How Will We Heal Illinois’ Agri-food System?

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•May 6, 2020• By Bob Easter, Richard Guebert Jr. and Theresa E. Mintle Illinois Agri-Food Alliance In the midst of a global health crisis, the agri-food sector is pressing forward determined to do what it does best—feed the world. After all, empty grocery store shelves don’t simply restock themselves. COVID-19, however, is rapidly exposing our food system’s susceptibilities and disconnects. Could this pandemic catalyze a rethinking and transformation of the current centralized model? With an outsized stake in the outcome, Illinois would be wise to consider. Under normal circumstances, the modern-day food system operates with efficiency via a “just enough, … Read More

Moultrie Ag in Classroom has Different Farm Tour Day

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•May 6, 2020• The school year is ending in a different way than any of us could have imagined. Steph Naylor with Moultrie County Ag in the classroom coordinator found a few ways to reach out to her students since she was unable to get back in the classrooms. The end of March yearly Reedy farm tour day scheduled with several area school third graders could not happen. Naylor had a bag of goodies for each third grader who was to attend that day and, due to it being cancelled, she contacted the schools and coordinated getting those bags to … Read More

Moultrie County Courthouse Offices Open Full Time With Safety Procedures

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•May 6, 2020• The Moultrie County Courthouse opened full time this week with individual offices establishing safe operating procedures under limited access due to Stay at Home health restrictions. The County Clerk and Recorder, Assessments Office and Treasurer have provided helpful information to help the guide the public as the courthouse resumes full time operation. The north entrance of the courthouse is for public access and social distancing measures will continue to be observed. County Clerk and Recorder The County Clerk and Recorder’s office is open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. with the Courthouse limited access still in place. … Read More

Moultrie County Relay for Life Donut Day Helps Raise Funds

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•May 6, 2020• The Relay for Life of Moultrie County will be having a DONUT DAY on May 26th. to raise money for the continued care of cancer patients, their housing during treatment, and cancer research. Relay for Life Moultrie County Event lead Adam McReynolds explained that Cancer patients need your support more than ever. As COVID-19 spreads, cancer patients are more vulnerable than ever. “We need your help to support them during this unprecedented crisis,” McReynolds said. “While we may not be able to gather survivors and supporters together for public events to raise money, we can still do … Read More

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Recognizes Foster Parent Appreciation Month

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•May 6, 2020• May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month in Illinois, a time to thank the thousands of foster families across the state that have opened their homes to provide a temporary safe haven to abused and neglected children who have been placed in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services by local courts. Each year, an average of 4,000 children from across the state, of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, are taken into temporary state care when their home life is unsafe. DCFS works with the family to make the positive changes necessary to reunite … Read More

Illinois Temperatures and Precipitation Fluctuated in April

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•May 6, 2020• The first half of April had above average temperatures in Illinois, but the cold predominated in the second half, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey. The preliminary statewide average April temperature was 49.2 degrees, 3.4 degrees below the 30-year normal. The preliminary statewide average total April precipitation was 4.36 inches, 0.58 inches above the 30-year normal. Average temperatures from April 1 to 10 ranged from 1 to 6 degrees above normal across the state. A strong cold front moved through the region between April 9 and 11 … Read More

Obituaries 5-6-2020: Karen Lane

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Karen Lane Karen E. Lane, 80, of Sullivan passed away 2:35 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield. Private family services will be held at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Burial will be in Jonathan Creek Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. … Read More

Remember When? 5-6-2020

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25 Years Ago This Week Three local educators have been honored with the Education Is the Key Award from the office of Regional Superintendent of Education John McNary. Sullivan school district superintendent Richard Voltz, Lovington high school principal Judy Uphoff and Bethany fourth grade teacher Margaret Overlot received individual honors for their contributions to eduction. Several Moultrie countians won the Lake Land College Foundation Photography Contest. William Zoetvelt of Sullivan won for Autumn Haze. Three Lovington photographers won: Amber Atteberrry for “Jumping Coach”; Lewis Lingafelter for “The Girl” and Johnny M. Smith for “Things are Not What They Seem”. … Read More

OVHS Senior Recognition

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•May 6, 2020• Okaw Valley High School will be honoring the graduating class of 2020 on Saturday, May 9. OVHS Principal Matt Schoaff announced that a senior recognition parade will pass through Bethany and on to Findlay on Saturday. He emphasized safe healthy distancing will be observed. Senior recognition parade participants will kick off the route from Crowder Park at 3:00 p.m. Starting at Crowder the route passes in front of the high school and on to Findlay. The community is encouraged to wish the group congratulations from the curb side allowing personal safety distancing in the process. … Read More

COUNTRY Financial Rep. Houser Makes All American Team

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•May 6, 2020• COUNTRY Financial Representative Elizabeth Houser of Sullivan has earned a position on the insurance groups distinguished All American team. Houser is among a select group of top COUNTRY Financial agency managers and financial representatives who qualified for the award. COUNTRY Financial has more than 2,000 agency managers and financial representatives in 17 states. … Read More