March 2005
Cities, UI urge Visitors Bureau to adjust its priorities
CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign County Convention & Visitors Bureau is being pressed by major funders to step up services for community events.
In recent years, the convention bureau has devoted most of its resources to sales efforts. But some constituents – including the cities of Champaign and Urbana and the University of Illinois – say the bureau needs to do more to support community events, such as Illinois High School Association tournaments.
Who''s that Illini?
I was the first player in Illinois basketball history to lead the team in scoring for three consecutive seasons, averaging 6.5, 5.8 and 7.9 points a game in 1925, ''26 and ''27, respectively. I followed Ray Woods and Chuck Carney as the third UI player to twice be honored as an All-Big Ten first-team selection. I started at forward for Coach Craig Ruby and served as his captain in 1927. I''m one of Streator''s greatest prep players.
UI coaches go out of their way to make fashion sense
CHAMPAIGN – Bruce Weber might be styling when he dons his orange sport coat, but when you want to talk about style, look no further than Illinois assistant coach Wayne McClain.
If you''re wondering who''s considered the best dressed on the Illini coaching staff, it''s really no contest.
Cardinals, Illini take out trash
Since Sunday, Bruce Weber has been picking brains.
He has called, it seems, every coach he knows who''s ever been to the Final Four, asking about hotels and tickets and how long a leash to give his players.
Liquor restrictions intended to keep celebrations under control
CHAMPAIGN – Alcohol will still flow in Campustown on Saturday, the day the Illini will face Louisville in the Final Four of the NCAA basketball tournament.
But the beer and mixed drinks will be in plastic or paper cups in Campustown bars. And there will be some other restrictions, including later opening hours for Campustown bars and restrictions on package alcohol sales in bottles.
Facility marks 25th year with free screenings
WATSEKA – The Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department, which was launched in 1980, is marking its 25th anniversary by offering several free health screenings and services in April.
All services and handouts, with the exception of a free CPR class, will be available at both public health offices at 235 N. Taft, Paxton, and 114 N. Third, Watseka.
Illini''s ''instant classic'' earns an instant replay
Forgot to set the timer on the VCR? Haven''t been willing to pony up for TiVo?
Russ Hamilton''s got your back.
Obama seeks funding jump for Pell Grants
University of Illinois student Marcus Wheeler has money problems. He is among the growing number of students who can't avoid having thousands of dollars of debt when they graduate.
"Right now, I am taking out $2,000 a year on loans," said Wheeler of Galesburg, a sophomore. "I want to become a high school teacher, so I am not going into a job that makes a lot of money to pay back those loans. If my Pell Grant was bigger, I wouldn't have to worry about debt."
AD jobs now off proposed list of cuts
CHAMPAIGN – In the face of public backlash, school officials on Wednesday backed off their initial recommendation to eliminate athletic directors at both high schools.
At a special meeting Wednesday, board members and administrators also fielded objections by many of about 60 community and staff members who came to defend programs and people on a list of cuts released earlier this month, chief among them the athletic directors and a third counselor at Jefferson Middle School.
Administrator gives resignation
URBANA – The administrator of the Champaign County Nursing Home for the past five years has resigned, effective May 5.
Jeremy Maupin, 31, administrator of the nursing home since February 2000, submitted his letter of resignation on March 22.
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