Cat problems dominate Sullivan City Council

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•October 1, 2025• by Sharon Barricklow A mostly routine Sullivan City Council meeting ended with a lengthy discussion about what to do about stray cats last Monday night.  Almost 40 people attended the meeting but none spoke during the public comment section of the agenda. The final item, a council discussion about the problem of stray cats turned into almost an hour of debate with Mayor Mike Mossman saying “We’re not going to solve this problem tonight.”  … Read More

Sullivan Southern Baptist Church to celebrate 75 years

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•October 1, 2025• Sullivan Southern Baptist Church invites the community to join in celebrating its 75th Anniversary on Sunday, October 12th, at Sullivan Southern Baptist Church, 615 E. Jackson Street in Sullivan. The day will begin with a 10:00 a.m. worship service that will highlight the history and heritage of the church since its founding in 1950. The guest speaker will be former pastor Don Evans. Pastor Don Lusk will bring the morning message, and longtime members will share stories of God’s work through the congregation over the past seven and a half decades. … Read More

“TextMyGov” notification system announcement

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•October 1, 2025• Submitted The City of Sullivan is introducing TextMyGov, a convenient and smart text messaging service. This service will enable residents to effortlessly receive important notifications and easily find specific information by texting the city. Sullivan will officially launch the new text messaging system to the public on October 13th. Residents may receive a text message from 91896 from the City of Sullivan, initiating the service. Residents have the option to opt out at any time by texting STOP. … Read More

‘Senior Expo’ draws crowds

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•October 1, 2025• by DM Williamee  On Thursday, September 25th, in two sessions, nearly two hundred local seniors met with vendors at the Mid-Illinois Senior Center for their annual ‘Senior Expo’. The event was held in their new location at 113 Jefferson Street, Sullivan. The purpose of this event was to both celebrate and empower seniors, which it accomplished. The Expo was enjoyed by friends and neighbors, with local businesses providing an opportunity for all attending to learn new information, get questions answered, receive gifts, and enjoy a free lunch. Take-out only lunch was provided by Griffin’s BBQ and catering, … Read More

MoCo October quarter madness

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•October 1, 2025• Moultrie County Monthly Quarter Madness will hold its October Quarter Auction on Wednesday, October 8th. The event will be held at the Sullivan American Legion. The Sullivan Lions Club will be the charity of the month. Since 1941, the Sullivan Lions Club, an affiliate of Lions International, has been committed to helping residents with vision and hearing services, hunger, and youth needs. Their club is known for its annual ‘Turkey Party’ held in November (this year on Friday, November 14th). Funds raised during this event and others are given back in the community in various ways. At … Read More

Bethany Fire and Ambulance ‘Open House’

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•October 1, 2025• The Bethany Fire & Ambulance Protection District invites the public to their “Open House’ on Saturday, October 4th, from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. at 530 E Main St, Bethany. Bring the family and enjoy fun games and activities for all ages, live demonstrations from their team, and a chance to meet your local firefighters and EMTs, as well as tours of their trucks and equipment. This is a family-friendly event, and they would love to see our community come out for an afternoon of learning and fun. … Read More

Lovington blood drive

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•October 1, 2025• The American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in the Lovington First Christian Church Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, October 15th, from noon to 5:30 p.m. Pre-register online by going to RedCrossBlood.org and look for First Christian Church to schedule your donation time. Walk-ins are welcome. Contact Darlene Barlow at 217-855-9397 with any questions. Identification or a Donor Card is required. … Read More

Sullivan High School Letters to the Editor

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•October 1, 2025• ‘Letters to the Editor,’ written by Cami Badman‘s Honors English III students at Sullivan High School, explored controversial subjects with inquisitive minds and logic as well as emotion-based arguments. Badman opened the school year by challenging the 15 students to present well-rounded arguments for student-selected controversial subjects in the format of a ‘Letter to the Editor’. These are those letters Dear Editor,  In recent years, many have questioned how to increase focus and mood among high schoolers. Research suggests that the answer may be as simple as getting more sleep. If schools establish later start times, students … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Bernadine

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Bernadine was called to Heaven at 4:00 am on September 25, 2025 to be with her Lord and join her loving husband Charles. Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 1 from 10:00 to 11:30 am at Reed Funeral Home, 1112 S. Hamilton St., Sullivan, IL 61951. A celebration of life service for Bernadine will immediately follow.  Interment will be at Greenhill Cemetery on E. Water St. in Sullivan. She was born on January 14, 1928 in South Dakota. She was a daughter of Ollie and Marie Kidwell and was one of eight children six girls and two boys who were a very caring and … Read More

Recent Obituaries: Joseph (Joe) Russell

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Joseph (Joe) Eugene Russell, 76 of Sullivan passed away peacefully at 8:05am on September 25, 2025 at Eastview Terrace, Sullivan. Services start at 6:00 p.m. with visitation being held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Monday September 29, 2025 at the McMullin Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial will take place at a later date. Memorials can be made to donors’ choice. Joe was born March 8, 1949, in Decatur: the son of Lloyd Eugene Russell and Theresa Mae (Phillips) Beattie. He was a hard worker for Staleys in Decatur for thirty years. Joe was a huge fan of golfing, it was his number … Read More