Submitted photo
Sixth Circuit Court Judge Jason Bohm at the Moultrie County Courthouse last Saturday. Bohm is riding the sixth circuit on his bicycle for the next three Saturdays. Last Saturday he rode from Sullivan to Tuscola and this upcoming weekend he will ride from Clinton to Monticello.

•September 2, 2020•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Judge Jason Bohm, a circuit judge in the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Illinois which is made up of Champaign, DeWitt, Douglas, Macon, Moultrie and Piatt counties started “riding the circuit” this past weekend. Instead of riding on a horse like Abraham Lincoln would have done, he’s riding the circuit on a bicycle.
Last Saturday was his first bike ride on the circuit and he biked from Sullivan to Tuscola and he will be riding through the circuit past each of the courthouses in the Sixth Circuit for the next three Saturdays. Bohm said that he averages about five days a week riding his bike and that the entire circuit ride will be 160 miles total.
Bohm was appointed as a circuit judge in 2018 and is running on the ballot this fall to remain as a circuit judge. “With the pandemic this year, many of the parades and festivals we’ve previously visited in the six counties have been cancelled,” he said “Last year we walked in 26 parades and enjoyed visiting many communities. My wife and I also enjoy riding our bicycles and we thought this was a good way to combine two things we love doing.”
The next length of the circuit that he will be riding will be from Clinton to Monticello. For more information on Judge Bohm visit www.judgejasonbohm.com.

•August 26, 2020•

by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Michael Castelli, 52, of Lovington was killed in a two vehicle crash at County Road 2400 N and County Road 400E last Wednesday. Read More

•August 20, 2020•
Sometimes the enemy is closer than one thinks. The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has received notice of a COVID-19 exposure in its office. For the safety of those the department serves and to reduce the risk of further COVID-19 transmission, the MCHD building will be closed to the public through Thursday, August 27, 2020. Until then, the health department will remain partially staffed and available for calls during regular business hours. Due to concerns about potential identification, additional information about the case/exposure is not being released.

“It is essential that we continue to serve our county to the best of our ability during this critical period,” said Moultrie County Health Department Administer Angela Hogan, RN, MSPH. “Staff and services will remain available as feasible by phone, Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. - noon and 1- 4:30 p.m. Please call our office at 217-728-4114 if you need to schedule an appointment or to obtain immunization records, information or other assistance.”

Hogan noted that cases of COVID-19 are on the rise in Moultrie County and asks that all individuals join the department in reducing the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. She expressed confidence in our ability to achieve this reduction and reiterated the following four steps:
Wear a mask when in public or with anyone who is not a household member;
Watch physical distance from others in social situations and gatherings;
Wash hands frequently;
Stay home if ill or experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.
Hogan goes on to say, “To every person in Moultrie County, the MCHD Staff greatly appreciates your patience and understanding during this challenging time. We are in this battle together, and our staff will continue to do our part to assist you in every way possible. Please do your part to protect each other and reduce the burden which COVID-19 places on our residents, schools, businesses and communities.”

For more information on the Moultrie County Health Department’s news, events and services and COVID-19 updates, please visit www.moultriehealth.org and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moultriecountyhealth.

Sincerely,

Glenda Plunkett

Moultrie County Public Health Department

Public Health Services Coordinator

202 S. Main St. l Sullivan, IL 61951

Office: (217) 728-4114 l Fax: (217) 728-2650

Both in-person and remote options are available

•August 19, 2020•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

According to the Sullivan School District’s “Return to School Plan” handbook, “Sullivan CUSD #300 believes that on-site learning can occur with proactive measures and collaborative efforts from stakeholders.”
The Sullivan School district is providing both in-person and remote learning options in order to meet the variety of needs from its students. Should the regional and local statistics and metrics change, the district will be reaching out both to the Moultrie County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
As stated in its “Return to School Plan,” the district says, “We are working diligently to bring our students back to school safely. The safety measures that the school district is taking include:
• Require the use of face coverings (e.g. masks) and appropriate protective equipment.
• Require additional hand hygiene measures including hand sanitizer in each room.
• Prohibit more than 50 individuals from gathering in one space.
• Require social distancing to be observed as much as possible.
• Require individuals to self-certify that they are symptom free before entering onto school buses and into school buildings.
• Require an increase in school wide cleaning and disinfecting. Read More