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•March 2, 2016•

By Nick Fiala
For the News Progress

Decatur Memorial Hospital recently celebrated its 100th anniversary.

The January first date was also a celebration of a Bethany woman who dedicated a significant portion of her time and energy to birthing the establishment a century ago.

Sue Hagaman (1841-1919) was known as “The Mother of the Hospital” by those who took up the task of finishing DMH’s construction after her.

The plans for the project began as early as 1901 with the encouragement of many prominent physicians of central Illinois. Finally, in 1916, she was present to literally turn the first shovel of dirt and witness the laying of the hospital’s cornerstone.

This inspirational effort came after Hagaman had already served for 35 years as a Sunday school teacher at the First Methodist Church of Decatur, as well as raised two biological children and no less than eight adopted orphans.  Read More

•February 24, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

Sullivan’s city website has a couple new apps which are available to residents.

One, a citizen problem reporter, allows citizens to report animal, park or utility problems from their computer or cell phone. They may sign in via Twitter or Facebook.

Green Hill Cemetery also has its own app. Currently it shows about 9,000 different spaces not including the old part of the cemetery. Users may click on different plots to see who is buried in a particular space or if it is available for sale. It also presents details such as who is cremated or is a veteran. Plots may be searched by location number or name.

The city of Sullivan is looking to purchase new time clocks for all of their employees. One package plan they are looking into has a $2,600 one time set up fee plus the purchase of the software.

The city may have the company host it on their site which would cost $3 per employee or Sullivan may host it themselves.

The council is also planning to get quotes for computer login software. Clerk Monte Johnson informed the council that there were three commonly used time keeping systems- pin numbers, card swipes and thumb prints. Employees may login remotely or onto a computer at their job site. Council members discussed the positives and negatives of both logging in remotely and on a nearby computer. Read More

Das Clubhaus License Approved 

•February 17, 2016•

by Mike Brothers

Following an executive session discussion Moultrie County Board members ratified a three year contract with county corrections officers.

Included in provisions for the new agreement was a three percent salary increase over the contract period.

An additional provision was if a corrections employee left county employment before one year of service, 100 percent of the training cost would be reimbursed the county. If the employee leaves before two years, they will be responsible for half their training cost.

The county board approved a Class B liquor license that allows Don Frevert  to open Das Clubhaus at the Sullivan Country Club.

Action was taken during the February 11 county board meeting to approve the license following recommendation of the Liquor Commission. Chairman Dave McCabe noted that Frevert is from Sullivan and is planning to reopen the clubhouse at the country club in April. Read More

•February 10, 2016•

By Kennedy D. Nolen
For the News Progress

The Moultrie County Inter-Agency is lacking almost a third of their annual budget to assist those who need it most.

Established in 1981 to help those in need, the Sullivan based agency helps in various ways.

Needs the agency meets include utility assistance for elderly and disabled, rent assistance, emergency shelter such as a hotel room if need be, food, car repair, prescriptions, pest control, and other situations deemed suitable for assistance.

Originally, the agency supplied Christmas gifts to children whose parents met the guidelines. Gift certificates in the amount of $25 to Dollar General and Pamida, prior to its closing, were given to the parents per each child.

Once the Moultrie County Inter-Agency had noticed similar Christmas spending had been covered by other organizations in the community, they began to focus on meeting other unfulfilled needs for families and individuals.

Also, the Inter-Agency is able to give those who qualify something called ‘Chamber Bucks’. This special form of currency may be used at only specific places in town, such as the city to pay bills and gas stations.  Read More

•January 27, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

Kevin McReynolds, housing manager for Coles County Regional Planning and Development Commission, presented the Sullivan City Council with a housing grant opportunity during the January 11 council meeting. The grants are available for single family owner occupied homes and up to $45,000 may be spent for home improvement repairs such as replacing the roof, furnace, electrical and windows. McReynolds stated that these grants are important for improving neighborhoods and bringing homes up to code. Mayor Ann Short felt that there were families who could benefit from the grants. In order to get started, there would be a $3,500 application fee, the only cost to the city. After conducting a survey, McReynolds said there are about three neighborhoods in the city that qualify for these grants based on their income. Commissioner Bill Hagen made a motion to hire McReynolds and his organization. The council voted to start the application process.

Other news that was discussed or acted upon:

· Zak Horn expressed interest in purchasing Rotary Park. He has submitted a proposal to bury a vault. He needs the property because his business, Metro Communications has been expanding.  Read More