•March 16, 2016•
The University of Illinois Champaign announced the fall semester Dean’s List with the following area students included: Christy Allen of Arthur, Media; Emily Scott of Bethany, Media; Dylan Helfrich, Engineering; Thomas Hendrickson of Lovington, Liberal Arts and Sciences and Dakota Clayton, Applied Health Sciences; April Shuman, Agricultural Consumer and Environment and Tanner Typer, Agricultural Consumer and Environment, all of Sullivan.
•March 16, 2016•
Good voter turnout combined with new election equipment kept the Moultrie Country Clerk’s office pretty busy March 15.
County Clerk Georgia England noted the 410 absentee ballots voted in the general primary election broke recent records for primary elections, indicating voter interest in 2016.
New voting equipment prompted constant attention from Liberty Systems personnel as well as Election Deputy Jamie Helton and the election support staff as they fielded precinct issues throughout election day.
In Moultrie County’s 16 precincts 3822 ballots were cast out of 8362 registered voters. Of those, 2743 were Republican, 1066 were Democrat and 13 Nonpartisan. There were no local offices with contested races.
Brad Halbrook led the Republican race for Adam Brown’s seat in the 102nd Legislative District with 1482 votes, followed by James Acklin with 461 and Randy Peterson with 430 in the county.
The Republican contested 15th Congressional seat went to incumbent John Shimkus with 1519 over Kyle McCarter with 1048.
For president Bernie Sanders led the Democrats in the county with 566 votes; Hillary Clinton received 462 votes with Martin O’Malley getting 11.
Republican presidential hopefuls were led by Ted Cruz with 1321 votes followed by Donald Trump with 900. John Kasich was third with 264 followed by Marco Rubio with 141 votes.
Democrat U.S. Senate race was led by Tammy Duckworth with 611 votes, Andrea Zoppe-251 and Napoleon Harris-90.
Republican senate race was led by Mark Steven Kirk with 1764 followed by James Marter with 718.
In local uncontested races Republican incumbent State’s Attorney Jeremy Richey received 2242 votes with Coroner Lynn Reed receiving 2365.
County board candidates were led by Ron White with 1838; Tim Rose 776; Kevin McReynolds 1702 and Mike Barringer 1581.
Democrat State’s Attorney candidate Marvin L. Hanson received 880 votes and Circuit Clerk Cindy Braden 916.
•March 16, 2016•
First Christian Church in Bethany is planning to kick off the planting season in the prairie with a special observance on Sunday, April 3.
Pastor Tracy Siegman announced that the church will have a tractor bessing following the 10 a.m. service that day.
“We are asking anyone who would like to drive their tractor to church that day,” Pastor Siegman said..
•March 9, 2016•
This weekend Daylight Saving Time officially begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 13.
Daylight increases with spring just around the corner on Sunday, March 20.
Most time keeping devices are smart enough to change the time automatically; for analog clocks it’s a good idea to set them ahead an hour before bedtime.
It is also a good time to change batteries and make sure smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors are working.
•March 9, 2016•
Wade Burch was sentenced to four years with the Department of Corrections in Moultrie County Circuit court Monday, March 8 by Judge Dan L. Flannell.
Burch, 26, of Shelbyville had pled guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse January 13.
In addition to the four year sentence Burch will face two years mandatory supervised release. He was given credit for five days served in Moultrie County Jail April 23-27, 2015.
Burch has since been free on $100,000 bond, of which the balance was returned to the posting person.
Aggravated sexual assault is a Class I felony carrying a five-seven year sentence.
Burch, a middle school basketball and baseball coach, was charged in April 2015, accused of sexual activity with a student whom he coached.
•March 9, 2016•
The third annual reenactment of the Last Supper is 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday, March 24 at First United Methodist Church in Sullivan.
The public is invited to attend.
Thirteen men of the congregation recreate the Last Supper of Jesus meeting with his 12 apostles on Mt. Olive, each one telling his individual Biblical story.
The program closes with open communion.
•March 2, 2016•
Scott Sate Bank in Bethany is hosting “Spring into Action” food drive to benefit the Bethany Food Pantry.
This is the second annual drive. Last year more than 900 items were collected.
Unexpired canned and boxed items as well as toiletry and paper products will be collected through March 31 at the bank during regular business hours.
•March 2, 2016•
The Moultrie County Relay for Life committee is making plans for the 20th anniversary celebration.
The June 11 Relay from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. in Wyman Park in Sullivan will have “Tis the Season for a Cure” as a theme.
Everyone on the committee is wanting to continue to help the American Cancer Society find a cure for cancer, provide services to those fighting cancer and honor survivors.
A huge part of the celebration this year will be thanking those who have worked so hard over the last 20 years to make Relay a huge success.
Now is the time to form a team and join the 2016 Relay for Life. The Kick Off breakfast will be held from 9:30 a.m-11:30 a.m. March 12 at Solid Rock Chapel. Information stations about the Relay, fund-raising ideas and services provided by the American Cancer Society will be available at the kickoff.
Some teams have already started raising money such as the Trivia night planned for June 4 at the Toy Bar. A 5K is also being planned and a food drive sponsored by the Blue Dolphins Swim Team.
The Ministerial Association is planning to distribute luminary forms at area churches to help start the Relay season. Elizabeth Houser of Country Companies will assist in collecting items for the Relay Silent Auction.
The first 2016 Relay team meeting will be held at Agri-Fab in Sullivan March 15. The T-shirt design and color for this year looks great, and plans for the second annual golf cart parade are nearly complete.
Visit the Moultrie County Relay for Life Facebook page or www.RelayForLife.org/MoultrieIL.
•February 24, 2016•
Pre-registration of kindergarten students for the 2016-2017 school year will be held noon- 6 p.m. Thursday, March 3 in the Lovington Grade School office.
Any student who will be five years of age by September 1, 2016 and resides in the Lovington Grade School District is encouraged to attend.
Parents are asked to bring the child’s birth certificate to pre-registration.
•February 24, 2016•
C.E.F.S. is now taking Applications for 2016.
C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program is a federally-funded program that provides comprehensive classroom and home-based educational services to pregnant women and children ages 0-5 including those with significant or multiple special needs. Recruitment is now going on.
The C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program is located at 203 S Graham Street in Sullivan. Preschool center-based classes are provided in either the morning or afternoon Monday through Thursday. Each session lasts 3½ hours and includes healthy meals and snacks. Teachers plan daily lessons with developmentally appropriate activities that advance the children’s self-confidence, problem solving skills, and social development. Indoor and outdoor activities are provided along with computer experiences and field trips.
There are no entry fees for enrollment, and no fees are charged for services.
Transportation assistance may include coordinating service with other schools, parents, programs, etc. in addition to bus service, as applicable.
Home-based sessions are available for pregnant women, infants, and toddlers. They are held 1½ hours once per week with up to two group activities held each month. Pregnant women visits are at least once a month. Parent educators make visits to the family’s home for educational activities that involve both the parent and child.
Applications are taken for the program throughout the year.
Call or text for more information or to set up an appointment: C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program Office (toll free) at 1-866-442-1900 Ext. 139 or Text 1-217-663-7822.
Head Start is currently taking participant applications. Call 217-728-7631 for an appointment for the week of March 7-11.