Farmers start to dig in again Jun 29, 2008
Under normal conditions this stretch of central Illinois between Decatur and Bloomington has everything working in its favor. Soil, climate and farming infrastructure combine to make it a paradise for corn and soybeans. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
Trojans' Drew Riley “ 'the ultimate feel-good story' Jun 28, 2008
Before this kind of emotion about a defensive tackle playing in today s Order of Eastern Star All-Star Game at Decatur and landing a spot on MacMurray College s roster, Halsey took a stand with hardly any tolerance for a player who had to spend his sophomore year of high school at the Treatment and Learning Center in Kansas. When Riley went to TLC as a sophomore, this hardly seemed to be a blow for Charleston s football program. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
A paradise of treasures and conversations beckons customers at flea market Jun 28, 2008
We travel quite a bit, said Kenny Glosser, 73, of Decatur, a vendor who sells farm primitives at flea markets ... When Glosser found himself locked out in a union dispute at Staley s manufacturing in Decatur on June 23, 1993, he said he had to act fast ... The next weekend he loaded up a trailer to sell goods at a Decatur flea market. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Bethany Celebration kicks off today Jun 28, 2008
7 p.m., Decatur Park Singers. 9 to 11 p.m., Roger Klukis Teen Dance. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Beaman posts bond, released 13 years after conviction in ISU murder Jun 27, 2008
Beaman, who lived in Rockford and attended Illinois Wesleyan University at the time of the 22-year-old Decatur womans death, had been in prison since 1995 ... Aug. 28, 1993 The body of Illinois State University student Jennifer Lockmiller, 22, of Decatur was found in her apartment in Normal ... mav396 wrote on Jun 26, 2008 10:14 AM:" Has anyone else caught on that this has only been about Beaman and NOT about the Lockmiller family? Has there been any outreach to the family that thought... (The Pantagraph newspaper)
OCC recruits Grinestaff and Sy named to H&R All-County team Jun 26, 2008
21 ERA for the Braves last spring, numbers good enough to earn him 2008 Decatur Herald w Macon County Baseball Player of the Year honors ... 417 as a senior with five homers and 32 RBI. He blasted a grand slam in the Braves 7-0 Decatur (Eisenhower) Sectional title win over Champaign Centennial while Grinestaff twirled the three-hit shutout ... 2008 Decatur Herald w All-Area first team. (Olney Daily Mail, IL)
His future in limbo, Beaman could return to Bloomington on Thursday Jun 26, 2008
Beaman, then an Illinois Wesleyan University student from Rockford, was convicted of the stabbing and strangulation of Lockmiller, a 22-year-old Illinois State University student from Decatur. Lockmiller was a former girlfriend. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Lake Land College recognizes agriculture students Jun 25, 2008
Jennifer Steiner, Decatur, Ind. received one of the night s most prestigious honors, the Outstanding Agriculture Student. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Prison closings moratorium gets support in Decatur Jun 25, 2008
DECATUR Although Decatur-area prisons have not been targeted for closure by state officials this year, some Republican lawmakers went to Decatur Correctional Center on Tuesday to urge Gov. Rod Blagojevich to embrace their proposal for a moratorium on all correctional facility shutdowns. The news conference outside the medium-security womens prison was part of a series of stops Sen. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Yoder: McLean Co. likely will retry Beaman for murder Jun 25, 2008
Beaman, who lived in Rockford and attended Illinois Wesleyan University at the time of the 22-year-old Decatur womans death, has been in prison since 1995. He has served time at Menard, Joliet and Mount Sterling prisons, and he has spent the last four years at a Dixon prison, about an hour from Rockford. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Thomas to play basketball at Aurora University Jun 24, 2008
The Spartans lose only three players from the team, including Kisha Miller of Decatur Eisenhower, who averaged 6. 5 points per game, which was fourth on the team. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Bloomington City Council approves taxicab rate increases Jun 24, 2008
We were considerably less than other cities, he said, noting comparisons were done with Champaign/Urbana, Decatur, Peoria and Springfield. By agreement with Normals council, Bloomington regulates the three taxicab companies that operate in Bloomington and Normal. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Revolutionary spirit: Local family brings history to life Jun 24, 2008
Rock Springs Conservation Area, Decatur. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 6, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 7. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Illinois GOP looks to the future Jun 24, 2008
DECATUR Barry Welbers, Bureau County s Republican Party chairman, was one of nearly 1,400 Republicans who attended the Illinois Republican Convention in Decatur earlier this month. Welbers, who attended with his wife, Beth, and Ron Ahrens of Spring Valley, said Bureau County is allotted three delegates to the convention, based on the number of Republican primary voters in the county. (Princeton Bureau County Republican, IL)
