•July 23, 2020•
The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed four more cases of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The individuals range in age from 30s to 80s and all are recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials have been notifying all close contacts. To date, 1,681 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 41 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 and 28 are no longer in isolation. It is important for all individuals to self-monitor for possible COVID-19 symptoms which may include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea It is also possible to be infected with the virus and have no symptoms. For this reason, the CDC recommends physical distancing and masks to help reduce the risk of transmission. To minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the health department is asking everyone use the three basic Ws: Watch physical distance and keep six feet from others. Wear a mask when in public places. Wash hands routinely. 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
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Moultrie County Adds a Positive COVID-19 Case
•July 23, 2020•
The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed one more case of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The individual is in her 70s and is recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials have notifying all close contacts.
To date, 1,610 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 37 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 and 27 are no longer in isolation.
It is important for all individuals to self-monitor for possible COVID-19 symptoms which may include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
It is also possible to be infected with the virus and have no symptoms. For this reason, the CDC recommends physical distancing and masks to help reduce the risk of transmission.
To minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the health department is asking everyone use the three basic Ws:
• Watch physical distance and keep six feet from others.
• Wear a mask when in public places.
•Wash hands routinely.
Along with physical distancing, the CDC strongly recommends wearing a mask to cut the risk of disease transmission. Those for whom a mask is not recommended include: children under the age of two, individuals who are oxygen dependent and those individuals who are incapacitated or unable to remove their mask without assistance.
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.
Illinois Eviction Rule Change to Benefit Tenants, Landlords
•July 22, 2020•
By Rebecca Anzel
Capitol News Illinois
ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com
The Illinois Supreme Court announced last week that it approved a change to rules governing eviction proceedings that will simplify the process for both landlords and tenants.
The rule change mandates that property owners must file all related documents simultaneously when they file a complaint. That includes pertinent portions of a lease, a copy of the eviction issued by a landlord and proof the tenant received that document.
Property owners must now also prove their right to remove residents from the beginning of the proceeding, giving tenants the exact reason for an eviction, according to the rule.
“This new rule will help self-represented parties on both sides of eviction cases and also the judges hearing these cases by requiring key information at the outset,” Chief Justice Anne Burke said in a statement.
The Supreme Court also approved a standardized form for property owners to use in place of a notice, which explains the basis for an eviction. Read More
Obituaries 7-22-2020: Frank Elzy
Frank Elzy
Frank Elzy, 87, of Sullivan, passed away at 3:55 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in his residence.
Celebration of Life services were 2 p.m. Monday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan with military rites conducted by Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor’s choice. Read More
Vote By Mail Applications Being Mailed To All Moultrie County Registered Voters
•July 22, 2020•
A recent law passed by Legislators and signed by the Governor on June 16 states, in part, that an Application for a Vote by Mail Ballot must be mailed to all voters who voted in 2018, 2019, 2020.
Vote by Mail applications to residents will allow more people to exercise their right to vote from the safety of their own homes and help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Official Vote-By-Mail Applications will be mailed to all registered voters in Moultrie County on July 28, 2020
The Vote by Mail Application has caused quite a bit of confusion. Hopefully, the following Questions and Answers will explain:
Q: Do I have to Vote by Mail?
A: NO. All Moultrie County registered voters will receive an Official Vote by Mail Application. However, it is up the voter to decide if they wish Vote by Mail rather than in-person. If they do not want to apply for a Vote by Mail ballot, they can simply dispose of the Application, and Early Vote in the County Clerk’s office beginning September 24 or go to the Polls on November 3. Read More
Blue Dolphins Return and Adjust to New Waters
•July 22, 2020•
By Kevin Cremeens
SBD Publicity Director
The end of February and the early part of March, four athletes of the Sullivan Blue Dolphins learned that they qualified and were going to represent the Sullivan Swimmers at the Speedo Zone Championship and at State.
This was a huge accomplishment. When a swimmer makes it to the State competition it is solely based on performance and not the size of school. At this time everyone is watching the news and keeping in contact with swim officials. March 12th, athletes were on their way to the host city for the Swim Meet that was to begin on Friday, March 13th.
