Bethany Fire and Ambulance ‘Open House’

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•October 1, 2025• The Bethany Fire & Ambulance Protection District invites the public to their “Open House’ on Saturday, October 4th, from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. at 530 E Main St, Bethany. Bring the family and enjoy fun games and activities for all ages, live demonstrations from their team, and a chance to meet your local firefighters and EMTs, as well as tours of their trucks and equipment. This is a family-friendly event, and they would love to see our community come out for an afternoon of learning and fun. … Read More

Lovington blood drive

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•October 1, 2025• The American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in the Lovington First Christian Church Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, October 15th, from noon to 5:30 p.m. Pre-register online by going to RedCrossBlood.org and look for First Christian Church to schedule your donation time. Walk-ins are welcome. Contact Darlene Barlow at 217-855-9397 with any questions. Identification or a Donor Card is required. … Read More

Sullivan High School Letters to the Editor

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•October 1, 2025• ‘Letters to the Editor,’ written by Cami Badman‘s Honors English III students at Sullivan High School, explored controversial subjects with inquisitive minds and logic as well as emotion-based arguments. Badman opened the school year by challenging the 15 students to present well-rounded arguments for student-selected controversial subjects in the format of a ‘Letter to the Editor’. These are those letters Dear Editor,  In recent years, many have questioned how to increase focus and mood among high schoolers. Research suggests that the answer may be as simple as getting more sleep. If schools establish later start times, students … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Bernadine

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Bernadine was called to Heaven at 4:00 am on September 25, 2025 to be with her Lord and join her loving husband Charles. Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 1 from 10:00 to 11:30 am at Reed Funeral Home, 1112 S. Hamilton St., Sullivan, IL 61951. A celebration of life service for Bernadine will immediately follow.  Interment will be at Greenhill Cemetery on E. Water St. in Sullivan. She was born on January 14, 1928 in South Dakota. She was a daughter of Ollie and Marie Kidwell and was one of eight children six girls and two boys who were a very caring and … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Joseph (Joe) Russell

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Joseph (Joe) Eugene Russell, 76 of Sullivan passed away peacefully at 8:05am on September 25, 2025 at Eastview Terrace, Sullivan. Services start at 6:00 p.m. with visitation being held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Monday September 29, 2025 at the McMullin Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial will take place at a later date. Memorials can be made to donors’ choice. Joe was born March 8, 1949, in Decatur: the son of Lloyd Eugene Russell and Theresa Mae (Phillips) Beattie. He was a hard worker for Staleys in Decatur for thirty years. Joe was a huge fan of golfing, it was his number … Read More

Okaw Valley Senior ‘Golf night’

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Okaw Valley held Senior Golf night on Tuesday, September 16th. Golfers include: Front – Exchange student Lena Hildebrandt, Ava Harshman, and Kate Stauder. Back – Braden Montgomery, Daniel Cazel, Tucker Montgomery, Wyatt Hildebrandt, and Brady McQuilling. … Read More

Illinois Extension reschedules online diabetes classes

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•September 24, 2025• Submitted Diabetes is on the rise, but it can be a very manageable illness. If you or someone you care for has diabetes or is pre-diabetic, why not learn how to more effectively “take charge” and live an active and fulfilling life? ‘Take Charge of Your Diabetes’ is designed to teach those with diabetes tools and techniques to help them become better health managers. … Read More

SHS holds NEHS induction

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Photo Submitted Sullivan High School hosted its annual NEHS Induction on September 17th. This year, the organization inducted eighteen new members: sophomores – Weslee Allen, Madeline Anderson, Madelyn Atteberry, Piper Conlin, David Eaton, Jude Eckel, Alex Fultz, Rhesa Isaacs, Emmersyn Jiannoni, Brynner Johnson, Kent Lehman, Will Miller, Miles Monroe (not pictured), Avery Renfro, Daisy Richardson, Carmyn Thurston, and Colt Wilson; and junior, Claire Kursell.  … Read More

Sullivan High School 2025 Homecoming Court and King/Queen contenders

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The King Candidates are Kolton Wiley, Zaden Hussong, Tristan Wright, and Aiden Burgess. The Queen Candidates are Madilyn Shonkwiler, Lily Moxley, Aubrey Gingerich, and Mae Dawkins. The King and Queen will be announced at halftime of the homecoming game on Friday, September 26th, against ALAH. Sullivan High School has announced its 2025 Homecoming Court: Freshman Karson Ragsdale and Emma Drake, Sophomores Darren Alms and Valentina Thurston, Juniors Brady Stollard and Kaylee Smith. … Read More