Midwest faces cold and snowy winter 

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•October 22, 2025• by DM Williamee As we move closer to winter, the Midwest should be bracing for the impacts of La Niña, according to meteorological experts. La Niña is a climate phenomenon characterized by cooler ocean temperatures in the Pacific, which can significantly influence weather patterns across the United States. The Climate Prediction Center has issued a La Niña watch, indicating that conditions could persist through the winter months, affecting areas of the Midwest and of course, Illinois. … Read More

Redskins take down the Villa Grove Blue Devils

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•October 22, 2025• Sullivan, celebrating Senior Night, took on Villa Grove Friday night with a chance to qualify for the playoffs for the third straight year with a victory. Aiden Dinger opened up the scoring with a 6 yard touchdown run and a Collin Shain PAT put the Redskins up 7-0 at the end of the first quarter. … Read More

Remembering Who We Are………….79

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The Little End of Nothing•October 22, 2025• by Janet Roney Traveling across frontier central Illinois was not an easy task, whether in a group of wagons, on a stagecoach, or by horseback. It was uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous. Since inns like Lovington’s Black Horse Tavern were scarce, travelers often found refuge with pioneer families in isolated cabins to avoid camping out on the open prairie. Travelers never knew what to expect when stopping at an isolated cabin. My great-great-grandfather described his experience in his journal when he spent the night at an isolated cabin in southern Illinois in 1819. He and … Read More

Obituaries 10-22-2025: Barbara Trower

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Barbara Jean (Molzen) Trower, 90, of Lovington, passed away on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Eberhardt Village in Arthur, Il.  Graveside services were held Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Arthur Cemetery, Arthur, IL. As per Barbara’s request there was no visitation. Memorials may be made to The Eberhardt Village Activity fund, St, Jude or Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements. … Read More

Obituaries 10-22-2025: John McLaughlin

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•October 22, 2025• John Frederick McLaughlin, 74, passed away in Medford, Oregon on Wednesday, October 15. John was born in Decatur, Illinois to parents Dr. Dean and Pam McLaughlin (formerly Bierman). John grew up in Sullivan, Illinois with six siblings – Dave, Jean, Phyllis, Susie, Ann and Bill.  … Read More

A Look Back…10-22-2025

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2015 Mid Illinois Senior Services and Peace Meal hosted a Veterans Appreciation Luncheon on Monday, November 16th. Veterans and their spouses ate for free.  Aging heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems and spongy rooftops were discussed at the Sullivan Community Unit #300 school board meeting on October 13th. Maintenance director Kevin Landrus explained the elementary, middle, and high schools had places where water had pooled, damaging roofs. He also pointed out that air conditioning systems were gaining age and becoming costly to maintain, noting two units in the high school gym were not working at all. The 2015 Artoberfest winners … Read More

Making Halloween treats safer for our kids

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Here are a few simple tricks to help your children enjoy their Halloween treats •October 22, 2025• by Angela Hogan Halloween is an exciting time for kids. They look forward to wearing their costumes. They also anticipate the delicious Halloween treats they’ll collect during their trick-or-treat activities. However, as parents, it’s crucial to ensure our children remain safe during this holiday. In this article, we’ll share some “tricks” to help you prioritize their safety. Halloween Should Be Fun and Safe For many, Halloween is a fun way to welcome the fall season. Unfortunately, the costumes, activities, and even the treats … Read More

MCHGS guest speaker: Alice Durbin

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•October 22, 2025• The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society monthly meeting was held October 16th at the History Center in Sullivan. The featured speaker was Alice Durbin, a Moultrie County native. Alice was a dental hygienist and was instrumental in bringing modern dental practices to Kosovo, an Eastern European country. She told those attendance that she got involved in war-torn Kosovo in 2001 when she visited the area for the first time to set up a dental clinic. … Read More

Bethany High School Alumni Banquet 

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•October 22, 2025• Photo Submitted Officers: Libby Larkin Booker, Diane Foster Waggoner, Nancy Sowers Mueller, Rita Kesterson Seelow The 94th annual Bethany High School Alumni Banquet was held on October 11th at the Okaw Valley High School gymnasium, with nearly 90 in attendance. Diane Foster Waggoner, Class of 1983, welcomed the alumni and friends to the banquet, and Bart Spencer, Class of 1980, gave the opening prayer. Terry Muzzy, Class of 1966, gave a Military Recognition and talked about the Wall of Honor with pictures of Bethany School graduates who served in the military.  Photo Submitted Dave Overlot, speaker. The … Read More