•January 12, 2022•
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is announcing two new COVID-19 oral antivirals, Paxlovid (Pfizer) and Molnupiravir (Merck), will be available in Illinois later this month. The antivirals are for those with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for becoming severely ill, including hospitalization or death. Both antivirals will be available by prescription only and should be taken as soon as possible after being diagnosed and within five days of the beginning of symptoms. Paxlovid is expected to reduce the risk of hospitalizations by 89% and Molnupiravir by about 30%. Molnupiravir is meant for use when other treatment options are not available. Read More
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Facts for Families: Helping Children Cope with Disasters
•January 12, 2022•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator
Natural disasters, such as the recent tornados, wildfires, and floods along with other traumatic events like mass shootings and even the pandemic can be devastating for everyone. For children, just watching the news and listening to parents talk can make life’s events seem like they are out of control. This would be magnified for children who experienced direct loss and may need help understanding what happened to their world. Most children look to adults for guidance and understanding on how to react and deal with life’s events.
Common reactions of children experiencing stress may include new fears, clinginess, refusal to go to school or other places where they would be separated from familiar adults, regression or withdrawal into depression, or acting out behaviors. How can children be helped through disaster experiences? The National Association of School Psychologists reminds all parents and teachers to:
· Limit your child’s viewing of these events. If they must watch, watch with them for a brief time; then turn off the screen. Don’t sit mesmerized re-watching the same events over and over again. Read More
Moultrie Moment of the Week
Pictured above is Sullivan High School’s 1932 basketball team. Back row: Coach Dennis, Everett Keys statistician, Mark Kenny mgr, Sam Harshman, Harmon Baggett, H. Poland. Middle: George Poland, Richard Poland, Bill Richardson, Russell Ashbrook, Hugh Grote. Front: Bill Dwyer, Elmer Dunscomb, Earl Freeman, Capt. Pete McDavid, Mush Shirey. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.
Mobile Food Pantry in Windsor
•January 12, 2022•
The University of Illinois Extension, in cooperating partnership with Decatur Catholic Charities and Windsor School District, will have a mobile food pantry on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 from 4 to 5 pm at Windsor Grade School. Line up not allowed before 3:30 pm. A mobile food pantry delivers a 2 week supply of food per family in rural communities. Any individual or family that does not have a steady food supply qualifies to receive food. No financial information is required. This distribution is open to all, not only residents of Windsor. Sign up by February 9 between the hours of 8 am-Noon and 1 pm to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday by calling 217-774-9546. Once your form is completed by phone, you will be given a number to bring with you on the day of distribution. If you lose your number, you need to bring identification. The food will be distributed according to your household size on February 16 from 4 pm to 5 pm at the Windsor Grade School Cafeteria.
Pin the Apostrophe on the T-shirt
•January 12, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
The willy-nilly placement of apostrophes in writing is a common problem and one we should resolve to correct in 2022.
Come on. It can’t be as difficult as shutting out the siren call of simple carbs that emanates from the cupboard and the fridge, which is the width of a wall away from me in my home office.
With any luck, you haven’t gotten back any of your holiday cards stamped “Return to Sender: Inappropriate Use of Apostrophe in Plural Surname.”
My not sending cards in 2021 ensured I made no such blunders. But that seems an aggressively anti-social way to approach the holidays.
With callous disregard for an appropriate segue, I point to reader Michele Moore’s apostrophic concern in what I assume is a piece of her business formal wear. Read More
Remember When? 1-12-2022
25 Years Ago This Week
After a relatively mild early winter, the season showed it could pack a double punch. A massive snowfall followed by high winds, zero visibility and bone chilling cold closed schools. Then there was a repeat performance when freezing rain and sleet made travel hazardous and closed several area schools.
The Lovington boys’ basketball team won over Villa Grove 58-42. Read More
Coy retires from IDOT
Photo submitted
Coy retires from IDOT
Ron Coy retired from the Illinois Department of Transportation after 25 years of service at the end of 2021.
Sullivan Township Precincts redrawn
•January 12, 2022•
New Voter Identification cards will be mailed to all registered voters in Sullivan Township in mid-January. The Voters Precinct and Polling Location will be in red on these cards. It is very important that Sullivan Township voters review the new Voter ID card to make sure they go to the correct Precinct and Poll Location on Election Day. Reminder: The date for the General Primary Election is June 28, 2022.
The Moultrie County Board passed a Resolution to Re-establish Voting Precinct Lines in Sullivan Township at their July 15, 2021 Board meeting. As a result of that meeting, Sullivan Township precinct sizes now range from 459 to 609 registered voters. Read More
City Council Split on Establishment of Chief of Staff Position
•January 12, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The Sullivan City Council had a split vote on whether to establish the position of chief of staff for the city of Sullivan. The vote taken was 2-2. Commissioner Doug Booker was absent. “I’ve changed my position on it,” Commissioner Mike Fowler said. “It’s too much like the city administrator.”
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood announced that the city would be taking bids for a UTV utility vehicle. Bids will be received until 5 p.m., February 14, and should be submitted by mail. Commissioner Chuck Woodworth said the crew is working on installing bigger Nextgrid meters. Read More
ALAH Cheerleader performs at VRBO Citrus Bowl
Photo Submitted
Layna Kapp is pictured.
•January 12, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
Layna Kapp, an ALAH High School senior from Lovington, performed at the VRBO Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida on January 1. The game between Iowa and Kentucky was played at Camping World Stadium.
Kapp said that her cheer coach set up a home camp through the Universal Cheer Association. During the camp, tryouts were held and three girls qualified to perform at the bowl game. Kapp was the only one able to travel to Orlando to perform. Read More