Photo by Mike Brothers
Fields-Wright Medical Center grew out of a need for medical services in Sullivan. Now St. Mary’s Hospital group has pulled its services and is hoping to sell the building.

•June 7, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Nearly 50 years after the citizens of Sullivan raised $125,000 for the Brown Shoe Co., they were again challenged to raise $500,000 for a medical center. Again, they embraced the challenge.

Eva Fields Wright Horn had a vision of a hospital for Sullivan so she left provisions and funds in her estate for the creation of a small community hospital. When she died in 1964 trustees were appointed to carry out her wishes. There was no activity until 1973 when the trustees organized a lay group to advise them in the planning. Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Shoveling dirt on the first Sullivan Rotary tree planting are Susan Rauch, Joe Keller, Dave Cole, Bill Highland, Dan Fultz and Brad Pullen.

•May 31, 2017•

The Sullivan Rotary Club began an ongoing program to plant trees at the Habitat for Humanity subdivision in Sullivan.

Rotarians traveled to the neighborhood north of Agri Fab following their regular meeting May 23 at TnT Pizzeria and with the help of Hild Landscaping, placed a 15 foot tall tulip tree in the front lawn.

“One of the points of focus for Rotary this coming year is protecting the environment and planting trees,” Rotary president Dave Cole said, noting the effort of the local club aligns with that theme.

He went on to explain that during a recent discussion, it was noted that the Habitat for Humanity houses had very little landscape material such as flowers, shrubs, and trees. Those items may be seen as a luxury for the homeowners there.   Read More

Healthcom Sponsors Event

•May 31, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

For its maiden charity event Healthcom is sponsoring a 5K/walk in Wyman Park in Sullivan Saturday, June 10 to benefit Mid-Illinois Senior Services

“We wanted to help out in the community and coordinate with Senior Fitness Month,” Caleb Titus, Healthcom coordinator for the event, said, “ Healthcom is the largest national provider of medical alert systems for seniors so teaming with the Senior Center was a perfect match for us.”

The race will be held at 9 a.m. June 10 in Wyman Park, but participants should arrive by 8:30 a.m. Registration fee is $20 up to day of race, $30 June 10 and everyone over the age of 65 may enter free although the participant t-shirt is $10 to everyone. Read More

•May 31, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

City council members discussed revising their sick leave policy during a regular session.

They considered the possibility of abolishing the current 40-day policy where an employee would exhaust all of their leave before returning to work. There was discussion concerning some employees returning to work before the 40 days were up and need those extra days for doctor follow-up appointments.

A new policy where employees could retain some of the 40 day leave is under consideration. The issue was tabled and will be further discussed at the next council meeting.

During the week of June 12-16, WCIA’s “Our Town”series will be filming at various areas in Sullivan. The filming will finish up with a news broadcast from downtown Sullivan Friday, June 16.  Read More

•May 24, 2017•

The Sullivan School District #300 board of education met in special session Thursday, May 19 to establish a timeline for the superintendent search.

Supt. Brad Tuttle accepted a position in Jerseyville, Ill. with his resignation effective June 30. Read More