Recent Obituaries: Kevin Mark Yates

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Kevin Mark Yates, 71, of Sullivan passed away 6:25 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2026, at his home. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 7, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 Kevin was born April 3, 1955, in Peoria; the son of James W. and Ruth M. (Sampson) Yates. He worked in the labs of Mars/Kal Kan as … Read More

Obituaries: Carolyn McFarland

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Carolyn I. McFarland, 88, of Sullivan, passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2026 in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon. Celebration of Life services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Fred Hauck officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time. Burial will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, Mattoon. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. Carolyn was born July 12, 1938, in Creve Coeur, Illinois, the daughter of Eugene M. and Virdie Swisher Gorrell. She was the secretary … Read More

Taming kindergarten first day jitters 

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•July 29, 2026• Kindergarten may be a child’s introduction to formal schooling. Although many families send their children to pre-K programs, it’s not a necessity. Kindergarten, particularly full-day sessions, will set the course of formal schooling for years to come. USAFacts.com says between 3.5 to four million children attend kindergarten each year. Many children about to begin kindergarten understandably are anxious about what lies in store. First day of school jitters are common and may lead to fears and tears in many homes. There are ways to make the first day of kindergarten less scary for kids. Here are some … Read More

Golf outing to support Sullivan Community Development set

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•July 29, 2026• by Jamie Crosier Businesses, organizations and community members will gather at the Sullivan Country Club on Friday, Aug. 14, for the annual Sullivan Illinois Community Development Golf Outing, a fundraiser that supports projects aimed at strengthening the local economy and community. Lunch will be served at 11 a.m., with a noon tee-off. The outing raises funds for Sullivan Community Development’s year-round efforts to support local businesses, encourage economic growth, promote tourism and partner with organizations on projects that enhance the community. Executive Director Laurrie Minor said the golf outing has become one of the organization’s signature annual … Read More

Illinois’s 2026 prevailing wage rates published

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•July 29, 2026• The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has published the 2026 prevailing wage rates for construction trades in every county across Illinois. The updated rates took effect Wednesday, July 15, 2026, following IDOL’s annual statewide survey conducted in June pursuant to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act. The Act requires workers on publicly funded construction and infrastructure projects to be paid wages that reflect local standards. By ensuring workers receive locally prevailing wages, the law helps protect good-paying jobs, promotes fair competition among contractors, and keeps taxpayer investments supporting Illinois workers and communities. … Read More

Project 61 Ministries to host open house and 5K in Sullivan

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•July 29, 2026• by Jamie Crosier Project 61 Ministries will host its third annual 5K and an open house at the House of Ruth on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 1308 Illinois Route 121 in Sullivan. Race registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with the 5K starting at 8:00 a.m. The registration fee is $25, with proceeds supporting Project 61 Ministries. Food, activities and guided tours of the House of Ruth will be available from 9:00 a.m. to noon. This year’s event will include additional food options and train rides around the property. … Read More

Teeing Up the Future: Lehman elected as a National Junior Hereford Assn. director

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•July 29, 2026• National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) members elected four new directors during the 2026 VitaFerm® Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE), “The Hereford Masters in Madison.” The new NJHA directors received their maroon jackets during the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) Scholarship, Award and Maroon Jacket Ceremony July 9. State delegates chose these young leaders to serve a three-year term on a team of 12 directors who govern and serve the organization’s more than 4,200 members.  … Read More

Dine with a Doc® – Catch your breath

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•July 29, 2026• Inhale. Exhale. Repeat. When was the last time you took a truly deep, refreshing breath without a second thought? If you or a loved one are tired of feeling winded, local seniors and veterans are invited to take a breather from their routine and catch a wave of great health tips. Senior Education Ministries, Inc. is bringing its high-energy Dine with a Doc® program to town on Tuesday, August 4, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Moultrie County Senior Center. … Read More

Inaugural Ben Franklin Fest set in Arcola

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•July 29, 2026• Green Mill Village is inviting families to kick off an unforgettable getaway in Arcola during the inaugural Ben Franklin Fest, a celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary on Friday, August 7, from 4:30–8:30 p.m. Hosted at Green Mill Village, the event combines free family attractions, hometown traditions, and one-of-a-kind experiences that celebrate everything people love about small-town America. Event Highlights Include: … Read More