State and Regional

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Carlock's early residents took partisanship to the grave

CARLOCK – Something more than solace lured me through the small town of Carlock to two cemeteries on its north side.

Sure, the two small parcels, less than a quarter mile from each other on opposite sides of the rural road, have the same peaceful characteristics of any other rural cemetery.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Area jobless rates are on the rise

CHAMPAIGN – Area unemployment rates, which jumped in June, remained high in July, according to figures released this week by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

Champaign County's unemployment rate stood at 6.4 percent in July, down from 6.5 percent in June. But several other area counties saw slight upticks in their rates.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Signs will point out historic Lincoln locations

MAHOMET – Abraham Lincoln worked or stayed in St. Joseph, Homer, Mahomet, Urbana and Champaign, and on Monday the state will be putting historic displays up saying just that.

Cheryl Kennedy, the director of the Early American Museum in Mahomet, said volunteers will be erecting the wayside signs in advance of Lincoln's 200th birthday next February. They're part of the first round of a statewide project, the Looking for Lincoln Coalition, which has already started looking at its next group of sites.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Land near Allerton Park to remain untouched after state buys it

MONTICELLO – The state has bought 151 acres of forest near Allerton Park and intends to do essentially nothing with it – to the benefit of hunters, canoeists and wildlife.

The University of Illinois hadn't been doing anything with it, either, keeping one of the few woodland remnants in Piatt County in much the same condition as longtime owner Robert Allerton did. (Six acres of it have been farmed).

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Proposed contract changes get mixed reaction in Homer

HOMER – Mayor David Lucas' recommendation that village trustees restructure the tax increment funding contract with developers of the proposed Heritage Ranch subdivision has received a mixed reaction from trustees.

The proposed changes to the contract would increase the total possible reimbursement to $687,000. The original redevelopment contract, approved last February, was for a maximum of $600,000. Lucas' proposal would also change the reimbursement schedule to a sliding scale, giving Gordon Highlander-LLC a greater proportion of TIF dollars earned on the development in the first years of property sales.

American Eagle to offer Dallas flights from Bloomington

CHAMPAIGN – Travelers in East Central Illinois will have more options for flying to Dallas-Fort Worth, come November.

American Eagle Airlines plans to launch daily nonstop service from Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, beginning Nov. 2.

Gibson City OKs ordinance changes, increased fees

GIBSON CITY – The cost of having property that needs to be cleaned up, or that needs to be rezoned, is going up in Gibson City.

At Monday night's meeting, council members approved changes in ordinances, and fee increases.

Ford County hires zoning enforcement officer

PAXTON – At the recent Ford County Board meeting, Larry Knilands of Piper City was appointed as the county's first zoning enforcement officer for a six-month trial period beginning Aug. 13.

He will be paid $8.75 per hour for the part-time position with no benefits.

Fisher, developer near deal on streets for subdivision

FISHER – It appears an agreement is imminent between the village board and Heritage Estates developer Steve Zehr.

At a Tuesday meeting of the street, alley and drainage committee, Zehr and committee members reached an understanding of what Zehr will pay the village for portions of several streets in the subdivision that don't meet state standards for concrete thickness and one area where topsoil was evident in the subgrade.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Those wanting ballot questions will have to organize earlier

It just got harder to put a question to voters via annual township meetings.

Some local activists who have used the technique aren't too happy about that, calling it a "sad direction" for government. But others are just fine with it, saying it will end the "hijacking" of meetings.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Virginia Theatre could reap benefits from OTB

CHAMPAIGN – The Champaign Park District stands to reap about $50,000 a year if the local off-track betting parlor moves to Jupiter's at the Crossing in Champaign later this year as planned.

Park district Executive Director Bobbie Herakovich said local park districts are supposed to get a portion of revenues from OTBs, and she'll likely recommend the money go for ongoing renovation of the Virginia Theatre. But if the Urbana Park District's experience is any indication, the Champaign district shouldn't count its chickens too soon.

Tuesday at Illinois State Fair to showcase Monticello

Monticello residents will get the chance to show off their talents at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield this year since Tuesday, Aug. 12, has been declared "Monticello Day."

Monticello is the smallest community to be selected, said Callie Jo McFarland, Monticello's director of community development.

Little Theatre on Square features musical with Elvis hits

The Elvis Presley musical "All Shook Up!", which opened Wednesday at the Little Theatre on the Square, will close the theater's 51st summer mainstage season.

