State and Regional

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Illinois delegation hopeful about FutureGen's chances

WASHINGTON – Illinois lawmakers say they're feeling hopeful about the prospect of building FutureGen in Mattoon after a meeting Wednesday morning with President-Elect Barack Obama's nominee for energy secretary.

The Illinois delegation, including U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, R-Urbana, and Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, met with Steven Chu to bring him up to date about the clean-coal research power plant. The nominee was open to hearing about FutureGen, Durbin said in a conference call Wednesday afternoon.

$2 million arrives from state for Urbana schools

URBANA – Urbana schools got a long-overdue payment of more than $2 million from the state.

Carol Baker, the district's business manager, said at the Urbana school board meeting Tuesday that the payment came over the winter holidays. However, though the money brings the state closer to what it owes the school district, it's not yet even – and every month, the bills keep coming. In December, Baker said the state owed the district about $2.6 million.

Paxton signs salute those who serve

PAXTON – Adam Carlson got a surprise Christmas gift after arriving home for the holidays following his first semester at the U.S. Naval Academy.

"I was just driving downtown with my sister the first or second day I got back here, and she's like, 'Adam! Your name's on that sign,' and I was like, 'Oh, that's awesome,'" Carlson said.

Lincoln not the only one with big birthday this year

This year, you may have heard, marks the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.

Just as important, it's the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Kirby Avenue-Florida Avenue viaduct in south Champaign, the centennial of Tuscola's successful effort to retain its county seat and the silver anniversary of Champaign-Urbana's first shopping center.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Burris denied seat in Senate to succeed Obama

WASHINGTON (AP) – Roland Burris failed in his bid to take President-elect Barack Obama's Illinois Senate seat on Tuesday in a scripted piece of political theater staged just before the opening of the 111th Congress.

"Mr. Burris is not in possession of the necessary credentials from the state of Illinois," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said in his speech opening the new session of Congress.

Sullivan nursing home makes job cuts

SULLIVAN – It was New Year's Eve, and as the last hours of 2008 ticked away, the phone rang in the homes of several employees of the Mason Point nursing home in Sullivan.

Brenda Rambo wasn't home for the call. But when she got home, she had a message from interim Administrator Renee Bogard telling her they needed to talk before Rambo returned to her housekeeping job.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Man shot near Hoopeston landfill

RURAL HOOPESTON – The Vermilion County Sheriff's Department is investigating the shooting of a 28-year-old man Monday morning.

Sheriff Pat Hartshorn said the man was shot multiple times shortly before 9:57 a.m. near a landfill southeast of Hoopeston. The man's name and hometown were not immediately available.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Private firm taking over Sullivan nursing home

SULLIVAN – After 105 years, Illinois Masons have sold the former Illinois Masonic Home east of Sullivan to a private nursing home firm.

2008 was one soggy year; fourth wettest on record

Ice, snow, rain, freezing rain, ice, snow, rain, flood: This year's weather proved costly for East Central Illinois.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Tennessee firm gets 7-year deal for base cleanup

RANTOUL – A Tennessee engineering company has been awarded a seven-year contract to manage the clean-up of the former Chanute Air Force Base.

Air Force Real Property Agency Environmental Coordinator Paul Carroll said on Friday that the Air Force has awarded a $38.7 million contract to Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure in Knoxville, Tenn.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Ice going away, but fog and floods may move in

Ice was melting today as temperatures warmed, but fog and flooding replaced it as new travel dangers.

A dense fog advisory and another for flash floods were issued Friday.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Tolono hires firm to assess need for TIF agreement

TOLONO – Village officials are investing $15,000 to help them decide what kind of tax break to give a housing developer.

The village board Tuesday hired Foth Infrastructure & Environment LLC to review the construction cost and analyze the need for a tax increment financing agreement for the Kinderwood South subdivision's third phase.

Villa Grove panel looks to put sales tax back on ballot

VILLA GROVE – The Douglas County emergency services sales tax may have new life for the spring election, with the creation of a grass-roots committee to support putting the referendum proposal back on the ballot.

Villa Grove Aldermen Mike Akers and Lois Wilson have been meeting with entities currently served by the Villa Grove ambulance service to brainstorm ideas and gain support for the area ambulance service.

Storm sewer project will lead to big jump in Gibson City bills

GIBSON CITY – City council members on Monday authorized filing a plan with the Illinois EPA for mandated storm sewer separation that is estimated to cost a total of $2.8 million.

Those costs will mean an eventual 59 percent increase in residents' monthly sewer bills.

Tuscola reports increase in sales tax income

TUSCOLA – While the economy is sputtering in many parts of East Central Illinois, Tuscola may be a notable exception.

According to sales tax data, people are shopping more in Tuscola than ever.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Illinois Gov. Blagojevich: 'I will fight'

CHICAGO (AP) – In an unwavering statement of innocence, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Friday he will be vindicated of criminal corruption charges and has no intention of letting what he called a "political lynch mob" force him from his job.

