•July 1, 2020•
At the regular June meeting, the Moultrie County Republican Central Committee voted to slate John Fayhee as a candidate for Moultrie County Board. John will be replacing Kevin McReynolds who earlier in June filed the necessary paperwork to remove his name as a candidate for re-election.
Kevin’s term on the county board will end when the board re-organizes in December 2020 after the general election. Kevin has faithfully served the citizens of Moultrie County for several years as a county board member.
As the owner of the Sullivan Marina and Campgrounds and The Northend Pub and Grill, John will bring a valuable perspective to the county board. Both of these businesses are located in an unincorporated area of the County. He sees first hand the need to work diligently to improve economic development in all areas of the county. He has worked closely with both state and federal organizations to improve the County’s competitiveness.
Being both a social and fiscal conservative, John sees the need for the County to adopt a common sense budget that provides for the funding of necessary services for all citizens of the county from a variety of sources.
John joins incumbents Neil Bryan and Elizabeth Houser as well as newcomer Larry Baker as the slate of four Republican candidates for Moultrie County Board.
John has been a resident of Moultrie County for over twenty years and along with his wife, Kayla, are parents of three young children. He looks forward to visiting with as many county residents as possible prior to the election.

•July 1, 2020•

Kelvin Dees, 40, has resided in Moultrie County Corrections Center for the past 147 days will be there a while longer.
Dees was sentenced to seven years with the Illinois Dept. of Corrections on Friday, June 19, for criminal damage to government property, and will remain in Moultrie County custody until the state prisons start accepting prisoners again, following the COVID-19 restrictions.
Charges were filed after Dees damaged a window at the Moultrie County Correction Center.
Upon declaring the sentence Moultrie County Circuit Court Judge Jeremy Richey stated in the record.
Having regard to the nature and circumstance of the offense and history, character and condition of the Defendant, the Court is of
the opinion that the imprisonment is necessary for the protection of the public and probation or conditional discharge would deprecate the seriousness of the offense and would be inconsistent with the ends of justice. Defendant sentenced to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections with a one year MSR. Defendant given credit for time served from January 24, 2020 to June 18, 2020. The Court waives the assessments. Defendant ordered to pay restitution in the sum of $5,065 to Moultrie County.
He was originally arrested Sept. 22, 2019 by Sullivan Police for unlawful delivery of less than 5 grams of methamphetamine.

•June 24, 2020•
Upon an agreement between Democratic Chair Tim Singer and Republican Chair Dave McCabe, the Moultrie County Board voted unanimously to Consolidate Sullivan 1 and Sullivan 6 precincts into one precinct, to be called Sullivan 1 precinct; and to Consolidate Sullivan 2 and Sullivan 5 precincts into one precinct, to be called Sullivan 2 precinct.
The Polling Location for both precincts will be the First United Methodist Church of Sullivan.
Board Chairman Dave McCabe stated that from a political standpoint he is opposed to consolidating precincts.
However, from a practical and financial standpoint it is something that needs to be done.
This will save the County money, not just the cost in election judges, but in equipment and supplies.
County Clerk Georgia England said that Election Judges need a good foundation to form a strong team.
Combining a precinct brings the judges’ knowledge together as a unit that will work well together. This makes a precinct solid and secure. It will also afford efficient and economical elections for the County.
Registered Voters in the previous Sullivan 6 precinct will receive new Voter ID Cards showing that they are now known as Sullivan 1; Sullivan 2 and 5 precincts will also receive new Voter ID Cards showing that they are now known as Sullivan 2, and that their voting polling location has changed from St. Columcille Catholic Church to First United Methodist Church of Sullivan.
The new Voter ID cards will be placed in the mail Thursday, June 25. Should a Voter from the previous Sullivan 2, 5 or 6 not receive a Voter ID card by July 10, England asks that they contact the County Clerk’s office at 728-4389.

•June 17, 2020•
In the June 10 edition of the News Progress a mistake was made in the Lovington Village Board story entitled: Lovington Plans on Summer Park Recreation Program.
That is incorrect.
In fact the village board decided not to have clean up days or a summer recreation program.
Our apology for the mistake.

•June 10, 2020•

The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed the 13th case of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The patient is a male in his 50s and is recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials are contacting all close contacts.
To date, 496 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 13 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.