The News-Gazette.com State and Regional

State and Regional

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Book looks at 150 years of nature, change

The modern story of the plants, animals and insects of Illinois is also the story of the Illinois Natural History Survey.

And it is the story of people and their impact on the landscape.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Community comes through for A Woman's Place

URBANA – Tara Bossert was almost in tears as she opened the mail at A Woman's Place – not in frustration over the agency's financial problems, but in gratitude for generous donors.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Tribute to 'a bright young officer'

ST. JOSEPH – As the winner of two Bronze Stars and a veteran of campaigns in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, Maj. David L. Audo's service to his country earned tributes from Gov. Pat Quinn and top-ranking Army officers.

But at the funeral Thursday, the most tears were shed when a 9-year-old boy spoke about his father.

October saw state's tax revenue continue to fall

SPRINGFIELD – Tax revenue to state government continued to tumble in October, a report by the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability says.

Overall state tax-source revenue declined 10.5 percent, continuing a trend that began more than a year ago. The steepest drop continues to be in sales tax collections, which were down 15 percent, or $90 million, from the October 2008 collections. The $515 million in sales tax revenue last month is the lowest amount in seven years. The state had $505 million in sales tax revenue in October 2002.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

A Woman's Place shelter in dire financial straits

UPDATE at 3:51 p.m.:

CHAMPAIGN — The United Way of Champaign County is providing an emergency payment of $18,000 to A Woman’s Fund to allow the organization to remain in operation.

Friends gather in Mahomet to remember stabbing victim

MAHOMET – Hundreds of community members and friends gathered in Mahomet Wednesday evening to share stories and celebrate the life of Holly Cassano, the 22-year-old mother who was killed in her home earlier this week.

Surrounded by trees bedecked with ribbons, friends holding candles shared laughs and tears as they consoled one another over the loss of Cassano.

2009 spokesfamily talks about positive impact of DSC

PHILO – Most days, Stephanie Oates is fine.

She's blessed with a beautiful, bright-eyed 3-year-old son who is doted on by his older sister and (usually) his older brother.

AREA UPDATE

Area update

Rantoul airport reopens after runway repairs

RANTOUL – The Rantoul National Aviation Center has reopened after being closed for two months for repairs to a runway intersection.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

State budget crisis endangers A Woman's Place

URBANA – A Woman's Place could become the latest casualty of the state budget crisis.

The county's only shelter for victims of domestic violence is down to a skeleton staff of six and may have to close if it doesn't get a past-due state payment soon, officials said Thursday.

State shortfall may spell furloughs at UI

URBANA – The University of Illinois has so far seen only $400,000 of $317 million it is owed by the state, leading to a virtual hiring freeze and the possibility of furloughs.

AREA UPDATE

Area update

Sidney board schedules 2nd meeting on sewer proposal

SIDNEY – On the heels of a well-attended and heated meeting, Sidney officials have scheduled another informational meeting on a proposed sanitary sewer system.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Urbana library offers home history online

URBANA – More than 800 pictures, title abstracts and maps showing the history of homes and neighborhoods in Champaign County are available online through the Urbana Free Library.

"Historic Champaign County Neighborhoods and Homes" is seen as a "first phase of a portal" to a digital record of the county, according to Anke Voss, director of the historical Champaign County archive at the library.

Danville alderman to run for Black's seat

Veteran Danville Alderman Michael Puhr on Friday filed petitions to run as a Democrat for state representative in the 104th House District.

For now, Puhr has no Democratic Party opposition. One Republican, former Catlin Mayor Chad Hays, also has filed to run in the district that includes almost all of Vermilion County and much of eastern Champaign County. The filing period for the Feb. 2 primary election ends Monday.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Today's trick-or-treat hours

Arcola, 6 to 8 p.m.

Belgium, 4 to 8 p.m.

Friday, October 30, 2009

$20 million loan announced for C-U sanitary expansion

CHAMPAIGN – The Urbana and Champaign Sanitary District is getting a $20 million interest-free loan from the state to pay for environmental projects to improve the wastewater system.

Emergency official urges residents to sign up for alerts

URBANA – If you are interested in warnings about tornadoes, floods, other severe weather, fires, hazardous materials spills and other emergencies in Champaign County, you can get them as e-mails, or as text messages on cell phones, through the Champaign County Emergency Management Agency.

Agency Director Bill Keller said 1,200 people have signed up for the county's MyStateUSA Alertsense emergency alert system since it was launched in June.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Rain record set in 1941 could be washed away

CHAMPAIGN – With 7.16 inches of rain reported so far this month at the Illinois State Water Survey station in south Champaign, this is already the fifth-wettest October on record.

And there's "an outside chance," said WILL chief meteorologist Ed Kieser, that the all-time record of 9.01 inches, set in 1941, could be broken.

State attorney general chides Danville panel

DANVILLE – The Illinois Attorney General's Office has found the city of Danville in violation of the Illinois Open Meetings Act for action taken at a public works committee meeting in April.

