State and Regional

Thursday, November 20, 2008

State troopers to be out in force over the holiday

As motorists travel to and from their Thanksgiving get-togethers, state troopers will be out in force to crack down on speeding, drunken driving, failure to wear seat belts and other safety issues.

Troopers will be posted every 10 miles on highways the day before Thanksgiving and the Sunday afterward, according to state police Master Sgt. Brian Ley. The patrols will be from noon to 10 p.m. Nov. 26 and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov 30, but state and local agencies will have extra patrols throughout the holiday weekend, he said.

Durbin gathering FutureGen supporters for renewed effort

MATTOON – Sen. Dick Durbin is gathering members of the Illinois congressional delegation and officials from the FutureGen Alliance today to discuss FutureGen.

It's a step the Democratic Illinois senator is taking to make sure "the delegation is ready on day one to move forward with FutureGen," said Durbin spokeswoman Christina Mulka.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

READY Program team wins $10,000 in Lexus Eco Challenge

CHAMPAIGN – The environmental measures initiated by students at the READY Program – turning off lights when no one is in the room, laminating hall passes to save paper, recycling whatever they can – are probably saving the school some pennies.

But they've also brought in some real money to the school and the students.

Danville businesses cited for liquor license violations

DANVILLE – Nine local businesses were cited for liquor license violations Nov. 6 after allegedly selling alcohol to minors.

The Illinois Liquor Control Commission and the Danville police conducted an undercover operation earlier this month.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Villa Grove board hears from city attorney on TIF issues

VILLA GROVE – After a grim report to the Tax Increment Financing Joint Review Board last month, the attorney who handles Villa Grove's TIF issues was asked to explain the report to the Villa Grove school board Monday.

City attorney Dan Schuering told the board that the city had fallen into a pattern over the last five years of transferring money from other city funds to pay for redevelopment projects. Those projects were meant to be paid for by TIF funds that were not being generated at the rate expected.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Urban League closes in wake of financial woes, investigations

CHAMPAIGN – The 45-year-old Urban League of Champaign County closed its doors Friday.

The closure comes on the heels of mounting financial problems, state and federal investigations and a soon-to-be-released audit for fiscal 2006-2007, according to a press release from the organization late Friday night.

Salvation Army issues urgent plea for volunteer bell ringers

Before the kickoff at today's Illinois-Ohio State football game, members of the Salvation Army of Champaign County's brass band will take Zuppke Field to kick off the organization's Red Kettle campaign.

"It's probably the biggest crowd the Band of the Heartland has ever played for," Envoy Mike Fuqua said, adding the musicians will join the Marching Illini to play "The Star Spangled Banner" during the pregame show.

Volunteers got a head start ringing bells at 30 kettle locations in Champaign County on Friday. Salvation Army of Danville volunteers will begin doing that at Vermilion County locations on Nov. 21.

Vermilion County Board chairman expected to keep his post

DANVILLE – Democrats on the Vermilion County Board meet today to pick a nominee for county board chairman for the next two years.

Current Chairman Jim McMahon, who is also a local businessman, said he would like to be elected again to the full-time position.

Chicago man receives 3-year term in Urbana abuse case

URBANA – A Chicago man who fondled a woman as she slept in bed with her husband was sentenced Friday to three years in prison.

Keith Harris, 42, had been convicted in September of criminal sexual abuse by a Champaign County jury for an act on July 5 at a home in Urbana.

Additional sexual misconduct charges filed against Ogden man

URBANA – Additional charges of inappropriate sexual conduct with children have been lodged against an Ogden man.

Bobby Morris, 39, appeared in Champaign County Circuit Court Friday to be arraigned on two counts of sexual exploitation of a child, a misdemeanor.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Urban League of Champaign County closes after 45 years

CHAMPAIGN – The 45-year-old Urban League of Champaign County closed its doors Friday.

The closure comes on the heels of mounting financial problems, state and federal investigations and a soon-to-be-released audit for fiscal 2006-2007, according to a press release from the organization late Friday night.

"From a financial standpoint, it was a very simple decision. There was no alternative. From an emotional perspective and a loss to the community, it was an incredibly difficult decision," said interim Executive Director Sandra Jones.

Urban League's announcement

Release from the Urban League of Champaign County issued at 11 p.m. Friday.

"The Board of the Urban League of Champaign County announces its decision to close the League as of November 14, 20008. The Board recognizes the import of the decision for the community and arrives at this juncture with the deepest regret over the loss of an organization devoted to equal rights and individual skill and opportunity development. It wishes to thank those agencies, organizations and governmental entities who have worked to help transition services for those citizens served by the League. It is in the best interest of the community and the clients served to maintain viable programs in settings that can adequately sustain such programming. The transfers arranged collaboratively with every agency and funding entity accomplish this important objective, a top priority of the Board.

Vermilion County considers establishing wind farm rules

DANVILLE – Vermilion County economic development officials are in talks with at least four companies interested in building wind-turbine farms in Vermilion County.

The county has no zoning system, but county board officials are taking steps to regulate the construction and operation of the alternative-energy farms by writing an ordinance.

