CEFS Moultrie County Outreach Services Continue During Crisis

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Food Pantry Still Open
Above Jimmy Livingood of Bethany picked up his food box at the back door of the Harrison Street CEFS Moultrie County Food Pantry. The Sullivan based food pantry is operating Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Pantry director Lisa White explained due to social distancing requirements those seeking food orders should call 728-7721 and a Food Pantry volunteer will bring the order to the back door for loading. Easter is a time for greater needs and this year the anonymous ham donor has stepped up his donation to the Food Pantry. Sullivan IGA meat dept. manager Barry Golden explained the usual 100 ham order was increased to 150 hams for this Easter from the anonymous community benefactor. Director White explained Easter order requests have been made with delivery expected for Moultrie County Food Pantry recipients April 9.

•April 8, 2020•

C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation is still providing services in Moultrie County to those in need during this COVID-19 crisis.
Our doors are closed to the general public, but we are still providing services. Below are the services we are providing and contact information to obtain those services:
The Outreach office is providing rent assistance, homeless services, and referral services. Utility assistance (LIHEAP) is now available until June 30. Read More

Local Businesses Can Seek Emergency Funding

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•April 8, 2020•

The Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development is working along with the city of Sullivan to help with emergency funding for local businesses.
“The Disaster Recovery Loan applications take about ten minutes to complete with an anticipated ten day turnaround,” SCED Director Laurrie Minor explained, noting there are businesses in Sullivan who have begun the application process.
“This is the time of year when our local businesses are ramping up for the season and they can’t do it under the circumstances,” she emphasized.
A second funding cycle begins with applications due April 15. Public notice will be issued April 22 and City Council review will occur May 4.
First round applications were to be submitted by April 6. Read More

Ministerial Association Responds to Those in Financial Need

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•April 8, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

The longer people need to stay at home the greater their needs, and the Sullivan Area Ministerial Association (SAMA) is offering help.
Responding to the needs created by COVID-19 area ministers are banning together to raise $20,000 to help people in the community in need of financial assistance.
“During this time, there are many people who are in need of immediate help because of COVID-19,” First Christian Church minister Grant Wade began.
“Some have been impacted by unemployment, by the closing of schools and a need for child care to keep their job, or just a need to help keep food on the table,” he continued. Read More

Easter Hope

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Photo by R.R. Best
Easter Hope
The Easter season represents hope during these bizarre times. The fun filled Easter decorations on this Lovington lawn reminds of what was, but cannot be this year because of social distancing. Instead of gangs of kids hunting brightly colored eggs at city and village parks they get to load into the family vehicle and drive. Easter Egg hunts canceled in Moultrie County have been replaced by the Sulllivan Fire Protection District’s Easter Drive Thru at Wyman Park. On Sunday April 12 beginning at 3:00 p.m. children up to 11 years old are invited to drive up to the north parking lot where volunteers will hand out Easter bags filled with select eggs, with some containing certificates for bicycles.

Moultrie County Health Department Reports Patient’s Positive Test for COVID-19

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•April 2, 2020•
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Moultrie County Department of Public Health are announcing that one Moultrie County resident has tested positive for COVID-19. The patient is in her 30s. The patient is at home in isolation and CDC protocols have been implemented.
Public health officials are working to identify and actively monitor individuals who were in contact with the patient in an effort to reduce the risk of additional transmission.
Symptoms reported among patients testing positive for COVID-19 include mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, flu-like symptoms and difficulty breathing.
The health department reports that 19 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. To date, 13 tests are negative for coronavirus, and five are still pending.
The Moultrie County Health Department encourages everyone to consider themselves at risk for exposure to the novel coronavirus.
Everyone should stay at home as much as possible; remain vigilant about keeping germs from spreading by covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands with warm soap and water; and isolating themselves from others when they are ill.
For more information, contact:
Illinois Department of Public Health:
Call the COVID-19 Hotline at 1-800-889-3931, Email DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV, or Visit
http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus
To learn more about Moultrie County Health Department’s events and services, please visit www.moultriehealth.org and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moultriecountyhealth .

Sullivan’s “Project Masks” Volunteers Respond in a Big Way

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Sharon White of Sullivan was one of 22 volunteers in “Project Masks”.

•April 1, 2020•
Thanks to 22 Sullivan sewing volunteers 200 protective masks were delivered to Decatur Memorial Hospital on March 27.
While others were fretting about what might happen next with the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic Margi Gaither made something good happen.
“I called DMH to ask if they needed some hand made masks,” Gaither said. “Without hesitation she said yes.”
That was the beginning of “Project Masks” in Moultrie County.
Gaither noted the lady at DMH explained they were awaiting pattern approval from the hospital and she would email it.
“After receiving the pattern, I posted it on FaceBook, and in our church newsletter,” Gaither continued noting she also called some seamstress friends. Read More

Superintendent-Y Stuff: Where We Go From Here

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•April 1, 2020•
By Supt. Ted Walk,
Sullivan CUSD #300

This week’s update is dedicated once again to items related to COVID-19 issues. As of the time of submission of this article, students in Sullivan Schools are scheduled to return on April 13, but that may have changed by the time you are reading this article.
Over the weekend, the Illinois State Board of Education released some guidance on Remote Learning. Sullivan Schools have been preparing for this scenario for weeks. Students will be able to either access materials online or complete paper copies of assignments. If the closure is extended, we will be adding additional pick-up and drop-off dates for learning materials. Though the Governor’s stay-at-home directive has an exception for picking up remote learning materials, school personnel will be delivering packets to those who are unable to come in during designated pick-up times. Read More

Easter Drive Thru

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Photo by R.R. Best
Easter Drive Thru
Easter is Easter coronavirus or not. The Sullivan Fire Protection District is protecting young Easter Egg hunters this year with the Easter Egg Drive-Thru. At 3:00 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 12 SFPD volunteers will be set up in the north parking lot at Wyman Park. Easter eggs will be given in bags to each child up to age 11. The bags are filled with a random selection of eggs. Select Easter bags will contain bicycle certificates, which may be claimed by calling the Sullivan Fire Protection District.

Sullivan Suspends Utility Shut offs During Crisis

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•April 1, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

The city of Sullivan adopted an ordinance declaring a state of emergency due to the impact of the COVID-19 virus.
With social distancing observed at the March 23 city council meeting, the session was live streamed on FaceBook from the Elizabeth Titus Library.
Due to the pandemic associated with COVID-19 the city council approved immediate suspension of all residential utility customer shutoffs due to delayed or missed payments and further suspended residential customer late payment fees or penalties through April 30,2020 Read More

Jefferson Street Sidewalk

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Photo by R.R. Best
Jefferson Street Sidewalk
A new sidewalk is replacing the hardly accessible sidewalk configuration on the south side of Jefferson Street from Washington east to Madison St. The Sullivan City Council approved the $101,107.50 bid from Esker & Walker Construction of Teutopolis early in March. The sidewalk on the north side of Harrison Street from Washington to Madison is scheduled for replacement later in the year.