December 2010
Entrepreneur talks about lessons learned
CHAMPAIGN – One of the founders of SolarBridge Technologies says he learned some valuable lessons in the seven years since the company was founded.
One of them, ironically, was that for certain entrepreneurs, the lowest risk is to "bet all of your chips" on one product.
Another lesson learned by SolarBridge co-founder Patrick Chapman: Move quickly.
Primary in Danville mayor race: $50,000 to eliminate one candidate
DANVILLE – With five candidates in the race for Danville mayor, a February primary is necessary.
But it will cost taxpayers $50,000-$60,000 and narrow the field by just one candidate, heading into the April 5 consolidated election, according to Barbara Dreher, director of the Danville Election Commission.
Reports of crime
In crimes reported to area police:
CHAMPAIGN
– 900 block of Meijer Drive: Wallet, driver's license, identification items and a credit card reported missing Tuesday.
– 1600 block of Rion Drive: 1998 Chevy truck with a German shepherd left in the back stolen Tuesday.
Gifford school board abates some property taxes
GIFFORD – Gifford property taxpayers won't be paying toward the bonds for the Gifford school district next year.
That's because the school board will abate that amount ($143,343), using proceeds from the 1 percent Champaign County sales tax.
Prairieview-Ogden explores options for turbine
ROYAL – Prairieview-Ogden school board members want to get the most bang for their buck if they have a wind turbine built to provide electricity for PVO South Elementary School in Ogden.
Because of that, they asked if some alterations could be made to the turbine.
Tate: Big Ten not as good as advertised
CHAMPAIGN – Bruce Weber's Illini are munching this weekend on a heaping helping of humility.
On the verge of cracking the Top 10 in thoroughly confused national polls, the Illini fizzled on trips to Chicago and St. Louis like water-soaked firecrackers. The reasons were different, but each was a last-minute disaster ... losses by 57-54 to UIC and 75-64 to Missouri.
Snowplows ready for storm to hit
Updated 11:50 a.m. Friday
Snow has begun falling in Champaign-Urbana, and area snowplow drivers are on alert.
Kroner: Plenty of gifts for under the tree
Generally, I don't wait until the last minute to do things. I arrive early for the games I cover. I finish my stories before the copy editors yell to wrap it up. I mail Christmas cards within a week of Thanksgiving.
Clearly, however, there are exceptions. I haven't yet submitted my "2010 wish list" to Santa.
This is one deadline I will barely make.
Snowfall may create hazardous travel
From the National Weather Service:
"A weather disturbance will track across the Midwest late Thursday night through Friday night, producing a wide area of snow for central Illinois.
"The snow is expected to start late Thursday night north Of Peoria and eventually expand across the remainder of central and southeast Illinois friday afternoon.
5 O'Clock Shadow
Troy Gentle’s weekly update on the five players headed Bruce Weber’s way and the five players headed Jolette Law’s way:
Social Media
