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Safe Sport Program

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•August 12, 2020•

The Sullivan Blue Dolphins Board has been working behind the scenes to get its program recognized by USA Swimming as a Safe Sport Program. There are over 3,100 USA sanctioned teams and as of Feb. this year, only 138 had met the Safe Sport Qualifications. USA Swimming is committed to providing a healthy and positive environment free from abuse for all its members. USA Swimming’s Safe Sport program, a comprehensive abuse prevention program, consists of a multi-layered approach to keep kids safe, including: required policies and best practice guidelines; mandatory screening, criminal background checks and employment screening; training and education; monitoring, supervision and mandatory reporting. These measures are informed by experts in the field of child safety and are among the strongest safeguards found in youth-serving organizations. USA Swimming’s Safe Sport program will continue to spark meaningful discussions across the country to strengthen open, productive communication channels. For more information regarding USA Swimming’s Safe Sport program, please reach out to Devonie Pitre at dpitre@usaswimming.org.
The Coaches and Board of Directors for the Sullivan Blue Dolphins are committed to the safety of the athletes. Tryouts for the team will be conducted at the Sullivan Civic Center Saturday, Aug. 15 at 9 a.m..

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Photo by R.R. Best
Angie and Cory Neal and son Andrew with Moonlight Acres were selling sweet corn in Bethany last week.

Moultrie Douglas 4H Virtual Show

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Photo furnished
Ethan Tice, 9, of the Moultrie County Shining Stars received the award for Grand Champion heifer.

•August 5, 2020•
The Moultrie Douglas 4-H program held their virtual show recently and several members from our area received recognition for their projects. According to Angela Welker, 4-H/Youth Program Coordinator for the University of Illinois Extension Unit 19, the virtual show had a submission deadline of June 27 and participants had from June 1-27 to submit their projects.
Livestock project submission were done by sending videos to judges while General Show submissions involved taking photos of the project and writing a project report. Welker said that the virtual aspect of this years show affected the amount of submissions in that there were less submissions this year.
“We hope to be able to be face to face for next year’s fair,” she said.
Awards include: Anyssa Coffer, age 11, Moultrie County Shining Stars, General Projects, Visual Arts, “Grand Champion, Class Champion, State Fair Del”, Blue; Gareth Coffer, age 12, Moultrie County Shining Stars, Goats, Dairy Goat, Class champion, Blue, “Grand Champion, Class champion”, Reserve Grand Champion; Keegan Gibbons, age 11, Sunny Side Flea Flickers, Horse and Pony, Horse Showmanship, Reserve Grand Champion, Blue; Jace Green, age 15, Atwood Hammond Prairie Dogs, Swine, Swine, Red; Read More

How to Prepare Kids to go Back to School

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•August 5, 2020•
The end of summer can be a bittersweet time for students. While many students look forward to seeing their friends, few want to say goodbye to the relaxing days of summer.
Parents know that getting their children back in the school day swing of things can be a challenge. The following are some ways to make that transition go smoothly. Read More

A Refresher Course in School Bus Safety

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•August 5, 2020•
The dawn of a new school year is a time marked by change and fresh opportunities. For many children, school marks the first time they are away from their parents for an extended period of time. It also may be the first time they ride in a vehicle other than their parents’ cars.
Each school day, 25 million children ride a bus to school in the United States. A school bus is among the safest modes of transport and one of the most regulated vehicles on the road, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Riding a school bus can be a novel experience no matter a student’s age or grade. Kindergarteners may be introduced to the school bus on their first day of school, while older students are no doubt familiar with life inside a school bus. But all students and families can benefit from a refresher course on school bus procedures to ensure this school year begins on safe footing. Read More

Eight More COVID-19 Cases

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•August 5, 2020•

The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed eight more cases of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. They range in age from elementary school age to 80s and all are recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials have notified all close contacts.
To date, 2,048 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 60 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 and 38 have been released from isolation.
To minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the health department is asking everyone to use the three basic Ws:
• Watch physical distance and keep six feet from others.
• Wear a mask when in public places.
• Wash hands routinely.
According to the CDC to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 if you have or think you might have this virus, it’s important to stay home and away from other people until:
• At least 10 days have elapsed since symptoms first appeared and
• In the last 24 hours the individual has been fever-free without fever-reducing medication and
• Symptoms have improved.
People with weakened immune systems may need to self-isolate longer than 10 days.
If an individual is ill with symptoms associated with coronavirus and needs medical or emergency care, they should notify their physician or emergency medical service providers of their symptoms prior to arrival.
Information on area testing sites can be found at https://dph.illinois.gov/testing.
For more information on the Moultrie County Health Department’s news, events and services, please visit www.moultriehealth.org and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moultriecountyhealth.

New $5M State Ad Campaign to Promote Masks as Virus Positivity Rate Hits 4 Percent

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•August 5, 2020•
By Jerry Nowicki
Capitol News Illinois

COVID-19 cases are on the rise throughout the state and Gov. JB Pritzker is hoping a new $5 million state advertising campaign will help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus by encouraging use of face coverings.
Pritzker announced the campaign, which has the tagline “It only works if you wear it,” at the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Operations Center in Springfield. The governor said the costs are reimbursable through federal coronavirus relief funds.
Pritzker said the campaign will permeate “really every kind of medium that you can think of,” including “a good deal on social media,” cable, broadcast TV, Hulu, YouTube and many other platforms.
Pritzker praised a recent action by Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder, who signed an order imposing fines for Springfield bars and restaurants flouting masking, social distancing and capacity restrictions. It also banned occupancy of standing areas at bars both inside and outside. Read More

Corrington Livestock Joins American Angus Association

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•August 5, 2020•
Corrington Livestock, Bethany, is a new member of the American Angus Association®, reports Mark McCully, CEO of the national breed organization headquartered in Saint Joseph, Missouri.
The American Angus Association, with more than 25,000 active adult and junior members, is the largest beef breed association in the world. Its computerized records include detailed information on over 19 million registered Angus. Read More