•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•

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 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•

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•

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.