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Moultrie County Courthouse Offices Open Full Time With Safety Procedures

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•May 6, 2020•
The Moultrie County Courthouse opened full time this week with individual offices establishing safe operating procedures under limited access due to Stay at Home health restrictions.
The County Clerk and Recorder, Assessments Office and Treasurer have provided helpful information to help the guide the public as the courthouse resumes full time operation.
The north entrance of the courthouse is for public access and social distancing measures will continue to be observed.

County Clerk and
Recorder

The County Clerk and Recorder’s office is open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. with the Courthouse limited access still in place.
The following procedures have been established while the State’s Stay-at-Home restrictions apply: Read More

Moultrie County Relay for Life Donut Day Helps Raise Funds

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Photo furnished
At the SBL Clinic in Sullivan IL: Beth Cook and Brook Seaman receive donuts from Heather Dendy, Relay for Life Event Leadership Team. Thanks to the Vineyard Church, Sullivan Campus for purchasing donuts from the Traditional Sullivan Bakery.

•May 6, 2020•
The Relay for Life of Moultrie County will be having a DONUT DAY on May 26th. to raise money for the continued care of cancer patients, their housing during treatment, and cancer research.
Relay for Life Moultrie County Event lead Adam McReynolds explained that Cancer patients need your support more than ever. As COVID-19 spreads, cancer patients are more vulnerable than ever.
“We need your help to support them during this unprecedented crisis,” McReynolds said.
“While we may not be able to gather survivors and supporters together for public events to raise money, we can still do online fundraisers.”
Search in your internet browser for Relay for Life Moultrie County or on Facebook to follow our online information. Read More

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Recognizes Foster Parent Appreciation Month

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•May 6, 2020•
May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month in Illinois, a time to thank the thousands of foster families across the state that have opened their homes to provide a temporary safe haven to abused and neglected children who have been placed in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services by local courts.
Each year, an average of 4,000 children from across the state, of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, are taken into temporary state care when their home life is unsafe. DCFS works with the family to make the positive changes necessary to reunite with their children while foster families step up and provide homes where the children are protected, nurtured and loved. Read More

Illinois Temperatures and Precipitation Fluctuated in April

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•May 6, 2020•
The first half of April had above average temperatures in Illinois, but the cold predominated in the second half, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.
The preliminary statewide average April temperature was 49.2 degrees, 3.4 degrees below the 30-year normal.
The preliminary statewide average total April precipitation was 4.36 inches, 0.58 inches above the 30-year normal.
Average temperatures from April 1 to 10 ranged from 1 to 6 degrees above normal across the state. A strong cold front moved through the region between April 9 and 11 with unseasonably cold air. Average temperatures between April 11 and 20 ranged from 5 to 15 degrees below normal.
Overall, April average temperatures ranged from the low 30s in northern Illinois to the mid-50s in southern Illinois. April ended the consecutive four-month streak of warmer than normal months going back to December 2019. Read More

Obituaries 5-6-2020: Karen Lane

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Karen Lane

Karen E. Lane, 80, of Sullivan passed away 2:35 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield.
Private family services will be held at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Burial will be in Jonathan Creek Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. Read More

Remember When? 5-6-2020

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25 Years Ago This Week

Three local educators have been honored with the Education Is the Key Award from the office of Regional Superintendent of Education John McNary.
Sullivan school district superintendent Richard Voltz, Lovington high school principal Judy Uphoff and Bethany fourth grade teacher Margaret Overlot received individual honors for their contributions to eduction.
Several Moultrie countians won the Lake Land College Foundation Photography Contest.
William Zoetvelt of Sullivan won for Autumn Haze.
Three Lovington photographers won: Amber Atteberrry for “Jumping Coach”; Lewis Lingafelter for “The Girl” and Johnny M. Smith for “Things are Not What They Seem”. Read More

OVHS Senior Recognition

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•May 6, 2020•

Okaw Valley High School will be honoring the graduating class of 2020 on Saturday, May 9.
OVHS Principal Matt Schoaff announced that a senior recognition parade will pass through Bethany and on to Findlay on Saturday.
He emphasized safe healthy distancing will be observed.
Senior recognition parade participants will kick off the route from Crowder Park at 3:00 p.m. Starting at Crowder the route passes in front of the high school and on to Findlay.
The community is encouraged to wish the group congratulations from the curb side allowing personal safety distancing in the process.

COUNTRY Financial Rep. Houser Makes All American Team

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•May 6, 2020•
COUNTRY Financial Representative Elizabeth Houser of Sullivan has earned a position on the insurance groups distinguished All American team.
Houser is among a select group of top COUNTRY Financial agency managers and financial representatives who qualified for the award. COUNTRY Financial has more than 2,000 agency managers and financial representatives in 17 states. Read More

Lightning Strikes Bell Tower

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Photo by R.R. Best
Lightning Strikes Bell Tower
Lightning struck the First Baptist Church bell tower April 28 blowing bricks as far as the post office out the back and into the neighbors lawn across the street in front.
Sullivan Fire Department was called to the Harrison Street church at 8:57 p.m. last Wednesday.
Fire Chief Mike Piper reported the lightning strike had caused some structural damage to the bell tower as well as electrical damage when the strike continued to the roof flashing, the gutter system and on to the ground.
No fire damage was discovered and Sullivan firefighters returned to the station at 9:59 p.m.
Pastor Mark Bjornbak explained the lightning strike destroyed the church sound system and computers with damage assessments on going.
“We appreciate our alert neighbors who called the fire department and we are thankful no one was injured,” Rev. Bjronbak said.
He explained the building damage was limited to the bell tower and the remaining building is safe.
The First Baptist Church is observing social distancing and regular services have been suspended since the stay at home order due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Make Mother’s Day Special

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•May 6, 2020•
Each and every day a new woman becomes a mother for the first time or all over again. Being a mother changes a person’s life in dramatic ways.
Mother’s Day is a great time of year to honor mothers and attempt to give back just a portion of the tireless love and devotion moms offer their children. Some children provide large gestures, while others feel it’s the little things that can help a mom to feel appreciated. For those needing a little inspiration on treating their mothers in special ways, consider these ideas.
· Make mom a breakfast in bed with her favorite morning treats.
· Enjoy a movie at home with mom. Let her pick the flick and share her favorite film with you. Read More