•May 6, 2020•
The Illinois Criminal Code makes it a Class 4 Felony for any person to carry a weapon while “masked in such a manner as to conceal his or her identity.”
The question presented is whether an individual who has a valid concealed carry permit and is lawfully carrying a weapon while also wearing a mask to comply with health and safety measures will be criminally prosecuted for the offense of Unlawful Use of Weapons. Read More
CARES Act to Provide Relief
•May 6, 2020•
The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has allocated funding to colleges and universities, including Lake Land College, to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.
Eligible expenses are those included under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare and child care. Read More
How Will We Heal Illinois’ Agri-food System?
•May 6, 2020•
By Bob Easter, Richard Guebert Jr. and Theresa E. Mintle
Illinois Agri-Food Alliance
In the midst of a global health crisis, the agri-food sector is pressing forward determined to do what it does best—feed the world. After all, empty grocery store shelves don’t simply restock themselves.
COVID-19, however, is rapidly exposing our food system’s susceptibilities and disconnects. Could this pandemic catalyze a rethinking and transformation of the current centralized model? With an outsized stake in the outcome, Illinois would be wise to consider.
Under normal circumstances, the modern-day food system operates with efficiency via a “just enough, just in time” lean inventory model supported by a global trade system. By design, it provides a diverse array of abundant, low-cost food and agriculture-derived products sourced around the world catered to consumer demands. Read More
Moultrie Ag in Classroom has Different Farm Tour Day
•May 6, 2020•
The school year is ending in a different way than any of us could have imagined.
Steph Naylor with Moultrie County Ag in the classroom coordinator found a few ways to reach out to her students since she was unable to get back in the classrooms.
The end of March yearly Reedy farm tour day scheduled with several area school third graders could not happen.
Naylor had a bag of goodies for each third grader who was to attend that day and, due to it being cancelled, she contacted the schools and coordinated getting those bags to those students to enjoy.
Each bag contained learning materials from the Illinois Beef Association and Illinois Pork Producers. Read More
Moultrie County Courthouse Offices Open Full Time With Safety Procedures
•May 6, 2020•
The Moultrie County Courthouse opened full time this week with individual offices establishing safe operating procedures under limited access due to Stay at Home health restrictions.
The County Clerk and Recorder, Assessments Office and Treasurer have provided helpful information to help the guide the public as the courthouse resumes full time operation.
The north entrance of the courthouse is for public access and social distancing measures will continue to be observed.
County Clerk and
Recorder
The County Clerk and Recorder’s office is open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. with the Courthouse limited access still in place.
The following procedures have been established while the State’s Stay-at-Home restrictions apply: Read More
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Recognizes Foster Parent Appreciation Month
•May 6, 2020•
May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month in Illinois, a time to thank the thousands of foster families across the state that have opened their homes to provide a temporary safe haven to abused and neglected children who have been placed in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services by local courts.
Each year, an average of 4,000 children from across the state, of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, are taken into temporary state care when their home life is unsafe. DCFS works with the family to make the positive changes necessary to reunite with their children while foster families step up and provide homes where the children are protected, nurtured and loved. Read More
Illinois Temperatures and Precipitation Fluctuated in April
•May 6, 2020•
The first half of April had above average temperatures in Illinois, but the cold predominated in the second half, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.
The preliminary statewide average April temperature was 49.2 degrees, 3.4 degrees below the 30-year normal.
The preliminary statewide average total April precipitation was 4.36 inches, 0.58 inches above the 30-year normal.
Average temperatures from April 1 to 10 ranged from 1 to 6 degrees above normal across the state. A strong cold front moved through the region between April 9 and 11 with unseasonably cold air. Average temperatures between April 11 and 20 ranged from 5 to 15 degrees below normal.
Overall, April average temperatures ranged from the low 30s in northern Illinois to the mid-50s in southern Illinois. April ended the consecutive four-month streak of warmer than normal months going back to December 2019. Read More
Remember When? 5-6-2020
25 Years Ago This Week
Three local educators have been honored with the Education Is the Key Award from the office of Regional Superintendent of Education John McNary.
Sullivan school district superintendent Richard Voltz, Lovington high school principal Judy Uphoff and Bethany fourth grade teacher Margaret Overlot received individual honors for their contributions to eduction.
Several Moultrie countians won the Lake Land College Foundation Photography Contest.
William Zoetvelt of Sullivan won for Autumn Haze.
Three Lovington photographers won: Amber Atteberrry for “Jumping Coach”; Lewis Lingafelter for “The Girl” and Johnny M. Smith for “Things are Not What They Seem”. Read More
COUNTRY Financial Rep. Houser Makes All American Team
•May 6, 2020•
COUNTRY Financial Representative Elizabeth Houser of Sullivan has earned a position on the insurance groups distinguished All American team.
Houser is among a select group of top COUNTRY Financial agency managers and financial representatives who qualified for the award. COUNTRY Financial has more than 2,000 agency managers and financial representatives in 17 states. Read More
Make Mother’s Day Special
•May 6, 2020•
Each and every day a new woman becomes a mother for the first time or all over again. Being a mother changes a person’s life in dramatic ways.
Mother’s Day is a great time of year to honor mothers and attempt to give back just a portion of the tireless love and devotion moms offer their children. Some children provide large gestures, while others feel it’s the little things that can help a mom to feel appreciated. For those needing a little inspiration on treating their mothers in special ways, consider these ideas.
· Make mom a breakfast in bed with her favorite morning treats.
· Enjoy a movie at home with mom. Let her pick the flick and share her favorite film with you. Read More