Young entrepreneur turns hobby into hometown business

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•August 26, 2026• by Jamie Crosier What began as a childhood hobby has grown into a small business with a growing reputation and a mission to give back. Sarah Windhorst, an incoming freshman from Sullivan, started making jewelry when she was about 10 years old after watching someone else create handmade pieces. Curious to see if she could do it herself, she purchased a few supplies and discovered a hobby she enjoyed. Over time, that hobby naturally became Sarah’s Jewels, a business known for custom jewelry, school spirit accessories and community involvement. “There was no defining line of turning it … Read More

Remembering Who We Are…..

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More Descendants of the Revolution •August 26, 2026• by Janey Roney If your family roots in America go back to the 1700s, it’s very likely you have a Revolutionary War veteran or two in your past. It’s worthwhile for you to search for them, because the stories you might find will give you a deeper appreciation of our freedom given to us by the personal sacrifices of those veterans. The volunteers at the Moultrie County History Center on South Hamilton in Sullivan can help you search. The Revolutionary War was not some distant, forgotten event in the past to Moultrie … Read More

Sullivan Trap Team offers more than competition

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•August 26, 2026• by Jamie Crosier Members of the Sullivan High School Trap Team. As the Sullivan Trap Team prepares to enter its third year this fall, Head Coach Rob Kidd hopes more local families will learn about an opportunity that offers young people much more than a chance to shoot targets. “The team’s been great,” Kidd said. “We have kids from all different kinds of places. But they come together, and they get along together, and they’ve made new friends that they might not have made just through school.” The program grew from an interest in creating more competitive … Read More

Sullivan defends against Bomber attack in season opener

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•August 26, 2026• by E. Scott England Photo by R.R. Best Football was definitely in the air, though it did have a strange feeling to it. Chalk it up to the fact that it was a Saturday night game instead of under traditional Friday night lights. We have nothing but a shortage of referees to thank for the twenty-four hour shift. Or maybe the different feeling was Victory Field. It seemed not quite as lush thanks to a restriction on watering grass. The barely visible numbers looked like they were painted a month ago. And a track — well, the … Read More

Obituaries 8-26-2026: Steven Phillips

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Steven Phillips Steven R. Phillips, 44, of Arcola, passed away 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon. Funeral services were held Monday, August 24, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Burial was in Penn Township Cemetery, Moweaqua. Memorials may be made in care of the family. … Read More

A Look Back…8-26-2026

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1966 Tex Young, Gays, exhibited the 1st and 3rd place single and pair of Poland China barrows. He also received first place on his senior spring boar at the State Fair. The Sullivan Civic Center Swim Team brought home a first runner up trophy from a Rotary Club sponsored meet at Hillsboro. Donna Purvis accepted the Business and Professional Women’s scholarship check from Donna Maxedon, president of the organization. The scholarship was awarded annually to a high school senior girl who wishes to further her education. 1976 Lovington Elementary School opened its doors for the first day of school on … Read More

Landmark torn down

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The home at the intersection of Route 133 and Route 32 in Lovington was torn down last week. The house had become a major hazard after a box truck struck it, taking out a large portion of the north wall. The owners had the home demolished after it was deemed a public safety issue.  … Read More

Illinois Amish Heritage Center presents “Amish Education”

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•August 26, 2026• A special event, “Amish Education,” will be held for a 2nd year at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center (IAHC) on Saturday, September 12.  The event is held in a 1920’s-era one-room schoolhouse at the new IAHC Living History Farm between Arcola and Arthur, Illinois. The event is on Saturday, September 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and includes a bag lunch. Pre-registration is required. … Read More

Moultrie County approves $3.25 million bid for new county building

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•August 26, 2026• by Jamie Crosier The Moultrie County Board approved a $3.25 million construction bid Thursday for a new county building designed to bring several departments and services together while providing additional storage, training and emergency-response space. The board voted during its Aug. 13 meeting to accept the $3,251,000 bid from K. Wohltman Construction Inc., the lowest responsible bidder. The overall project budget is approximately $4 million and includes construction, a new drive, contingency funds, architectural and engineering fees, furnishings, technology and landscaping. Construction is expected to begin in September, with the project estimated at 270 calendar days. … Read More