Students Can Apply to EIU for Free beginning July 1

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•July 1, 2020• Eastern Illinois University is strengthening its commitment to accessibility. EIU leaders have announced that the university will shift to test-optional undergraduate admission for students interested in enrolling at the Charleston, Illinois-based university in fall of 2021 to further support student accessibility, opportunity, and success. In addition, merit scholarships will be made available specifically for EIU’s eligible test-optional admits, as well as those who include their test scores, under the University’s new policy. EIU’s test-optional application opens July 1, and prospective students can apply for free. The announcement follows some national uncertainty about the availability of ACT/SAT testing … Read More

Jail Damage Yields Time

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•July 1, 2020• Kelvin Dees, 40, has resided in Moultrie County Corrections Center for the past 147 days will be there a while longer. Dees was sentenced to seven years with the Illinois Dept. of Corrections on Friday, June 19, for criminal damage to government property, and will remain in Moultrie County custody until the state prisons start accepting prisoners again, following the COVID-19 restrictions. Charges were filed after Dees damaged a window at the Moultrie County Correction Center. Upon declaring the sentence Moultrie County Circuit Court Judge Jeremy Richey stated in the record. Having regard to the nature and … Read More

Minimum Wage Increase Reaches New Level

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•July 1, 2020• Illinois’ minimum wage will make its second increase this year to $10 per hour beginning July 1. The Illinois Department of Labor urges minimum wage earners to make sure their checks reflect the increase following July 1. Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation passed by the General Assembly providing a path to a $15 minimum wage by 2025. Minimum wage earners received the first increase of $1 to $9.25 per hour on January 1, 2020. … Read More

City Approves Revolving Loan Fund

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•July 1, 2020• By Mike Brothers In an effort to help local businesses Sullivan’s City Council is bringing back the revolving loan fund. Approved unanimously at the June 22 meeting, loans will be available to businesses located within the city limits. Amounts from $10,000 to $100,000 will be offered at between 2 to 6% interest over a seven year term. The council has $400,000 set aside for the Revolving Loan program. … Read More

Pandemic May Bring Tech Upgrades to Courthouse

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Work Station Security is Priority •July 1, 2020• By Mike Brothers Moultrie County courthouse employees working remotely during pandemic restrictions could change the county’s technology in the future. During the COVID-19 restrictions employees were secured to their courthouse work stations by their physical home address, Neil Bryan noted, explaining the system was only as secure as the person’s computer at home. Those were among concerns discussed when Chair Elizabeth Houser called the County Board Tech Committee into session Friday, June 26. Members present included: Bryan, Mike Barringer, Karen Cody, Rick Matthews and James Sines, along with Board Chairman Dave McCabe. … Read More

Corrected Dates for Sullivan Clean Up

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•June 25, 2020• The city of Sullivan has authorized July 11 and 18 as City Clean Up Days. The location of a citizen’s residence determines which day their items will be collected. Items for all residents who live north of Harrison Street and on Pifers Ln. will be picked up Saturday, July 11. Those living south of Harrison Street will be serviced Saturday, July 18. Those not living in the corporate city limits are not eligible to participate in the clean up day; therefore, any items set out will not be picked up. Items must be on the curb by … Read More

Moultrie County Adds 16th Positive COVID-19 Case

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•June 25, 2020• The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed the 16th case of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The patient is a male in his 70s and is recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials are contacting all close contacts. To date, 709 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 16 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19. Of the 16 laboratory confirmed coronavirus cases in Moultrie County, 13 have been released from isolation. As public organizations and businesses reopen, it is important that everyone continues to use precautions to reduce the … Read More

Clean Up Days in Sullivan

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•June 24, 2020• The city of Sullivan has authorized July 13 and 18 as City Clean Up Days. The location of a citizen’s residence determines which day their items will be collected. Items for all residents who live north of Harrison Street and on Pifers Ln. will be picked up Saturday, July 13. Those living south of Harrison Street will be serviced Saturday, July 18. Those not living in the corporate city limits are not eligible to participate in the clean up day; therefore, any items set out will not be picked up. Items must be on the curb by … Read More