To be presented through Aug. 17, "All Shook Up!" is a jukebox musical featuring the music of Presley, with book by Joe DiPietro.

Land purchase for FutureGen project proceeding

MATTOON – The parties involved in attempting to bring the FutureGen clean power plant to Mattoon will finish buying the land next week.

Coles Together and the FutureGen Alliance are basically splitting the $6.5 million cost of about 400 acres that have potential to allow the storage of liquefied carbon dioxide deep underground.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Fate of proposed Homer subdivision up in air

Homer – The fate of a new Heritage Ranch Subdivision is still up in the air, thanks to the rising costs of development and a weak real estate market.

At a special meeting Monday night, the village board adopted an ordinance amendment, allowing oil and chip roads to be installed in new subdivisions. All other roads in the village are oil and chip, but current ordinance had required asphalt or cement for new subdivisions.

Tolono trustee complains about train noise

TOLONO – Mike Golish thinks noisy trains are the biggest quality-of-life issue facing Tolono.

The Tolono trustee Tuesday tried his best to convince his fellow village board members that they need to stifle that noise. Golish wants to hire village engineer David Happ to do an analysis of the changes need to create "quiet zones" in which train operators are relieved of a federal rule that requires that whistles be sounded every time a train approaches a railroad crossing.

Monticello council discusses traffic changes

MONTICELLO – Downtown Monticello may be in store for traffic changes.

Councilman Vince Kuetemeyer lobbied for members to consider prohibiting parking on the west side of North State Street during the council's study session on Monday.

Group wants to move Sidney Summer Fun Daze to park

SIDNEY – The village's annual summer festival may get a new home.

Sidney Summer Fun Daze, which is organized by the Sidney Improvement Group, has been held downtown for the last five years. Sidney Improvement Group member Keith Kropp approached the village board Monday to ask about the possibility of moving the event to Witt Park, which is in the northwest corner of the village.

Thomasboro looking at increasing water rates

THOMASBORO – A 20 percent water rate increase is being considered by the Thomasboro Village Board to offset the costs of needed repair work to the water tower.

Now, the minimum amount for residents is $7.50 per month for the first 1,000 gallons of water used and $1.75 per 1,000 gallons after. This has not been raised since 1999.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Farmer City residents get information on pedestrian path

FARMER CITY – A half-dozen residents from the Prairie Ridge subdivision on the city's southwestern edge attended Monday's Farmer City Council meeting to ask about plans for a foot or bike path to connect their homes to town without being forced to use Illinois 54.

Samantha Harnack of George Rock Drive questioned council members about official plans.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Builder's profits from home sale go to Big Brothers/Big Sisters

CHAMPAIGN – Jim Walder's heart is in the right place, according to Dick Dechert, president of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Illinois.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Heritage schools chief projects deficit for 2008-09

BROADLANDS – Heritage school district Superintendent Andrew Larson projects a deficit slightly under $50,000 for the 2008-09 fiscal year.

Larson said he anticipates a rise in operating costs above last year's, based on current trends. He said he budgeted increases of 12 percent for natural gas, 15 percent for electricity, 7 percent for food, 12 percent for health insurance and 30 percent for gasoline.

Driver killed in collision with pickup truck

GIBSON CITY – A 44-year-old Gibson City man was injured Thursday afternoon in a head-on collision that killed a La Grange Park woman.

Illinois State Police reported that Kathleen Lynn Hodgman, 48, was driving north on Illinois 47 about 4:10 p.m. when she pulled out to pass a van and a semitrailer truck, and hit a 1999 Ford pickup truck head-on. The collision occurred about two miles north of County Road 300 North.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Unit 7 board OKs price increase for meals, milk

TOLONO – Parents will pay more for their children to eat at the Unit 7 schools in the coming school year.

The school board Wednesday approved 15-cent increases in the cost of student and adult lunches, a 25-cent increase in the cost of student and adult breakfasts and a five-cent increase in the cost of milk.

Monticello schools chief gives budget updates

MONTICELLO – Things are looking up for the Monticello school district financially.

Superintendent Vic Zimmerman informed the school board on Tuesday that all funds finished in the black for fiscal year 2007-08. The education fund, building fund and working cash fund all finished over $1 million in the good while the transportation fund ended with $500,000.

