•May 20, 2020•
Moultrie Counseling Center in Sullivan deals with mental health issues on the front line every day. Now more than ever is a time for awareness.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and comes at an appropriate time, as we are all struggling on some level with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like the virus, anxiety about the pandemic is contagious, so we need to work to maintain our own emotional equilibrium.
This is especially true for so many on the front lines of COVID, including behavioral health professionals. We are proud to recognize Mental Health Month and celebrate the behavioral health heroes on the front lines.
The Importance of Mental Health Awareness
According to a recent article written by Jean Holthaus, LISW, MSW, mental illnesses affect 19% of the adult population, 46% of teenagers and 13% of children each year. People struggling with their mental health may be in your family, live next door, teach your children, work in the next cubicle or sit in the same church pew. Read More
SHS Graduates’ Parade
Photo by R.R. Best
SHS Graduates’ Parade
Sullivan High School Class of 2020 had a parade to commemorate a most unusual school year. Seniors gathered in their vehicles at the high school at 2:30 p.m. Sunday with the parade circling the square allowing well wishers to maintain social distancing while recognizing the graduates. Valedictory and salutatory addresses were played online, and on radio during the parade, as were the announcement of each graduate. Due to inclement weather each graduate marched across the high school gym in a private diploma presentation which included up to seven guests of the graduating senior.
Outside Interests’ Views Expressed Before Moultrie County Board
•May 20, 2020•
By Mike Brothers
A Moultrie County Board fielded a referendum request from an Illinois Separation group and a push to reopen business from within at the May 14 meeting.
County board chairman Dave McCabe, Arlene Aschermann, Tyler Graven and Kevin McReynolds attended in person. Board members Neil Bryan, Mike Barringer, Bill Voyles, Elizabeth Houser and Todd Maxedon participated through the GoTo meeting site due to Covid 19 personal spacing recommendations.
County clerk Georgia England and treasurer Stephanie Helmuth also attended at the courthouse.
Bethany resident and New Illinois advocate Scott Buxton (attending by GotTo meeting), asked the county board to allow the separation referendum on the Nov. ballot. Read More
Bethany Board Accommodates Affected Businesses
•May 20, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress
The May 14 agenda for the Bethany Board of Trustees was full with some 20 items for discussion but most were tabled or postponed due to the uncertainties and unknowns surrounding corona virus regulations.
The Board voted to extend shut-offs and penalties for utility bills to July 1. Many closed businesses are maintaining utilities even though they have no income and many people are still out of work prompting the extension of the original May 1 date. There has been a small uptick in unpaid utility bills. Read More
Moultrie County Health Department Announces Confirmed COVID-19 Cases 8 and 9
•May 15, 2020•
SULLIVAN, IL, May 14, 2020 – The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) announces their eighth and ninth confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19). The patients are both females who are isolated at home. One patient is in her 20s and one is in her 50s. The cases are unrelated to one another. Public health officials are contacting and verifying all close contacts. To date, 196 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 186 tests were negative for coronavirus, and one is still pending.
As communities open, the spread of this virus will continue. The MCHD cautions all individuals to consider themselves at risk for exposure.
“Remember that hand washing, keeping a physical distance of six feet from others, avoiding large gatherings, keeping children at home and bypassing nonessential trips into the public are still the best ways to protect you and your family,” said Angela Hogan, Administrator for the Moultrie County Health Department. “To protect others and help contain the spread of COVID-19, wear a mask when going out into the public and stay home when you are ill.” Symptoms associated with COVID-19 include fever, fatigue, a dry cough, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, 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
Sullivan Council Approves Titus Demolition
•May 13, 2020•
By Mike Brothers
Sullivan City Council authorized Milano and Grunloh to start Elizabeth Titus Home demolition procedures during the May 11 meeting.
Commissioner Peggy Hargis moved for the engineering company in Effingham to prepare a demolition plan with Commissioner Mike Fowler seconding the motion.
Commissioners Abbey Sherwood, Chuck Woodworth and Mayor Richard Glazebrook unanimously approved.
City administrator Dan Flannell explained the next step was for the RFP, Request for Proposal. Read More
Moultrie County State’s Attorney Won’t Prosecute Those Reopening
•May 13, 2020•
By Tracy Weaver
Mo.Co. State’s Attorney
In light of the most recent executive order issued by the Governor, the Moultrie County State’s Attorney’s Office has received many questions regarding the reopening of local churches and businesses.
I, like other state’s attorneys and many of our citizens and government officials, have concerns about the constitutionality of the executive order and the authority for such order from laws previously passed.
When considering the issue of religious services, for instance, something we as citizens have a fundamental right in which to engage, I cannot agree that the current executive order is the least restrictive and most narrowly tailored option for addressing the COVID-19 outbreak. Read More
Reflections
Photo by R.R. Best
Reflections
With the world going crazy all around and most folks fed up with the stay at home restrictions the lake at Wyman Park offers an opportunity for reflection. Reflecting on the way life used to be or whether there is a prize winning bass waiting to be hooked the lake offers the solution.
First Community Bank of Moultrie County Donates to Charitable Causes
Photos by Mike Brothers
First Community Bank of Moultrie County received a $20,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago and gave $2000 checks to ten non-profits in the County. At the Sullivan bank presentation from left: Angela Carnes and Betsy Miller of Moultrie County Paws; First Community Bank Sullivan President Reid Molzen making the presentations; Moultrie County Counseling Center, Dave Cole; CEFS Economic Opportunity and CEFS Moultrie County Food Pantry Coordinator Lisa White received $2000 for each organization; Sullivan Ministerial Association treasurer Dave Dolan; Mid-Illinois Senior Center Director Kathi Shackles; and Secret Santa representative Diane Waggoner
Grant from Federal Home Bank
•May 13, 2020•
By Mike Brothers
Ten charitable organizations in Moultrie County received $20,000 from First Community Bank last week.
First Community Bank of Moultrie County in Sullivan and Lovington received a grant from Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago in the COVID-19 program.
First Community Bank president and CEO Ray Duncan explained the Chicago bank, which loans funds to financial institutions in Illinois, contacted the Sullivan bank about the grant program.
“We got the notice during an officer’s meeting and applied the next day,“ Duncan said, emphasizing some 1000 financial institutions in the state were competing for a maximum $20,000 on a first come first serve basis. Read More
Sullivan High School 2020 Graduation Car Parade Rolls Sunday
•May 13, 2020•
Instead of the community gathering for graduation the graduates of Sullivan High School have a parade of seniors.
The Sullivan High School graduation car parade kicks off at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17 from the school parking lot.
With Pomp and Circumstance playing on the radio, live Honor guards Mallory Nichols and Reagan Crouse lead the seniors vehicles, arranged in order with police escort, south on Hamilton St. to Jefferson around the courthouse and exit on Main St. returning to the high school. Read More