Kids learn about dangers of drugs, alcohol, tobacco

CHAMPAIGN – Teens and younger children competed in a trivia contest at the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club on Wednesday, but it wasn't just fun and games.

A sample question: The most commonly abused drug in the United States is a) marijuana, b) alcohol, c) cocaine, d) heroin. (Answer: a).

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Applications for Christmas assistance being accepted

DANVILLE – The Danville Salvation Army will take applications for Christmas assistance beginning Monday and running through Dec. 4.

Applications for food and toy assistance are taken from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and 9 to 11 a.m. Fridays at the Salvation Army office, 855 E. Fairchild St.

Volunteers sought to help people complete tax forms

DANVILLE – AARP is seeking volunteers in the Danville area to help middle- and low-income taxpayers complete their federal and state income tax forms for 2009.

Volunteers will assist with preparing and electronic filing of tax returns. Training is free, and volunteers are asked to serve a minimum of three hours per week from Feb. 1 through April 15.

AREA UPDATE

Subdivision will not get work from city crews

VILLA GROVE – City workers will not be completing a list of repairs needed to move the Pheasant Point subdivision into the next phase of development.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Candidates begin filing for February primary

Republicans will have a three-way race for county board in District 1 in northwest Champaign County in the Feb. 2 primary election.

With candidate filings beginning Monday morning, incumbent Chris Doenitz of rural Mahomet brought his candidacy petitions Monday morning to the Champaign County clerk's office, as did challengers Stephanie Holderfield and Gary Maxwell, both of Mahomet.

Soldier killed in Afghanistan back home in Rantoul

The Rantoul community welcomed Sgt. Christopher Rudzinski home Sunday.

Sgt. Rudzinski, 28, who served in the Army, died Oct. 16 from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while on patrol near Kandahar, Afghanistan.

It marked his fourth deployment to an area of conflict. He previously had served one tour of duty in Kosovo and two in Iraq. Sgt. Rudzinski was assigned to a military police brigade based at Fort Stewart, Ga.

Family of girl found in landfill once called Paxton home

PAXTON – The mother and grandparents of a 7-year-old girl who was found dead last week in a Georgia landfill used to live in Paxton.

Janeene Bradley of Rantoul said the family of Somer Thompson of Orange Park, Fla., has been in shock since investigators discovered the suburban Jacksonville, Fla., child's body under trash in a landfill near the Florida-Georgia state line Wednesday.

DACC board considering bond issue as insurance

DANVILLE – Earlier this year, Danville Area Community College officials had to borrow money from the college's working-cash fund to keep operations going – because of not one but two late state funding payments, totaling about $2 million.

Now faced with even more uncertainty as to when this year's state payments will arrive, DACC trustees on Tuesday could take steps to ensure that the college doesn't run out of money this spring.

Danville residents invited to join tree-planting program

DANVILLE – Next month, the city will be planting trees around town, and residents can boost the city's tree-planting efforts by getting involved in the Leaf A Legacy program.

Since 2003, the city's Pride Grows Program has offered individuals, businesses, organizations and others the opportunity to buy a Leaf A Legacy tree that's planted in a city park or other city property and marked with a plaque.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Vermilion County men taking charge with vehicles

DANVILLE – Every day, Judge Michael Clary drives his 2001 Ford Ranger truck to work with the "check engine" light shining, but never "checks" his engine.

He's not worried.

His truck has no engine.

It also has no exhaust system, no gas tank and no radiator.

The truck looks like any other Ford Ranger, but runs on an electric motor and 24 six-volt golf cart batteries – six under the hood and 18 in the truck bed – that weigh about 65 pounds each. Open the gas cap door to fill 'er up, and there's an electrical plug.

The circuit judge bought the truck in March, gutted it, and from April to August spent most nights and weekends in his garage transforming it into an all-electric vehicle.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Paxton among 30 DCFS offices set to close

PAXTON – The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is closing 30 of its offices across the state, including one in Paxton, as a cost-cutting measure that DCFS officials stressed would have no impact on the services the department provides.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Carle Foundation Hospital offers to buy Carle Clinic

URBANA – Carle Foundation Hospital has offered to purchase Carle Clinic and its subsidiary, Health Alliance Medical Plans, for $250 million, according to documents filed with the state this week.

Funds or no funds, Lincoln Hall renovation fete is on

URBANA – University of Illinois officials are planning to celebrate the beginning of the restoration of Lincoln Hall on Friday – even though the long-anticipated project is still without a primary funding source.

March set for today in Champaign

CHAMPAIGN – Young people from Champaign-Urbana will march and speak out today against police brutality and harassment.

Aaron Ammons, co-founder of C-U Citizens for Peace and Justice, said the group will march with students beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday starting at the Illinois Terminal, 45 E. University Ave., C, and ending at the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club, 201 E. Park Ave., C.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Fraser to say goodbye on Thursday evening

CHAMPAIGN – There's a strong chance Judy Fraser's eyes will be partly cloudy Thursday evening.

That's when the popular WCIA-TV weathercaster makes her last regularly scheduled appearance on the 6 p.m. news.

