Virus Requires Innovation

•March 25, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

The Tuesday, March 17 election was met with challenges created by COVID-19, but Moultrie County completed the primary without incident and in record time.
The first precincts were delivered to the courthouse at 7:31 p.m. and the final precincts arrived at 8:26 p.m.
Of the 8,422 registered voters in the county 2,378 voted for a 28.24% turnout.
One measure that was taken to protect election judges was the County Clerk’s office had drive up service. Each precinct’s judges drove to the west door of the courthouse, the official packets were gathered by courthouse personnel allowing election judges to go home rather than wait inside the courthouse.
“We did this to protect the election judges,” County Clerk Georgia England said, noting once they delivered final packets they went home without entering the courthouse. Read More

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Jamie McFarland brought granddaughter Loretta Bickell to Toddler Tuesday to get used to the water.

•March 11, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

The new Toddler Tuesday program at the Sullivan Civic Center is attracting moms and grandmothers with toddlers to the kiddie pool in growing numbers.
On March 2 Suzy Crawford brought her grandson, Jack Grooms, to the pool and was chasing a red rubber ball in the water.
“He is just loving it,” Crawford said. “This is such a great program for moms and grandmothers especially in winter. He will be ready for a nap after this workout!”
Another grandmother, Janice McFarland, was in the pool with granddaughter, Loretta Bichel. Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Election Judges Schooled
Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England (left) presents current election information to some 70 election judges last week at the First United Methodist Church. Election judges prepare for general primary election day in Illinois on Tuesday, March 17 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Early voting is ongoing at the County Clerks office in the Moultrie County courthouse plus from 9:00 a.m.- Noon Saturday before election and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 16.

•March 11, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

Does Moultrie County want to separate from Cook County forming another state with the remaining southern Illinois counties?
Local representatives of the Illinois Separation movement Scott Buxton and Teresa Cleer told County Board legislative committee members of their attempt to get the question placed on the November ballot.
Buxton explained some 400 signatures were needed to be eligible for the November ballot and asked the county board to consider supporting the movement.
Legislative committee chair Neil Bryan ask what Illinois Separation has planned to accomplish with the referenda.
Buxton explained Cook County pension costs are strapping the state’s budget along with a variety of issues which make it clear it is time for the lower Illinois counties to cut away from Chicago. Read More

Photo furnished

•March 11, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Women on a Mission of the First Baptist Church held their annual White Cross Tea on March 7.
The event was open to the pubic and attendees were served several flavors of tea and assorted pastries.
The tables were beautifully set with small pots of Spring flowers, colorful china teacups and vintage teapots. The pastry buffet was laden with cookies, scones, bread pudding, tea cakes and cupcakes.
Following the tea, the ladies attended a White Cross workshop to make dresses from pillow cases for little girls and hygiene pads for older girls in Africa.
Stations were set up in Fellowship Hall for cutting, ironing, assembling and sewing.
The attendees chose their stations and set about the tasks at hand.
There were 25 ladies from Sullivan and area churches working at four portable sewing machines and ironing boards, while others cut the pillow cases and assembled them into sun dresses. Read More