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March 17, 2026 Election Results

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Recent Obituaries: Greg Dirks

News Progress Posted on June 24, 2026 by webmasterJune 24, 2026

Greg A. Dirks, 65, of Sullivan, passed away 2:57 a.m. Monday, June 22, 2026 in his home.

Celebration of Life services will be 12:00 Noon Friday, June 26, 2026 at the Sullivan Faith Lutheran Church with Pastor Justin Cullen officiating. Burial will be in the Zoar Cemetery, rural Mattoon. Visitation will be Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan Faith Lutheran Church for youth activities. Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Greg was born May 29, 1961 at Lincoln, Illinois, the son of Ronald and Dorothy Baker Dirks. He retired after 40 years as a journeyman toolmaker for Precision Tool & Die Company in Decatur.

Greg was a member of the Sullivan Faith Lutheran Church and Sons of the Sullivan American Legion. Greg enjoyed playing golf, grilling out for family and friends, camping at Timberlake Campground and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. Greg married Janet E. Elder on April 25, 1980 at Windsor.

Survivors include his wife Janet; daughters Chelsey (Mark Palahniuk) Dirks of Sullivan and Samantha (Eric) Dippel of Buckley, Illinois; granddaughters Gabriella Dippel and Kinsley Dippel to be born in October; mother Dorothy Dirks of Sullivan; sisters Diana Renfrow of Lovington and Debbie (Cary) Suhl of Sullivan; brother Kevin (Michelle) Dirks of Hampton, Georgia and a sister-in-law Jeannine Blythe of Atlanta.

He was preceded in death by his father Ronald, grandson Keaton, father and mother-in-law James and Shirley Elder and brother-in-law Kevin Blythe.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Alison Fort

News Progress Posted on June 24, 2026 by webmasterJune 24, 2026

Alison S. Fort, 66, of Decatur, formerly of Sullivan, passed away at 4:10 a.m. Saturday, June 20, 2026 in Memorial Medical Center, Springfield.

Celebration of Life services will be 1:00 pm. Sunday, June 28, 2026 in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be from noon until service time. Memorials are suggested to Paw Print Ministries, 2555 East Federal Drive, Decatur, IL 62526. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Alison was born April 1, 1960 in San Antonio, Texas, the daughter of Doris Stine Russell. Alison had worked at the Illinois Masonic Home in Sullivan and was an associate at Hobby Lobby in Decatur. She married Russell Fort on November 23, 1985 in Sullivan.

Surviving are her husband Russell of Decatur; son Matthew Fort of Lebanon, New Hampshire; sisters Luann (Brenda Sanner) Karr of Ponder, Texas and Shelly (Steve) Mathis of Shilo, Illinois; mother-in-law Sharron Fort of Cedar Falls, Iowa; brother-in-law Lou Fort of Holland, Indiana and six nieces and nephews..

She was preceded in death by her mother.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: June Foreman

News Progress Posted on June 23, 2026 by webmasterJune 23, 2026

June Foreman, former resident of Sullivan, passed away June 20, 2026 at a care center in Luverne, Alabama. She was 96 years old. Born Francis June Bell in the cold pre-dawn of Christmas at the start of the Great Depression in 1929, she grew up on a red dirt road where water came from a well, and light from oil lamps. Her father, Johnny, ran a small farm and worked timber while her mother, Beatrice, wrangled chickens and made biscuits in a cast iron pan. As the  middle child, June worked the mule-plowed fields, picked cotton, and tended livestock as readily as her older brother James and younger brother Jerry.

She graduated from Dozier, Alabama High and went on to business school in Montgomery. There, on a blind date, she met a young military man from Chicago. After some courtship, Dale Foreman asked her to marry him as he boarded a bus back to the base. After that, they were rarely apart unless the Air Force demanded it. In the Carolinas, their first baby passed away in just days. Then in South Dakota, they had a girl, Chris. When the military took Dale to Morocco, June boarded a small military ship to cross the ocean and join him, landing in the tumult of Casablanca. She gave birth to her son, Robert, in  north Africa. Back in the U. S., Tom was born in Illinois.

June loved her family and took on all manner of challenges in their care: ice skating, hiking and camping in the Black Hills, waiting out blizzards, suffering heatwaves, and watching tornadoes on the Great Plains. She endured-and even enjoyed- endless rounds of kids sports, music lessons, plays, pageants, and magic shows (performed by her son, Tom). Religion played a large role in her life and she was eternally faithful. She organized the non-denominational Neighborhood Womens' Bible Coffees while living in Sullivan and was active in the Methodist Church, helping at church socials, Bible School, and summer camp. Time and again, she oversaw the endless logistics of moving the family from place to place as her husband Dale's military and civilian jobs dictated it. Dale's job with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources brought him to Sullivan as the first superintendant at Eagle and Wolf Creek State Parks on Lake Shelbyville.   

