•July 15, 2020•
Moultrie County is now taking bids on 217.58 acres of farmland located 1 mile West of Sullivan South of the Moultrie County Animal Shelter.
This farm is enrolled in the USDA/FSA Farm Program. The terms of the Lease shall be for two years commencing November 1, 2020.
Bidding limited to Moultrie County residents or owners of not less than 40 acres of Moultrie County farmland.
Bid packets may be obtained from the County Clerk's office, Moultrie County Courthouse, 10 S. Main, Sullivan beginning July 15, 2020.
Sealed bids should be returned to the County Clerk’s office by 12 noon on August 5, 2020, with the opening of bids that day at 3:00 p.m. in the Board Room, Second Floor of the Courthouse
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Moultrie County Adds Three More Positive COVID-19 Cases
•July 14, 2020•
Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed three more cases of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The individuals range in ages from 40’s to 60’s. Two are recovering at home in isolation and one is hospitalized. Public health officials are notifying all close contacts.
To date, 1,357 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 27 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 and 18 are no longer in isolation.
As Illinois progresses through Phase 4 of Recover Illinois, the risk of COVID-19 transmission to others may increase. It is important to remember that people of all ages are vulnerable to this virus, and everyone should take precautions to prevent infection.
For public safety, the health department continues to ask everyone:
• Maintain a physical distance of six feet from others
• Wear a mask for source control when physical distancing is not possible.
•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.
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.
Moultrie County Adds More Positive COVID-19 Cases
•July 10, 2020•
The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed the four more cases of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The individuals range in ages from 20’s to 70’s. They are recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials are notifying all close contacts. To date, 1,299 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 24 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 and 18 are no longer in isolation. As Illinois progresses through Phase 4 of Recover Illinois, the risk of COVID-19 transmission to others may increase. It is important to remember that people of all ages are vulnerable to this virus, and everyone should take precautions to prevent infection. For public safety, the health department continues to ask everyone: Maintain a physical distance of six feet from others Wear a mask for source control when physical distancing is not possible. Wash hands routinely According to the CDC, symptoms of the Novel Coronavirus-19 infection may appear from two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. These symptoms include fever, fatigue, dry cough, chills, body aches, headache, sore throat, a loss of taste or smell, diarrhea and vomiting.
It is important to note that individuals infected with COVID-19 can transmit the virus to others up to 48 hours before displaying any symptoms.
The CDC also expanded its list of those individuals who are more likely to be affected seriously by COVID-19 include:
• Chronic kidney disease
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Immunocompromised
• Obesity
• Serious heart conditions
Contact: Glenda Plunkett
Public Health Services Coordinator
Glenda@moultriehealth.org
217.728.4114
• Sickle cell disease
• Type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus
• Asthma (moderate to severe)
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• Hypertension
• Neurologic diseases such as dementia
• Liver disease
• Pregnancy
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Smoking
• Thalassemia 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. 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
Sullivan Clean up Begins
•July 8, 2020•
The city of Sullivan has authorized July 11 and 18 as City Clean Up Days.
The location of a citizen’s residence determines which day their items will be collected.
Items for all residents who live north of Harrison Street and on Pifers Ln. will be picked up Saturday, July 11. Those living south of Harrison Street will be serviced Saturday, July 18.
Those not living in the corporate city limits are not eligible to participate in the clean up day; therefore, any items set out will not be picked up.
Items must be on the curb by 7 a.m.
Items not accepted for City Wide Clean Up pickup include but are not limited to include tires of any kind or size; car parts or components of any kind; solvents such as paints, oils, fuels, and thinners; yard waste such as clippings, trimmings, leaves, limbs, and branches; batteries; fluorescent light tubes; concrete, bricks, and rocks; burnt material/ashes of any kind; appliances (stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers, water heaters, dryers, freezers, and air conditioning units).
Waste electronic equipment such as computers, monitors, and televisions; asbestos materials/hazardous waste; petroleum-contaminated soil; industrial waste; chemicals; herbicides and pesticides; radioactive materials; flammable liquids; propane tanks or equipment; motor oil; transmission oil; lubricants/hydraulic oil/oil filters/contaminated; oils (mixed with solvents &/or gasoline); antifreeze; lead paint chips; railroad ties; medical waste; animals; and liquids are also not acceptable.
Fireworks 2020

Photo by R. R. Best
Sullivan provided fireworks and the people came from miles around to enjoy. With most communities canceling Fourth Celebrations people came in droves to watch the Sullivan Fourth of July parade and fireworks celebration on Saturday, July 4. Sullivan American Legion Post 68 is the annual Fourth Celebration sponsor.
Letter to the Editor 7-8-2020
I Wear a Facemask Because Your Life Matters
Dear Editor,
I choose to wear a facemask when social distancing is not possible, because YOUR LIFE matters to me.
Yes, I realize that it will not protect me or you 100% but it’s certainly better than nothing.
I also realize that it is your right given by the Constitution to choose to not wear a facemask. Read More
Moultrie Moment of the Week

Pictured above is The Shirey, Newbould & Hankla Grocery store in 1922. It was located on the south east corner of the Sullivan square. It opened in 1922. 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.
Income Tax Filing Deadline Approaching
•July 8, 2020•
Today, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) reminds taxpayers the state individual income tax filing and payment deadline is July 15, just days away. This year’s deadline was extended three months by Governor JB Pritzker in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both state and federal returns are due on July 15. Read More
4th of July 2020 Celebration
Photos by Mike Brothers
4th Celebration
Photos from Sullivan’s Fourth of July Celebration.

Remember When? 7-8-2020
25 Years Ago This Week
In Marion Best’s column she relays visits from those who used to live in Sullivan Dick LeVene and his sister Rochelle Pursifull, members of the SHS class of 1962.
Excited about the Fourth Celebration Marion wrote: “I may even wear my new T-shirt. It was a gift from Hollis Dick of Bethany. In keeping with the fish wrap shenanigans he found one and gave it to me. It reads: “Something fishy!” I love it.”
Jenny Uphoff was crowned Miss Lovington by Melanie Harlin. Elise Wildman was Little Miss Lovington; Tyler Dixon, Little Mr. Lovington; Jessica Qualls, Miss Congeniality and Jennifer Elliott first runner up.
Sullivan High School and Eastern Illinois University graduate Daniel Fultz is serving as Illinois Legislative staff intern for the General Assembly.
The son of Dan S. Fultz of Sullivan and Linda Hoskins of Gays he was one of three chosen from 10 applicants.
He graduated from SHS in 1986 and received a masters in political science from EIU.
Four Sullivan students graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign. Read More
