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CEFS Moultrie County Outreach Services Continue During Crisis

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Food Pantry Still Open
Above Jimmy Livingood of Bethany picked up his food box at the back door of the Harrison Street CEFS Moultrie County Food Pantry. The Sullivan based food pantry is operating Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Pantry director Lisa White explained due to social distancing requirements those seeking food orders should call 728-7721 and a Food Pantry volunteer will bring the order to the back door for loading. Easter is a time for greater needs and this year the anonymous ham donor has stepped up his donation to the Food Pantry. Sullivan IGA meat dept. manager Barry Golden explained the usual 100 ham order was increased to 150 hams for this Easter from the anonymous community benefactor. Director White explained Easter order requests have been made with delivery expected for Moultrie County Food Pantry recipients April 9.

•April 8, 2020•

C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation is still providing services in Moultrie County to those in need during this COVID-19 crisis.
Our doors are closed to the general public, but we are still providing services. Below are the services we are providing and contact information to obtain those services:
The Outreach office is providing rent assistance, homeless services, and referral services. Utility assistance (LIHEAP) is now available until June 30. Read More

Local Businesses Can Seek Emergency Funding

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•April 8, 2020•

The Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development is working along with the city of Sullivan to help with emergency funding for local businesses.
“The Disaster Recovery Loan applications take about ten minutes to complete with an anticipated ten day turnaround,” SCED Director Laurrie Minor explained, noting there are businesses in Sullivan who have begun the application process.
“This is the time of year when our local businesses are ramping up for the season and they can’t do it under the circumstances,” she emphasized.
A second funding cycle begins with applications due April 15. Public notice will be issued April 22 and City Council review will occur May 4.
First round applications were to be submitted by April 6. Read More

Ministerial Association Responds to Those in Financial Need

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•April 8, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

The longer people need to stay at home the greater their needs, and the Sullivan Area Ministerial Association (SAMA) is offering help.
Responding to the needs created by COVID-19 area ministers are banning together to raise $20,000 to help people in the community in need of financial assistance.
“During this time, there are many people who are in need of immediate help because of COVID-19,” First Christian Church minister Grant Wade began.
“Some have been impacted by unemployment, by the closing of schools and a need for child care to keep their job, or just a need to help keep food on the table,” he continued. Read More

Sullivan City Building Closed

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•April 8, 2020•

The Sullivan City Building will be closed to the public until further notice.
While some City Building employees will continue to work from inside the office they will be unable to speak directly with you except via telephone. Please call 217-728-4383 if you have a need to speak with a City Building employee.
Utility payments can be made via the city’s online payment program, through an ach deduction from your bank or by check or money order deposited in the city building mail drop or the silver drive up payment box at the nw corner of the courthouse diagonally across from the city building.

Limited Access to Courthouse

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•April 8, 2020•

Effective April 6, 2020 the Moultrie County Courthouse is operating from 8:30 to 12 noon Monday through Friday.
The courthouse is closed to the public except for essential services deemed necessary by each department.
Go to website for department phone numbers: moultriecountyil.com

Bratton Piano Concert Off

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•April 8, 2020•

Dave Bratton’s free piano concert at First Methodist Church in Sullivan was originally scheduled for Sunday April 19.
Due to Stay in Place observations the concert has been postponed unit a later date.

Bethany Cancels April Meeting

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•April 8, 2020•

The Village of Bethany is not having the Thursday, April 9 board meeting. The next regular meeting is set for 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 14.
Bethany is trying to do their part to prevent public spread of the COVID-19 virus, the announcement concerning the meeting cancellation explained.
Questions call 217/665-3351. If you have additional questions and would like to contact Mayor Jon Book you can email him at: vofbmayor@gmail.com

Two Test Positive for COVID-19 in Moultrie Co.

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•April 8, 2020•

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Moultrie County Department of Public Health are announcing that two Moultrie County residents have tested positive for COVID-19.
The first patient is a female in her 30s, and the second patient is male and is also in his 30s. Both patients are at home in isolation and CDC protocols have been implemented.
Public health officials are working to identify and actively monitor individuals who were in contact with the patients in an effort to reduce the risk of additional transmission.
Symptoms reported among patients testing positive for COVID-19 include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, flu-like symptoms and difficulty breathing.
The health department reports that 24 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. To date, 21 tests are negative for coronavirus, and one is still pending.
The Moultrie County Health Department encourages everyone to consider themselves at risk for exposure to the novel coronavirus.
Everyone should stay at home as much as possible; remain vigilant about keeping germs from spreading by covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands with warm soap and water; and isolating themselves from others when they are ill.
For more information, contact:
Illinois Department of Public Health:
Call the COVID-19 Hotline at 1-800-889-3931, Email DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV, or Visit
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus
To learn more about Moultrie County Health Department’s events and services, please visit www.moultriehealth.org and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moultriecountyhealth.

Easter Hope

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Photo by R.R. Best
Easter Hope
The Easter season represents hope during these bizarre times. The fun filled Easter decorations on this Lovington lawn reminds of what was, but cannot be this year because of social distancing. Instead of gangs of kids hunting brightly colored eggs at city and village parks they get to load into the family vehicle and drive. Easter Egg hunts canceled in Moultrie County have been replaced by the Sulllivan Fire Protection District’s Easter Drive Thru at Wyman Park. On Sunday April 12 beginning at 3:00 p.m. children up to 11 years old are invited to drive up to the north parking lot where volunteers will hand out Easter bags filled with select eggs, with some containing certificates for bicycles.

Moultrie County Health Department Reports Patient’s Positive Test for COVID-19

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•April 2, 2020•
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Moultrie County Department of Public Health are announcing that one Moultrie County resident has tested positive for COVID-19. The patient is in her 30s. The patient is at home in isolation and CDC protocols have been implemented.
Public health officials are working to identify and actively monitor individuals who were in contact with the patient in an effort to reduce the risk of additional transmission.
Symptoms reported among patients testing positive for COVID-19 include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, flu-like symptoms and difficulty breathing.
The health department reports that 19 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. To date, 13 tests are negative for coronavirus, and five are still pending.
The Moultrie County Health Department encourages everyone to consider themselves at risk for exposure to the novel coronavirus.
Everyone should stay at home as much as possible; remain vigilant about keeping germs from spreading by covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands with warm soap and water; and isolating themselves from others when they are ill.
For more information, contact:
Illinois Department of Public Health:
Call the COVID-19 Hotline at 1-800-889-3931, Email DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV, or Visit
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus
To learn more about Moultrie County Health Department’s events and services, please visit www.moultriehealth.org and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moultriecountyhealth .