•June 18, 2025•
On Thursday, June 12th, Scott State Bank in Sullivan celebrated its appreciation for their clients and customers, grateful for their patronage in the community for the past 25 years. Locals turned out en masse, enjoying a free lunch, beverages, and the sense of community shared at the event.
•June 18, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Last week, many residents in Sullivan and surrounding communities noticed a marked decline in local air quality, raising health concerns for some area residents. The poor air quality can be attributed to several factors, such as increasing pollen counts, agricultural activities as the growing season moves into full swing, the increase in summer travel and resulting vehicle emissions, and smoke and ash from the Canadian Wildfires that made their way into the area. Other conditions, such as stagnant air and low wind speeds, contribute to the accumulation of particulate matter. When atmospheric conditions trap pollutants closer to the ground, residents experience an increase in unhealthy air quality.
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•June 18, 2025•
Submitted
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will be performing Vessel Safety Checks at Lake Shelbyville Dam West over the 4th of July weekend. Vessel exams are currently scheduled from July 2nd through July 6th. An individual can also request specific times or days.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary checks all boats, personal watercraft (PWC), kayaks, canoes, and standing boards for federal, state, and local safety requirements. The examination is a voluntary examination, and boaters can refuse it at any time. In addition to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary doing the free, voluntary examinations, the U.S. Power Squadron (Americas Boating Club), a 501C3 organization, is authorized to do them as well. Both organizations actively teach boating safety courses along with the State Boating Law Administrator, in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Boats, personal watercraft (PWC), kayaks, canoes, and stand-up boards that pass the examination get a sticker reflecting that they have passed the examination.
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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.
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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•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.
•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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•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.
Read more: Lovington “Junefest” schedule of events Read More