Remembering who we are…….58

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The Hike to Mattoon •May 14, 2025• by Janet Roney When I was a child, my Grandmother Shuman told me that when my great-grandmother Mary McPheeters Shuman was a little girl playing in her yard, Abraham Lincoln once waved at her as he rode by on the old Charleston Road that passed through our family farm. That story and others inspired my life-long interest in local history and old trails.  In the summer of 1982, I suggested that our family hike the old Charleston Road from our home north of Sullivan to Mattoon. Our son, Clay, was twelve and daughter, Cynthia, … Read More

Lovington’s “Farmer’s Market”: Event created to bring community together

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•May 14, 2025• by DM Williamee The Lovington Farmer’s Market began on May 8th, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., 130 W State Street, in Lovington. The brainchild of lifetime Lovington resident Lisa Kamm, who was inspired after attending local Mapping Group meetings. From those meetings, Lisa was driven to create an event that would benefit the Lovington community, and thus the Farmers Market was born: a free place for vendors (no charge, but bring your own tables, signage, displays, etc.) to set up and offer their wares, and a place for the community to purchase those items. … Read More

Utility rate increase approved by City Council

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•May 14, 2025• by Sharon Barricklow Public utility costs will be going up for Sullivan residents after the City Council passed several rate increases at their meeting Monday night.  The council approved a four and one half percent increase in electrical rates on the recommendation of Commissioner Mike Kirk who said wholesale electric rates continued to rise.  … Read More

Obituaries 5-14-2025: Charles Lawson

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Charles Lawson Charles “Charlie” L. Lawson, 75, of Sullivan, passed away 7:28 a.m. Friday, May 9, 2025, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 15, 2025, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 16, 2025, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the Allenville Christian Church: 201 S. Allen St. Allenville, IL 61951 … Read More

Obituaries 5-14-2025: Rev. James Helton

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Rev. James Helton Rev. James R. Helton, 80, of Sullivan, passed away at 9:29 p.m. Friday May 9, 2025 in Memorial Medical Center, Springfield. Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday May 15, 2025 in the New Life Church, Sullivan with Pastor Dave Dolan officiating. Visitation will be 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the college fund for Gracee Helton. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.   … Read More

Obituaries 5-14-2025:

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Henry “Ted” Atkinson Henry Theodore “Ted” Atkinson, of Bethany, passed away on Tuesday, May 6, at his home. He was 85. Graveside services will be at 12 noon on Friday May 16, 2025, in the Marrowbone Township Cemetery, Bethany with military rites conducted by the Bethany American Legion Post # 507. There will not be a visitation. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. Arrangements by the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. … Read More

A Look Back…5-14-2025

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2015 At a special meeting on May 4th, after the culmination of more than an hour of discussion, the Okaw Valley School Board assigned Superintendent Kent Stauder what amounts to a mini research project, some of which will deal with the possibility of closing the elementary school in Bethany. A group of Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond High School students placed first overall at the annual Business and Computer Contest at Lake Land College. Those were Coach Amanda Romine, Samantha Landers, Christy Allen, Jeremy Plank, Avery Schrock, Beth Lambdin, Elyse Harris, and Brooke Tabb. … Read More

Mosquitoes: health concerns and prevention tips

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Enjoy the outdoors and reduce your risk of mosquito-related health concerns by Angela Hogan More Than an Annoyance: Spring marks the return of warmer weather and the chance to spend more time outdoors. It also marks the return of mosquitoes and the health concerns that can affect individuals and animals. The presence of mosquitoes is more than an annoyance. Mosquitoes are carriers of several diseases. Their bites can threaten the public’s health, especially during peak mosquito season. … Read More

SES receives book vending machine

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HICF donates machine, students reap rewards by DM Williamee On Tuesday, May 6th, the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation (HICF) unveiled a book vending machine at Sullivan Elementary School at 8:00 am. Each year, the HICF funds the book vending machines. This year, Sullivan is one of the schools fortunate to receive one. On hand from HICG were Kaitlyn Farrar and Chastity Casey. Rev. Grant Wade serves as the Moultrie County advisor for HICF and has worked on this project with Leslie Guyot (school principal) and Leah Fleming (school librarian).  … Read More