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Recent Obituaries: Eugene Morgan

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Eugene Morgan

Eugene L. “Gene” Morgan, 49, of Garrett, formerly of Lovington, passed away suddenly on Sunday afternoon, May 31, 2020 at his residence.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 5, 2020 at the Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home, 66 East US Highway 36, Atwood, IL with Rev. Ron Emel officiating. Burial will follow in the Cartwright Cemetery, rural Tuscola, IL.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, June 4, 2020 at the funeral home.
Gene was born on May 8, 1971 in Tuscola, the son of William L. and Peggy Jo Wetherholt Morgan. He married Brenda Kay Butt on December 14, 2002. She survives.
Also surviving are his parents of Garrett, sister: Meridith (Forrest) McDaniel of Lovington, nieces and nephews: Paige, Dalton, Kaylee, Kyle McDaniel, Alec (Jaelynn) and their children: Harper and Hendrix, several aunts and uncles and extended family members.
Gene formerly worked at Masterbrand Cabinet’s in Arthur and most recently was serving as the caregiver for his parents. He loved Christmas, collecting eagles and working in his yard most of all.
Memorials are suggested to a veteran’s organization of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be shared via hilligossshraderfh.com

Correction

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In the 2020 Graduation Keepsake that was included in the May 27 edition of the News Progress and May 28, edition of Fish Wrap page 8 was inadvertently omitted.
The special section will be included with the correct page 8 in the June 3rd edition of The News Progress.
We apologize for the error.
Sullivan News Group

Campgrounds Open at Lake Shelbyville

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•May 29, 2020•

Lake Shelbyville - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville would like to announce Coon Creek, Forrest W. "Bo" Wood, Lithia Springs, and Opossum Creek campgrounds are now open. Lone Point Campground and Wilborn Creek Group Camp are closed until further notice. There is no change to reservable and non-reservable sites at Bo Wood, Coon Creek and Lithia Springs from previous seasons. All payments at fee booths are by credit or debit card only. Opossum Creek Campground is now 100% reservable and campers must have a reservation through R1S prior to setting up on a campsite. Campers are reminded to follow CDC guidelines while recreating at Lake Shelbyville.
For campsite availability or to make a reservation, please visit www.recreation.gov. Reservations by phone at 1-877-444-6777 are scheduled to resume on July 1, 2020. For additional information, please call the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217)774-3951.

COVID 19 Self-Isolates States Attorney’s Office

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•May 28, 2020•
The Moultrie County State’s Attorneys office staff is under quarantine which will postpone criminal and traffic cases scheduled early the first week of the courthouse reopening.
State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver explained the procedure for the week of June 1.
“Some members of the State's Attorney's Office are self-isolating due to potential exposure to COVID-19
“Out of an abundance of caution, criminal and traffic cases scheduled for the early part of next week have been rescheduled.
“We anticipate that those potentially impacted will return to work later next week,” State’s Attorney Weaver explained.

ALAH Schools Reinvented the Finishing of the Year

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District receives $261,000 through the CARES ACT

•May 27, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Members of the ALAH School Board met via Google Hangout as some remained at home, while a few others met at the high school to practice social distancing during the COVID19 pandemic.
After approving the consent agenda, Kevin Heid presented a bond presentation for informational purposes for members of the board.
Superintendent Shannon Cheek gave the Treasurer’s report after the presentation. “We are up to date on payments from the state, although we have only received one payment for transportation for this fiscal year. I would like to remain optimistic, but realistically, the other payment will probably not be coming in for this present fiscal year,” he informed.
The district was also grateful for two donations that it received. Curtis Plank and Eric Plank were part of the “League of Champions.” The games for their league was canceled because of the pandemic, and they had extra unused money. Read More

SHS Graduates Challenged to Make Bitter Ending a Sweet Beginning

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Photo furnished
SHS seniors can look back on the 2019-20 school year and still recall a time when it was okay to get together as a group. That all changed in March, but this class is looking forward to a better tomorrow.

•May 27, 2020•

Sullivan High School Class of 2020 made history as the first class commencement under stay-at-home restrictions.
On Sunday May 17 those graduates got an opportunity to walk across the stage as their names were announced to receive their diploma.
High School principal Dan Allen explained that during the afternoon, seniors participated in a car parade with the audio of the ceremony playing on WTIM (107.7).
The broadcast started with the playing of “Pomp and Circumstance,” then included announcements of students who were Eagle Scouts, students who were joining the military, and the academic top ten. Those students included co-salutatorians Seth Mayberry and Shyanne Hunter and valedictorian, Adalee Nichols, with their speeches aired during the parade. Read More

Obituaries 5-27-2020: Jimmy Myers

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Jimmy Myers

Jimmy Dale Myers, 68, most recently of Bement, Ill., passed away Saturday, May 23, 2020, in his home.
Jim was born March 13, 1952, in Vandalia, Ill and spent most of his childhood in Garrett, Ill. He graduated with the class of 1970 from Atwood-Hammond High School. He attended Parkland College and began a lifelong career in the automotive parts and service industry. He first worked at Worden-Martin, Champaign, Ill. and then Fehrenbach Chevrolet, Decatur, Ill. He retired in 2014 as director of fixed operations with Miles Chevrolet. Read More

Amish Heritage Center Cancels Threshing Days

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•May 27, 2020•

The 2020 Steam Threshing Days at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center located nine miles west of Arcola and three miles east of Arthur have been cancelled. The event was set for July 31 and August 1 and was cancelled by the Board of Directors of the Illinois Amish Heritage Center.
The cancellation came about amid concerns surrounding the COVID-19 virus. Jim Fleming, Co-Director of the event and member of the group’s board of directors said, “We felt it was in everyone’s best interest to cancel for this year.” Fleming added, “the decision to cancel was not easy as we had a terrific show planned with new demonstrations and equipment. We were so looking forward to having our pancake and liverwurst breakfast, tours of the restored historic Amish homes, and having folks see our newly concreted pavilion.”
The Board has cancelled all activities at the center through the end of the year. Wilmer Otto, President of the Board encourages people to keep watch on social media for virtual events and ways to continue providing support for the Illinois Amish Heritage Center.
Planning is underway for next year’s Steam Threshing Days that will be held on August 6 and 7, 2021 at the Illinois Amish Heritage Center, 284 E. Illinois 133, Arthur, IL. Keep up with the latest activities on Facebook or website illinoisamish.org.

Obituaries 5-27-2020: Burl Smith

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Burl Smith

Burl J. Smith, 88, passed away 4:14 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2020, at Courtyard Estates in Sullivan.
Private immediate family services will be held at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Bethany. Read More

Obituaries 5-27-2020: Don Harchous

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Don Harchous

Don B. Harchous, 91, of Sullivan, passed away at 5:20 a.m. Sunday, May 24, 2020, in Mason Point in Sullivan.
Celebration of Life services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Grant Wade officiating. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery with military rites conducted by Sullivan American Legion Post #68. Visitation will be one hour before the services. Please wear a face mask and practice social distancing for the services. Read More