SHS Graduates Challenged to Make Bitter Ending a Sweet Beginning

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Photo furnished
SHS seniors can look back on the 2019-20 school year and still recall a time when it was okay to get together as a group. That all changed in March, but this class is looking forward to a better tomorrow.

•May 27, 2020•

Sullivan High School Class of 2020 made history as the first class commencement under stay-at-home restrictions.
On Sunday May 17 those graduates got an opportunity to walk across the stage as their names were announced to receive their diploma.
High School principal Dan Allen explained that during the afternoon, seniors participated in a car parade with the audio of the ceremony playing on WTIM (107.7).
The broadcast started with the playing of “Pomp and Circumstance,” then included announcements of students who were Eagle Scouts, students who were joining the military, and the academic top ten. Those students included co-salutatorians Seth Mayberry and Shyanne Hunter and valedictorian, Adalee Nichols, with their speeches aired during the parade. Read More

ALAH Schools Reinvented the Finishing of the Year

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District receives $261,000 through the CARES ACT

•May 27, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Members of the ALAH School Board met via Google Hangout as some remained at home, while a few others met at the high school to practice social distancing during the COVID19 pandemic.
After approving the consent agenda, Kevin Heid presented a bond presentation for informational purposes for members of the board.
Superintendent Shannon Cheek gave the Treasurer’s report after the presentation. “We are up to date on payments from the state, although we have only received one payment for transportation for this fiscal year. I would like to remain optimistic, but realistically, the other payment will probably not be coming in for this present fiscal year,” he informed.
The district was also grateful for two donations that it received. Curtis Plank and Eric Plank were part of the “League of Champions.” The games for their league was canceled because of the pandemic, and they had extra unused money. Read More

ALAH Class of 2020 Has Drive Through Ceremony

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Photo furnished

•May 27, 2020•
The Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond Class of 2020 received diplomas in a drive through ceremony Tuesday,May 14.
Held at the Moultrie Douglas County Fair Merchant building a make shift stage was built for the event which ran from 12:30 to 7:00 p.m.
There were 78 members of the class with each senior announced and receiving diplomas from Supt. Shannon Creek and ALAH principal Steffanie Seegmiller.
The senior with family arrived at the north entrance of the merchant building driving toward the south. The senior only exited the vehicle received a diploma and a photograph then leave the south exit.
Each senior received a thumb drive of the ceremony and two photos.
ALAH Class of 2020 seniors completed online questionnaires from the New Progress and we are glad to share them with our readers.
Abigail Abercrombie is the daughter of Dan and Sara Abercrombie and April Carter all of Arthur.
Future Plans: I plan to attend Eastern Illinois University (four-year program) and major in pre-veterinary medicine. My career goal is to become a veterinarian. I have received a merit scholarship from EIU.
Madison Allen is the daughter of Cynthia and Derrill Allen of Arthur. Read More

Honor Guard at Greenhill

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Photo by R.R. Best
Honor Guard at Greenhill
Sullivan American Legion Post 68 Honor Guard marched from the Moultrie County Courthouse to Greenhill Cemetery in the traditional Memorial Day observation, Monday. Not traditional was the usual crowd due to personal distancing, so this year the parade the Memorial Day celebration was virtual with citizens viewing online and on the News Progress FaceBook page. The parade left the Sullivan square at 8:00 a.m. Monday, May 25 and concluded with taps at Greenhill Cemetery following the Honor Guard Salute in memory of those who fought and died to protect America.

Eastview Flood

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Photo by R.R. Best
Eastview Flood
The residents of Eastview Subdivision were reminded why “Swampwater” Subdivision became its nickname Sunday night. City crews were called out and residents were cleaning up Monday morning. Photo above is Jess Barker shoveling field debris. Many in the neighborhood received a deposit of corn stalks from nearby fields as a result of the flooding. Barker said it was the worst flood he’s seen in years.

Moultrie County Has 11 Positive COVID-19 Cases

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•May 23, 2020•

SULLIVAN, IL, May 23, 2020 – The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed the eleventh case of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The patient is a male in his 60s and is recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials are contacting all close contacts.

To date, 307 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 11 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19.

As public organizations and businesses reopen, it is imperative that everyone use precautions to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 infection.

To help contain the spread of COVID-19, individuals should routinely wash their hands, keep a physical distance of six feet from others and avoid large gatherings. The MCHD also recommends bypassing nonessential trips into the public, keeping children at home and wearing a mask in public when social distancing is not possible.

Symptoms associated with COVID-19 include fever, fatigue, a dry cough, repeated shaking with chills, body aches, headache, sore throat and loss of smell or taste. Individuals should immediately seek medical attention if experiencing difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, confusion, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, or a bluish color in the lips or face.

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 Health Department Announces Confirmed 10th COVID-19 Case

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•May 22, 2020•
SULLIVAN, IL, May 22, 2020 – The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed the tenth case of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The patient is a female in her 50s and is recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials are contacting and verifying all close contacts. To date, 297 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 10 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19.
To reduce the risk of infection and help contain the spread of COVID-19, everyone should use effective hand washing, keep a physical distance of six feet from others, avoid large gatherings and keep children at home. The MCHD also recommends bypassing nonessential trips into the public and wearing a mask in public when social distancing is not possible. Symptoms associated with COVID-19 include fever, fatigue, a dry cough, repeated shaking with chills, body aches, headache, sore throat and loss of smell or taste. Individuals should immediately seek medical attention if experiencing difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, confusion, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, or a bluish color in the lips or face. 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.
Contact: Glenda Plunkett
Public Health Services Coordinator
Glenda@moultriehealth.org
217.728.4114

Monumental Graduate

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Photo courtesy Rick Matthews
Monumental Graduate
Sullivan High School graduates adopted one more member to the Class of 2020. The courthouse lawn memorial to those who fought in the Civil War from Moultrie County was dressed in cap and gown to honor high school graduates parading around the courthouse square on May 17.

Dreams Come True

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Photo by R. R. Best
Dreams Come True
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high, and the dreams that you dream of once in a lullaby. Photographer R.R. Best caught a photograph of this double rainbow over Sullivan last weekend. So if you believe dreams can come true it just might be true.

Real Estate Tax Bills Mailed, First Installment Due in July

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•May 20, 2020•

After much discussion with the levying bodies, the State’s Attorney, and county board members made the difficult decision to maintain the tax cycle and mailing of tax bills as we have always done in the past.
We know these times have been trying for many, but we also know we need to keep moving forward. We reviewed the Illinois State Statutes and the requirements by law for the tax due dates and levying body distributions. Read More