May 2004
Volition prepares for move
CHAMPAIGN – After more than a year of noisy, messy construction on the One Main Street development in downtown Champaign, the first tenants are set to move into the brand new building on Tuesday.
An occupancy permit arrived Friday morning, clearing the way for about 80 employees of Volition Inc. – the company that has been a driving force behind the new development – to move across town into their new offices, according to One Main's Director of Development, Mike Royse.
Grants targeted at small farms
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will conduct several workshops across the state this week to help farmers and agribusinesses apply for millions of dollars in energy grants.
Applicants across the United States will vie for almost $23 million for projects they take on to improve energy efficiency or for installation of renewable energy systems, systems that produce energy from sources like the sun, wind or hydrogen. The grant program is part of the 2002 Farm Bill.
New private school will open doors by August
CHAMPAIGN – Next Generation, an early childhood program for infants through kindergarten students in Champaign, is adding a private elementary and middle school that will open its doors in late August.
Barb Sullivan, Next Generation's owner and director, said lots of parents whose children have been through Next Generation's early childhood program have wanted an opportunity to continue their children there as they enter elementary school.
An emotional journey ends
WASHINGTON – Billie Jo Beck of Tolono wanted to enlist in the military, but her application was turned down because she has asthma.
Beck, 27, was determined to follow in the footsteps of her grandfather, William Beck, who served in the Navy during World War II.
It's Your Business: Jillian's could come under new management
Jillian's, a pool hall, bar and restaurant in Champaign, appears headed for new ownership in about six months.
Its Louisville, Ky.-based parent company, Jillian's Entertainment Holdings, filed for bankruptcy this past week and announced tentative agreements with two potential buyers for most of its 35 locations in 20 states, including the one at 1201 S. Neil St., C.
Difficult draft-day decision
CHATHAM – Nine years ago, Corey Erickson passed up an opportunity to play baseball at Illinois to turn pro.
Next week, his younger brother almost certainly will be faced with the same choice.
Arthur auction to sell Amish fruits, veggies
ARTHUR – Ken and Marge Byers of Bloomington have been selling tomatoes, sweet corn and other vegetables at the Bloomington farmers market for a few years now, and almost every week they sell all their produce.
Because it's just the two of them planting and picking produce from their gardens and they don't have much time to expand their operations, the Byerses occasionally will add to their farm stand by buying produce wholesale at an Amish produce auction in Rockville, Ind.
Brett''s random thoughts
It''s hard to imagine that some Illinois fans are turned off by the idea of the Illini''s possible pursuit of Illinois State''s Marcus Arnold. At 6-8 and 225 pounds, Arnold already has proven he''s a capable post player (witness the way he lit up the Illini in January).
Illinois duo hops hurdles
No hurdles could stand in Illinois'' way Saturday at the NCAA Mideast Track and Field Regional.
The Illini''s Adrian Walker and Abe Reed-Jones finished first and second, respectively, in the 400-meter hurdles final Saturday in Baton Rouge, La. Walker, who finished second to Jones in Friday''s preliminaries, clocked a 50.01 Saturday. Jones clocked a 50.66.
Moo-ving on after 35 years
CHAMPAIGN – Ten years ago, Robeson Elementary teacher Barb Good searched for a fun theme to liven up her classroom atmosphere.
"Third grade is so stressful. It's the first grade they take state testing. They have to learn more responsibility than they did in kindergarten, first grade and second grade," she said.
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