•January 28, 2026• On February 12th from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m., for those 65 years of age and older, Heritage Woods of Sullivan, located at 20 Courtyard Boulevard, will be hosting a ‘Senior Sweetheart Breakfast’ in celebration of Valentine’s Day. The breakfast will be a cozy morning filled with good food, friendly faces, and a little Valentine cheer. RSVP to (217) 728-4300 before February 5th to attend. … Read More
Leslie ‘Ray’ Cottrell, 85, of Mattoon, passed away at 6:43 a.m. Tuesday, January 20, 2026 in his home. Graveside services will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, January 24, 2026 in the St. Isidore Cemetery, rural Bethany conducted by Fr. Rafal Pyrchla. Military honors will be conducted by the Bethany American Legion Post #507. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. Ray was born May 12, 1940 in Granite City, Illinois, the son of Glover Rex and Nancy Marie Stroud Cottrell. He retired from Northfork-Western Railroad … Read More
The Sullivan Blue Dolphins had a strong showing at the Mid-Winter Classic in Champaign on January 16th through 18th. The boys earned 2nd place with 1111.5 points. The girls took 4th with 1358.5 points. SBD had 22 swimmers make it into the finals on Saturday night. It was a strong showing, and now 20 Dolphins are gearing up for the Circle City Classic Invitational the weekend of January 23rd through 25th. Pictured are the 11 and over group and the 10 and under group. … Read More
•January 21, 2026• On Friday, February 6th, Lake Land will host local high school students for the first-ever Laker Academic Invitational, a competitive event designed to challenge and recognize academic excellence. During the event, more than 300 students across 17 local high schools will compete in a series of multiple-choice exams, demonstrating their knowledge in biology, chemistry, computer science, software applications, English, mathematics, and physics. Through these experiences, the event fosters curiosity and confidence as students challenge themselves in a supportive environment and explore future college and career pathways. … Read More
•January 21, 2026• A new law requiring guns to be locked up in Illinois’ homes and mandating lost or stolen firearms be reported within 48 hours took effect January 1, 2026. Signed by the Illinois Governor in July 2025, this law mandates secure storage unless the firearm is under the owner’s direct control, aiming to prevent accidental shootings, suicides, and intentional harm. … Read More
•January 21, 2026• by DM Williamee Below is a compilation of what I have heard people say and/or what I have read in the past year that I have found both funny and ironic. These gave me a chuckle, and I think we all could use one about right now. When one door closes, and another opens, you are probably in prison. 60 may be the new 40, but 9:00 p.m. is the new midnight. When I say, “The other day,” I might actually be referring to something that happened yesterday or 20 years ago. That whole millennium thing really … Read More
On January 15th, Marshall Robison signed his letter of intent to continue his football career and education at Greenville University this Fall. Said Robison, “I am really looking forward to winning with a new team and accomplishing big things at the next level.” Robison currently plays nose guard, and his goal is to play as a powerful defensive tackle. Robison will be studying Criminal Justice. Pictured L-R seated: Mother, Tosha Robison, Marshall Robison, and Father, Cory Robison. … Read More
•January 21, 2026• by DM Williamee There is a name for nearly everything. Who names what and how it is used (or abused) is often a mystery- sometimes it’s Latin in origin, or at times a word wholly created by an author that goes mainstream. Other words sound so offensive as to border on obscene, yet are innocuous in meaning. No matter how you stir your alphabet soup, words are rarely dull. Below are the names of a few of the whatchamacallit thingmajigs that you may or may not have ever wondered about (and may score you points in your … Read More
•January 21, 2026• In 2025, Safe Families for Children of East Central Illinois, under the Direction of Kimberly Cullen, continued its mission of keeping children safe and families together by surrounding them with compassionate and community-based support. … Read More
•January 21, 2026• The Illinois Department on Aging has released EngAging Illinois: A Comprehensive Plan for Living Well, a landmark multisector plan addressing the needs of older adults and caregivers. The plan establishes a decade-long blueprint to ensure the growing population of older Illinoisans can live dignified, engaged, productive, and meaningful lives at every stage of life. “EngAging Illinois embodies the engagement and thoughtful people from across Illinois, representing the best of our state,” said the Governor. “This bold plan reflects the priorities of the people we serve and the role that state government should play in creating an age-friendly … Read More