Agriculture
Champaign County group hopes farmers reach for the STAR
CHAMPAIGN — If a homeowner wants an energy-efficient washing machine, they can look for an Energy Star appliance.
If a college wants to show that it's newest building is "green," it can be certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, program.
Heritage students are Broadlands Festival's big winners
BROADLANDS — Saturday's annual Broadlands Festival will offer numerous chances for attendees to help raise money for Heritage students.
The Heritage Performing Arts program will put on a 5K race during the festival, with participants starting at the high school, then running through town and into the country before finishing back at the school.
Solar-farm proposals flare up after Champaign County's zoning change
Since the Champaign County Board signed off on the process for establishing solar farms two weeks ago, applications from would-be operators have been flowing in.
All told, four developers are pitching a total of seven such projects — three in rural St. Joseph, three in rural Sidney and one in rural Ludlow.
Here's a synopsis, starting with a map of the proposed locations:
Go figure, Sept. 6, 2018
A numerical look at local headlines:
$1,500
Estimated cost of replacing a metal panel in an elevator at the Illini Union.
The reason: Someone scratched a swastika — about 2 inches in size, says UIPD's PATRICK WADE — into a mirror-like panel.
Reps. Davis, Shimkus weigh in on Trump tariffs, trade, health care
TOLONO — Rodney Davis answered a farmer's question with one of his own.
Asked during a recent audience with Champaign County Farm Bureau members for his take on tariffs and trade wars, the Republican U.S. representative countered with: "Who thinks the Trump administration is going to get you a better deal?"
Most hands in the room shot up.
Just Askin' | Wildfires' wide reach
Q: How does wildfire smoke from California make it to Illinois?
A: Simple, University of Illinois weather professor Jeff Frame said: "These fires can create smoke flumes thousands of feet, sometimes tens of thousands of feet into the atmosphere."
Most area farmers OK with not having a lot of cover
TUSCOLA — Cover crops are often touted as one of the best ways for farmers to reduce runoff and conserve nutrients in their soils.
But so far, only a small percent of farmers use the practice on their fields.
Shop & Chats
Login to shop for Deals and books or to chat.