Category Archives: News Section

Resolution Supporting First Responders, County Farm Gets Board Action

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•July 15, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

The Moultrie County farm is up for lease with bid packets available from July 15 through August 5 in the county clerk’s office.
Moultrie County board members approved continuing the two-year lease of the 217.58-acre county farm during the regular Thursday, July 9 meeting of the county board in courtroom A to accommodate social distancing.
In order to submit a cash rent proposal, the bidder must own 40 acres or live in Moultrie County.
Provisions to provide 2/3 ton of lime and maintain soil quality are the renter’s obligation.
An additional $5.40 fee from Ag Answers ensures soil fertility is maintained through tissue sample testing.
Bid opening is 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Clint Robinson entered the two-year lease in 2018 with a bid of $82,500 ($379.17A). The term expires October 31, 2020.
In 2018 four bidders showed interest in the county farm: Zeb Hughes bid $70,713.50 ($325A); Shuman Brothers bid $67,658.68 ($310.96A); Robinson, $82,500 and prior renter Mark Kuhns bid $75,520.26 ($347A). Read More

Jeepin for Jesse 2020

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Photo by R.R. Best
Jeepin for Jesse
Hundreds filled the streets outside the Toy Bar in Sullivan dressed in Halloween costumes for the annual Secret Santa Jeepin for Jesse cruise and fundraiser. Prizes were awarded the best costume as well as the best decorated Jeep. The July 11 cruise highlighted locations in Moultrie County before returning to Sullivan in the afternoon.

Moultrie County Adds Three More Positive COVID-19 Cases

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•July 14, 2020•
Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed three more cases of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The individuals range in ages from 40’s to 60’s. Two are recovering at home in isolation and one is hospitalized. Public health officials are notifying all close contacts.
To date, 1,357 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 27 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 and 18 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 continues to ask everyone:
• Maintain a physical distance of six feet from others
• Wear a mask for source control when physical distancing is not possible.
•Wash hands routinely
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.

Moultrie County Adds More Positive COVID-19 Cases

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•July 10, 2020•
The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed the four more cases of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The individuals range in ages from 20’s to 70’s. They are recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials are notifying all close contacts. To date, 1,299 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 24 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 and 18 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 continues to ask everyone:  Maintain a physical distance of six feet from others  Wear a mask for source control when physical distancing is not possible.  Wash hands routinely According to the CDC, symptoms of the Novel Coronavirus-19 infection may appear from two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. These symptoms include fever, fatigue, dry cough, chills, body aches, headache, sore throat, a loss of taste or smell, diarrhea and vomiting.
It is important to note that individuals infected with COVID-19 can transmit the virus to others up to 48 hours before displaying any symptoms.
The CDC also expanded its list of those individuals who are more likely to be affected seriously by COVID-19 include:
• Chronic kidney disease
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Immunocompromised
• Obesity
• Serious heart conditions
Contact: Glenda Plunkett
Public Health Services Coordinator
Glenda@moultriehealth.org
217.728.4114
• Sickle cell disease
• Type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus
• Asthma (moderate to severe)
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Cystic fibrosis
• Hypertension
• Neurologic diseases such as dementia
• Liver disease
• Pregnancy
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Smoking
• Thalassemia 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

Fireworks 2020

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Photo by R. R. Best
Sullivan provided fireworks and the people came from miles around to enjoy. With most communities canceling Fourth Celebrations people came in droves to watch the Sullivan Fourth of July parade and fireworks celebration on Saturday, July 4. Sullivan American Legion Post 68 is the annual Fourth Celebration sponsor.

Moultrie County Adds 19th Positive COVID-19 Case

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•July 8, 2020•
The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed the 19th case of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The patient is a male in his 40s and is recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials have notified all close contacts.
To date, 1240 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 19 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 and 16 have been released from isolation.
COVID-19 is spread by respiratory droplets when an infected person exhales, talks, sneezes, coughs, raises their voice or sings.
To combat this, the CDC recommends wearing a cloth face covering over the nose and mouth to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people. This is called source control. Source control is most effective if everyone wears a mask when they are in the presence of others with whom they do not share a household. Read More

The Beacon’s Annual Fried Pie Sale is Cancelled

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•July 8, 2020•
The Moultrie County Beacon annual Fried Pie Sale started with the usual high expectation and supporters came through, however due to the Covid 19 health crisis the sale is cancelled.
This is a major fundraiser for the Beacon, along with the Annual Beacon Benefit, which was also postponed this year.
Fried Pies were to be in production the week of March 16th with delivery to be March 19th.
As you recall, Governor Pritkzer of Illinois announced a statewide public health crisis due to Covid-19 at the same time, so production of pies was halted due to the need to social distance from others. Read More

People Were Ready for a Real Fourth of July Celebration

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•July 8, 2020•
by Mike Brothers

People were ready, and we gave them a real Fourth of July celebration,” parade coordinator Mark Conlin, said of the hourlong Sullivan July 4th parade.
“Hats off to the American Legion for giving us an unbelievable Independence Day celebration,” Mayor Richard Glazebrook said of the Saturday July 4th parade and fireworks display sponsored by Post 68 in Sullivan.
“And I’m proud of the citizens for pitching in to make this a true observation of freedom from the COVID restrictions,” he said, emphasizing people were respectful of distancing during the events.
American Legion Commander Bob Sims praised Boy Scout Troop 39 for stepping up as parade leaders. Read More

Beacon Serves

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Photo furnished
Beacon Serves
The Lighthouse Kitchen located at the Moultrie County Beacon at 401 W Water street is now serving lunch on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and dinner on Thursday’s from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. You do not need to call ahead. Just follow the signs.