Gale Goodwin
Gale D. Goodwin, 83, of Sullivan passed away at 10:35 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2019 in OSF Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation will be held one hour before the services at the funeral home in Sullivan. Burial will be in French Cemetery in Allenville. Read More
Photo furnished
•April 3, 2019•
Secretary of State Jesse White unveiled a new ad campaign today featuring Sofia Sanchez - the 11-year-old who received a hospital visit from Grammy Awards-winner Drake shortly before she received her lifesaving heart. The campaign marks the beginning of National Donate Life Month in April.
“For such a young girl, Sofia has shown tremendous strength and maturity during her organ donation journey and I am so proud of her,” White said. “Drake’s visit helped Sofia during a difficult time and raised awareness regarding organ donation. And a special thank you to Sofia’s donor family for giving her the gift of life.” Read More
•April 3, 2019•
By Grant Morgan
Capitol News Illinois
Legislative momentum is in place to bring sports betting to Illinois.
But it will take weeks for all interested parties to get their opinions to lawmakers.
That process started Thursday, with more than three hours of testimony during a House Revenue and Finance Committee hearing.
Committee members balanced the opinions of various representatives of the state’s gambling, horse racing, sports and technology industries.
Industry representatives, meanwhile, were tasked with choosing the best of five different plans to legalize sports betting in the state.
Those plans take shape in five separate amendments added to Rep. Michael Zalewski’s (D-Riverside) gaming bill, House Bill 3308.
They can be separated into two categories. Four plans would have legalized sports gambling overseen by the Illinois Gaming Board. One would put all sports betting in the state under the Illinois Lottery’s authority.
Advocates for the Lottery plan, led by Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero), say it could benefit the more than 10,000 small retailers, such as convenience stores and gas stations that already sell Lottery tickets.
But the plan does not allow for hugely popular online or mobile betting, and would limit the types of bets that can be made.
For example, the lottery system could not accommodate in-game sports betting like whether a basketball player makes a free throw, or whether a football player gains a certain number of yards. Read More
•April 3, 2019•
Moultrie County Pest Control received honorable mention in the Best of Readers Choice Award 2019 announced in the Decatur Herald and Review Sunday edition. Rob Young of Sullivan opened Moultrie County Pest Control and has been battling pests for 16 years this spring.
Kenneth Miner
Kenneth L. ‘Flash’ Miner, 71, of Lovington, passed away at 11:10 p.m. Sunday March 31, 2019 in his daughter’s residence in Sullivan.
Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Keller Cemetery in Lovington with Pastor Dave Dolan officiating. There will be no visitation. Arrangements are by Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. Read More
Pictured above is a photo thought to be Harve Rhodes Butcher shop in Bethany around 1910. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.
Courtney Morrison
Courtney Jill Morrison passed away March 21, 2019. She was born February 4, 1970, a dear daughter of TL Morrison and Gretchen Bailey Morrison (deceased). A native of Lovington, Illinois, Courtney graduated from St. Teresa High School in Decatur. She attended Eastern Illinois University obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and later obtained a second degree in Surgical Technology. Having been raised on her family farm, animals were always an important part of her life and became her passion. She shared this love with her father and brother showing cattle and sheep in her younger years. Volunteering at nonprofit animal shelters and traveling across the country with her many four-legged companions proved her commitment. They all possessed personalized names to match Courtney’s hilarious and witty personality. Courtney is survived by her father TL Morrison, brother Mick Morrison and sister Brisyn Ritchie (Randy Ritchie). She leaves behind three nephews, Heston Eveland, Logan Hupp, Jaxsyn Ritchie, and a niece Evyn Ritchie, all whom she adored. Many aunts, uncles and cousins loved Courtney dearly and will miss her greatly. Read More
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The Eckerts, Diane, Thomas and Paul display Yoko themed edibles.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Dominican Bound
Sullivan High School senior athlete Dalton Rogers signed a letter of intent March 27 to play baseball at Dominican University. Pictured are from left brother, Drew, mother Kari, Dalton and father Troy Rogers. Dominican is a Catholic University located in River Forest with an enrollment of 4000.
Photo furnished
Okaw Valley Elementary students who collected $25 or more to help exceed the school’s goal.
•April 3, 2019•
Okaw Valley Elementary students went way above and beyond their goal in collecting donations for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
OVES students set a goal of $750 in the Pennies for Patients program. Students brought in donations throughout the month of March and were also able to create online donation pages to collect from out of town friends and family.
“It is so important for our students to know that no matter the amount they were able to give, they have made a difference in someone’s life.” Guidance Counselor Paula Coffer said. Read More