Recent Obituaries: Peggy Harmon

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Peggy Dorothea Harmon, 75, of Arthur died Sunday, October 19, 2025, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana surrounded by her family. Celebration of life services will be held 11:00 am on Saturday at the Arthur United Methodist Church with Pastor Jill Bunker officiating. Visitation will be 5-7p.m. Friday at the church and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will follow at the Arthur Cemetery. Shrader Funeral Home, Arthur, is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials are suggested to the Arthur United Methodist Church, Backpack Program and Arthur EMT Association. Peggy was born on August 4, 1950, in … Read More

Keep pets safe this Halloween 

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•October 15, 2025• Halloween is an annual celebration that many children and adults look forward to each year. From the mysterious and the macabre to the goofy and gregarious, Halloween speaks to people in many different ways. And with the opportunity to accumulate several pounds of sugary treasure after a few hours of trick-or-treating, is it any wonder celebrants love Halloween? While Halloween hijinks may be ideal fun for plenty of ghosts and ghouls, companion animals may not be so enthusiastic come October 31. In fact, Halloween can be a source of stress and even dangerous for many pets. Here … Read More

Sullivan Seniors ‘Dine with a Doc’

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Photo by DM Williamee On Tuesday, October 7th, the Mid-Illinois Senior Services hosted their monthly ‘Dine with a Doc.’ Their guest speaker was Taylor Cook, APRN, with Sarah Bush Lincoln. Taylor works at the SBL Sullivan Clinic and presented on how to prepare for a visit with your healthcare provider. Tips included bringing a list of current medications, how to address health issues at home, as well as writing down any questions you may have for your provider before your appointment. Taylor, who holds a multitude of advanced nursing and care certifications, is a local to the area and has … Read More

SMS 8th graders: docent-guided tour at Historical Society

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Photo by DM Williamee On Wednesday, October 8th, Sullivan 8th-grade Middle Schoolers were treated to a docent-guided tour of the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society. It was impressed upon them that stories come to life through objects, pictures, and experiences. Moreover, the importance of museums was stressed in that they protect history and culture, so that knowledge is not lost, as well as connect communities and inspire the future, among the innumerable other benefits of museums. The experience was as interactive as it was guided, with questions and answers and thought challenges throughout the tour. … Read More

Mental health matters: learn how to respond when someone needs aid

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•October 15, 2025• Mental health and substance use issues are common. Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults lives with a mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. From 1999 to 2016, 630,000 people died from drug overdoses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Give someone in your community a hand by learning how to recognize and respond when someone might need help with the free Mental Health First Aid workshop offered by the University of Illinois Extension and the North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center.  Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based … Read More

LLC: “Education that Fits Your Life” Strategic Plan

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•October 15, 2025• Submitted by  Aaron Wendt, LLC Communications/Engagement Coordinator Lake Land College recently unveiled a bold new strategic plan, “Education that Fits Your Life,” designed to reshape how students access and experience higher education. The plan lays the groundwork for many new college-wide initiatives that will provide students with crucial personalized support and empower them to balance their academic goals with their busy personal lives by providing more customer-centric schedules and learning options. … Read More

Okaw Valley Homecoming Court

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The 2025 Okaw Valley Homecoming Dance will be held on Saturday, October 18th, in the OVHS gym from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., with coordination prior to the dance at 6:45 p.m. The 2025 Homecoming Court: Front – Freshman Attendant Jonnie Hart, Junior Attendant Sophia Tice, Queen Candidates Kate Stauder, Aubree McBride, Ava Harshman, and Reese Bruns, and Sophomore Attendant Ellie Fitzgerald. Back – Freshman Attendant Jonathan Cazel, Junior Attendant Kwame Calhoun, King Candidates Braden Montgomery, Brady McQuilling, Wyatt Hildebrandt, Tucker Montgomery, and Sophomore Attendant Cole Holthaus. … Read More