•July 25, 2018•

Property tax exemptions are a good way for taxpayers to save, but they also cost the county revenue, and that is why the rules that guide them should be fair for everyone.
Moultrie County supervisor of assessments Lori Barringer announced that is why a new application for leasehold exemptions begins with tax year 2019.
“We discovered the past applications failed to have copies of the leases attached along with other incorrect information,” Barringer said, noting the new exemption form includes a March 29 application deadline for each year.
There are approximately 300 properties in Moultrie County affected by the changed application process.
The property tax code also notes if the leasee receives the property tax bill and pays it they are entitled to a rent reduction.
The supervisor of assessments emphasized this is only a procedure change on how leasehold exemptions forms are completed on the Application for General Homestead Exemption (for single-family dwellings subject to a lease).
Leases can be effective for an indefinite period, but an application must be completed yearly with the supervisor of assessments to be able to keep exemptions.
Further questions may be directed to 217-728-4951.

•July 11, 2018•

Gingerich Farms in Lovington is hosting the Wyffels Hybrids Corn Strategies at their Lovington farm Thursday, August 2.
Sign in and trade show begin at 7:30 a.m. with the program beginning at 9 a.m.
Dr. Lowell Catlett, Futurist and Regents Professor at new Mexico State University; Michael Swanson, Ph.D., Senior VP Wells Fargo & Co. and Dr. Brent Gloy, Agricultural Economics Insights, LLC will be featured speakers. A marketing roundtable will be hosted by Tyne Morgan, U.S. Farm Report.

•July 11, 2018•

Decatur Memorial Hospital, the Regional Breastfeeding Taskforce, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Macon County Health Department have collaborated to bring two nationally recognized lactation experts that will share their expertise on Wednesday, July 18, at “Building Bridges to Breastfeeding.”
Through these training sessions, Jan Barger, RN, MA, IBCLC, FILCA, and Carole Peterson, MS, IBCLC, will focus on techniques for successful breastfeeding education and counseling through community collaboration. Barger is the coauthor of Clinical Experience in Lactation: A Blueprint for Internship. Peterson chairs the National WIC Association Breastfeeding Committee. Topics will include basics and techniques for supporting breastfeeding mothers, as well as common problems that can occur after discharge from the hospital. Area resources for breastfeeding moms will also be highlighted. Sessions are free and open to the public; due to capacity, registration is requested.
Two sessions will be offered on July 18, 2018, in the DMH Classroom Complex. Snacks are provided.
Session 1: 8 – 11:45 a.m. Session 2: 1 -4:45 p.m.
For more information and to register online visit www.dmhcares.com/BridgesToBreastfeeding or call 217-876-2850.

Cowden Free Methodist Camp is July 13-21, and Dr. Bob and Jennifer Wilkerson will be the evangelists this year.
Services are daily at 10:30 a.m. and each evening at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday evening beginning at 6 p.m. Cowden Free Methodist Camp is located on 19.5 acres of ground across from the city park in Cowden.
The address is 174 N East Rd, Beecher City.

•July 11, 2018•

A pancake breakfast will be offered at the Findlay Community Center 7-9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 28.
All you can eat pancakes for a free will donation at the door.