Lovington ‘Junefest’; something for everyone

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Photo by DM Williamee

On Saturday, the 14th, Lovington held its annual ‘Junefest’ Celebration. Beginning the day’s festivities were the annual Volunteer Firemen Pancake Breakfast and the Car Show, which featured a variety of autos ranging from classic muscle cars to newer models. Later in the day at Thomas Conn Community Park, live music, activities for the kids, and vendors were on hand with a wide variety of goods; the park was filled with the sounds of a country carnival. The weather also cooperated, bringing sunshine for all in attendance to enjoy. More photos are on pages 11 & 12.

Red, White, and Boom

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Arthur’s Freedom Celebration

•June 18, 2025•

The Arthur Rotary Club, along with the whole community of Arthur, will roll out the red, white, and blue carpet as they welcome thousands of visitors on Saturday, June 28th, for the annual Freedom Celebration downtown and in Jurgens Park (the Moultrie-Douglas County fairgrounds).

The celebration has two parts, with a parade downtown and the Arthur Rotary fireworks in the park south of the high school.

Two special 6-horse hitches will once again be featured in this year’s parade. The first team is Tim Berry of Villa Grove, and the second is Duane Herschberger from Missouri. They will trot through the parade route just before the parade, stepping off at 2:00 pm, and then will make another pass towards the end of the parade at a walk. Both hitches are sponsored by Tri-County Welding of Arthur.

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SFD local response

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Photo by DM Williamee On Friday, June 6th, at 12:21 p.m., the Sullivan Fire Department was called to a vehicle fire that was contained to the engine compartment. The bulk appeared to have been knocked down by an ABC fire extinguisher just prior to the Department’s arrival. Fire Department personnel also deployed additional extinguishers to complete the extinguishment. An Engine, Tanker, and Ambulance responded. The incident was cleared at 12:41 p.m.

Boy Scouts annual cookout during town wide rummage

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Photo by DM Williamee On Friday, June 6th, Sullivan Boy Scouts Troop #39 was in the Kirby’s parking lot serving tasty items including ribeye and pork chop sandwiches, brats and dogs, chips, and beverages. Pictured L-R: Aidan Coil, Evan Young, Gideon Walk, Charlie Conlin, David Ryherd, Will Flexser, Josh Bailey, Liam Coil, Eric Bettinger, Boaz Heywood, and James Conlin.

City council makes appointments

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•June 11, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Sullivan City Council made several appointments and approved some routine matters during a brief city council meeting Monday night. 

The council approved a recommendation from Commissioner Woodworth to appoint LJ Vincent as Water Distribution Collections Systems Foreman. They also approved recommendations from Mayor Mossman appointing Amanda Mayberry, Karen Reed, Jennifer Love and Kathy Price to terms on the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library Board.  

Also on the agenda was financing for the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development. On the recommendation of several council members, Mossman agreed to postpone the vote until the council could meet with members of the group. 

The council held a closed executive session to discuss internal and external audits.

Lovington Board addresses a multitude of issues, tables numerous for information

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•June 11, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Monday, the Village of Lovington held its regular Board Meeting. Guests in attendance were Eric Shangraw of GFI, Linda Patrick, a resident, and Roger Nuxoll of Farnsworth Group. 

With respect to the visitor and public comments section, Linda Patrick was very vocal on numerous points. Her first concern was not being able to reach the Village during regular business hours, and there being no signs posted on the door as to whom to speak with if needed. She had a water leak and called the police, but had to leave a message. She finally called Don Jackson, who was able to stop the leak, and then she called a plumber to repair the issue. Mrs. Patrick is very concerned that the Village appears to have no contingency plan in cases such as this. The Board advised that the Village pays for Dennis and Chris’s cell phones, so they should be reachable as needed after hours and in case of emergency, but also stressed the importance of contacting the County Sheriff’s office.

Mrs. Patrick next spoke about there being a lack of police coverage in Lovington, and not feeling safe, mentioning how many single, older widows live in Lovington and feel unsafe as well. She has had people banging on the side of her house in the middle of the night and scaring her, and she, as well as other neighbors, have begun leaving lights on at night to feel safe. She posited the question: Is there no budget for police, or some other problem? She has never seen a patrol car drive by her residence. The Board responded that there is a budget, they have hired officers, but no one wants to work. In the interim, the Board advised that calling 911 is the appropriate procedure at this time. 

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Lovington “Junefest” schedule of events

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•June 11, 2025•

On Friday, June 13th, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Lovington will hold its Alumni Banquet at the Family Life Center. From 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., Country Sky and Eddie’s Taco Truck will be outside the East End tavern.

On Saturday, June 14th, from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m., the sausage pancake breakfast will be held at the Firehouse. From 9:30 a.m. until noon, the Car Show will be held in the business district with the Lovington Rec Ball grilling lunch. 

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Moultrie County CEFS food pantry

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A lifeline to county residents

•June 11, 2025•

by DM Williamee

Many are aware that the local Sullivan CEFS office is involved in, or directs, numerous programs that support Moultrie County residents: Sullivan, Arthur, Allenville, Gays, Dalton City, Bethany, and Lovington. Of note is its Food Pantry, which serves monthly food boxes, consisting of 4-5 meals per box, to between 180 and 220 families every month, and will deliver these food boxes to the homebound. This program is funded via private donations as well as in-kind donations from grocers and other food suppliers. During the summer growing season, the Illinois Extension donates produce as well. CEFS includes recipes when they can to help recipients maximize their food boxes, and especially when items like venison are distributed. So far this year, CEFS has been assisting primarily young families and the elderly, but those groups and numbers are subject to change. And although it’s a monthly food box, if you are still struggling to put food on the table, the CEFS office can still help.

Read more: Moultrie County CEFS food pantry

Other items are available if requested, such as infant formula (and a referral to the Women, Infants, and Children program, if needed), personal hygiene products, diapers, and, when available, household cleaning products. CEFS Food Pantries’ biggest needs right now are cash donations and canned proteins, such as chicken.

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Sullivan Electronics Recycling event much needed by community

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Photo DM Williamee Sullivan’s Saturday, June 7th, electronics recycling event, which began 30 minutes earlier than advertised at Wyman Park, drew crowds, ready to appropriately offload broken and outdated electronics. The top item discarded? Flat screen TVs and monitors (200+). The oddest items? A vintage electronic keyboard and a truckload of Christmas lights. Five trailers were filled to capacity and weighing in by tonnage. Those working the event were (L-R): Mike Cain, Brandon Beckwith, Kyler Lane, Clint Thompson, Mike Piper, Alex Bailey, Travis Hugues, and Luke Goss. Also in attendance was the Sullivan Police Department, ensuring residency requirements were enforced.

City prepares for summer electrical usage

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•June 4, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Sullivan City Electrical Department is getting ready for a busy summer with potential interruptions from Ameren that will require the city to generate its own power. 

“In the past, we’ve had two hours’ notice before we need to go online,” Jon Edwards told the council. “Now they’re saying 30 minutes.” 

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