Category Archives: News Section

27 New Positive COVID-19 Cases in Moultrie County

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20 in a Long Term Care Facility
•August 12, 2020•

The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed 27 positive cases of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19). Of this total, 20 individuals are associated with the Sullivan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center (SRHCC), located in Sullivan, Illinois. These individuals who reside in Moultrie County include one staff member and 19 residents of the facility. They range in age from 20-80 years, and five are currently hospitalized.

The other seven individuals are unrelated to the long term care facility and range in age from one to 60 years. All are isolated at home. Public health officials are notifying all close contacts.

To date, 2,470 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 99 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19. Of the community cases, 12 are still in isolation.

The SRHCC has notified all residents, family members, staff and contacts. Per CDC requirements, all residents and staff have completed COVID-19 testing. All individuals who tested positive or were exposed have been isolated and quarantined for safety concerns. The facility continues to closely monitor all residents and staff. Visitation is currently restricted for the continued protection of all residents, friends, family members and staff.

The SHRCC continues to work closely with the Moultrie County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Updates to this situation will be provided as they become available.

“On behalf of all involved, we at the Moultrie County Health Department understand that this is very stressful for everyone,” said Moultrie County Health Department Administer Angela Hogan, RN, MSPH. “We ask for your patience, understanding and support for the Sullivan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center and these special members of our community during this difficult time.”

The Moultrie County Health Department is asking all individuals and businesses to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities by using the three basic Ws:
Watch physical distance and keep six feet from others.
Wear a mask when in public places.
Wash hands routinely.
The CDC recommends that individuals who are experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms stay at home and away from other people until:
At least 10 days have elapsed since symptoms first appeared and
In the last 24 hours the individual has been fever-free without fever-reducing medication and
Symptoms have improved.
People with weakened immune systems may need to self-isolate longer than 10 days.

Information on area testing sites can be found at https://dph.illinois.gov/testing.

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

Electrical Fire

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Photo by R.R. Best
Sullivan Fire Department responded to a suspected electrical fire on Sunday evening at 5:37 pm in the 1200 block of South Hamilton. The owner came home to find the home full of smoke and the fire appears to have started in the basement. Two dogs suffered from smoke inhalation but they did survive. There was smoke damage throughout the home. Pictured above is RN Bev Coons watching while Dr. Florey (right) and homeowner Bobby Peeler (left) tend to one of the dogs.

Amtrykes Presented to Two Locals

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Noah Smith (front center) with his Amtryke from the Sullivan AMBUCS is surrounded by his parents Kim Smith and Mike Smith and brother Ethan at the AMBUCS picnic held last week. In the background are Sullivan AMBUCS members. photo by Crystal Reed.

•August 12, 2020•
The Sullivan AMBUCS chapter held a picnic last Thursday and during it presented surprises to two local children. That evening Amtrykes were presented to Presley Wagner and Noah Smith.
According to a brochure, the Amtryke Tricycle Program is about ability, not disability. They make foot trykes, hand trykes and hand and foot trykes in a wide range of sizes at a low cost. Read More

City Council Approves Funding Request For Supplies

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•August 12, 2020•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council voted for a funding request for backup personal protection equipment (PPE) supplies up to $50,000 during Monday’s meeting. City Administrator Dan Flannell said that there was a meeting last week with the Moultrie County Health Department at the three Petersen Health Care nursing facilities.
The purpose of that meeting was to inquire to offer assistance of the city in regards to the PPE supply. Flannell said that Petersen is able to maintain a 30 day supply of PPE at their facilities at this time but if an outbreak would occur that supply would deplete quickly.
He said that the PPE would be available to not only Peterson health care but also other businesses in Sullivan. Mayor Glazebrook said that he wanted to see a motion made that night. “We don’t want to wait another two weeks,” he said. Read More

The Little Theatre Extends Closure

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Photo furnished
The Little Theatre box office, usually a busy hub of activity, remains empty as the season closure is extended.

•August 12, 2020•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Little Theatre On The Square Executive Producer John Stephens announced via Facebook on Monday that the theatre would be extending their shutdown. He said that the theatre board had a meeting last week to decide the next step.
Stephens estimated that the theatre has seen a $500,000 plus loss due to the closure. Stephens said that they have laid off all staff except for two people. He also said that the theatre has an annual impact of $3.5 million on the city of Sullivan. Read More

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Photo by R.R. Best
Angie and Cory Neal and son Andrew with Moonlight Acres were selling sweet corn in Bethany last week.

ALAH School District Votes on “Return to School Plan”

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Remote learning options are available

•August 5, 2020•
by Ariana Cherry

The safety of our kids and staff are important,” commented Superintendent Shannon Cheek at the special board meeting of the ALAH School Board on Thursday, July 30 at the Atwood-Hammond Grade School. The board met to vote on their return to school plan during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shannon Cheek presented a slideshow presentation and discussed with the board and public the goals, challenges and health measures that the district would be taking as school resumes. “Want to create a workspace and learning environment that is safe for our students and staff according to the Illinois Department of Public Health,” he stated.
Shannon informed everyone that the district had been collaborating with the Department of Public Health through ZOOM meetings as well as looking at the guidelines of the CDC. He also said he had been meeting with other area superintendents in the district to see what their plans were too. Many of the surrounding districts had plans that involved returning to in-person learning with reduced hours. “That seemed to be the popular trend in our area,” noted Shannon. We had to develop and implement a plan that could be flexible to the changing conditions- as changes could develop along the way,” he said. The district also had to make sure that they were following state guidelines as well, which included having at least five hours of daily instruction. “We had to consider what challenges everyone (staff, students and families) are faced with no matter how they come back to school,” Shannon quoted. Read More

City Personnel Moving This Month

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•August 5, 2020•
by Crystal Reed

At last week’s Sullivan City Council meeting the council approved the moving of personnel from City Hall to 304 S. Hamilton Street.
The motion that was proposed by Abbey Sherwood was for the mayor to enter into a four month lease with the owner of the property Don Frevert at $1,400 a month. According to Dan Flannell, City Administrator there is an option to renew for two month increments for the total of one year. Read More