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Sales tax jumps about $2M
Champaign and Clark counties together saw sales taxes climb almost $2 million in 2012, which some say is a sign of an economic rebound and that more residents are spending closer to home.Champaign County collected $4.8 million in sales taxes last year, a nearly 12 percent increase — the largest ...
Urbana president takes new job
Stephen Jones resigned Monday as president of Urbana University after five years to take a similar position at Antioch University New England.Jones was credited with helping modernize Urbana University’s efforts to serve adult learners and launching new programs, including master degrees in nursing and criminal justice administration. He will officially ...
Village planning $4.5M sewer project
Christiansburg council members are considering plans to install a $4.5 million wastewater treatment system after a recent study found high levels of bacteria in West Honey Fork Creek that was traced back to the village.If installed, it would mean about 220 users would have to pay sewer fees for the ...
Village says rate increase necessary
Mechanicsburg village officials are defending projected rate increases for water and sewer bills over the next few years, even as some residents have said the rates are too high.Earlier this month, village officials hosted a public meeting with about 20 residents to explain the higher rates, which will be used ...
Vietnam veterans honored in solemn ceremony
Fred Schuster helped lay nine roses into Buck Creek Saturday morning to honor nine men who gave their lives during Vietnam. The solemn tribute was included in a ceremony Saturday to honor the sacrifice made by veterans in that war, a ceremony many who took part in the war said ...
City, county challenge wind request
Citing potential harm to its economic interests, the city of Urbana has opposed a proposed plan by the Buckeye Wind farm that would move a temporary construction yard to the intersection of U.S. 36 and Three-Mile Road.Champaign County officials also said this week they will intervene in the case, largely ...
County improves courthouse security
Recently completed renovations at the Champaign County Common Pleas Court will provide better customer service for residents and improve security, said Matt Melvin, Champaign County sheriff.A former jury room on the first floor has been converted into office space where deputies will be able to better monitor who enters and ...
Jail ordered for former store owner, court clerk
A former grocery store owner and clerk of courts who pleaded guilty to charges of passing bad checks has been sentenced to serve 10 days in jail after allegedly failing to keep up with the more than $25,000 in restitution he was ordered to pay.Ed Preston, owner of Preston’s IGA ...
Urbana plans challenge to wind farm change
Developers for the Buckeye Wind Farm asked to move three temporary construction yards while the project is built, setting up a potential clash with the city of Urbana and another business expansion project.The amendment filed by Buckeye this week asks the state to allow changes to its wind farm permit, ...
Local agencies endorse Medicaid expansion
Several state and local officials backed a controversial plan to expand Medicaid insurance coverage Friday, saying the plan would help provide health benefits to thousands of the state’s working poor, including about 2,000 residents in Champaign County.In Clark County, that figure could be about 8,000 to 9,000 additional residents, according ...
District seeks input on $1 million cuts
Urbana school staff are gathering input from community members as the district prepares to slash $1 million from the budget, including proposals that could mean closing a school building and cutting teachers.The district’s school board will factor that input into its final decision, which will likely be made later this ...
Accident causes small ammonia leak
A tractor-trailer struck an anhydrous ammonia storage tank on Upper Valley Pike early Monday morning, causing a small ammonia leak, according to information from the Macochee Joint Ambulance District.The incident occurred about 6:20 a.m. when the driver of a tractor-trailer attempted to turn around in the Heritage Cooperative facility’s parking ...
District plans to improve security
Mechanicsburg school board members are considering a plan to improve security in the district by installing new cameras and requiring visitors to buzz in at additional entrances to school facilities.The board’s plan would include replacing at least 17 cameras that no longer work, and installing a system that would require ...
District settles with former teacher for $60K
The Graham Local School District finalized a $60,000 settlement agreement with a former teacher who won accolades for her work, but was also involved in several disciplinary incidents throughout her career.Chantelle M. Rose, a former science teacher at Graham, agreed to a $60,000 settlement with the district. The district released ...
$20K deal for worker in perfume case
A former Champaign County employee could receive a $20,000 settlement after she argued the county failed to accommodate her while she suffered from an allergy to perfume.Pamela Core, a former social services worker for the Champaign County Department of Jobs and Family Services, will be paid the money as part ...
City, wind company may battle over construction sites
A potential clash could be brewing between two Champaign County developments that together have promised to bring nearly 50 new permanent jobs and millions of dollars into the economy. Urbana’s prosecutor has raised concerns about a proposed construction staging area near Three Mile Road and U.S. 36. for turbines by ...
6 indicted in Wal-Mart theft ring
Six people were indicted by a Champaign County grand jury this week in connection with a theft ring in which items were stolen from Urbana’s Walmart and then returned for cash with the help of an employee.The suspected ringleader of the group was Scott E. Rollins, 40, of 401 Western ...
Contested annexation moves ahead
A proposal to annex 18 acres of land just south of Urbana’s city limits took a step forward Thursday, despite complaints from some residents who said they had little say in the process.More than 20 residents attended the hearing at the Champaign County commissioner’s office. If approved, the annexation would ...
Village police investigate rare armed robbery
Police are awaiting a surveillance video after a man entered a St. Paris grocery store at closing time Monday, threatened employees with a handgun and cuffed them to a table in a back room.The incident occurred shortly after closing time at Howard’s IGA, 311 W. Main St., said Chief Jim ...
Firefighters cut OT to keep 2 on staff
The Urbana Fire Division has slashed its overtime costs by almost 50 percent in the last year, which should help save the jobs of two firefighters.Since 2011, the city has used a $285,735 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant to cover the costs to keep two firefighters on ...
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