Parks & Recreation

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Monticello council considers putting pool question on ballot

MONTICELLO – The Monticello City Council is considering putting a question on the April ballot that asks residents whether they want to move ahead with construction of a new swimming pool. Council members on Monday looked at conceptual designs for a possible replacement pool, estimated to cost about $3 million.

With $1 million of the project expected to be paid through a 10-year loan, the remaining cost would require a 20-year bond approved through a public referendum.

Sidney group that organizes events gets new leaders

SIDNEY – A volunteer group that organizes community events is under new leadership.

The village board Monday approved the appointments of Melissa Guidas as president, Nikki Roberts as vice president and Mandy Marlow as secretary/treasurer of the Sidney Improvement Group. Traci Cokley recently stepped down from the presidency of the group.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Programs for kids help fill gap until classes restart

Drive through the University of Illinois campus, and it's easy to think of Champaign-Urbana as a ghost town.

But though schools are closed, many businesses are open, leaving the parents who work at those businesses with a challenge: What to do with the kids?

Sunday, December 28, 2008

On Lincoln's Trail: Danville woman provides memory lane for walks

Roberta Allen of Danville is extremely proud of her Moonwalk T-shirt. No, it has nothing to do with Michael Jackson.

Allen earned her shirt when her walking club accepted a challenge from a Peoria club to see who could walk the most miles between April and June in the evenings. Allen took first place for the Ridgewalkers Walking Club, a chapter of the American Volkssport Association.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Area man's love of sports inspires new venture - building courts

CHAMPAIGN – Jon Fisher's new business is building basketball courts, and the former Unity High School basketball player feels he has found his sweet spot.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Oakwood sixth-grader gets honor for Kickapoo work

DANVILLE – Ryce Tuggle's initiative to help save Kickapoo State Park also helped her land an award.

The Oakwood sixth-grader is one of 26 people statewide who are set to receive Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn's Environmental Hero Award on Tuesday in an afternoon ceremony in Chicago. She's the only one in Champaign or Vermilion counties to receive the award this year.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, how you've worn out your welcome...

By this time of the season, we've all heard the song praising the Christmas tree and its lovely branches.

But hang onto that tree too long, and it will cease to be lovely as it dries out, sheds on your floors and becomes a fire hazard.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Deadline nears for swimming pool safety measures

Urbana's indoor pool has been retrofitted to meet a Saturday deadline on new drain safety standards.

The Bush administration ordered public swimming pools and hot tubs to close after today if they do not have new drain covers designed to prevent drowning; the requirements are intended to keep children from getting sucked onto pool and spa drains under water.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

State park businesses, users pin hopes on return of funding

Kelly Bland said her telephone hasn't stopped ringing since she learned that Gov. Rod Blagojevich had been arrested.

Bland, the owner of Wolf Creek Riding Stables, recently had to close her horseback- riding operation when Blagojevich closed Wolf Creek State Park near Windsor as part of state budget cuts.

Renovation of aging Monticello swimming pool sought

MONTICELLO – A group of local residents has asked the Monticello City Council to consider renovating the aging swimming pool and ask voters to approve a tax hike in the spring to pay for it.

"We are here to ask the council to consider putting together a referendum for the people to vote on," said Rhonda Sinkosky. "We are looking for a more grassroots approach and are willing to get the community involved because we feel the pool is an important aspect to our community."