Photo by Mike Brothers
Food Pantry Still Open
Above Jimmy Livingood of Bethany picked up his food box at the back door of the Harrison Street CEFS Moultrie County Food Pantry. The Sullivan based food pantry is operating Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Pantry director Lisa White explained due to social distancing requirements those seeking food orders should call 728-7721 and a Food Pantry volunteer will bring the order to the back door for loading. Easter is a time for greater needs and this year the anonymous ham donor has stepped up his donation to the Food Pantry. Sullivan IGA meat dept. manager Barry Golden explained the usual 100 ham order was increased to 150 hams for this Easter from the anonymous community benefactor. Director White explained Easter order requests have been made with delivery expected for Moultrie County Food Pantry recipients April 9.

•April 8, 2020•

C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation is still providing services in Moultrie County to those in need during this COVID-19 crisis.
Our doors are closed to the general public, but we are still providing services. Below are the services we are providing and contact information to obtain those services:
The Outreach office is providing rent assistance, homeless services, and referral services. Utility assistance (LIHEAP) is now available until June 30. Read More

•April 1, 2020•
By Supt. Ted Walk,
Sullivan CUSD #300

This week’s update is dedicated once again to items related to COVID-19 issues. As of the time of submission of this article, students in Sullivan Schools are scheduled to return on April 13, but that may have changed by the time you are reading this article.
Over the weekend, the Illinois State Board of Education released some guidance on Remote Learning. Sullivan Schools have been preparing for this scenario for weeks. Students will be able to either access materials online or complete paper copies of assignments. If the closure is extended, we will be adding additional pick-up and drop-off dates for learning materials. Though the Governor’s stay-at-home directive has an exception for picking up remote learning materials, school personnel will be delivering packets to those who are unable to come in during designated pick-up times. Read More

•March 31, 2020•
The Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed that a patient being treated at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital has tested positive for COVID-19. The patient is a woman in her 50s who presented to the emergency department at St. Mary’s on Wednesday, March 25, and we received a positive confirmation for the virus that causes COVID-19 on Friday, March 27. The patient’s condition is stable. The patient is under quarantine and receiving care at the hospital.
St. Mary’s Hospital is providing all care precautions for our colleagues and patients in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and IDPH.
“We have a multidisciplinary team onsite that is continuing to keep our colleagues prepared,” said Mike Hicks, president and chief executive officer for St. Mary’s Hospital. “We continue to ask the community to do its part by practicing social distancing, washing their hands and doing all they can to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to ensure that we will continue to be prepared to care for those most in need during this time.”
The hospital continues to implement numerous precautions to identify any potentially infected persons and prevent illnesses from spreading. As a reminder, St. Mary’s has implemented a no visitor policy with few exceptions.

•March 25, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for The News Progress

Practicing their social distancing by sitting six feet away from each other, the ALAH School Board met Wednesday evening at 6:00 pm with the principals not in attendance.
Before discussing the agenda, Darren Powell of Lovington who is on the Lovington Board of Trustees and serves with the Lovington ambulance service, approached board members about possibly making the old football field at the Lovington Grade School a designated landing zone for Medevac helicopter. Currently, the ambulance has landing zones in Arthur and Sullivan. Superintendent, Shannon Cheek, suggested that they come up with an intergovernmental agreement before moving forward.
Powell will return in April with an agreement that the board could look at. Read More

•March 18, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

Sullivan City Council’s special session at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 dealt with the emergency created by the COVID-19 virus.
Mayor Richard Glazebrook emphasized the purpose of the meeting is to implement procedures allowing the city to be eligible for federal and state emergency service funding due to conditions created by coronavirus related closings.
The announced school closings by Governor J.B. Pritzker Friday prompted the city to close the civic center and library on Friday.
City administrator Dan Flannell emphasized the city and school district are working together to be sure parents and students understand that the closings are meant to keep students from congregating. Read More