The 9-year-old Hampton Inn at 1200 W. University Ave., U, is undergoing an expansion to keep up with demand for its rooms, says Manager Staci Fort.

The construction is already under way and includes the addition of 39 more guest rooms and suites on the west side of the building.

MONTICELLO – If ever a small town hospital had a devoted champion, a guardian angel and a best friend, folks say the John & Mary E. Kirby Hospital in Monticello had all of those in the late Tom Dixon.

In an era that brought hundreds of struggling small hospitals across the nation to a close, Monticello's tiny local hospital flourished and grew under the care of Mr. Dixon, its chief executive for 38 years.

BLOOMINGTON – Shaun Pruitt has seen all-star games. He knows the drill.

A little flash, a little dash and an extra-large dose of showmanship are the order of the day. At least that''s what the Illinois-bound forward thought.

Dick Quint was standing at a train station platform in Paris with his grandchildren while his daughter searched for the train to Bayeux, when the French woman noticed his plight – and his World War II veteran's cap.

In short order, the woman had collected three French policemen, who hauled the Quint family's luggage through the station to the right gate, walked the bags onto the correct train and deposited them on the luggage rack.