On his way to Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, making it past Champaign, Ethan Schmohe receives the email that the Speedo Zone Championships had been cancelled. The same thing happened to Matthew Wesselman, Isaac Chambers, and Alivia Melvin who were on their way to Elkhart, Indiana for the State Championship Meet. Read More
Remember When? 7-22-2020
25 Years Ago This Week
Jacob Trowler of Lovington is a member of the Banner Blue 4-H club and received a blue ribbon for his Suffok Spring Ewe at the Moultrie-Douglas Fair in Arthur.
Kevin V. Bowser of Bethany is attending MacMurray College in Jacksonville. He plans to major in biology. He is the son of Donald and Shirlene Bower and a 1995 graduate of Bethany High School.
Lake City resident Nova Marie Bailey, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Terry L. Bailey and granddaughter of Mary Broutin of Lovington, received a bachelor of science in nursing from Pensacola Christian College. She is working toward her master’s degree at Alabama University.
Six Moultrie County residents received bachelor’s degrees from Illinois State University.
Kristen Kay Scott of Bethany, bachelor of science; Heidi Johna Vanderburgh of Bethany, bachelor of science in education; Aaron B. Jesse of Sullivan, bachelor of science; Monte Alan Johnson of Sullivan, bachelor of science in education; Michele Lee Keown of Sullivan, bachelor of science; Anthony Blake Ozier of Sullivan, bachelor of science. Read More
DIRTcar Summer Nationals
•July 22, 2020•
The win may have slipped away from him one night ago, but on Friday night at Farmer City Raceway, there was no way Brian Shirley was going to be denied again.
The three-time and defending DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion found the pole for the 50-lap Feature and wasted no time, jetting out to a commanding lead inside the first 10 laps with Bobby Pierce following.
Pierce’s bad luck from Thursday night seemed to carry over, as he brought out the caution soon after, heading to the work area with a flat tire. He was able to rebound, however, coming back up through the field to finish 8th.
This opened the door for Shannon Babb to challenge Shirley out front, which he did for much of the next 20 laps through lapped traffic. At one point, the gap between them was just .168 seconds.
But in the end, Shirley was able to pull away from Babb and the rest of the field as the lapped traffic thinned out, taking the checkered flag untouched and notching his first Hell Tour victory of 2020 and his first at the Farmer City Raceway in Summer Nationals competition.
In Victory Lane, Shirley gave it up to his sponsors, his dedicated crew and especially his car owners Bob and Lisa Cullen for their efforts in keeping the operation alive in the middle of a pandemic-marred racing season.
“We went into a hole, just as far as keeping everything with the race team going,” Shirley said. “Bob and Lisa – they’ve had to step it up and take it out of their pockets, and that’s tough… they’ve given me the opportunity to come back out here and do what I do.”
Babb crossed the line in second while Frank Heckenast Jr. rounded out the podium after a great bounce-back run from his misfortune earlier in the week. Taylor Scheffler crossed the finish line in fourth but was declared six pounds light at the scales and was disqualified as a result, moving Jason Feger and Ryan Unzicker up into the top-five.
Moultrie Moment of the Week
Pictured above is Dunn school in October 1929. The two children in front holding slate are Dean and Peggy Jones. Middle row: 1.,2. unknown 3: Victor Butt, 4,5,6,7, unknown, Back row: 1 unknown, John Butt, 3 unknown 4. Helen Goodwin, teacher, 5. Russell Butt, 6 & 7 unknown. Other family names might be Marquis, Reedy, McDermott, Bone & Hunt.. 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.
Menu 7-22-2020
Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
July 27 - Stuffed Chicken Breast w/Brown Rice, Stir Fry Vegetables, Lyonnise Carrots, Whole Grain Wheat (1), Pears Tuesday, July 28 - Brat, Potato Salad, Italian Green Beans, Bun, Scalloped Pineapple
July 29 - Country Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables, Texas Toast, Fresh Grapes
July 30 - Cheese, Ham, Chicken, or Tuna Salad, Creamy Vegetables Soup, Gelatin w/Fruit, Assorted Crackers, Peaches
July 31 - Taco Salad w/Meat, Beans and Cheese, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Sour Cream & Taco Sauce, Mandarin Oranges, Taco Chips, Pudding