"It's a safeguard for the landowners and the windmill companies," said Vicki Haugen, president and CEO of Vermilion Advantage. She added that multiple companies that make the wind turbines are considering the county as a possible location for a manufacturing site.

Catlin school officials approve $2.07 million tax levy

CATLIN – School officials approved a $2.07 million tax levy for the upcoming year on Thursday – an increase of about $78,000 from the current levy.

Superintendent Guy Banicki said he expected the value of property within the district to drop about $400,000 to at about $40 million, so he anticipates that the tax rate will increase to generate that additional $78,000.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Ford County Board gives final clearance for wind farm

PAXTON – Ford County's first wind farm project has gained final approval for construction of 96 wind turbines in Rogers Township, the county's northernmost township.

Ford County Board members approved an application by K4 Wind Farm LLC for a special-use permit on Monday. The company, which has spent more than two years in the planning stages, previously gained approval from both the county's zoning and plan commissions.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Area Veterans Day memorial dedications planned

GIBSON CITY – It has been a "labor of love" for Gibson City resident Randy Ferguson, who spearheaded a new personalized memorial to veterans.

A dedication ceremony for the large, granite, engraved markers will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the memorial's permanent site at the southwest corner of Drummer Township Cemetery on Gibson City's west side.

Friday, November 7, 2008

'Corn Cruizer' bus line to link towns with Danville

DANVILLE – Perhaps by this time next year, the Corn Cruizer will be regularly trekking between Hoopeston and Danville, filled with people on their way to jobs, doctors' appointments or shopping trips.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Realtor training firm's CEO added to Danville Wall of Fame

DANVILLE – Nina Cottrell never got a college education.

But she had smarts, an "extraordinary" work ethic and a drive to succeed, which took her from a secretary to chief executive officer of the largest nonprofit affiliate of the National Association of Realtors, her older brother said.

"She's an example of what you can do if you put your mind to it," said Wilbert A. Cottrell, who nominated his sister for Danville High School's Wall of Fame.

On Wednesday, Nina Cottrell was announced as this year's inductee. Cottrell was selected by a committee representing a cross-section of the community, including two high school students.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Students have problems voting at Illini Union

URBANA - On her fifth trip to the polls Tuesday, Megana Ballal finally got to vote.

But she's not sure if it will count.

The 20-year-old University of Illinois student was among 100 first-time voters who weren't allowed to cast regular ballots at the Illini Union on Tuesday because judges said they didn't have proper proof of their local address. They were given provisional ballots and the chance to produce more documentation at the county clerk's office within 48 hours.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

UI flash index shows state economy flirting with contraction

URBANA – University of Illinois economist J. Fred Giertz has grim words about the state's economic prospects.

Giertz, who compiles the monthly UI flash economic index, said the index fell to 100.6 in October, the lowest reading since 100.5 in August 2004.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Bryant Cottage gets reprieve of one month

BEMENT – Area residents will have a few additional weeks to visit Bryant Cottage and other state historic sites before the doors are closed.

But the governor's plans to shut down historic sites have forced the cancellation of a traditional holiday event at the Bement landmark.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Lincoln Wayside sign dedicated

The site of what once was Alschuler Photographic Studio in downtown Urbana, where Abraham Lincoln had his photo taken while practicing law, received its official Lincoln Wayside sign commemorating the spot.

All around central Illinois, places of historical significance in the life of Lincoln are being marked with the signs.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Former Washington Post editor earns UI journalism award

URBANA – Benjamin Bradlee, the Washington Post editor who helped break the Watergate scandal and topple the Nixon presidency, has won a lifetime-achievement award from the University of Illinois.

Bradlee, executive editor of the Post for more than two decades, received the Illinois Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism at a reception Friday at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

State Universities Retirement System's director stepping down

The head of the State Universities Retirement System will be leaving by the end of the year.

Dan Slack, who has been the association's executive director since 2005, has accepted a job to be chief executive officer of the Colorado Fire and Police Pension Association.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Busey CEO tells of merger plans for Illinois, Florida subsidiaries

URBANA – First Busey Corp. plans to consolidate its Illinois and Florida banking subsidiaries, the Urbana-based company revealed this week as it reported third-quarter earnings.

"It makes sense for us from a strategy standpoint and a cost standpoint to merge our banks into one bank," First Busey President and Chief Executive Officer Van Dukeman said. "The resulting bank will be larger and, we believe, more efficient due to the lack of duplicate costs and processes."

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Attorney checking on legality of messages on Tolono building

TOLONO – A Tolono appliance shop owner who has been painting messages on the side of his building may be ordered to stop.

The village board on Tuesday discussed whether to take action against Mark McLane, the owner of Eagle Head Enterprises in downtown Tolono.

Classroom space expansion planned at Gibson City school

GIBSON CITY – School board members will soon begin steps toward a possible expansion of classroom space at the Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Elementary School.

Buildings and grounds committee members took an extensive tour of the elementary facility during a recent committee meeting. "We saw good, aggressive use of space," said Chairman Tom Taylor. "But in my opinion, we're at more than 100 percent use of space."