•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.
•February 24, 2016•
The Findlay American Legion Auxiliary hosted an American Red Cross Blood Drive Wednesday, Feb. 10 at the Findlay American Legion Hall.
Twenty potential donors answered the call to give blood. Eighteen pints were collected, just one short of the goal of 19 pints.
Ron McClain received an eight gallon pin. The next blood drive will be April 11.
•February 17, 2016•
Starting March 1 people wanting passports to leave the country will have to leave Sullivan.
Moultrie County Circuit Clerk Cindy Braden announced that her office will discontinue passport acceptance after that date.
“We have enjoyed providing the service but would rather spend time on court related business,” Circuit Clerk Braden said of the decision to stop passport acceptance.
After that date, the Bethany Post Office will be the only Moultrie County location in which to acquire a passport.
The Sullivan Post Office is in the process of becoming an acceptance location but has yet to be approved.
In the general area passport acceptance is located at Mattoon Township, circuit clerk of Shelby County, circuit clerk of Piatt County, Coles County treasurer plus the Tuscola, Charleston and Decatur Memorial Station post offices.
•February 17, 2016•
The Moultrie County Farm Bureau and the Moultrie County Soil and Water Conservation District is holding a Nutrient Loss Reduction Workshop on Wednesday Feb. 24 at 9:30 am at the Sullivan United Methodist Church.
The workshop will have speakers addressing topics of nutrient management, cover crops and USDA cost share programs. The workshop will run from 9:30-12:00 and lunch will be provided.
Please RSVP by Monday Feb. 22nd to Tammy Clayton, Moultrie County Soil & Water District at 217-728-7921 x. 3.
•February 17, 2016•
Illinois State Police District 10 handled a variety of incidents over the Valentine’s Day weekend.
According to trooper and media liaison for Distrtict 10 Tracy Lillard, the totals for Sunday, February 14 include 34 traffic crashes and 120 incidents (including cars in the ditch, motorist assists, and calls for service).
The major contributor for the crashes and vehicles in the ditch continues to be speed.
Traveling too fast for conditions, even with one-three inches of snowfall and high winds, results in crashes. Motorists are reminded to use caution and leave extra time to travel during snowfall.
The fatal four violations that contribute to fatal crashes are speeding, DUI, seat belts, and distracted driving.
•February 10, 2016•
The last day to register to vote has passed; however, it’s not too late to vote in this election by taking advantage of grace period registration and voting in the county clerk’s office. This method of registration is available only in the clerk’s office, 10 S. Main in Sullivan 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays and runs from Feburary 27 through election day. If a person registers to vote or change an address during grace period and wants to vote in the upcoming election, he/she must vote at the time of registration.
Requirements for registration are:
• U.S. citizen
• 18 years of age by election day
• Resident of your precinct 30 days prior to election day
• Two forms of identification, one showing registrant’s current address
Seventeen year olds may register to vote and vote in a General Primary Election if they will be 18 years of age as of the following general election. They must also meet the requirements for registration.
A few circumstances in which a person would need to reregister, or change registration are: (1) A person has married or changed their name. (2) A person has moved to Moultrie County from another jurisdiction [county]. (3) A person has moved within the county, even if next door, a transfer of registration is required.
Special Saturday hours for early voting, and grace period registration/voting will be held Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon March 12 in the county clerk’s office.
For questions regarding registration, or the upcoming election contact the county clerk’s office at 728-4389 prior to the deadlines.
•February 10, 2016•
Michael Yost appeared in Moultrie County Circuit Court Monday, Feb 8, where public defender Brad Rau requested cross examination of Dr. Lawrence Jeckel concerning the accused murder defendant’s fitness for trial.
Dr. Jeckel, a Champaign psychiatrist, submitted a report following his examination of Yost January 20. Rau’s request to question the doctor about the report was granted by Judge Dan L. Flannell.
Dr. Jeckel is set to testify at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 2.
Yost, 41, appeared at the hearing and was returned to the county jail following scheduling.
He is charged with the March 4, 2015 murder of Sheri Randall at an apartment on Graham Street in Sullivan.
He has remained in Moultrie County Jail on $1,000,000,000 bond since his arrest in March.
•February 10, 2016•
A blood drive is scheduled for 2-6 p.m. Thursday, Feb 25 at the First Church of God in Lovington.
The community blood drive is sponsored by the American Legion Post #429.
For an appointment call Tom Brown at 454-5860.
•February 3, 2016•
A status hearing determining whether Michael S. Yost is fit to be tried for the March 4, 2015 murder of Sheri Randall is set for 1:30 p.m. Monday, February 8 .
In December Chief Circuit Judge Dan Flannell agreed to allow Yost, 41, be evaluated by Champaign psychiatrist Dr. Lawrence Jeckel.
That report was completed, presented to Moultrie County Circuit Court January 20 and impounded from outside review.
Judge Flannell will make a determination on Yost’s fitness, based on the results of that report, during the February 8 hearing.
Yost appeared in court with public defender Brad Rau representing him on December 7. Rau argued that he felt medical issues surrounding Yost’s diabetes could have rendered him unfit for trial.
A previous motion to change the location of the trial based on an inability to find fair jurors in Moultrie County was denied by Judge Flannell.
Yost has remained in Moultrie County Jail on $1,000,000 bond following his arrest in March.