Cedar County Adult Recovery Committee holds ceremony for three local men

Last Wednesday, a ceremony was held to recognize Justin Stone, Benjamin Hill, and Jonathan Bilyeu for completing the Adult Recovery program. The ceremony was attended by the three men, their families, and the Cedar County Adult Recovery Committee. The committee panel consists of the following members: Honorable Jacob Dawson, Administrator Jeremy Ruddick, Sheriff James B McCray, El Dorado Springs Police Chief Brett Dawn, Circuit Clerk Sarah Turner, Compass Tracy Kassen, Tallie Chadd, Dr. Cathy Blacklock, Probation/Parole Officer Brittany Shorten, Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gather, and Juvenile Officer Tansy Friar. The prosecuting attorney Ty Gather referred each man to the program, and their participation was approved by Judge Dawson. The program, which began in 2024, has seen one hundred five admissions. Out of these, sixty-five individuals have successfully graduated, twenty-five were terminated for various reasons, seven were transferred to other county programs, and four people quit. The program consists of multiple phases, each with specific requirements to be completed before advancing to the next phase. Bilyeu completed the program in 840 days, Hill in 603 days, and Stone in 770 days. Each man was presented with a Recovery Bible by the committee. Following the ceremony, a dinner was served for the graduates and their families.