Category Archives: News Section

Expanded Enterprise

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Expanded Enterprise
South Vine boutique is now open at 100 Jefferson St. on the square in Sullivan. Familiar local entrepreneurs John Stephens (center) Timmy Valentine (right) and Tyler Mosier are expanding Astoria Products in their return to Sullivan. In addition to the international Astoria Product line, South Vine offers a variety of clothing that appeals to a broad spectrum of fashion shoppers from a 15 year old grand daughter to her grandmother. South Vine is open Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Keeping Cool

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Keeping Cool
July temperatures remind us the season’s go on no matter what the human condition is. Above kayaking and canoeing on the Kaskaskia helped cool those hot summer days, but that was last year. This year would require a little more social distancing to keep cool on the river.

Moultrie County Adds 28th Positive COVID-19 Case

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•July 16, 2020•
The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed one more case of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The individual is in his 30s and is recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials are notifying all close contacts.
To date, 1,375 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 28 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 and 21 are no longer in isolation.
As Illinois progresses through Phase 4 of Recover Illinois, the risk of COVID-19 transmission to others may increase. It is important to remember that people of all ages are vulnerable to this virus, and everyone should take precautions to prevent infection.
For public safety, the health department is asking everyone use the three basic Ws to stay safe:
• Watch physical distance and keep six feet from others.
• Wear a mask when in public places.
• Wash hands routinely.
Illinois is currently experiencing a surge in testing for COVID-19. With this surge in testing, test result turnaround times may be slower.
While awaiting a test result, it is important for those who feel ill to self-isolate if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Individuals are most likely to transmit the virus in the early stages of a COVID-19 infection when they may or may not have symptoms.
If an individual is ill with symptoms associated with coronavirus and needs medical or emergency care, they should notify their physician or emergency medical service providers of their symptoms prior to
arrival.
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.

Green Garden Cuts Ribbon

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Photo by Landon Brothers
Green Garden Cuts Ribbon
Green Garden Alzheimer’s Center ribbon cutting was held on West Street in Sullivan Friday, July 10 to officially open the facility. Founder Dr. Fasil Bukhari of Sullivan Family Services and partner Joe Keller of Keller Trucking cut the ribbon with governmental officials and staff attending the open house coordinated by Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development Director Laurrie Minor. Sullivan mayor Richard Glazebrook thanked Dr. Bukhari and Keller for their commitment to the community with the building of the facility.

Returning to The Classroom

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•July 15, 2020•

By Supt. Ted Walk
Sullivan CUSD #300

Though there could still be circumstances that cause a change to our return to school this fall, the current plan is for students of Sullivan Schools to return to in-person instruction five days a week, while remaining receptive to changing recommendations from the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and, of course, the Moultrie County Health Department.
As information is changing monthly, weekly, and even daily, we are waiting to finalize a number of aspects related to the process of reopening, but we want our students, parents, and community to be able to plan on sending their students to school safely beginning on August 17th. Read More

Sullivan Reaches Out to Tourism for Growth

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•July 15, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

Sullivan is spending $39,000 for a digital marketing campaign to bring in tourists, who may become residents, of the city.
Chamber and Economic Development President Linda Huber introduced Marketing consultant Cassie Yoder, who proposed a six month digital marketing plan to promote tourism in Sullivan.
By using a multi media digital approach to niche markets, Yoder told the council people who are attracted to Sullivan for tourism can be potential residents.
Huber went on to point out if five families moved into Sullivan as a result of the digital commercials it would pay for the contract.
That was based on the formula that each family generates an average $8000 income for the city.
“This is good for business and economic development,” Mayor Richard Glazebrook said, urging the council to approve Yoder’s proposed six month campaign.
Commissioner Peggy Hargis, noting this was the first she had heard of such a plan, requested the item be tabled for commissioners to further review details. Read More

“No One Cares How Much You Know, Until They Know How Much You Care.”

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•July 15, 2020•
By: Sarah Hudson Pierce
NP Guest Columnist

President Theodore Roosevelt said “No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care”
The poet Robert Burns also said “Oh the gift that God could give us, to see ourselves as others see us” which leads me to ask would we really want to know how zit-picking at someone maybe we need to ask ourselves if this is what is really bugging us or is there a deep seated problem that we cannot articulate?
I am thoroughly convinced that there are many of us who could benefit from some deep soul searching or counseling to help us arrive at a mutually satisfying solution to problems that plague us, that keep us awake day and night, when we cannot let go -- and just laugh at our own pettiness.
Though only an arm chair psychologist I think that many of our personal problems arrive from a lack of self-worth, of not feeling wealthy enough, not feeling pretty enough or deeply loved by our friends and family so we criticize each other, trying to make them fit our mold of how we think people should behave.
Does any of this make sense to you? Read More

Lovington Considers Curbside Beer Sale Request

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•July 15, 2020•
Lovington village board met Monday, July 13 with action expected on a request from Casey’s General Stores for curbside beer sales.
Casey’s request from Gayle Begalske proposed that a Casey employee take a tablet to the car, allowing the drivers license to be scanned and payment made prior to the sale.
At the regular meeting on June 8 guest Roger Brust questioned trustees on three points.
He was requesting the village have a clean up day. Read More

Moultrie Co. Offers Real Estate at Tax Sale

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•July 15, 2020•
Moultrie County, as Trustee, has completed their tax deed proceedings on real estate properties that were delinquent for 2016 and prior real estate taxes.
The County, as Trustee, will now offer for sale the real estate obtained to the public.
They will offer approximately four items through a sealed bid auction sale.
All sealed bids must be in the Moultrie County Treasurer’s Office located in the Moultrie County Courthouse, 10 S. Main Street — Suite 10, Sullivan, Illinois 61951 no later than the close of business on July 31, 2020. Read More

Mobile Coronavirus Testing

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Photo by R.R. Best
Mobile Coronavirus Testing
The Douglas County Health Department offered mobile testing for corona virus last week. Those wishing to be tested drove up to the Moultrie-Douglas Fairground where they were greeted by testers. Douglas County Health Dept. Director Amanda S. Minor, MPH, LEHP, expressed her appreciation for the partnerships with the Village of Arthur, Arthur Police, Douglas County Sheriff, IT and highway, the park board, Douglas County MRC volunteers and the Millikin University nursing students. “Because of everyone
working together and sharing resources, we had a great turnout and it went very smoothly,” Minor said. “We are hopeful to have another one soon in Tuscola for the Eastern part of the county to again be accessible to all of the residents.” There were 101 tested at the mobile clinic with five positive for Douglas County and two for Moultrie County, Stacy Shonkwiler, RN, MSN Director of Nursing at the Douglas County Health Department reported.