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County Graduates Receive Captured Moments

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Photo by Mike Brothers
The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society officer Paul Stone presents Sullivan High School Principal Dan Allen with one of more than 200 Captured Moments donated to all Class of 2020 graduates in the county. The pictorial coffee table book covers 175 years of Moultrie County history.

•June 3, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

Moultrie County graduates received a special gift this year - 175 years of county history.
Captured Moments, the pictorial history of Moultrie County 1843-2018, was given to some 225 graduating seniors from Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond, Sullivan and Okaw Valley high schools.
Moultrie County Historical and Genealogy Society representative Paul Stone explained the pictorial history can give the graduates some insight into the county’s history.
Stone noted that the early settlers faced obstacles and, as the county grew, the people faced physical and health challenges which may help put the current pandemic in perspective. Read More

Emergency Order Helps Open Sullivan for Business

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•June 3, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

Restaurants are serving food and alcohol in designated outdoor areas following an executive order issued by Mayor Richard Glazebrook.
During the May 26 city council meeting the mayor explained that the order approving outdoor dining and drinks is to facilitate the June 1 phased opening in Illinois.
Under the order declaring an emergency the mayor acted to facilitate the businesses in town by designating parking spots in front of establishments for outdoor dining with the city exploring the option of relocating picnic tables from Wyman Park to establish outdoor gathering zones. Traffic barriers are also being provided by the city.
In their first in-person meeting since the stay at home order in March, the city commissioners gathered at the Elizabeth Titus Library with approval of extending the ordinance declaring an emergency approved by commissioners Abbey Sherwood, Mike Fowler, Peggy Hargis and Chuck Woodworth. Read More

Illinois House Advances Major Expansion of Mail-in Voting: Bill would also allow curbside voting

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•June 3, 2020•
By Ben Orner and Rebecca Anzel
Capitol News Illinois
borner @ capitolnewsillinois.com

The Illinois House of Representatives advanced a bill Thursday that would greatly expand voting by mail in the November general election, as well as make the day a state holiday this year.
By a 72-43 vote, and three members not voting, the House sent Senate Bill 1863 back to its original chamber. The bill was introduced last year as a piece of unrelated legislation and passed by the Senate. It was gutted this week in the House and replaced with the election language via amendment.
Senate passage, which was still possible Thursday night, is needed to send the bill to Gov. JB Pritzker to sign.
The 26-page amendment proposes unprecedented changes to state elections law to facilitate the 2020 general election and make voting easier and safer amid societal restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More

Republicans Fill Board Slate

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Larry Baker

•June 3, 2020•
At its regular meeting on Monday, May 18, 2020 the Moultrie County Republican Central Committee voted unanimously to slate Larry R. Baker as a Republican candidate for the Moultrie County board.
Baker filed his paperwork with the County Clerks Office on Wednesday, May 27. Larry and his wife Sara have a been residents of Moultrie County for 28 years, they have three children, Jerry, KR and Brianna. They also have 8 grandchildren .
He retired in 2019 after 39 years with the Illinois Department of Agriculture as a meat and poultry inspector.
Community service has been important to Baker his entire life, starting in high school and continuing to this day.
He is a fiscal and social conservative with strong values reflected in faith, family and community.
Baker plans to serve the county just as he has lived his life, relying on an extensive system of roots for a strong foundation on which to build a solid future.
He joins Republican incumbents Kevin Mc Reynolds, Neil Bryan and Elizabeth Houser.
Central Committee Chairman Dave McCabe pointed out a full slate a Republican candidates are running for the Moultrie County board.

Lights Go On for Windsor High School 2020 Graduates

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Salutatorian Hannah Reed

•June 3, 2020•
The lights were turned on in Windsor supporting the bright future for high school graduates of the Class of 2020.
The community was asked at 9:00 pm on Friday, May 29 to turn on their porch lights for 20 minutes and 20 seconds in support of the bright future the new graduates have before them.
Windsor High School Seniors graduated in individual ceremonies on Thursday, May 28. WHS graduates reserved an appointment time for themselves and four family members.
Then on Friday, May 29th at 7:00 pm., the graduates paraded through town, following the Windsor Harvest Picnic Parade route, to allow the community to celebrate the seniors’ accomplishments!
Principal Jennifer Bridges explained as soon as time allows, all pieces of the two days will be pieced together and placed on YouTube, so the graduates and community can watch the full graduation ceremony. Read More

Cool, Wet May Ends a Wet Spring in Illinois

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•June 3, 2020•
May was much colder and moderately wetter than average across Illinois, bringing an end to a wet spring season, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.
The preliminary statewide average May temperature was 60.5 degrees, 2.2 degrees below the 30-year normal. Preliminary statewide average total precipitation for May was 5.41 inches, 0.81 inches wetter than the 30-year normal.
Temperatures Read More

Department of Public Health Files Emergency Rules

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Mandating COVID-19 Testing in Long-Term Care Facilities

•June 3, 2020•
Today, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) filed emergency rules mandating long-term care facilities comply with infection control practices, including testing all residents and staff for COVID-19. Each facility will be required to develop and implement a testing plan to better protect vulnerable residents and ensure no facility is shirking its responsibilities for those in their care.
“Nursing home residents are at higher risk for infection, serious illness, and death from COVID-19,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Testing residents and health care staff is important to help keep COVID-19 out of facilities if the virus is not there, detect cases quickly – especially among individuals who are asymptomatic, and stop transmission. While many facilities are working with IDPH and their local health departments to help keep residents safe, we cannot rely on voluntary compliance alone, and this additional regulatory authority will help ensure swift action.” Read More

Remember When? 6-3-2020

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25 Years Ago This Week

Jeff Getz, owner of Getz Trucking in Findlay, has been recognized as “Trucker of the Month” by Keep on Trucking News, a publication of the Mid West Trucking Assn.
Mustang Aaron Calhoun highlighted a five run fourth inning with a grand slam and went the distance as Bethany advanced in the first round of regional play with a 10-7 win over Broadlands.
Shane Martin was hit by a pitch before Josh Cuttill smacked a two run homer. Cuttill was 2 for 3.
Kevin Towle of Sullivan hit a hole-in-one at Eagle Creek Golf Course. Towle’s prize hit was with an 8 iron at the 150 yard, par 3, 17th hole. Witnesses were club pro Mike Klauser, Bill Webb and Mike Elliot. Read More

MCHD Confirms 12th Positive COVID-19 Case

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•June 3, 2020•

SULLIVAN, IL, June 3, 2020 – The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed the 12th case of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The patient is a male in his 40s and is recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials are contacting all close contacts.

To date, 429 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 12 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19.

As public organizations and businesses reopen, it is important that everyone continues to use precautions to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 infection.

To help contain the spread of COVID-19, the MCHD recommends that individuals:

  • Wash their hands routinely
  • Bypass nonessential trips into the public
  • Keep children at home
  • Maintain a physical distance of six feet from others
  • Wear a mask in public when physical distancing is not possible.

Symptoms associated with COVID-19 include fever, fatigue, a dry cough, chills, body aches, headache, sore throat and loss of smell or taste. Individuals should immediately seek medical attention if they experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, confusion, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, or a bluish color in the lips or face.

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