Arthur man celebrates 100 years of family, farming and staying active

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•October 14, 2026• by Jamie Crosier At 100 years old, Jerry B. Kuhns can look back on a lifetime that has included farming, raising seven children, traveling to 48 states and continuing to work until just a few months before his 100th birthday. Kuhns, of Arthur, recently celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by family. His daughter, Carol Miller, said staying active has been an important part of her father’s life, particularly after he retired from farming. When asked what has contributed to his longevity, Kuhns has a simple answer. “Just keep breathing!” he tells his family. … Read More

Illinois Amish Heritage Center hires permanent executive director

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•October 14, 2026• Michael Gramm Coffman, of Juliette, Georgia, has been hired as the first permanent full-time Executive Director of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center in Arthur.   Coffman is a 2021 graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton GA with a BS in History and Political Science, and a 2024 graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, NC with an MA of History in Museum Studies.   Coffman’s vision is to expand the IAHC Living History Farm and Amish Museum where visitors from the region, nationally, and internationally can visit to learn about Amish and Mennonite history, faith, … Read More

Sullivan Safe Trick or Treat brings families downtown

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•October 14, 2026• by Jamie Crosier Costumed children and their families will fill the sidewalks around the Sullivan square Friday, Oct. 30, as a longtime Halloween tradition returns to downtown Sullivan. Sullivan Community Development will host Safe Trick or Treat from 4 to 6 p.m., with participating businesses and organizations handing out candy to children. At least 40 businesses and organizations typically take part, and more than 500 children from Sullivan and surrounding communities attend, according to Sullivan Community Development Executive Director Laurrie Minor. “Safe Trick or Treat has been a Sullivan tradition since I was a child, so it … Read More

Sullivan native, devout Cowboys fan makes lifelong dream come true

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•October 14, 2026• by E. Scott England Loyalty to a sports team often comes with a price for some. Generations came and went without ever seeing the Cubs win a World Series until the win in 2016 ended the drought. For some, they are still waiting for their team to make it to the big game.  The loyalty is often passed down through the family. But not for Curt Richardson. He came from a family that did not watch a lot of sports, nor did they have a dedication to one particular team. So for a young Richardson at around … Read More

Sullivan brothers turn academic strengths into tutoring business

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•October 14, 2026• by Jamie Crosier Brothers Gavin and Everett Finn were looking for a way to earn money that could work around their busy high school schedules when they landed on an idea that played to something they already knew well — school. The Sullivan High School students started offering peer tutoring to students in grades 6 through 11, providing help in subjects including math, English and science, along with homework help, study skills and test preparation. Tutoring is available for $12 to $15 per hour and can be scheduled in person or remotely. Everett, 14, is a freshman, … Read More

Remembering Who We Are……

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The “Worthless” Prairie •October 14, 2026• by Janet Roney Many of Moultrie County’s first settlers in the mid-1820s and 1830s were born in Virginia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, or Kentucky. They were used to farming small patches of sandy soil in the valleys between timber covered hills. When they arrived on the prairies of Illinois, they did not know what to do with this flat, swampy land covered with ten-foot-tall grass with roots so matted in thick deep sod that their crude wooden plows edged with a piece of iron were useless.   They soon learned they needed a “breaking plow” … Read More

A Look Back…10-14-2026

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1966 First place for sports coverage in the annual Illinois Press Association newspaper contest was won by The Moultrie County News. In addition to the first place award for sports, the News also was cited for Best Classified Page, Best Photography, and Best Typography & Makeup. A 1963 Chevrolet Impala Sport Sedan was $1,425 at Tom West, Inc. in Sullivan. Getting their Bingo Bucks at the Moultrie County News office was Wilma Reedy, Darlene Standerfer, Darlene Burgess and Wilson Mummell. The four winners shared $100 in prize money. The winning cards came from Ken’s Food Stores and Hezzy’s Drive Inn. … Read More