and a turnout gear race. Before the call came in, many of the activities were in full swing and greatly enjoyed by those in attendance. Hot dogs all around for everyone, a fun and impressive timed obstacle course for the children in attendance that they could not get enough of, with many making multiple passes through.

•October 8, 2025•

by DM WIlliamee

As the leaves begin to turn color and fall, crops are being harvested, and homes are being buttoned down in (great) anticipation of cooler temps, it’s time to appreciate an institution that has been around longer than home internet: National Newspaper Week (NNW), which is celebrated and observed October 5th through 11th.  Established in 1940, this week serves as a reminder of the vital role newspapers play in both our local communities and society, regardless of size or location. Newspapers are much like a good cup of coffee on a Monday morning - essential, invigorating, and even a little bitter.

•October 1, 2025•

Photos by DM Williamee

The Sullivan Fire Protection District held its annual ‘Pancake and Sausage’ breakfast on the morning of Saturday, the 27th.  Last year’s turnout was around 600, and this year was even better, serving 735 at the firehouse plus 140 to go orders. With something for everyone, much laughter and compliments to the chef could be heard as community members caught up on current events as they enjoyed their breakfasts.