•June 3, 2020•

The Moultrie County State’s Attorneys office staff went under quarantine which postponed criminal and traffic cases scheduled in circuit court early the first week of the courthouse reopening.
A family member of the states attorney tested positive for COVID 19 which resulted in the action.
State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver explained the procedure for the week of June 1.
“Some members of the State’s Attorney’s Office are self-isolating due to potential exposure to COVID-19
“Out of an abundance of caution, criminal and traffic cases scheduled for the early part of next week have been rescheduled.
“We anticipate that those potentially impacted will return to work later next week,” State’s Attorney Weaver explained.

•June 3, 2020•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville would like to announce Coon Creek, Forrest W. “Bo” Wood, Lithia Springs, and Opossum Creek campgrounds are now open. Lone Point Campground and Wilborn Creek Group Camp are closed until further notice. There is no change to reservable and non-reservable sites at Bo Wood, Coon Creek and Lithia Springs from previous seasons. All payments at fee booths are by credit or debit card only. Opossum Creek Campground is now 100% reservable and campers must have a reservation through R1S prior to setting up on a campsite. Campers are reminded to follow CDC guidelines while recreating at Lake Shelbyville.
For campsite availability or to make a reservation, please visit www.recreation.gov. Reservations by phone at 1-877-444-6777 are scheduled to resume on July 1, 2020. For additional information, please call the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217)774-3951.

•May 27, 2020•

The 2020 Steam Threshing Days at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center located nine miles west of Arcola and three miles east of Arthur have been cancelled. The event was set for July 31 and August 1 and was cancelled by the Board of Directors of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center.
The cancellation came about amid concerns surrounding the COVID-19 virus. Jim Fleming, Co-Director of the event and member of the group’s board of directors said, “We felt it was in everyone’s best interest to cancel for this year.” Fleming added, “the decision to cancel was not easy as we had a terrific show planned with new demonstrations and equipment. We were so looking forward to having our pancake and liverwurst breakfast, tours of the restored historic Amish homes, and having folks see our newly concreted pavilion.”
The Board has cancelled all activities at the center through the end of the year. Wilmer Otto, President of the Board encourages people to keep watch on social media for virtual events and ways to continue providing support for the Illinois Amish Heritage Center.
Planning is underway for next year’s Steam Threshing Days that will be held on August 6 and 7, 2021 at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center, 284 E. Illinois 133, Arthur, IL. Keep up with the latest activities on Facebook or website illinoisamish.org.

•May 27, 2020•

The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed the eleventh case of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The patient is a male in his 60s and is recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials are contacting all close contacts.
To date, 307 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 11 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19.
As public organizations and businesses reopen, it is imperative that everyone use precautions to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 infection.
To help contain the spread of COVID-19, individuals should routinely wash their hands, keep a physical distance of six feet from others and avoid large gatherings. The MCHD also recommends bypassing nonessential trips into the public, keeping children at home and wearing a mask in public when social distancing is not possible.
Symptoms associated with COVID-19 include fever, fatigue, a dry cough, repeated shaking with chills, body aches, headache, sore throat and loss of smell or taste. Individuals should immediately seek medical attention if experiencing 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.

•May 20, 2020•

The annual Sullivan Townwide Rummage Sales is scheduled for Friday, June 5 and Saturday June 6.
As people gather together again to shop for great deals and or get rid of stuff that is no longer needed
Listings will be placed in the June 3 edition of the News Progress.
Sign up free! Return the form in the newspaper to Sullivan IGA, The News Progress at 100 W. Monroe or email to: rvl@newsprogress.com by May 29.