'Chef Ra' enjoyed the high life

Lots of people knew James Wilson Jr., whether they knew him as Jimmy Wilson, Urbana's three-sport star; Rasta James, the reggae promoter; H. Rap Wilson, the radical; or Chef Ra, the High Times food columnist.

"If you're from Urbana and you don't know him, you don't get out much," said Maarten De Witte, an old friend who usually called him Jim.

Also on this date

• Objections filed over 11 of 13 Champaign candidates
• No child left behind (aboard the school bus)
• December a warm one, but no record breaker
• Firefighters from Savoy put out blaze
• Offenders may get to trade their time for fines
• Officials concerned about abandoned properties
• Free smoking cessation classes being offered
• Reward offered for stolen wheels, tires
• Work on bridge's concrete deck expected to begin today
• Obituaries

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