Photo by R.R. Best
The Sullivan Street Machine Association Labor Day weekend cruise-in car show brought car enthusiasts to the Sullivan square Saturday afternoon.
On display
Food Myths and nutrition
Photo courtesy Mid Illinois Senior Services
On September 1st, Certified Health Coach Larry Wetnight presented to a packed house at Mid Illinois Senior Services for their monthly ‘Dine with a Doc’ free luncheon, discussing Food Myths and nutrition. The Q&A portion was especially lively, with a great number of productive takeaways for all.
The Busy Woman’s Guide: You only need the next step
•September 9, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
There are some problems you can solve with a list.
What needs to go in the kids’ backpacks? Make a list. What needs to happen before company comes over? Make a list. What needs to get done before Monday morning? Definitely make a list.
But the bigger decisions in life rarely cooperate quite so nicely.
Read MoreCEFS announces the start of the Energy Assistance Program
•September 9, 2026•
CEFS announces the start of the Energy Assistance Program CEFS Economic Opportunity Corp, as administrator of the Energy Assistance Program in the counties of Christian, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby recently announced that funds are available to assist income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane and/or electric bills and furnace assistance for inoperable heating systems.
The program will begin taking applications on October 1, 2026, for older adults (60+ years), individuals with a disability, families with children age 5 years and under, and households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% in their propane tank. All other income eligible households can start applying November 2, 2026. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through August 13, 2027, or until funding is exhausted. Households that receive a one-time benefit may return during the program year for a Reconnection Assistance or Furnace Assistance benefit(s), if needed.
Read MoreSullivan Elementary artwork marks step toward larger playground vision
•September 9, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
Brightly painted obstacle courses, hopscotch challenges, an alphabet scramble and other activities now stretch across the blacktop at Sullivan Elementary School, giving students new ways to move, create and play during recess.
The artwork is a visible change students can enjoy now, but it is part of a larger, multi-year effort by the Sullivan Elementary School PTO to improve the school’s outdoor spaces and eventually replace playground equipment that is approximately 30 years old.
The idea grew from what the PTO calls its annual “Dream Big” requests, which give school staff an opportunity to suggest improvements they would like to see for students. Over time, the PTO noticed a recurring theme: Teachers were asking for playground repairs, outdoor toys and a shaded area where students could learn and spend time outside.
Read MoreAMBUCS provide wheels
•September 2, 2026•
by Sharon Barricklow
A Shelbyville boy is the most recent recipient of a specially equipped mobility trike for getting around with his family.
Lawson Reedy received the “amtryke” from the Sullivan chapter of AMBUCS, an organization dedicated to improving mobility and accessibility for everyone. The Sullivan group provides adaptive riding machines for children like Lawson, builds accessibility ramps, and raises funds for scholarships for physical therapists. With more than 150 chapters in 36 states, AMBUCS’ stated goal is to provide accessibility and empower others.
Upon receiving his amtryke in Sullivan, Lawson expressed a desire to ride it home to Shelbyville. Within minutes he was moving along at a pace, his mother Lindsey says will enable him to participate in family bike rides with dad Kevin, mom Lindsey and sister Chloe.
In the photo, Kevin and Lindsey Reedy with son Lawson and his new “amtryke”.
Sullivan Trap Team makes its mark at National Championship
•September 2, 2026•
by Jamie Crosier
The Sullivan High School Trap Team capped off its season this past summer on the national stage, competing among approximately 400 teams and 1,800 individual shooters at the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship.
For Sullivan, simply arriving as a team marked a milestone. It was the first time the young program had fielded a team at Nationals, and only Carter Honchell and Kolten Kidd had previously experienced the national competition.
Despite entering an unfamiliar environment and facing teams from across the country, Sullivan posted a score of 460 in the team qualifier, finishing 89th. Only the top 80 teams advanced to the championship round, leaving Sullivan just nine places — and two targets — short of moving on.
Head Coach Rob Kidd said the magnitude of Nationals creates an entirely different atmosphere for shooters.
Read MoreBASO Car Show a success
Photo by R.R. Best
The Bethany Advocates and Support Organization hosted its annual car show on August 22 at Crowder Park. The perfect afternoon weather bought out 52 entries and many enthusiastic onlookers. Greg Fitzgerald’s 1966 Pontiac GTO took home Best off Show honors.
On to the next chapter
Photo by Sonya Best
A retirement open house was held Thursday, August 27, to honor Dave Cole at the Moultrie County Counseling Center. Cole served as executive director of the counseling center since March 2003.
Sullivan Scout programs face leadership shortage
by Jamie Crosier
Six active Scouts remain in Boy Scout Troop 39 in Sullivan, while the community’s Cub Scout Pack 39 is currently unable to hold meetings after it was unable to renew its charter with Scouting America because of insufficient adult leadership.
The two situations are connected. Cub Scout Pack 39 has traditionally provided a path for younger Scouts to advance through the Cub Scout ranks before moving into Boy Scout Troop 39. Without an active pack, the troop loses that source of future members.
Eric Bettinger, who has been involved with Scouting for 14 years, said his own son has been out of Scouts for four years. Bettinger continued his involvement and had been serving as Cubmaster in an effort to keep Sullivan’s Cub Scout program going.
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