Photos by DM Williamee
Sullivan’s 4th of July Celebration
“Relatives Raising Children” program
Mid-Illinois Senior Services helping caregivers
•July 9, 2025•
In Illinois, it’s estimated that over 263,890 children under 18 live in homes headed by a relative, with more than 71,000 grandparents caring for their grandchildren. A significant portion of families in Illinois involve grandparents or other relatives raising children, with some estimates suggesting that over 85,000 children in Illinois are being raised by kin with no parent present. Numerous studies and data collected estimate a long-term upward trend in grandparents taking on the role of primary caregiver for their grandchildren in Illinois, with numbers increasing dramatically over the past 25 years. The reasons for this trend vary, but many have been linked to parental substance abuse, mental health issues, incarceration, and death. Many grandparents take on this role due to the challenges faced by their adult children, often needing to re-enter the workforce to support the added financial burden.
Read MoreAssistance with school supplies
•July 9, 2025•
The Moultrie County Outreach - CEFS - is offering school supply assistance to those in need. If your family could use a little extra support getting ready for the new school year, they are there to help. The deadline to apply is July 31st, and the pick-up date is August 8th, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Moultrie County Outreach Office, located at 114 E Harrison Street in Sullivan.
Read MoreParade royalty brave the heat and shine
Addison Stollard named Shuman Memorial Scholarship winner
•July 9, 2025•
Addison Stollard named Shuman Memorial Scholarship winner Addison Stollard, of Sullivan, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Charles B. Shuman Memorial Scholarship sponsored by the Moultrie County Farm Bureau. Ms. Stollard is the daughter of Erik and Erica Stollard. She is a 2025 graduate of Sullivan High School and plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign this fall. Ms. Stollard plans to study agriculture with a concentration in agribusiness.
Read MoreArthur Freedom Celebration 2025
Photos by Ariana Cherry
Grievance aired at Unit #305 school board meeting
•July 2, 2025•
by Ariana R Cherry
A large crowd of unit teachers filled the room at the regular meeting of the Arthur CUSD #305 school board on Wednesday, June 18 in the high school cafeteria. During public comment, Heather Strack, a Special Education teacher, approached the board with grievances regarding Superintendent Shannon Cheek. She opened her speech. “I am passionate about my job. We work hard for the kids, and we are here for the kids.”
Heather then began to tell her story, mapping it out as a timeline. “In August 2021, Shannon Cheek assigned Mrs. Amy Hooten and me to split the job of a third special education teacher. There were other options, but he felt two veteran special education teachers with 40+ years of experience were the best option. We were both given $6,000 per semester. Amy and I were compensated $24,000; a first-year teacher at the time would have been paid $42,000. Our hard work, 55+ meetings that school year, out of the classroom and instruction two periods a week, saved the district $18,000. Two special education teachers helped the district and were completely undercompensated, and no thank you for stepping up,” she passionately stated.
Strack continued, “Fast forward two years, August 2023. You (Superintendent Cheek) entered my classroom at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 30th, and closed the door. You proceeded to tell me that I was placed incorrectly on the salary schedule, and I would have to take a reduction in pay because I was being overpaid?” she stated questioningly. Heather informed the crowd that she had not been placed inappropriately on the salary schedule seven years prior. This unprofessional abuse of power and intimidation violated multiple federal and state laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (42 USC and 7000e), workplace discrimination, hostile environment, and the Illinois Human Rights Act (775 ILCS 5/2-102), gender-based intimidation, Illinois State Officials and Employees Ethics Act (5 ILCS 430)- misuse of position, and Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/10-22.4 & 10-21.4)- improper discipline or compensation decisions.”
Read MoreUtility concerns on Sullivan council agenda
•July 2, 2025•
by Sharon Barricklow
Hot weather placed a strain on Sullivan City Utilities, commissioners learned at the Sullivan City Council meeting Monday night. Commissioner Mike Kirk said Ameren, the city’s energy supplier, had notified the city that they would be having planned outages, forcing the city to use its own electrical generating plant. Ordinarily, the city purchases power from Ameren. The outages are expected during overnight hours. “I’m afraid that’s going to be happening, happening and happening,” Kirk said. Mayor Mike Mossman said the city’s electrical plant staff had done a good job of preparing for the hot weather. “We need to say thanks to the electrical department. They’re doing a great job,” Mossman said.
Read MoreMoultrie County man arrested on charges of child pornography
Moultrie County Board member; Special Prosecutor assigned
•July 2, 2025•
by DM Williamee
On Thursday, June 26, 2025, Scott L. Buxton, 58, of Bethany, was charged in Moultrie County for Possession of Child Pornography. Illinois State Police (ISP) received a CyberTip related to suspicious internet activity linked to a Gmail account. Upon further investigation, ISP connected the Gmail email account and associated IP address to Buxton. Within online accounts, multiple images depicting child pornography were discovered. ISP learned that Buxton and Tyler Scott, age 26, formerly of Dalton City, engaged in communications that included requests for and transmission of images and videos containing child pornography. Investigation by ISP is ongoing. Tyler Scott was arrested by ISP on June 25, 2025, for offenses including Child Pornography and Grooming. He is being held in custody after a detention hearing conducted on June 26, 2025. He next appeared in court on June 30, 2025, for a preliminary hearing. Due to a conflict of interest arising from Mr. Buxton serving on the Moultrie County Board, the Moultrie County State’s Attorney’s Office recused itself. Jesse Danley, Coles County State’s Attorney, was appointed as a Special Prosecutor to oversee the prosecution of Buxton.
Read MoreETML hosts MC Ag: “This Little Piggy Went to the Library”
Summer Reading Fun with a Farming Twist
•July 2, 2025•
by Linda Henry
On Wednesday the 18th the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library hosted the Moultrie County “Agriculture in the Classroom” Literacy Coordinator, Linda Henry, who provided a fun as well as educational workshop to a group of very excited children about pigs, bringing a small piglet with her which the children were allowed to pet and hold. With summer reading programs in full swing across Moultrie County, last week brought an extra special visitor to two local libraries — a piglet named Rosie!
Mrs. Henry, with Moultrie County Ag in the Classroom, visited the Marrowbone Public Library in Bethany and the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library in Sullivan, delivering an engaging and educational program that delighted young readers. As part of the program, children learned about life on a pig farm through a lively storytime, complete with a real piglet for students to observe up close.
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