Mahomet-Seymour proposal to reduce property taxes OK'd

MAHOMET – The Mahomet-Seymour Board of Education has agreed to work to reduce property taxes if Champaign County voters approve a 1 percent sales tax increase in the November election.

The board unanimously endorsed the proposal Tuesday; board member Max McComb was absent.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Ethanol plant in Gibson City ahead of schedule

GIBSON CITY – Work is moving along ahead of schedule on the ethanol plant being built here, according to its chief executive officer.

Steve Kelly, president of One Earth Energy, said Tuesday that work is under way on every section of the plant except the water treatment plant, which is currently under design. He said general contractor Fagen Inc. of Granite Falls, Minn., and its eight subcontractors have 250 employees currently working on site. Projections call for an increase to 400 workers before the plant's completion.

State drug-funding budget cuts mean layoffs, program cuts

URBANA – Local emergency rooms will likely find more drug addicts and alcoholics in distress at their doors in the wake of Illinois budget cuts that have trickled down to East Central Illinois.

Bruce Suardini, chief executive officer of Prairie Center Health Systems Inc., said at a news conference Wednesday that Thursday will be the last day its detox unit in downtown Champaign will accept new admissions.

Alliance Grain official pleased with 2007 results

GIBSON CITY – Joe Thompson told Alliance Grain shareholders that his first year as general manager was "full of both challenges and rewards."

Approximately 275 people attended the cooperative's annual meeting held Tuesday evening at Gibson City's North Park.

Tuesday night storms knock power out around area

CHAMPAIGN – Power crews restored service to most customers by early today after thunderstorms caused several power outages in the area Tuesday night.

Ameren Illinois Utilities spokesman Leigh Morris said there were only four customers in Champaign County and one in Vermilion County still without power as of 7:15 a.m. today.

Tolono board continues liquor law discussions

TOLONO – Village officials would like to see fewer problems with businesses in town that sell liquor. Though they don't yet agree on the best way to do that, they're working on it.

The village board on Tuesday held the second in a series of special meetings to update the village's liquor ordinance. The 19-page ordinance was last reviewed about 25 years ago.

Buckley officials agree to pay for half of project, with stipulation

BUCKLEY – The village board has agreed to spend $25,000 to help install a new drainage tile on a private property just outside of village limits, with the stipulation that a detailed written estimate is provided by the landowner.

Ronnie Weber, the landowner, requested the village help pay for half of the project's anticipated $50,000 cost. Weber provided Trustee Keith Hartke with an estimate, but it did not show an itemized list of expenses for the project, which the board had requested.

Monticello drainage surveys completed

MONTICELLO – City Superintendent Floyd Allsop has provided details on recent storm water drainage surveys that include the areas of Kirby Creek and Lone Beech.

According to the report, an initial survey has been completed and the recommendation is to address smashed and plugged ditches and culverts in the area. Storm tiles from Lone Beech to Kirby also need attention and small berms may be needed near the back of the homes along Kirby Creek.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Orange and Blue Festival in Gibson City to expand

GIBSON CITY – Plans are under way for the fourth annual Orange and Blue Festival in downtown Gibson City on the evenings of Aug. 14-16.

Officials discuss design plans for new library in Mahomet

MAHOMET – Plans for the new Mahomet Public Library are shaping up with some final adjustments.

Proposal on unlicensed vehicles in Villa Grove nixed

VILLA GROVE – Instead of writing a new city ordinance to ban unlicensed vehicles on the streets of Villa Grove, the city council decided Monday to try to work with the police department to do a better job of enforcing state laws already on the books.

The council also is urging citizens who witness illegal use of motorized vehicles, such as dirt bikes, go-carts and all-terrain vehicles to file an official complaint with the police department.

Grain companies plan merger

LUDLOW – The Ludlow Cooperative Elevator Co. and Danforth-Gilman Grain Co., Danforth, will officially combine operations on Friday, and operate as Ludlow Cooperative Elevator Co., according to a press release issued Monday.

"Both companies have served their area farmers/owners' grain handling needs for more than 100 years, and we look forward to building on our historical success as we work together to build an even more successful future," said Bruce Bastert, general manager, in the release.

Suit filed over controversial dirt bike track in Villa Grove

VILLA GROVE – The owners of a controversial dirt bike track in Villa Grove are taking their fight to have the property rezoned to court.

Nichelle and Brad Drew have filed a lawsuit in Douglas County court that claims Villa Grove city officials acted beyond their legal authority in refusing to allow a zoning amendment.