area update

Ford County looking to expand jail capacity

PAXTON – Just as its jail bonds were paid off this year, Ford County may be looking to put nearly $1 million into a renovation of the facility in order to board more prisoners.

Ford County Board members approved spending up to $6,500 for a feasibility study by Moorhead-Gruber Architects of Champaign. The study would indicate the possibility and cost estimate for converting two eight-man dorms at the jail into five two-man cells and one four-man cell, according to plans outlined by Sheriff Mark Doran, who also gave the rough cost estimate.

Board Chairman Rick Bowen said there would likely be a $200,000 annual increase in prisoner boarding revenue if the additional cells were constructed. Doran said the prisoner boarding fee is $55 per day, and prisoners would likely come from both the U.S. Marshall Service and Cook County.

"I have Cook County wanting to send 10 prisoners right now, but I can't do it," Doran told board members.

Doran said the space in question is currently underused, although it has been used in the past for overflow or work-release prisoners. The current space is limited by the inability to lock down individual prisoners, he said.

The board also granted final approval for Ford Ridge Wind Farm, a 67-tower, 100-megawatt wind farm in the Sibley area that is under development by BP Wind Energy North America.

Zoning Officer Larry Knilands said the application met all 13 standards and received prior approval from both the Ford County Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.

Roger Brown, business developer for BP, said the next step is negotiating road agreements with township officials for the construction phase, which is expected to begin late next year or early in 2011.

JEAN NOELLSCH, N-G Correspondent

Homer Village Board

Sewer project going ahead despite doubts

HOMER – Mayor David Lucas said the village is moving forward with its $10 million sewer project, in spite of an uncertain economic climate that may delay or even nix a promised $5 million grant from the Illinois EPA.

Lucas said that after meeting with state Rep. Bill Black (R-Danville) and IEPA representative Jeff Anders, he feels confident that the state agency is committed to seeing the project through. Lucas said the grant money hinges on bond sales that are not likely to happen before the second quarter of 2010, when the state budget is finalized.

If the state never pays out the grant, the IEPA has offered a contingency plan to make sure the project is completed. IEPA has guaranteed a zero-percent interest loan for the full cost of the project, if the village acts now.

Lucas said by moving forward now, the village also qualifies for $1 million in federal stimulus funding, money that won't be available later. He said the project will never be cheaper, and if the village doesn't move forward now, it may never get a sewer system.

"If we don't do the sewer, we still have a problem. To get the Unsewered Community Grant, we essentially had to turn ourselves in. Many homes are discharging illegally into the storm sewer, and those homeowners would have to correct that at great personal cost," Lucas said.

Sodemann and Associates have put the monthly cost of debt repayment and sewer operation and maintenance at $40.16 per household, if all funding comes through and the balance is borrowed at zero percent. The per-household cost could go as low as $27 a month if TIF funds are applied to a portion of construction costs, said Lucas. But that figure will shoot up to about $90 per household if the IEPA grant falls through and the project is funded fully by the zero-percent interest loan. Lucas said that represents a larger burden than many Homer residents can carry. In that worst-case scenario, the village – unable to pay – would have to restructure the note and might have to forfeit the zero interest loan.

Bidding on the project is under way. If the bids come in at or below the projected cost, the village will issue its intent to award the contract in December. The IEPA would then need to review and approve the contractor's bid before Jan. 17 in order for the village to qualify for federal stimulus dollars, said Lucas.

by SIV SCHWINK

News-Gazette Correspondent

oakwood village board

Underage drinking, smoking a concern

OAKWOOD – In July, state police caught a clerk at the Oakwood Colonial Pantry selling alcohol to an underage, undercover agent.

Now the village board wonders if it needs to launch its own undercover operations.

The Illinois Liquor Commission already imposes a $500 fine on a business when such a crime takes place. The clerk faces charges, and depending on company policy, is usually terminated. In light of the Colonial Pantry incident, Mayor Tom Cook said he is concerned about the village's reputation. The current wording of the village's liquor ordinance prohibits sales to minors, but does not specify any penalties. Cook said he wants to fill that void with a village fine of $500 to $1,000, and possible suspension of the liquor license. He said he's concerned that the state-imposed fines are not enough to deter clerks from selling to minors.

The board will also be investigating the legality of conducting its own underage, undercover operations to investigate the selling of alcohol and tobacco to minors. Village attorney Stephen Miller will look into the state's liquor laws to see what the village board can do legally.

In other news, village residents will be asked to check YES or NO on an upcoming water bill. The question they will be answering is whether they are in favor of a village recycling program financed by a $2 monthly fee. Letters will go out with further explanation.

CATHERINE FIELD, N-G Correspondent

villa grove holidays

'Santa House' planned for next month

VILLA GROVE – Santa Claus will be visiting with children at the Santa House in Villa Grove starting Dec. 5 this holiday season.

Children can give Santa their wish list from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first three Saturdays in December.

Santa will arrive at the house on Main Street escorted by Villa Grove firefighters on their firetruck each day. All children will receive candy and a picture with Santa.

AMY ROSE, N-G Correspondent

rantoul vigil

Candlelight gathering set for Saturday

RANTOUL – Celebrate Our Towns and Our Children is the title of a candlelight vigil set for 6 p.m. Saturday at the Rantoul Township High School football field.

It is sponsored by the RTHS Parents Advisory Committee and the Risk Intervention Subcommittee.

The candlelight vigil is designed to show support for and celebrate area communities and children.

Participants are asked to bring their candles or flashlights to the track.

Dr. Janet Koroscik, RTHS superintendent, will give opening remarks.

The Rev. Nathan Feig of American Lutheran Church will give the opening and closing prayers.

Speakers will be Margurette Carter of Rantoul, the Rev. Nelson Cuevas of Cultivators Mission Center, the Rev. Carol Lakota Eastin of First United Methodist Church, Rantoul Police Chief Paul Farber, Helen Lewis of Rantoul, Lincoln's Challenge Director Peter Thomas and RTHS senior class President Marrison Worthington.

The RTHS band, RTHS chorus and music director Allison Allender will provide music.

Rantoul Press, www.rantoulpress.com