News Progress

Photo furnished
Drew Kirk has created, planned and placed signage for the Lake Shelbyville Water Trail. From left to right: Illinois Corps of Engineers volunteer Erica Nabers, Andrew Kirk and SPARK volunteer Laurrie Minor.

•August 26, 2020•
While many people enjoy fishing and other watersports on Lake Shelbyville, Drew Kirk hopes to get people out in kayaks and canoes with the completion of his Eagle Scout Project.
Kirk’s project was planning, creating, and placing signage for the Lake Shelbyville Water Trail, a project developed by the Sullivan SPARK’s Park and Recreation Committee, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
“The trail was initially proposed by the Corps, “Kirk noted. “It starts at the Denham Pit access area north of the main lake and goes with the current allowing people to travel with ease.”
While the trail signs are not all installed yet, people are already using the trail. Read More

•August 20, 2020•
Sometimes the enemy is closer than one thinks. The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has received notice of a COVID-19 exposure in its office. For the safety of those the department serves and to reduce the risk of further COVID-19 transmission, the MCHD building will be closed to the public through Thursday, August 27, 2020. Until then, the health department will remain partially staffed and available for calls during regular business hours. Due to concerns about potential identification, additional information about the case/exposure is not being released.

“It is essential that we continue to serve our county to the best of our ability during this critical period,” said Moultrie County Health Department Administer Angela Hogan, RN, MSPH. “Staff and services will remain available as feasible by phone, Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m. - noon and 1- 4:30 p.m. Please call our office at 217-728-4114 if you need to schedule an appointment or to obtain immunization records, information or other assistance.”

Hogan noted that cases of COVID-19 are on the rise in Moultrie County and asks that all individuals join the department in reducing the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. She expressed confidence in our ability to achieve this reduction and reiterated the following four steps:
Wear a mask when in public or with anyone who is not a household member;
Watch physical distance from others in social situations and gatherings;
Wash hands frequently;
Stay home if ill or experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.
Hogan goes on to say, “To every person in Moultrie County, the MCHD Staff greatly appreciates your patience and understanding during this challenging time. We are in this battle together, and our staff will continue to do our part to assist you in every way possible. Please do your part to protect each other and reduce the burden which COVID-19 places on our residents, schools, businesses and communities.”

For more information on the Moultrie County Health Department’s news, events and services and COVID-19 updates, please visit www.moultriehealth.org and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moultriecountyhealth.

Sincerely,

Glenda Plunkett

Moultrie County Public Health Department

Public Health Services Coordinator

202 S. Main St. l Sullivan, IL 61951

Office: (217) 728-4114 l Fax: (217) 728-2650

Both in-person and remote options are available

•August 19, 2020•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

According to the Sullivan School District’s “Return to School Plan” handbook, “Sullivan CUSD #300 believes that on-site learning can occur with proactive measures and collaborative efforts from stakeholders.”
The Sullivan School district is providing both in-person and remote learning options in order to meet the variety of needs from its students. Should the regional and local statistics and metrics change, the district will be reaching out both to the Moultrie County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
As stated in its “Return to School Plan,” the district says, “We are working diligently to bring our students back to school safely. The safety measures that the school district is taking include:
• Require the use of face coverings (e.g. masks) and appropriate protective equipment.
• Require additional hand hygiene measures including hand sanitizer in each room.
• Prohibit more than 50 individuals from gathering in one space.
• Require social distancing to be observed as much as possible.
• Require individuals to self-certify that they are symptom free before entering onto school buses and into school buildings.
• Require an increase in school wide cleaning and disinfecting. Read More