Get Ready for Pavement Blowouts during Heat Wave

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Motorists should remain alert, anticipate slowdowns and temporary work zones

•July 8, 2020•
With extreme heat dominating the forecast, the Illinois Department of Transportation cautioned motorists to be on the lookout for pavement buckling on roads throughout the state.
“One of the hottest weeks of the year means the potential for pavement failures will increase,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “At IDOT, we have the necessary staffing and materials in place to make repairs as quickly as possible. We ask the public to stay alert and avoid driving over buckled roads, if possible, while giving our crews plenty of room to work.” Read More

SES Kindergarten Registration in July

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•July 1, 2020•
Kindergarten registration begins July 21 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Sullivan Elementary School Cafeteria.
If you have a child who will start Kindergarten this fall, it is time to register. Enroll your student, find out about Sullivan Elementary, meet some SES staff, and get answers to questions you may have. Read More

Pools, Water Parks and Beaches Open

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•July 1, 2020•

Under Phase 4 of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Restore Illinois plan, swimming facilities licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) can open at a maximum of 50% of capacity. This includes swimming pools, water parks, splash pads, and beaches.
“There is currently no evidence that COVID-19 can spread to people through the water in pools and water playgrounds,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “However, the virus can still spread between people while in the pool, playing at a water park, or in a spa. Make sure to keep your distance from other people, especially if waiting in line or sitting around the pool.” Read More

Moultrie County Adds 17th Positive COVID-19 Case

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•July 1, 2020•
The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed the 17th case of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The patient is a female in her 20s and is recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials are notifying all close contacts.
To date, 1071 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 17 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 and 15 have been released from isolation.
As we enter into Phase IV of the Restore Illinois Plan, it is important that everyone continues to use the following precautions to reduce the risk of transmitting the COVID-19 infection: Read More

Remember When? 7-1-2020

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25 Years Ago This Week
Sullivan Schools are facing an $85,000 loss Supt. Richard Voltz told board members.
A significant increase in special ed students teamed with smaller average daily attendance combine to increase expenses to the district by $35,000 while receiving some $50,000 less in revenue.
Principal Rita Florey told the board the increase in special ed from 78 to 84 students accounted for the $35,000 expense increase.
In Tina Krigbaum’s store you can hear the birds sing.
You can also visit any time because there are no walls.
Krigbaum operates My Garden on the northeast corner of the Sullivan square in an employ lot owned by guy Little Jr.
By the way security is not a problem. One Sunday Tina drove by the My Garden site and plants were blown over. She was unable to stop, but when she returned someone had set all the plants back up. It’s that kind of place. Read More

Students Can Apply to EIU for Free beginning July 1

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•July 1, 2020•
Eastern Illinois University is strengthening its commitment to accessibility.
EIU leaders have announced that the university will shift to test-optional undergraduate admission for students interested in enrolling at the Charleston, Illinois-based university in fall of 2021 to further support student accessibility, opportunity, and success. In addition, merit scholarships will be made available specifically for EIU’s eligible test-optional admits, as well as those who include their test scores, under the University’s new policy. EIU’s test-optional application opens July 1, and prospective students can apply for free.
The announcement follows some national uncertainty about the availability of ACT/SAT testing as the world’s response to COVID-19 continues to evolve. When college assessment tests do resume, America’s educational leaders have questioned students’ capacity to perform well on them following such an unrivaled disruption in their junior year of high school. Read More

Minimum Wage Increase Reaches New Level

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•July 1, 2020•
Illinois’ minimum wage will make its second increase this year to $10 per hour beginning July 1. The Illinois Department of Labor urges minimum wage earners to make sure their checks reflect the increase following July 1.
Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation passed by the General Assembly providing a path to a $15 minimum wage by 2025. Minimum wage earners received the first increase of $1 to $9.25 per hour on January 1, 2020. Read More

Pandemic May Bring Tech Upgrades to Courthouse

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Work Station Security is Priority

•July 1, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

Moultrie County courthouse employees working remotely during pandemic restrictions could change the county’s technology in the future.
During the COVID-19 restrictions employees were secured to their courthouse work stations by their physical home address, Neil Bryan noted, explaining the system was only as secure as the person’s computer at home.
Those were among concerns discussed when Chair Elizabeth Houser called the County Board Tech Committee into session Friday, June 26.
Members present included: Bryan, Mike Barringer, Karen Cody, Rick Matthews and James Sines, along with Board Chairman Dave McCabe. Read More

Remember When? 6-24-2020

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25 Years Ago This Week

A Sullivan woman who served 20 years with the Moultrie County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program was honored as the longest serving volunteer in the county.
Ola Grubbs was the top honoree among 161 volunteers recognized during the RSVP recognition luncheon at First Christian Church.
Receiving special awards were Anna Hildebrand of Bethany and Marie Morris of Dalton City for 18 years; Mabel Standerfer of Sullivan and Mildred Johnson of Bethany 17 years; Lucile Jeffers of Sullivan, Hazel Bentz and Rosemary Crane both of Bethany 16 years.
Lindsay Patrick was elected president of the Marrowbone Merry Makers 4-H Club. Serving with her: Allison Patrick, vice president; Kelsey Tipsword, secretary; Anitra Rowe, treasurer; Sheree Norris reporter and Sunshine girls Savanna Freeland, Dana Grebe in, and Christina Allen. Read More

It’s National Pollinator Week; Join Farmers in Making a Difference

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•June 24, 2020•
By Richard Guebert Jr.
Illinois Farm Bureau president

During this time of year, you might look out your window to see bees and butterflies buzzing around nearby flowers, moving from one plant to the next, pollinating along the way. Many of the fruits and vegetables we enjoy in the summer are a result of the important work these insects do.
What better time to learn more about the role pollinators play in agriculture than during National Pollinator Week?
Here in Illinois, the growing season is in full swing. As you drive by fields of emerging corn and soybeans, take a moment to look for insects flying through fields, helping our farmers produce a strong food supply through pollination.
Pollination occurs when pollen from the male part of a plant is transferred to the female part of the same or a different plant. This movement can take place when pollen attaches to an animal or is carried by wind or water to its destination. Successful pollination results in the fruits, vegetables and nuts that we grow in our gardens or buy at the grocery store. Read More