Category Archives: News Briefs

Remember When? 9-2-2020

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25 Years Ago This Week

A minor blaze was extinguished by Sullivan firefighters at the Moultrie County Redi-Mix site. Fire Chief Jeff Waite said some paper and tires caught fire through the actions of children who were playing near an old building behind the Redi-Mix building.
A time capsule was unearthed in Lovington. The 1943 Future Farmers of America club at Lovington was a busy bunch. They pitched in to help the war effort by collecting 12,500 pounds of waste paper, among other projects. Also that year, the group built an outdoor fireplace/barbecue pit based on a University of Illinois design. Someone suggested that a time capsule be included so it was. But no one seems to remember what went in it. Read More

4-H Hall of Fame Volunteers Honored

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•September 2, 2020•
Service is a hallmark of the Illinois 4-H program. The Illinois 4-H Foundation annually honors longtime volunteers and former staff members for their selfless dedication to 4-H, the University of Illinois Extension youth development program.
In 2020, 86 individuals received the Foundation Hall of Fame Award, presented during a virtual ceremony Aug. 18. Five of the honorees are being named posthumously.
The Illinois 4-H Foundation established the statewide Hall of Fame in2005 to honor and celebrate extraordinary 4-H alumni, volunteers, and former 4-H staff. Each inductee receives a commemorative Hall of Fame medallion. Read More

Harvest Milkweed Pods; Plant Monarch Butterfly Garden

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•September 2, 2020•
Illinois needs to plant milkweed, and a lot of it, over the next 18 years to ensure the state’s official insects, monarch butterflies, survive.
Kelly Allsup, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator, says the task of planting 150 million new milkweed stems by 2038, championed by the Illinois Monarch Project (illinoismonarchproject.org), needs public buy in.
“Major statewide strategies, such as updated roadside mowing guidelines, creating habitat in natural areas, and allowing it to grow in farmland not in production, may not be enough,” Allsup says. “Monarchs may need homeowners to plant a larger patches of milkweed.” Read More

New Dialing Procedure for Customers Within 217 Area Code

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•September 2, 2020•
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) today reminded residential and business customers served by the 217 area code to prepare for the introduction of the new 447 area code. The 447 area code will be added as an overlay to the region currently served by area code 217 to ensure continuing supply of telephone numbers for the area. An overlay is the addition of another area code (447) to the same geographic region served by an existing area code (217).
The ICC ordered an area code overlay for the 217 Area Code on August 15, 2006, to be implemented upon the exhaust of available, unassigned 217 prefixes. An overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code or telephone number. Read More

Letter to the Editor 9-2-2020

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Dear Editor,

I am amazed at the numerous falsehoods told by the media and politicians about the U S Postal Service and the upcoming election. As a retired postal employee, I have no doubt postal employees across the country will be able to handle the surge of election mail.
Some in the media may not know what they are saying is wrong; others are simply not telling you the truth. Most politicians know the facts, but choose to act like your taxes are paying the salary of all postal employees. This simply is not true! Read More

Moultrie County Confirms First Death and Second Outbreak

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Multiple COVID-19 Cases Confirmed

•September 2, 2020•
It is with heavy hearts that the Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) recognizes the first confirmed COVID-19 death of a Moultrie County male resident in his 70s.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends as they mourn the loss of their loved one,” said Angela Hogan, RN, MSPH, Moultrie County Health Department Administrator. “During this time of grief in respect to the family’s privacy, we are not releasing any additional information.” Read More

Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library News

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•September 2, 2020•
Is your child ready for Kindergarten?

This early childhood group is for getting ready to enter Kindergarten. We will give you the materials you need in order to prepare them.
Meetings are two times a month on Friday at 10:00 a.m. starting September 18.
Every student will receive a back pack and folder.
It’s a great opportunity to socialize with peers and learn how a classroom setting will work.
This class is completely free. When we meet it will be ran like a preschool class with a circle time, craft, and lesson.
Come in or call the library at 728-7221 to register. Class size is limited.

Home school program Read More

Jesse White Announces One-Year Extension

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•September 2, 2020• 
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that the expiration date for valid driver’s licenses held by Illinois drivers who are 75 years of age or older has been extended for a period of one year past the licenses’ current 2020 expiration date. As a result, drivers age 75 and older with a 2020 driver’s license expiration date do not need to visit a facility to renew their driver’s license until shortly before their birthday in 2021.
“I am mindful of the heightened risks associated with seniors contracting COVID-19, and that is why I have authorized this important change during this challenging and unique time,” said White. Read More

Sen. Rose Named Champion of Free Enterprise

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•August 26, 2020•
Illinois State Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) has been named a Champion of Free Enterprise, an award given by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to legislators who have made special contributions to the defense of free enterprise, and the furtherance of economic opportunities for Illinoisans.
“We can’t expect our state to be successful if we don’t support our businesses and improve our jobs climate,” said Rose. “Thank you to the Chamber for this honor, and I look forward to continue working to help our businesses succeed.” Read More