Riders and the Christmas Crew help provide a merry Christmas for all
Moultrie County ‘Year in Review’ 12-31-2025
January
The Sullivan City Council wrapped up its 2024 meeting schedule by approving annexing some property and revising some city codes. The council opened the meeting with a public hearing on a plan to annex Windmill Legacy Farms, south of the city, on South Hamilton Street west side of the road.
Kennady Wilson, from Bethany, made the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Dean’s List for the 2024 fall semester.
The Lady Redskins won again on Monday night. This time it was a win over Cerro Gordo, 53-16. They even did it without a single three-pointer. Yet, they had three girls with double digits for points.
Read MoreLovington fire displaces family, days before Christmas
•December 24, 2025•
by DM Williamee
In what can only be described as heartbreaking, a Lovington family was displaced last week, the week before Christmas, after their home was destroyed by a fire on the afternoon of December 15th.
Local support efforts began immediately to assist them, with a call to action by the community of Lovington. A Facebook post shared that clothing items were the immediate need of the family. In addition, gifts were accepted for the family at the ‘Breakfast with Santa’ event, allowing the family to have a Christmas celebration.
A “GoFundMe” page was set up as well, and can be found at https://gofund.me/608412d9a. The Page articulates the following: “Today, Sonja and Tony’s family faced a devastating loss as their home was destroyed by fire, leaving them with nothing just days before Christmas. Their heartbreak is unimaginable, and they need our support now more than ever. Sonja and Tony are wonderful parents who have always been there for others, and it’s time for us to rally around them. Every donation, no matter the size, will help them rebuild their lives and find hope in this difficult time. Please like, comment, and share this post to spread the word and show them they are not alone. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.”
Photo by R.R. Best
IDNR collecting discarded Christmas trees for fish habitat
•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.
Read MoreMoultrie-Douglas 4-H clubs unite for ‘Ainsley Acts of Kindness Birthday Bag’ project
•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.
Read MoreC.H.I. Overhead Doors helps bring Christmas joy to Moultrie Co. families
•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.
Read MoreSullivan Winter Program delights all
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.
CHS: an emerging health concern
•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.
Read MoreFirst United Methodist sale-goodies galore!
•December 17, 2025•
Divas of deliciousness, pictured L-R: Susan Connor, Lois Shuman, Laura Elder, and Ann Wheeler.
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 MoreUtility issues discussed at Sullivan City Council meeting
by 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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