•July 16, 2025• From urban parks to the Shawnee Forest, University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist volunteers serve as environmental stewards in their communities. Protect and support Illinois’ natural areas and resources by signing up for Master Naturalist training starting August 12. Illinois Extension is now accepting applications for the fall volunteer training at Douglas-Hart Nature Center. … Read More
•July 16, 2025• Photo by DM Williamee by DM Williamee Despite a breakout drizzle, Gary Smith led other volunteers with Habitat for Humanity in a groundbreaking ceremony and on Sunday, July 13th. With a foundation laid and ready for building, those who gathered prayed, read scripture, a litany, and a benediction. The building caravan, consisting of 10 couples, has arrived and is eager to get started. Four local SHS students have participated to date, getting the floor joists installed. Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and … Read More
•July 16, 2025• by Angie Hogan Moultrie County Health Department Dementia Friendly Moultrie County invites the community to participate in its Dementia Friendly Summer Series. This free three-part series is designed for caregivers, healthcare providers, family members, concerned neighbors, or anyone interested in learning more about this topic. Participants will hear from experienced professionals and can ask questions in a welcoming and accessible environment. Each session will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library, located at 2 West Water Street in Sullivan. … Read More
Finding Old Trails •July 16, 2025• by Janet Roney My hobby within my hobby of local history is finding old pioneer trails. I have told you about three ancient trails that passed through our county…the French Kaskaskia-Detroit fur trail, the Shelbyville-Vandalia Road, and the Charleston Road. There are more. Their routes are not neatly drawn out on a map or atlas, so it has taken research to locate them. Here’s how I identify old trails. Most country roads in central Illinois follow the grid of square mile sections that Thomas Jefferson set up over 250 years ago, going due north/south … Read More
No claim needed; simply cash the check •July 16, 2025• This summer will bring $45 million in cash to a record-breaking 600,000 people who will receive money they didn’t even know they had from the state’s missing money program, and the only thing they must do is cash the check. The checks are part of the latest round of the Enhanced Money Match program, which takes the “claim” out of unclaimed property. Treasurer Frerichs’ office helps get the check in the mail by leveraging technology to return money to individuals through I-CASH, the state’s unclaimed property initiative. … Read More
Benjamin Harris Benjamin Franklin Harris, 90, of Bethany went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ at 6:43 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Shelbyville Manor, Shelbyville, after living with Alzheimer’s Dementia for several years with courage and resilience. … Read More
Hazel Fraker Hazel Fraker, 91, of Sullivan, passed away at 2:52 p.m. Monday, July 7, 2025 in Memorial Medical Center, Springfield. Celebration of Life services were held Saturday, July 12, 2025 at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Bob Vail officiating. Burial was in the Humboldt Cemetery, Humboldt, Illinois. Memorials are suggested to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. … Read More
•July 16, 2025• by DM Williamee We all bear the detestable chore of housekeeping, to whatever extent we consider clean enough. To each his/her own. When I was raising my children, I had the 3-second rule in our house, and in hindsight, I have my regrets at setting that precedent. To many of us who are busy with jobs, shuttling kids back and forth, managing calendars, paying bills, cooking, doing laundry, and innumerable other day-to-day tasks, a standard of “good enough” suffices. Perhaps we are retired and just don’t care, preferring to live our lives, go places, and do things, … Read More
•July 16, 2025• by Sharon Barricklow Joe Wallace is the newest member of the Moultrie County Board after Scott Buxton, 58 of Bethany, resigned his position last week. Wallace, the former mayor of Dalton City, was selected to replace Buxton who resigned via his attorney. … Read More
•July 16, 2025• I am a resident of Ashar Estates – the 13 duplexes (26 units) of senior housing at the north end of Mason Point. Several weeks ago, a platoon of Metro employees descended on us and began peppering the grounds with their colorful little flags which, supposedly, were to identify underground lines, cables, etc. The flags notwithstanding, we suddenly had 2 days of no water followed by a 12-hour boil order. Imagine you are a senior citizen with incontinent issues and you can’t use your bathroom for 2 days. … Read More