ETML May happenings

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•May 6, 2026• Story times are every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. The bounce house will be available after the story and craft.  Every Monday at 9:00 a.m., the ETML hosts a Memory Café. This is a social gathering for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Get helpful information and support from others who also have loved ones who struggle with memory loss.   Crochet Group is on Tuesdays, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Join fellow crafters to learn new stitches and patterns in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Beginners and experienced crochet artists are welcome. Those interested in learning how to crochet … Read More

Steps to prevent tick bites in warmer months

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•May 6, 2026• by Angela Hogan Administrator – Moultrie County Health Department As the weather warms, more people spend time outdoors working in the yard, walking trails, gardening, fishing, and enjoying local parks. That also means greater exposure to ticks. Due to an unusually warm and wet March, ticks are already quite active in central and east-central Illinois. Preventing tick exposure is an important part of health maintenance. Throughout the United States, ticks can carry a variety of diseases, some of which can cause chronic and severe illness. A few simple precautions can help protect you, your children, and your pets … Read More

OVHS Royalty

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Okaw Valley High School’s Prom was held on April 25th at the Mt. Zion Conventions Center. Reese Bruns was crowned Queen, and Ames Drollinger King. … Read More

Senior Night

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Okaw Valley Softball senior night was held on April 30th. Girls honored were Lena Hildebrandt (German Foreign Exchange Student), Gracie Plummer, Ava Harshman and Riley Gentzyel. … Read More

LLC teen summer camps

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•May 6, 2026• LLC has announced its 2026 ‘Teens With Tools Summer Camps’ for 2026. From hands-on building projects and creative art experiences to career exploration and skill-building adventures, these camps are designed especially for Jr. High students who are ready to learn, try something new, and have a blast while doing it. Whether your student loves to create, build, explore, or discover future career paths, there’s something for everyone. Each camp is led by passionate instructors who are ready to inspire confidence, creativity, and curiosity in every camper. Benefits of the camp include making new friends, learning real-world skills, … Read More

“Still a drought”: Sullivan water restrictions continue

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•May 6, 2026• by Sharon Barricklow Recent rains notwithstanding, Sullivan water users are still under water restrictions as drought conditions continue in Central Illinois. Sullivan City Council member Chuck Woodworth said last Monday night that the area remains under drought conditions. “I know we’ve had a lot of rain, but down deep, there’s still drought,” he said. Woodworth said Sullivan is taking steps to address water shortages with a test well in a new location looking very promising for the city. “We’ll be building on that,” he said. He also thanked the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers for posting … Read More

Remembering Who We Are…..108

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Jonathan L. Lindley, Alamo Defender, Part 2•May 6, 2026• by Janet Roney Last week, I left you with some questions. What was 22-year-old Jonathan L. Lindley, grandson of our first Moultrie pioneer John S. Whitley, doing at the Alamo in Texas in 1836? Wasn’t good old Moultrie County good enough for him? He was engaged to be married soon, so why did he go to the Alamo, knowing full well he probably was not going to survive? Let’s review some Whitley-Lindley family and early Texas history. … Read More

Mandatory mental health screening for students to begin 2026-27

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•May 6, 2026• by DM Williamee The BEACON (Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation) system, designed for Illinois youth mental health services, officially launched in January 2025. This centralized portal was developed by the Illinois Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative and Google Cloud to streamline access to care across multiple state agencies. It is currently fully operational and was rolled out to system partners, including the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS-manages health benefits and state-funded programs), the Illinois Department of Public … Read More

A Look Back…5-6-2026

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•May 6, 2026• 2016 No state funds forced the ALAH and School District teachers and other staff to look for other ways to pay for the tools they needed to continue to educate students, as well as cope with the rising costs of technological needs. With the advancements in technology and learning, schools’ funding needs were pressing. The US Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Volunteers Association hosted the 3rd Annual Loop Like Shelbyville Bike Ride. All rides started from the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center and included options for a 22-mile, 46-mile, or 65-mile ride. Proceeds from the ride … Read More