Lady Redskins close out regular season with 3 wins

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by E. Scott England and Sage England The Lady Redskins came into last week looking to conclude their regular season on a positive note. Honoring the seniors on Tuesday followed by two road games, the ladies were able to do just that. They ended their regular season schedule 21-8. Blue Ridge It took less than the eight minutes of the first quarter to know how this game was going to end. After the first quarter was over Sullivan was up 35-2. The second quarter, the third quarter, and the fourth quarter all followed suit. The final for senior night was 81-15. … Read More

Obituaries 2-18-2026: “Herb” Flannell

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“Herb” Flannell Hubert “Herb” L. Flannell of Sullivan, Illinois passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in his home on February 16, 2026, following 95 years of living a full and productive life. Hubert was born on August 24, 1930, in New Burnside, Illinois, the eighth of nine children born to Edward and Lois Purdom Flannell. He met the love of his life, Norma Jean Dorris, and they were married in Carrier Mills, Illinois on December 24, 1950, and shared sixty-five wonderful years together until her passing on July 28, 2016. They had one son, Danny L. Flannell, of Sullivan, who survives. … Read More

Obituaries 2-18-2026: Andy Bolsen

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Andy Bolsen Andy Jack Bolsen, age 71, passed away on Saturday, February 14th, 2026, at Springfield Memorial Hospital surrounded by his wife and daughters. His passing came after a hard-fought two-week battle post aortic aneurysm rupture, while he awaited an upcoming surgery which was scheduled for February 5th. … Read More

A Loo Back 2-18-2026

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2016 Bethany City Council members showed renewed interest in renovating the Village’s downtown buildings following a proposal by the four co-owners of Bethany’s newest, The Publisher. The establishment, Bethany’s only operating bar, took the place of the beleaguered Hired Hand Winery and Saloon. Xenophobic was the word Reagan Crouse spelled correctly to win the Moultrie County Spelling Bee. Crouse edged out fellow Sullivan seventh grader Brett Johnson after his attempt at “guttural.” … Read More

Valentine’s Day breakfast at Heritage

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Photo by DM Williamee On the morning of Thursday, February 12th, Heritage Woods of Sullivan held a Valentine’s Day breakfast for local seniors. The festively decorated atmosphere was one of lively chatter, laughter, and companionship amongst both friends and sweethearts. The menu featured fresh fruit, Denver omelets, bacon, and good old-fashioned biscuits and gravy. Pictured are: Left, front to back: Johna Sims, Walter Jenkins, and Keith Richardson. Right, front to back: Beverly DeVore, Joyce Jenkins, and Ellen Feller. Keith and Beverly have been close friends for a long while, Ellen and Johna have been close friends for ‘ages’, and Walter … Read More

OVHS hosts grand opening of Career Exploration Center

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•February 18, 2026• L-R: Olivia King, Jill Snearly, Shari Bryun, Brad Ackers, Gina Atchison, Matthew Shoaff, Grant Wade, Bonnie Scott, Kate Stauder, Kent Stauder, Andrea Gerhard, Andrew Fultz, Manny Guzman, Jenna Doty, and Sarah McDowell. Okaw Valley Community Unit School District #302 celebrated the official ribbon cutting of the Okaw Valley High School Career Exploration Center on Thursday, February 12th, marking an exciting milestone for students, families, and the broader community. While the Center has been serving students throughout the school year, the ceremony marked its official grand opening. The Career Exploration Center was made possible through a generous $13,000 … Read More

Sullivan City Council discusses water options, sets cleanup days

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•February 18, 2026• by Sharon Barricklow An unprecedented drop in the aquifer that supplies Sullivan’s public water supply has city council members discussing options after already declaring a “water emergency” at their February 9th council meeting. City engineer Lee Beckman told the council the aquifer had dropped 15 feet from previous levels. “We’ve never seen that before,” he said. … Read More