Yost Arraigned Friday Afternoon

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Murder suspect requests public defender March 18, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com A Sullivan man accused of first degree murder was officially arraigned Friday afternoon. With visible stitches appearing on the left side of his neck, Michael S. Yost, 40, of Sullivan, went before the Hon. Judge Dan Flannell Friday afternoon and was formally read the four counts of first-degree murder for which he has been charged. Friday’s hearing comes after Yost was arrested just three days prior following his release from St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur Tuesday afternoon. According to court records, Yost was found a week ago Wednesday … Read More

Illinois 2015 Health Insurance Marketplace Coverage Numbers

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March 11, 2015 In Illinois, 349,487 consumers selected or were automatically re-enrolled in quality, affordable health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace as of Feb. 22, according to a report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Of the consumers with a Marketplace plan selection, 78 percent (272,600 people) qualified for an average tax credit of $208 per month and 49 percent paid $100 or less per month after tax credits. In Illinois, 83 percent of individuals with a Marketplace plan selection had the option of selecting a plan for $100 or less per month. … Read More

2015 Mobile Home Privilege Tax Bills due May 15

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March 11, 2015 Moultrie County 2015 Mobile Home Privilege Tax bills will be mailed March 13 and are due May 15. Taxes may be mailed to Moultrie County Collector, P.O. BOX 650, Sullivan, IL. 61951. They may also be paid at all Moultrie County Banks such as Hardware State Bank, Scott State Bank in Bethany, Dalton City and Sullivan, State Bank of Arthur, Arthur Community Bank, First National Bank of Arthur, First National Bank of Sullivan and First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust in Sullivan. Applications for the exemption based on the age of 65 and older and the disabled must … Read More

“Foodmobile” Food Giveaway In Gays March 21

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March 11, 2015 The Eastern Illinois Foodbank will distribute a truckload of food to hungry area families at Gays City Hall at 815 Front St. 10 a.m. to noon March 21. All Moultrie County residents who meet income eligibility criteria are welcome (see below). Those attending are asked to bring bags or boxes to transport food. A representative from Eastern Illinois Foodbank will be present to assist families and individuals interested in applying for SNAP benefits. … Read More

Understanding Illinois: Child Care Agency Under Fire, Again

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March 11, 2015 By Jim Nowlan Outside Columnist Ida Mae and I were classmates in our rural high school, decades ago. Ida Mae often came to school in worn, dirty clothes, but she was attractive underneath it all. I liked her, though we came from different sides of the track and didn’t mix much. Many years later I received a long, wrenching letter from Ida Mae, in which she spilled her guts about her high school years. She was horribly abused by her stepfather, she wrote. Life was absolutely wretched. … Read More

OV Post Prom Fundraiser Saturday

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March 11, 2015 Okaw Valley’s post prom committee is hosting a St. Paddy’s Day fundraiser event this Saturday, March 14 at the Hired Hand Winery & Saloon in Bethany. Doors open at 6 p.m. with live music by Fat Finger from 8-10 p.m. There will be a cover fee. Also featured will be a mega raffle drawing  as well as 50-50. Mega raffle tickets are still available. There will be one grand prize winner of $1000 and a second prize of $200. For more information call Karen Jeffers at 217-972-7167. … Read More

Public Reminded of CIPT Services in Moultrie County

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March 11, 2015 Public transportation in rural communities differs greatly from the public transportation that is seen in the big cities. When most people think of public transportation, they think of waiting at a bus stop in all weather elements for a stuffy, over-crowded bus. That is not the case with Central Illinois Public Transit (CIPT). CIPT is a demand response, door to door service. This means after a rider schedules a trip with a dispatcher, a bus will pick them up at the requested location and take them to their desired destination. … Read More