She and Dale retired to her homeland in southern Alabama where she spent the final fifty years of her life in a house Dale built on the farm field she once worked. There they hosted friends for Fourth of July fireworks, cared for her aging mother, and watched her grandkids grow as they heard her stories, and wonderful laugh, felt her kind touch, and witnessed her goodness which will surely ripple through their lives, too.

June is survived by her daughter Chris and husband Pete Johnston, son Robert Foreman, son Tom Foreman and wife Linda, six grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband Dale, her parents, her brothers, and her daughter-in-law Beth. Her funeral will be held on June 27, 2026 at 10:30 AM at Liberty Congregational Church on Lester Bell Road, Dozier, Alabama, which is the church that she and Dale built and led upon their retirement. Visitation will be the night before in Andalusia, Alabama at the Foreman Brown-Service Funeral Home.  

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Nancy Elaine (Schmollinger) Weaver

News Progress Posted on June 22, 2026 by webmasterJune 22, 2026

Nancy Elaine (Schmollinger) Weaver, 89, of Sullivan passed away 11:27 p.m. Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Sullivan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 25, 2026, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service on Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the Allenville Christian Church or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105

Nancy was born December 7, 1936, in Pocahontas, Illinois. Her parents were William and Margaret (Potts) Schmollinger. She graduated from Pocahontas High School in 1954. Nancy attended the Allenville Christian Church for many years. She was a Royal Neighbor and a member of the Lovington American Legion Auxiliary. She loved to cook and collected cookbooks and raccoon memorabilia. She married Carroll Weaver on December 11, 1965, in Sullivan.

Nancy owned and operated The Swirl Beauty Shop before moving to Sullivan. She worked in several shops, including The Index. She also worked in two nursing homes and later at the Masonic Home. Nancy was also a homemaker and farmer’s wife.

She is survived by her husband, Carroll of Sullivan, as well as son, James (Marty) of Fort Worth, Texas and daughter, Jayne (Scot) England of Hendersonville, Tennessee. Grandchildren include, Bart (Grace) Long, Colt Weaver, Jacquelyn Weaver, Alison (Tyler) Bliss. 7 Great-Grandchildren include, Julia Long, Kiona Weaver, Liliann Weaver, Mila Weaver, London Johnson, Willow Johnson, Elaina Bliss.

Nancy was proceeded in death by her parents, brother, Carroll and sisters, Joyce, Betty and Doris.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Recent Obituaries: Mary N. Dotson Lane

News Progress Posted on June 22, 2026 by webmasterJune 22, 2026

Mary N. Dotson Lane, 90, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 14, 2025, at her home in Gulf Shores, Alabama, surrounded by her loving family following complications from a stroke and long-term battle with severe arthritis.

Mary was born February 17, 1936, in rural Macon County, Tennessee, the fourth of seven children to parents Curf and Artie Dotson. After moving to Sullivan, Illinois, she met Roger, a classmate at Lowe Elementary School. They grew up together and married in 1955. She worked at the First National Bank in Sullivan until 1958, when she decided to stay home and take care of her growing family. She and Roger had four children - Brad, Don, Belinda Gay, and Jon.

Mary enjoyed being outdoors, designing and tending to her beautiful azaleas and yard at Lake Martin, Alabama. Mary also enjoyed taking day trips, but mostly just being with her family. Her favorite time was every 4th of July for 25 years when her family would come together at her lake home. She will be remembered for her caring, gentle, and generous spirit, and her absolute devotion to her family. She leaves behind a wonderful family of 32.

She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Roger Lane of Gulf Shores; son, Brad (Valerie) Lane of Allentown, Pennsylvania, son, Don (Lavonne) Lane of Daphne, Alabama, daughter, Belinda Gay (Leonard) Kaiser of Orange Beach, Alabama, and son, Jon (Claudia) Lane of Walnut Creek, California; her

grandchildren, Andrea (Jim Shilston), Erin Kaiser, Adam (Erin) Lane, Mallory (Matt) Cahill, Ryan Lane, Rachael (Mason) Howell, Shelby Kaiser (Britian) Murphy, Emma Lane, and Valeria Collazo Gianella; and her great grandchildren, Halle Shilston, Jane Shilston, Larson Chafin, Avery Lane, Grant Lane, Noelle Cahill, Camille Cahill, Juliette Cahill and Miller Murphy.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and four sisters.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Hughes Funeral Home in Daphne, Alabama.

Online expressions of condolences may be made at www.hughesfh.com.

Posted in Recent Obituaries

Illinois High School Shrine Football Game

News Progress Posted on June 17, 2026 by webmasterJune 17, 2026


•June 17, 2026•

The Illinois Coaches Association and the Shriners of Illinois will present the 52nd Annual Illinois High School Shrine Game, scheduled for Saturday, June 20, at Tucci Stadium on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University. Kickoff is at 11:00 a.m., with pregame festivities beginning at 10:00 a.m.

