•December 24, 2025•
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) fisheries biologists are collecting live Christmas trees to be used as fish habitat in local lakes after the holidays.
The collected trees will be bundled together, weighted, and submerged at lakes, providing critical habitat for multiple fish species and promoting algae growth for insects that attract fish for anglers. The trees will naturally decompose over time.
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•December 24, 2025•
This holiday season, every Moultrie-Douglas 4-H Club came together for a heartwarming community service initiative: the Ainsley Acts of Kindness Birthday Bag collection. Youth across the two counties assembled special bags filled with everything a child needs to celebrate a birthday—cake mix, icing, a present, and festive decorations.
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•December 24, 2025•
Submitted by CEFS
Christmas is meant to be a season of joy, laughter, and togetherness—a time when families gather to celebrate and create cherished memories. But for some families in Moultrie County, the holidays can look a little different when financial hardships make it hard to provide even the basics. That’s where the community steps in to make a difference.
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Photos by RR Best
On Wednesday, December 10th, the Sullivan Winter Program held its yearly performance, including the Sullivan High School Jazz Band bass player, Ayden Dolan, getting down with a solo, with Presley Van Loon and Henry Kuhns delicately adding the fine touches of xylophone to the performance. With the choral director, Heather Pistorius, reminding everyone to smile as they focused intently on their performance, many displayed their holiday cheer with accouterments such as reindeer antlers. The performance featured the Sullivan Singers Mini, Sullivan Middle School Choir, Sullivan Singers Jr, and Sullivan Singers, as well as the Band Program featuring the 6th Grade Band, 7th/8th Grade Band, High School Band, and Jazz Combo.
•December 17, 2025•
by DM Williamee
“Uh, his name is RAAAAAALPH, man.” - Richard Anthony Marin, as Cheech Marin in the 1978 film, “Up in Smoke.” While many find this scene funny, research has identified it as a real consequence of cannabis use.
Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a condition characterized by recurrent episodes of severe nausea and vomiting in individuals who regularly consume cannabis. Initially identified in the early 2000s, CHS has gained increasing recognition as cannabis use has become more widespread, especially in states where both medicinal and recreational use have been legalized.
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•December 17, 2025•
Despite cold temps and a fresh snowfall, locals made their way to the Sullivan First United Methodist Church bake sale in Sullivan on December 12th. This annual event has been happening for so long, no one recalls when it first began. This sale has always been scheduled later in the holiday season to provide shoppers with a sweet last-minute gift-giving option as well as help those without time to bake to have the ability to serve fresh-baked holiday favorites to friends and family come Christmas. Patrons had the option of grabbing a take-out container and filling it with an even dozen of their favorite goodies, mix-and-match, and at suggested donation prices. Who doesn’t love options, especially when it comes to baked treats?
Read Moreby Sharon Barricklow
A drop in the aquifer that provides Sullivan with water and an increase in electrical rates were on the discussion table at Sullivan City Council at their December 8th meeting. Commissioner Chuck Woodworth, who oversees the city’s Water Department, said that drought conditions in East Central Illinois had depleted the aquifer the city wells use to provide water to Sullivan residents. “Our (water) recharge area is one of the largest in the state,” said Woodworth, who showed a map showing the aquifer running from north of Champaign to essentially southern Illinois. “It’s been in a drought condition, and that affects us.”
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Photo by R.R. Best
On Sunday, December 14th, Harper Standerfer enjoys her sledding adventure on Cemetery Hill, Sullivan, despite a frigid temperature of only 2 degrees.
Photos by R.R. Best
On Friday, December 5th, Dove, Inc., in collaboration with East Central Illinois ROSC, held a free “Santa’s Little Workshop” event at Mid-Illinois Senior Services in Sullivan. With free food, crafts, activities, hot chocolate, cookie decorating, and warm holiday cheers, the event was enjoyed by many locals. Santa was also present, happily hearing the Christmas list requests of children of all ages.
•December 10, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Nursing and care home fraud is a growing problem that affects vulnerable populations, especially the elderly. It encompasses a diverse range of activities that exploit residents, their families, and the healthcare system. There are multiple types of nursing and care home fraud perpetrated. Here are the most common.
Billing fraud is when providers charge for services that were never rendered or overbill for services actually provided. This is the most common form of fraud in nursing homes, accounting for approximately 30% of reported cases. Kickbacks are when homes engage in illegal arrangements that involve receiving kickbacks for patient referrals or service agreements.
This type of fraud is less common but still significant, representing about 20% of cases. Next, we have resident abuse and neglect. Some caregivers exploit residents through physical, emotional, or financial abuse, which can include stealing personal belongings or financial assets. This form of fraud is responsible for approximately 25% of reported fraud incidents.
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