•July 9, 2025• The Sullivan Blue Dolphins swim team was in Deerfield the weekend of June 21st, the first time the team has traveled to the Chicago area to compete, taking a team of 20 swimmers to compete in this meet. At the meet, the Dolphins swam in a short-course pool for prelims and swam in a long-course pool outside for finals. The Dolphins team took 4th place overall out of 17 teams and was the only downstate team competing. … Read More
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 will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 12, 2025 at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Bob Vail officiating. Burial will be in the Humboldt Cemetery, Humboldt, Illinois. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. Hazel was born October 27, 1933 in Chesterville, Illinois, the daughter of Oscar Thomas and Lora Montgomery Key. Hazel was … Read More
Photos by Ariana Cherry … Read More
Photo submitted Sullivan Bike Show The Bike show held at the Sullivan American Legion Post #68 last Friday, the 27th, was enjoyed by all who attended, braving the predicted ongoing showers. The Overall Winner was Jason Crowe, with the People’s Choice Award going to Jeremy Spence. … Read More
•July 2, 2025• July 3: Sub sandwich (ham, turkey, and cheese), potato salad, three bean salad, summer salad. July 4-Closed for Independence Day July 7: Pork burger and bun, German potato salad, baked beans, and fruit. July 8: Ham and beans, copper carrots, pineapple, cornbread, and dessert. July 9: Meatloaf, sour cream/chive baked potato, carrots, tomato salad, and a roll. July 10: Chicken salad sandwich, tomato basil soup, tangy coleslaw, and fruit dessert. July 11: Pizza spaghetti casserole, asparagus, hot fruit compote, and romaine side salad. July 14: Biscuits and gravy, roasted potatoes, hot spiced apples, and fruit juice. … Read More
•July 2, 2025• Photo courtesy of Alexandrea Breazeale The room was filled with love and support for United States Marine Corps veteran Steven Michael Vail on Sunday, June 29th, at the Clarence Bixler American Legion Post #409 in Findlay, Illinois. More than 40 people, including family members, friends, and post members, attended the ceremony. Following the ceremony, everyone enjoyed the refreshments provided by the Legion Auxiliary. … Read More
•July 2, 2025• Photo Submitted Shelbyville FFA student, Kyndall Bennett, putting up the pollinator plot sign. The area of public lands designated as Dam West High Water Boat Ramp, commonly referred to as “Community Cove”, recently acquired a new kayak launch and pollinator plots through various partnerships and grants. The “Community Cove” area includes the Dam West High Water Boat Ramp as well as public lands directly encompassing the boat ramp. This area extends West to Forest Park, South to the 9th Street and Dam Road intersections, and East to the Dam West Recreation Area. … Read More
First case of West Nile virus in Illinois confirmed; act now to reduce risk •July 2, 2025• by Angela Hogan The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently confirmed Illinois’ first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in 2025. An individual from Southern Illinois was hospitalized due to complications of the infection. This case underscores the importance of avoiding mosquito bites. WNV can pose elevated health risks for individuals with weakened immune systems and those over 65. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), WNV has already been confirmed in 19 counties, including Clinton and Christian … Read More
Hidden Worlds •July 2, 2025• by Janet Roney I used to know every hill and ravine in our family’s timber pasture along the Kaskaskia River southeast of Sullivan. At least, that’s what I thought. My frequent hikes of exploration usually began by going under the railroad bridge in the east pasture. There, the Angus cattle herd had worn down the creek banks into a mud flat pockmarked with water-filled cattle hoof prints. One spring day, as I was picking my way across the muddy morass on slippery flat stepping stones, I heard the noise of rippling water. A rivulet was … Read More
•July 2, 2025• Photo Submitted Annika Kelley holding her hard-won competition medal. Annika Kelley of Sullivan earned her 7th National title on June 27th at the 2025 UTA Grand Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Taekwondo school did not go as a group to the UTA nationals this year, but Annika attended and competed in weapons and forms. She has set a personal goal for herself to earn 10 National titles by the time she is 13 years old. With receiving her 7th one at 10 years old, she is well on her way. She also took 3rd place in traditional … Read More