www.decaturslakefront.com

The enhancement of Decatur’s lakefront (Nelson Park basin) has been identified as a community priority since 1978, when it was included in the Park District’s Master Plan. Additional plans in the years to follow included the Chamber of Commerce Sangamon River Restoration Plan (1991), the Lohan Associates Lake Development Study (1993), the Sangamon River Greenway Study (1995), the 1996 Park District Master Plan, the 1998 Decatur Metro Area Greenway Plan, and the 2004 Park District Master Plan.

Goals for the current project led by AECOM are to provide a unique venue for open space and entertainment, to optimize and enhance community access to the lake, to provide linkages from Nelson Park to Scovill Park, and to create lakefront activities that will promote multi-generational and multi-seasonal use.

With leadership from the Decatur Park District and City of Decatur, as well as input from the community at large, AECOM is charged with completing a comprehensive plan that will attract visitors, spur economic development, and improve quality of life for all in the greater Decatur area.

Local officials today will submit information to Internet search engine giant in an effort to lure the company’s anticipated high-speed broadband test project to the community. Google recently announced plans for the fiber network and issued a request for information to cities interested in serving as a location to test the system.

The city is encouraging residents to support the project by nominating Decatur via the web site

www.Decaturfiber.com and to join the movement by becoming a fan of the project’s Facebook fan page. Simply log on to Facebook and search for “Decatur Fiber” in the site’s search box.

Decatur, Ill., USA, Jan. 26, 2010, 2 p.m., CST--DMH International, a new subsidiary of Decatur Memorial Hospital Health System (DMHHS), is pleased to announce a contract with the Ministry of Health of the United Arab Emirates to assist with the evaluation of selected segments of the health care system in the (UAE).

Members of the Decatur Memorial Hospital management team, led by President and CEO Kenneth L. Smithmier, and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Timothy D. Stone, Jr., will travel from Decatur, Ill., to the UAE over the next several months to assist the Ministry of Health in its efforts to make operational improvements to an already high performing health care system.  This initial agreement is an assessment by DMH International of UAE’s health care system and should be completed during the next 90 to 120 days.  Once the evaluation is completed, recommendations will be made to the UAE Ministry of Health on process improvements to its health care system.  The UAE Ministry of Health will then determine future opportunities with DMH International to assist them with these improvements.

First Phase Includes New Emergency Department, Laboratory, Atrium Lobby, Parking and Grounds

Decatur, IL -  St. Mary's Hospital began a new chapter in its 131-year history as hospital leadership, physicians, staff, volunteers, community leaders and invited guests joined together for the blessing and groundbreaking of a $31 million redevelopment project that will enhance patient care, comfort and service through the creation of a new patient-friendly main lobby, a new clinical laboratory and a new state-of-the-art Emergency Department.