Bats and rabies: A public health concern

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•June 17, 2026• by Angela Hogan, R.N.,  MSPH, Administrator MCHD Bats are a vital part of our ecosystem. They eat disease-carrying mosquitoes and crop-consuming insects. Unfortunately, bats also carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Bats are the leading cause of human rabies deaths in the United States. According to the CDC, at least 7 out of 10 Americans who died from rabies in the U.S. were exposed to infected bats. Bats are nocturnal creatures that typically avoid humans. Bats exhibiting unusual behavior, such as being active during the day, unable to fly, or easily approached, could be sick … Read More

SMS Athletics ‘Year in Review’ 2025/26

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•June 17, 2026• SMS Softball: JHOC Conference Champions (First Conference Championship in school history); Regional Champions; and Sectional Runner Ups. SMS Golf: Judd Sanner qualified for the IESA State Golf Tournament (Shot an 86 @ Sectional, first State qualifier in school history); Hank Monroe & Hunter Walton tied for 51st at Sectional (115); Levi Yoder tied for 54th at Sectional (116); Keegan Hughes placed 68th at Sectional (132); and Gideon Walk placed 76th at Sectional (138). SMS XC: Boys and Girls team both JHOC Conference Champions; Girls Team CGB Invitational 1st Place; Girls Sectional Champions; Girls team placed 7th overall … Read More

All about horses; event informs-entertains

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•June 17, 2026• by DM Williamee On Saturday, June 13th, the Illinois Amish Heritage Society (IAHC) held its “All About Horses” event, and both horse-lovers as well as those newly introduced were in for a treat. People came from near and far, with some traveling in their motor homes and others carpooling to attend the event from surrounding communities, as well as upstate and out of state. Many had questions which were happily answered with a tinge of good-natured country humor, and most importantly, everyone left with newly acquired knowledge and having been entertained in the process. From shoeing horses … Read More

Dash, Bash and Splash for St. Jude’s

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by DM Williamee On Saturday, June 13th, from the parking lot of the Sullivan American Legion to the far end of Wyman Park, one could find something in motion: from the early 5k run, raffles, bake sales, car show, to the Kids Korner (with some impressive, well-used, and appreciated bounce houses), kids pedal pulls, food on offer from vendors, live music and the new dunk tank, there was not a dull corner to be found. When the dunk tank opened to a line of waiting kiddos, Mrs. Becker got in, ready to be dunked for a good cause. The first … Read More

Obituaries 6-17-2026: Guy Marquis

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Guy Marquis Guy Alan Marquis, 69, of Lovington, passed away 10:40 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Haven of Arcola. Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 19, 2026, in Keller Cemetery, Lovington, with Military Rites by the Lovington American Legion Post #429. The family requests casual attire. Memorials may be made to the Lovington Volunteer Ambulance Service. … Read More

A Look Back…6-17-2026

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2016 Sullivan Unit #300 School Board’s decision to remove Troy Rogers as head baseball coach was witnessed by a crowd of supporters. Held in the Sullivan Elementary School gymnasium due to ongoing construction, the meeting opened with the board president, Steve Poland, allowing visitors to speak. The Ramp Builders Classic teed off on the Sullivan Country Club Golf Course. The Sullivan AmBucs 4 Person Charity Golf Scramble began at 7:30 a.m., and trophies were awarded for first, second, and third places. The Sullivan AmBucs-sponsored event supported ramp building projects, AmTrykes, and scholarships for PT, OT, or speech therapy students. … Read More

POW/MIA Honor Chair placement

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•June 17, 2026• by DM Williamee Photo by DM Williamee On Saturday, June 6th at 1:00 p.m., Rolling Thunder Chapter 3 placed a POW/MIA Chair of Honor prominently beneath the flags at the Sullivan American Legion Post No. 68 in Sullivan. POW/MIA Chairs of Honor are perpetually empty seats placed in public spaces to solemnly commemorate the tens of thousands of American service members who are Prisoners of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA) and have not yet returned home. The empty space is to remind the public that even though missing soldiers are absent, there is always a … Read More