•July 8, 2020•
Do you know the site of Abraham Lincoln’s first home in Illinois has gone tech?
There is so much to enjoy when you visit Lincoln Trail Homestead State Park and Memorial. It is a beautiful park that has great trails for hiking, 2 pavilions, playground areas, a canoe launch on the Sangamon River, beautiful trees including a 300-year-old American Basswood that was growing when Abraham Lincoln lived here, and historical markers. Besides enjoying all these interesting sites, you can now learn about each of them by reading QR Codes located throughout the park. Read More
Category Archives: News Briefs
Do We Care What God Thinks About Much of Anything?
•July 8, 2020•
By Sarah Hudson Pierce
NP Guest Columnist
As a wake-up call I would like to point out how President Ronald Reagan quoted II Chronicles 7:14 in his 1981 Inaugural address when he said: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
It seems to me that affluence can deaden our hearts, lessening our dependence upon God?
How long has it been since our nation really cared what God thinks about much of anything? If we don’t take a stand, what can we expect to happen to our country?
We want God to heal our land but let us continue down the same path, to allow us to maintain our lifestyles that we have grown accustomed to, but do we really want to humble ourselves, pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways?
We want to be blessed without really caring what God thinks about much of anything. Read More
Get Ready for Pavement Blowouts during Heat Wave
Motorists should remain alert, anticipate slowdowns and temporary work zones
•July 8, 2020•
With extreme heat dominating the forecast, the Illinois Department of Transportation cautioned motorists to be on the lookout for pavement buckling on roads throughout the state.
“One of the hottest weeks of the year means the potential for pavement failures will increase,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “At IDOT, we have the necessary staffing and materials in place to make repairs as quickly as possible. We ask the public to stay alert and avoid driving over buckled roads, if possible, while giving our crews plenty of room to work.” Read More
SES Kindergarten Registration in July
•July 1, 2020•
Kindergarten registration begins July 21 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Sullivan Elementary School Cafeteria.
If you have a child who will start Kindergarten this fall, it is time to register. Enroll your student, find out about Sullivan Elementary, meet some SES staff, and get answers to questions you may have. Read More
Pools, Water Parks and Beaches Open
•July 1, 2020•
Under Phase 4 of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Restore Illinois plan, swimming facilities licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) can open at a maximum of 50% of capacity. This includes swimming pools, water parks, splash pads, and beaches.
“There is currently no evidence that COVID-19 can spread to people through the water in pools and water playgrounds,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “However, the virus can still spread between people while in the pool, playing at a water park, or in a spa. Make sure to keep your distance from other people, especially if waiting in line or sitting around the pool.” Read More
Moultrie County Adds 17th Positive COVID-19 Case
•July 1, 2020•
The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed the 17th case of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The patient is a female in her 20s and is recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials are notifying all close contacts.
To date, 1071 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 17 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 and 15 have been released from isolation.
As we enter into Phase IV of the Restore Illinois Plan, it is important that everyone continues to use the following precautions to reduce the risk of transmitting the COVID-19 infection: Read More
Remember When? 7-1-2020
25 Years Ago This Week
Sullivan Schools are facing an $85,000 loss Supt. Richard Voltz told board members.
A significant increase in special ed students teamed with smaller average daily attendance combine to increase expenses to the district by $35,000 while receiving some $50,000 less in revenue.
Principal Rita Florey told the board the increase in special ed from 78 to 84 students accounted for the $35,000 expense increase.
In Tina Krigbaum’s store you can hear the birds sing.
You can also visit any time because there are no walls.
Krigbaum operates My Garden on the northeast corner of the Sullivan square in an employ lot owned by guy Little Jr.
By the way security is not a problem. One Sunday Tina drove by the My Garden site and plants were blown over. She was unable to stop, but when she returned someone had set all the plants back up. It’s that kind of place. Read More
Students Can Apply to EIU for Free beginning July 1
•July 1, 2020•
Eastern Illinois University is strengthening its commitment to accessibility.
EIU leaders have announced that the university will shift to test-optional undergraduate admission for students interested in enrolling at the Charleston, Illinois-based university in fall of 2021 to further support student accessibility, opportunity, and success. In addition, merit scholarships will be made available specifically for EIU’s eligible test-optional admits, as well as those who include their test scores, under the University’s new policy. EIU’s test-optional application opens July 1, and prospective students can apply for free.
The announcement follows some national uncertainty about the availability of ACT/SAT testing as the world’s response to COVID-19 continues to evolve. When college assessment tests do resume, America’s educational leaders have questioned students’ capacity to perform well on them following such an unrivaled disruption in their junior year of high school. Read More
Minimum Wage Increase Reaches New Level
•July 1, 2020•
Illinois’ minimum wage will make its second increase this year to $10 per hour beginning July 1. The Illinois Department of Labor urges minimum wage earners to make sure their checks reflect the increase following July 1.
Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation passed by the General Assembly providing a path to a $15 minimum wage by 2025. Minimum wage earners received the first increase of $1 to $9.25 per hour on January 1, 2020. Read More
Pandemic May Bring Tech Upgrades to Courthouse
Work Station Security is Priority
•July 1, 2020•
By Mike Brothers
Moultrie County courthouse employees working remotely during pandemic restrictions could change the county’s technology in the future.
During the COVID-19 restrictions employees were secured to their courthouse work stations by their physical home address, Neil Bryan noted, explaining the system was only as secure as the person’s computer at home.
Those were among concerns discussed when Chair Elizabeth Houser called the County Board Tech Committee into session Friday, June 26.
Members present included: Bryan, Mike Barringer, Karen Cody, Rick Matthews and James Sines, along with Board Chairman Dave McCabe. Read More