State's minimum wage to increase by a quarter Jun 23, 2008
SPRINGFIELD -- Decatur gas station owner John Phillips said he was glad to find out the state minimum wage would go up by 25 cents in July. But his delight came mostly because he thought it was going up $1. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Meandering journey Jun 22, 2008
By VALERIE WELLS - Decatur (Ill. Herald and Review - 06/22/08. (Helena Independent Record, MT)
Peoria songwriter to play DeKalb Jun 19, 2008
Honing in on an acoustic rock sound much like Matchbox Twenty and O.A.R., Davis has spread his music in cities all across Illinois including Peoria, Bloomington, Rock Island, Champaign, Spring-field, Chicago and Decatur. This summer, Davis heads out on the road for a string of solo acoustic dates. (DeKalb Daily Chronicle, IL)
Hellers win at home Jun 18, 2008
Decatur s Michael Clevenger was third with an 89 ... Michael Clevenger, Decatur 45-44=89; 4 ... Chase Myers, Decatur 52-53=105; 12. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Summer Success Continues for Future Illini Jun 18, 2008
Duramed Futures Tour Update Freshman-to-be Kaitlyn Wampler played in the Michelob ULTRA Duramed Futures Players Championship at Hickory Point Golf Course in Decatur over the weekend (June 12-15) ... native earned a spot in the event by shooting a 79 to win the qualifying tournament last week at Red Tail Golf Course in Decatur. (Fightingillini.com)
Klinger, a 3-sport standout, to play golf at UIS Jun 13, 2008
Over the summer Klinger plans to compete in a few Central Illinois Junior Golf Tour stops and a few larger tournaments such as the Decatur Junior Open and the Country Collegiate Classic in Bloomington. Golf is more of an individual sport compared to football, which is a team sport, said Klinger. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Caterpillar Plans $1B Plant Capacity Expansion Jun 13, 2008
The investment plan will include capacity increases in its East Peoria plant for track-type tractors, pipelayers and for off-highway transmissions; large off-highway truck production expansion in Decatur; wheel loaders and excavators manufacturing increases in Aurora and components production increases in Joliet. Caterpillar said it will pay for the expansion in cash, from operating funds. (ABC News -- Wire)
Yoder will not appeal Supreme Court decision in Beaman case Jun 13, 2008
Beaman, originally from Rockford, and Lockmiller, from Decatur, had dated as college students in Bloomington-Normal. The court ruled evidence used by prosecutors to send Beaman to prison was weak and violated the former Illinois Wesleyan University students right to due process of law. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Commodity prices show no letup Jun 12, 2008
A flooded cornfield in Decatur, Illinois. Heavy rains have prevented planting in some areas, leading some farmers to abandon corn in the last few days. (International Herald Tribune)
Junior Golf Tour awards scholarships but needs players Jun 11, 2008
A makeup date is still to be determined for one of the 12 scheduled one-day events to be followed by the Aug. 4-5 tour championship moved to Decatur s Red Tail Golf Course. The Decatur Park District also conducted a youth clinic at Red Tail last week. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Next step for Beaman's ISU murder case comes Thursday Jun 11, 2008
Thats the deadline for McLean County prosecutors to decide whether to appeal an Illinois Supreme Court ruling in May that tossed Alan Beamans 1995 conviction in the murder of Jennifer Lockmiller, a 22-year-old student from Decatur. Alan Beaman. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
January to May third wettest weather since 1895 Jun 11, 2008
They are very busy in the Bloomington-Normal, Decatur, Springfield and Champaign areas with flooded basements. What amazes him most is people who live years with mold and mildew in their basement before getting an estimate to get work done. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Rebels 3rd in season opener Jun 10, 2008
On offense Sarah Gray of Decatur Eisenhower was 1-for-2 with a triple, while Mount Zion s Megan Jones was 1-for-2. Simpson was 1-for-3 with a RBI, Inman was 1-for-2 with a triple and a RBI and Reed was 1-for-1. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Pekin woman elected to state GOP post Jun 10, 2008
DECATUR - Tazewell County Republican Party Chair Demetra Demonte of Pekin won the right to represent Illinois Republicans on the national level this weekend, and she did it twice. In a two-step process that was hotly contended, Demonte was chosen as Illinois' next Republican National committeewoman at the Illinois Republican Convention in Decatur. (Pekin Times, IL)
Republicans gather for '08 convention Jun 10, 2008
Former State Senator Claude Bud Stone, left, speaks with Lowell Schroeder, Tazewell County Republican vice chairman, during the convention General Assembly in Decatur ... DECATUR - Illinois Republicans are rallying around the same election theme as both major parties on the national level: change ... A scathing review of goings-on in the Illinois governor's office backed up a call to action among party members, who gathered in Decatur this weekend for the 2008 Republican State Convention. (Pekin Times, IL)