Officials say resignation was right move for UI

URBANA – An admissions scandal, years in the making, had many expecting Richard Herman to resign as chancellor since last month, when Urbana's faculty-student senate voted to recommend that both he and the president of the University of Illinois step down.

The Sept. 14 resolution, approved 98-55, called for an orderly transition. Less than two weeks later, on Sept. 23, UI President B. Joseph White obliged by exiting first.

Friends say soldier was determined to serve his country

RANTOUL – From grade school on, Army Sgt. Christopher Rudzinski was ready to serve, say those who knew him in Rantoul.

Sgt. Rudzinski, 28, died Friday from injuries sustained when a bomb detonated near his vehicle near Kandahar, Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense. He had been assigned to a military police brigade based in Fort Stewart, Ga.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Herman resigns; Ikenberry, Easter to assume duties

URBANA – The University of Illinois made it official Tuesday: Chancellor Richard H. Herman will resign his campus leadership position effective Oct. 26 and return to teaching.

Meanwhile, Interim President Stanley Ikenberry and interim Provost Robert Easter will assume many of Herman's duties, possibly for several months.

Herman's letter to the campus

It has been the great privilege of my life to serve for 11 years as your
Provost and Chancellor. I will not reiterate the complicated and agonizing
steps that have brought us to this place, except to say that I regret the
circumstances. I'm confident that Illinois will be stronger for all that
we have learned from the controversy.

New convention bureau director selected

CHAMPAIGN – Jayne DeLuce thinks her new job as executive director of the Champaign County Convention & Visitors Bureau should fit her well.

DeLuce, who is scheduled to start Nov. 16, said she has a "passion" for the community, a marketing background and a career tied to tourism.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Rantoul soldier killed in vehicle attack in Afghanistan

RANTOUL – A Rantoul serviceman serving in Afghanistan died on Friday after the enemy attacked his vehicle.

The Department of Defense announced on Sunday night that Sgt. Christopher M. Rudzinski, 28, of Rantoul died near Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Paxton women planning events for heart campaign

PAXTON – Two Paxton women are organizing events in October to benefit the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign to fight women's heart disease.

Romanna Williams and Dawn Atkinson are organizing the second annual Red Dress Benefit at the Tin Pan Alley on Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Impounds -- and fees -- used to stop repeat scofflaws

Cities across central Illinois have adopted ordinances requiring drivers who commit certain offenses to pay hundreds of dollars to get their seized vehicles back, and the fees are raising money for those cities.

But police stressed that the purpose of the fees is not to make money, but to deter crime.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Gee whiz! The Beav makes a Danville stop

DANVILLE – Robin Johnson made an unexpected stop at the Danville Public Library on Thursday after driving by and seeing a big orange bus promoting prescription help.

Even more unexpected was seeing the prescription program's spokesman sitting in the lobby.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Georgetown high school, junior high miss state goals

GEORGETOWN – School officials learned Tuesday that too many high-school and junior-high-school students in the district underperformed on standardized state tests last spring for their schools to meet the state's adequate yearly progress goals.

Mary Miller Junior High School failed to meet the goals in reading, and Georgetown-Ridge Farm High School failed to meet the goals in both math and reading. Mary Miller Junior High met its goals last year, but this is the second year in a row that Georgetown-Ridge Farm High has not.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Gibson City veterans memorial receives state award

GIBSON CITY - The Drummer Creek Veterans Memorial on Gibson City's west side has received a 2009 Governor's Home Town Award.

The veterans memorial is near Illinois 9, at the southeast corner of Drummer Cemetery on Gibson City's west side. It was dedicated on Veterans Day last year.

The memorial cost $125,000 and was paid for entirely with donations.

Ford County's new budget is $272,155 in the red

PAXTON – Ford County Board members have approved a fiscal 2010 budget with a significant deficit – not for the first time and probably not the last time, according to officials.

The budget projects a deficit of $272,155 in the county's general fund, according to Ford County Treasurer Nancy Krumwiede. For the past two years, income has barely exceeded expenses.

Monday, October 12, 2009

A state lawmaker's worst bill? The one marked 'unpaid'

To the long list of contractors, vendors and other businesses awaiting payment from the state of Illinois, you can add state legislators and the people they do business with.

The owner of the building where state Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville, has his Danville office hasn't been paid since June. Same with the landlord of Democratic state Rep. Naomi Jakobsson's Champaign office. State Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said he had his trash-hauling service cut off for a number of days because of the nonpayment of bills.

Ficklin Road in Douglas County to be closed for work

Drivers using Ficklin Road in Douglas County may need to plan to take alternative routes this week.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that Ficklin Road will be closed at the CSX Transportation Railroad crossing in Ficklin, west of Tuscola, for three to five days starting on Wednesday.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

UI has funny way of showing it has 'no secrets'

Earlier this year, University of Illinois President B. Joseph White appeared before an Illinois House committee and pledged that the university would be open and transparent when dealing with the public.

"We're a public university. There should be no secrets," he said.