"I will fight. I will fight. I will fight until I take my last breath. I have done nothing wrong," Blagojevich said, speaking for about three minutes in his first substantial public comments since his arrest last week on federal corruption charges.

Don't like the weather? It's going to get worse

If you've planned a weekend of gallivanting, you've picked the wrong weekend.

After a morning of what Alan Black, a climatologist at the Midwestern Regional Climate Center in Champaign, called "the double whammy of the treacherous roads and the fog" – with visibility only about 800 feet at Willard Airport in Champaign at about 8:30 a.m. – expect the weather to only get worse.

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.

Next G-RF schools leader has experience in district

GEORGETOWN – School officials named Greg Irwin, an area administrator who has taught in the district, as the new superintendent starting July 1, 2009.

Georgetown-Ridge Farm School Superintendent Kevin Tate has announced his intention to retire as superintendent effective June 30, 2009. He has spent 27 years with the district, the last 13 of them as superintendent.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Court rejects bid to remove Blagojevich; governor's attorney challenges panel

SPRINGFIELD (AP) – The Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to hear a claim that Gov. Rod Blagojevich is unfit to serve, erasing what could have been the quickest path to forcing him out of office as he faces federal charges.

Meanwhile, an attorney for the governor signaled that another path – impeachment – won't be easy. Ed Genson told the state House panel deciding whether to recommend impeachment that there's no evidence to back up claims that Blagojevich demanded kickbacks in exchange for a Senate appointment, and he dismissed the secretly recorded conversations that form the heart of the criminal case as "people jabbering."

Monday, December 15, 2008

Whatever Blagojevich's mental state, you get what you vote for

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich never lets his political foes see him sweat.

He'd publicly laugh off stories about criminal investigations that threatened to land him in prison.

Rantoul officials awaiting word on joining foreign trade zone

RANTOUL – Rantoul is one of two Illinois communities that could become foreign trade zones by March.

Rantoul Economic Development Director Robert Bruce said the federal commerce and treasury departments are scheduled to decide between now and March whether to approve the establishment of subzones in Rantoul and Galesburg as part of the Peoria-based Foreign Trade Zone 114.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Hard work on 4th house pays off for women's shelter

CHAMPAIGN – Let's just say this isn't a typical homeless shelter.

The kitchen is outfitted with modern cabinets and sleek black appliances. It opens onto a living room with leather furniture and wood laminate floors. The largest bedroom is a pink-and-white showpiece, complete with canopy, writing desk and wainscoting.

Friday, December 12, 2008

FutureGen Alliance buys land for plant near Mattoon

CHAMPAIGN – The FutureGen Alliance bought more than 400 acres of land Thursday to build the world's first clean coal-powered plant.

Officials plan to announce the move, along with results from a new geology test, at 10:30 a.m. today at Mattoon Schools Administrative Center.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

State worker to help people track down property

GIFFORD – Area residents can learn whether the state is holding lost, forgotten or abandoned funds or other property.

A representative from the state treasurer's office will be available to conduct searches from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Gordyville USA, 2205 County Road 3000N, Gifford.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Police warn: new wrinkle in credit card theft has hit town

URBANA – Three Chicago men are accused of using illegally altered credit cards, and a local investigator warns that the high-tech crime is a growing threat.

Arraigned Wednesday on charges of possession of altered credit cards were Sherrell Wayne, 31; Shaun Johnson, 29; and MiquelTharpe, 31, all of Chicago. Tharp also is charged with two counts of burglary and Wayne faces one burglary count. The burglary charges allege Tharpe and Wayne entered businesses with intent to commit felonies.

Farmer City woman dies in accident on U.S. 150

LeROY – A 23-year-old Farmer City woman died Wednesday after her vehicle rolled on U.S. 150 in rural LeRoy.

Amanda N. Isaacs, 23, was declared dead at the scene of the crash at 11:30 Wednesday morning. Law enforcement officials were dispatched at about 10:45 a.m. It happened about half a mile east of U.S. 136.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Former Governor Edgar calls on Blagojevich to step down

URBANA – Former Gov. Jim Edgar today called on Rod Blagojevich to step down and said the charges against the current governor are unprecedented even in a state with a history of political corruption.

Blagojevich has a serious problem with public trust and "I don't think he's going to be able to govern this state," Edgar said.

Frerichs says he'll push impeachment if governor won't resign

One area legislator today called on Rod Blagojevich to step down and clear the way for someone else to appoint a new U.S. senator for the state.

"I don't know anyone who would want to be appointed by the governor now," said state Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Champaign. "I think he should do the honorable thing and resign."

Recession expected to help trim heating costs

One upside of global recession: Factories aren't using as much natural gas, so your December heating bill will be lower than once forecast.

Only two months ago, the prediction for natural gas prices was up 40 percent from last winter.