•February 8, 2017•
The statewide average temperature in January was 31.4 degrees, 5.0 degrees above normal, and the 14th warmest January on record, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.
Above-normal temperatures in January spanned the state and the eastern half of the U.S. Read More
•February 8, 2017•
In recognition of the earthquake risk in southern Illinois from the New Madrid and Wabash Valley seismic zones, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies will promote earthquake preparedness throughout February.
“While we don’t experience major earthquakes with the same frequency as the western U.S., some of the most powerful earthquakes to ever occur in the continental U.S. happened along the New Madrid seismic zone about 200 years ago,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “We can’t predict when the next major earthquake will occur, but we can help people learn how to stay safe and reduce damage to their homes.” Read More
•February 8, 2017•
Moultrie County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to Constance Beard, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue.
The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier”, is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law.
This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g. school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts). If there were no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result. Read More
•February 8, 2017•
The Moultrie County Farm Bureau has announced that applications are available for the Charles B. Shuman Memorial Scholarship. The $500 scholarship will be awarded to a resident of Moultrie County who is a graduating high school senior or currently enrolled in a university or community college.
The successful applicant should be of good moral character and exhibit potential for successful completion of a course of study in agriculture or related fields. In addition to academic performance, extra curricular and community involvement will also be considered in the selection process. Read More
February is American Heart Month
•February 8, 2017•
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is launching its new Faith-Based Million Hearts® Initiative during American Heart Month.
Cardiovascular disease is the nation’s number one cause of death. However, it can be prevented in some cases by making healthy choices and managing heart conditions.
“To help more people learn about heart healthy steps they can take and to support communities working to become healthier, IDPH is launching its Faith-Based Million Hearts® Initiative ‘Love to Love Your Heart,’” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “Many people look to their faith-based organizations for information, support, and encouragement. By offering healthy heart education and tips on lowering the risk of heart disease, we hope to reduce the number of people who die from heart disease and stroke.” Read More
•February 8, 2017•
A county cannabis ordinance was approved by the Moultrie County Public Health and Safety Feb 1 for recommendation to the county board.
Moultrie County state’s attorney Jeremy Richey presented the local ordinance covering incorporated areas because of changes in state law.
He pointed out new state law reduces possession of 10 grams of cannabis to a traffic ticket carrying a fine only.
Without a local ordinance in place the tickets and revenue generated go to the state, while the history is automatically expunged from the recipient’s record. Read More
•February 1, 2017•
The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) and the Illinois Prisoner Review Board (PRB) today announced that a Settlement Agreement in the case of Moises Morales v. Craig Findley has been approved.
The Settlement Agreement reflects Governor Bruce Rauner’s commitment to increasing public safety and improving outcomes for all men and women who are released from IDOC custody. The Rauner Administration worked with the IDOC and PRB legal teams to reach a suitable agreement, therefore avoiding costly litigation and the perpetual judicial oversight that would have resulted had the parties entered into a consent decree.
US District Judge Amy J. St. Eve accepted the agreement on Wednesday, January 25th, 2017, noting it offers fair and reasonable due process for men and women accused of violating the terms of their parole or Mandatory Supervised Release (MSR). Read More
•February 1, 2017•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
February is the month we celebrate our presidents and Illinois has sent four favorite sons to the White House - Lincoln, Grant, Reagan and Obama. By far, Lincoln is the most popular and most revered. His early law career started when he was a circuit rider in middle Illinois, and his travels brought him to Sullivan.
The first courthouse in Sullivan was built in 1848, and Moultrie County was served by the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court. Abraham Lincoln passed through these doors many times while he traveled the circuit court system from 1849-1852. The circuit riding lawyers came to Sullivan twice a year and stayed for two days. The monument on the northeast corner of the present courthouse commemorates Lincoln’s circuit riding days here. Read More
•February 1, 2017•
Straight A Honor Roll
Anderson, Ciara L. (11), Cameron, Laine N. (11), Cooper, Grant P. (12), Cravatta, Abby E. (11), Elder, Trevor W. (11), Ellis, Caden P. (10), Farley, Mary M. (12), Freeman, Shelby A. (12), Goss, Broderick J. (10), Hunter, Shyanne L. (9), Johnson, Spencer A. (10), Jones, Lindsay M. (11), Mauck, Grace E. (12), Mcclure, Kaitlynn M. (11), Menke,, Alex R. (12), Miller, Allison C. (12), Miller, Morgan L. (12), Nichols, Adalee J. (9), Phelps, Winchester L. (11), Plank, Isaiah C. (11), Pratt, Bailee E. (12), Sentel, Brynna C. (12), Stutzman, Joshua M. (11), Tarr, Tanner L. (11), Todd, Maxwell L. (12), Tuttle, Brett P. (11), Tuttle, Brooke E. (10), Webb, Kaitlyn D. (11), Weber, Cassandra L. (12), Whitaker, Parker L. (12), White, Kaitlyn A. (9), Will, Allyson N. (12), Williams, Abigail R. (12) Read More
•February 1, 2017•
The state of Illinois could have earned $8.8 million more in investment income in the fourth quarter of 2016 as a result of the year-long budget impasse, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today.
“Following yesterday’s state of the state address, we can all agree that the state is in dire need of a full, balanced budget plan that brings fiscal stability to Illinois,” Frerichs said. “Our office continues to maximize returns on our investments, but we could be bringing in millions more in investment income with a sound budget in place.” Read More