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Posted in News Briefs

Bats and rabies: A public health concern

News Progress Posted on June 17, 2026 by webmasterJune 17, 2026


•June 17, 2026•

by Angela Hogan, R.N., 

MSPH, Administrator MCHD

Bats are a vital part of our ecosystem. They eat disease-carrying mosquitoes and crop-consuming insects. Unfortunately, bats also carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. Bats are the leading cause of human rabies deaths in the United States. According to the CDC, at least 7 out of 10 Americans who died from rabies in the U.S. were exposed to infected bats.

Bats are nocturnal creatures that typically avoid humans. Bats exhibiting unusual behavior, such as being active during the day, unable to fly, or easily approached, could be sick or rabid. You can’t tell whether a bat has rabies by looking at it. Avoid contact with bats, as any direct encounter could result in scratches or bites.

What should I do if I encounter a bat? In essence, any direct contact with a bat should be considered a possible rabies exposure. Infants, young children, and people with reduced mental function are at higher risk for unknown bat exposure. This is because they may not know or be able to tell others if they were bitten or scratched. Bat scratches and bites can be very small and extremely difficult to see. Regardless, these injuries can still spread rabies.

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Posted in News Briefs

U of I Extension summer food preservation program

News Progress Posted on June 17, 2026 by webmasterJune 17, 2026


•June 17, 2026•

The University of Illinois Extension will offer the Saving the Season: a Summer food preservation series on Wednesdays from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. beginning on June 24th and continuing through August 26th at the Moultrie-Douglas Extension Office, 304 E. Progress Street in Arthur. 

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Posted in News Briefs

Storm leaves damage in its wake

News Progress Posted on June 17, 2026 by webmasterJune 17, 2026

Photo by DM Williamee

The storm that occurred in the evening hours of June 11th produced wind gusts of up to 70 mph left many locals without power, with many experiencing damage to property ranging from mild to extreme.

Posted in Standalone Photo

SMS Athletics ‘Year in Review’ 2025/26

News Progress Posted on June 17, 2026 by webmasterJune 17, 2026


•June 17, 2026•

SMS Softball: JHOC Conference Champions (First Conference Championship in school history); Regional Champions; and Sectional Runner Ups.

SMS Golf: Judd Sanner qualified for the IESA State Golf Tournament (Shot an 86 @ Sectional, first State qualifier in school history); Hank Monroe & Hunter Walton tied for 51st at Sectional (115); Levi Yoder tied for 54th at Sectional (116); Keegan Hughes placed 68th at Sectional (132); and Gideon Walk placed 76th at Sectional (138).

SMS XC: Boys and Girls team both JHOC Conference Champions; Girls Team CGB Invitational 1st Place; Girls Sectional Champions; Girls team placed 7th overall at State Meet; Avery Hess (9th) and Aubrey Fultz (19th) earned All-State honors; and Khiry Campbell State Qualifier.

SMS Baseball: 9-7 record (5-1 in JHOC, finished 2nd) and lost in the semifinals of the Regional Tournament.

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Posted in News Briefs

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Moultrie-Douglas Contestants



News Progress


New royalty to be crowned
The Moultrie-Douglas County Fair Pageant will be held Monday, July 27th at 6:00 p.m. for Little Miss Fair Queen and 7:00 p.m. for Miss and Junior Miss Fair Queen located at the south track on the Mo-Do Fairgrounds. Vying for the title of Miss Moultrie Douglas Fair Queen are: Abigail Meyer of Tuscola, Addee Mulligan of Arcola, Sarah Rogers of Atwood, Ava Whitson of Tuscola, Addisyn Wilson of Villa Grove, Emma Spillman of Tuscola, Aymara Leal of Arcola and Katilyn Kirby of Sullivan.

Jr Miss Moultrie-Douglas contestants
Vying for the title of Jr Miss Moultrie-Douglas are: Harper Hale of Arthur, Brooklyn Bates of Sullivan, Sofie Reifsteck of Tuscola, Sophia Wilson of Arcola, Miley Rennels of Tuscola, Ava Warren of Sullivan, Tatum Faust of Pesotum, Maggie Meyer of Tuscola and Audrey Warren of Sullivan, pictured 2025 Jr Miss Moultrie-Douglas Quinn Chapman of Villa Grove.
Little Miss Moultrie-Douglas contestants
Vying for the title of Little Miss Moultrie-Douglas are: Everleigh Allen of Tuscola, Emelia Shelmadine of Tuscola, Arabella Butterick of Arthur, Josslyn Leigh Brown of Sullivan, Athalia Juliet Sanchez of Arcola, Myla Ro Oye of Arthur, Sophie Elliott of Sullivan, Rosie Smith of Villa Grove, Tinley Eads of Arthur, Alayna Guadiana of Arcola and Alexandria Brackemyre of Lovington, pictured with 2025 Little Miss Moultrie-Douglas Joslynn Steffens of Tuscola.


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