Pro athletes help kick off 16th Festival of Trees

BLOOMINGTON — Marlene Rutherford describes her 8-year-old son, Leighton, as being kind of quiet and shy.

Nov 19, 2009 | 11:00 pm | Loading…

• Related: YouthBuild students help create Festival of Trees displays
• Related: It's a jolly good time for local holiday events

Chief opens Illinois 'supermax' prison to show reforms

TAMMS -- Although he's confined to his cell for all but about an hour on most days, Steven Wuebbels doesn't mind being isolated at Illinois' lone "supermax" prison -- a place human rights activists consider inhumane.

New Nov 20, 2009 | 2:30 pm | Loading…

• Related: 'Dangerous' man gets 30 years for escape try at Pontiac prison
• Related: State outlines Tamms reforms

Salvation Army kicks off holiday campaign with $370K goal

BLOOMINGTON -- Bells have begun ringing throughout Bloomington-Normal and it couldn't have come at a better time.

Nov 20, 2009 | 2:50 pm | Loading…

• Related: Salvation Army campaign raises $367,600, tops goal
• Related: Looking for rare coins or a wedding ring? Try the Salvation Army auction

HCC postpones discussion on benefits for domestic partners

NORMAL -- Heartland Community College leaders are postponing discussion whether to offer benefits to unmarried couples, but a decision must be made by July.

Nov 20, 2009 | 1:20 pm | Loading…

• Related: Heartland trustees hear pitch for training center near stadium
• Related: Tuition rise likely steep at Heartland next year

FBI investigating use of stun gun on 10-year-old

OZARK, Ark. -- The FBI has dispatched investigators to Arkansas to look into a police officer's use of a stun gun on a 10-year-old girl who refused to take a shower.

Nov 20, 2009 | 11:55 am | Loading…

Death of man found in mobile home ruled homicide

BLOOMINGTON -- The death of a man whose body was found in a south-side mobile home has been ruled a homicide.

New Nov 20, 2009 | 1:15 pm | Loading…

Unit 5 denies bowing to union in accepting low bid

BLOOMINGTON -- Unit 5 officials denied accusations Thursday that they bowed to pressure from local labor unions when they ended a contract with the low bidder for geothermal drilling work on a new junior high school.

Nov 19, 2009 | 7:10 pm | Loading…

• Related: MyPantagraph: Unit 5 Group

U.S. Rep. Halvorson questions selling Thomson prison

SPRINGFIELD — Count Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson among skeptics of a plan to sell the state’s unused prison in Thomson to the federal government.

Nov 19, 2009 | 6:40 pm | Loading…

• Related: Thomson letter to Gov. Quinn
• Related: Quinn, Hynes trade barbs during debates
• Related: Fact check: Guantanamo detainees and U.S. prisons
• Related: Quinn: Thomson prison deal 'probably' will happen

Friends and family pitch in, help widow harvest fields

ROANOKE -- In years past, Joyce Hodel spent the harvest season in the classroom while her husband, Steve, picked corn.

Nov 20, 2009 | 11:50 am | Loading…

Disabled adults shine at new B-N activity center

BLOOMINGTON -- Susan Martello lost her job when the state slashed human service budgets this summer.

Nov 19, 2009 | 8:55 pm | Loading…

GOP lawmakers who heard Burris testimony react

SPRINGFIELD -- Republicans who heard U.S. Sen. Roland Burris' testimony first-hand said Friday they agree with the Senate decision to admonish him.

Nov 20, 2009 | 1:45 pm | Loading…

Illinois launches online hospital report cards

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois has launched an online tool consumers can use to find an unprecedented amount of information on hospitals and surgical centers.

Nov 20, 2009 | 7:15 am | Loading…

• Related: Illinois Health Care Report Card Web site

ISU students, alumni: 'Fix the Bone'

NORMAL — Students and alumni of Illinois State University seem to have one common message for university planners: “Fix the Bone.”

Nov 19, 2009 | 9:00 pm | Loading…

• Related: ISU holds first of three forums on master plan
• Related: ISU's Master Plan Web site
• Related: MyPantagraph: ISU Neighborhood

Couple honored for philanthropy efforts

NORMAL -- People often think of philanthropists as those who give money to causes, but a local couple has been recognized for time and talents as well.

Nov 19, 2009 | 4:55 pm | Loading…

Interim CFO takes over at Unit 5 schools

NORMAL -- Martin Getty has replaced Jim Gillmeister as chief financial officer at Normal-based Unit 5 schools.

Nov 19, 2009 | 12:05 pm | Loading…

• Related: MyPantagraph: Unit 5 Group
• Related: Unit 5 finances improving, but still not at state's top level
• Related: Unit 5 board approves attendance exceptions

YouthBuild McLean Co. gets green jobs training grant

BLOOMINGTON -- YouthBuild McLean County is one of eight state organizations to receive a piece of $55 million in green jobs training grants through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Nov 19, 2009 | 5:25 pm | Loading…

Eureka School Board lowers tax levy

EUREKA -- The Eureka School Board has dropped its $6.7 million tax levy by $254 for the coming year, which will save homeowners money if their assessment doesn't rise.

Nov 19, 2009 | 5:10 pm | Loading…

• Related: MyPantagraph: Eureka, Congerville, Goodfield Neighborhood

Streator council approves tax levy

STREATOR -- The City Council has tentatively approved a $3.7 million levy, 13 percent higher than the current levy.

Nov 20, 2009 | 11:55 am | Loading…

Eureka to crack down on building permit requirement

EUREKA -- Eureka is cracking down on businesses and homeowners who do substantial remodeling without getting building permits.

Nov 20, 2009 | 11:45 am | Loading…