GOP'ers: Blagojevich has to go Jun 8, 2008
DECATUR The campaign message of party leaders at the Illinois Republican Party Convention on Saturday in Decatur mirrored that of the national Democratic Party: The chief executive has got to go. But in this case, state GOP leaders were talking about Gov. Rod Blagojevich, not President Bush. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Rain-swollen Kaskaskia pulls vehicle off roadway Jun 7, 2008
I have not met the Chiefs from Champaign, Urbana, or Decatur so I'm limiting my opinion to a 30-miles radius. Kris has attended dozens of schools and many advanced technicial classes. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Church window Jun 7, 2008
Canton Assembly of God Church at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 8, will welcome the Girls Teen Challenge from Decatur as special guests for the evening service. The group will minister throughout the service with testimonies and videos. (Canton Daily Ledger, IL)
Flick: While looking for Dubya, state Rep. Brady finds 'Baywatch' alum Jun 6, 2008
Newest meaning of Excedrin headache: Good news these days in Taylorville, the Christian County town wedged south of Decatur and Springfield. Its brand-new $4 million runway is done and ready to accept air traffic. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
The National Weather Service has issued an alert Jun 4, 2008
Click here for full text of the alert. TODAY'S HEADLINES SPECIAL SECTION ONLINE EXTRAS FRONT PAGE PDF. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Ameren Illinois Utilities Crews Working to Restore Power Caused by Severe Thunderstorms Jun 4, 2008
Customers Warned to Stay Clear of Downed Wires, Exercise Electric, Natural Gas Caution in the Event of Flooding PEORIA, SPRINGFIELD and DECATUR, Ill. June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Locally severe thunderstorms and high winds have resulted in power outages in portions of the Ameren Illinois Utilities service territory with the threat of more severe weather this afternoon and evening. (PR Newswire)
Thunderstorms Pound Midwest, Spawning Tornadoes Jun 4, 2008
The weather service said central Illinois got more than 3 inches of rain Tuesday, notably around Springfield and Decatur, causing minor flooding in the basements of some University of Illinois buildings. Farther west, flames and smoke were visible for miles Wednesday in Kansas City, Kan. (Newsmax)
Stanbrough wins KISS race at Bloomington, Jones runs third Jun 3, 2008
Saturday, Arpin and his team headed north to Macon Speedway near Decatur where they pocketed 5,000 for winning the 20-lapper. With his Larry Shaw Race Cars #00 hooked up to perfection on the tiny 1/5-mile, Arpin fended off Friday night victor Jeff Leka, of Buffalo. (Olney Daily Mail, IL)
Decatur mayor to resign, citing job conflicts, health concerns Jun 1, 2008
DECATUR -- Mayor Paul Osborne will resign as mayor Sunday, citing a desire to focus on his role as editor of the weekly Decatur Tribune newspaper and recent health problems with kidney stones ... "Osborne departs as the city faces several major unresolved issues: recruiting a new city manager to succeed Steve Garman, finding more space for Decatur Police Department, securing additional water resources, revitalizing inner-city neighborhoods and studying whether to reconfigure the makeup of the... (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Rotarians left hanging May 31, 2008
"Richardson, a Decatur resident who works for Judd Lumber Co., spoke to Dowagiac Rotary Club Thursday noon at Elks Lodge 889 and showed a 1970s video about Duane Cole, from the same era as the Taylorcraft.Cole, born in 1915, was an Experimental Aircraft Association member, air show performer and aerobatic instructor who spent so much time performing looping and rolling maneuvers that his name was lettered on his plane upside down.Cole took his first flying lesson on Christmas Day 1937, got his... (Dowagiac News, MI)
Ameren customers will see 15 percent increase in natural gas costs in June May 30, 2008
DECATUR Hard-pressed residential utility customers in Central Illinois just got more bad news: Their natural gas bills are about to jump 15 percent. The Ameren Corp. Illinois utilities AmerenIP, AmerenCIPS and AmerenCILCO say wholesale costs of natural gas are rocketing upward and those costs must be passed on to consumers. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Craft: Matt Damon flunks lie-detector test given by Bloomington expert May 29, 2008
NEW 7:10 a.m. DECATUR -- Pardon the nasty bout of yellow tabloid fever that resulted in the above headline ... And furthermore than that: He DID give Matt Damon a lie detector test in a Holiday Inn hotel room in Decatur, of all places ... Thats what the makers of the Damon-starring movie The Informant the one filmed over the past month in the Decatur area obviously thought when they contacted Woody back in March. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Three from area earn all-Okaw Valley Conference softball honors May 28, 2008
Decatur St. Teresa; Rylee Long, jr., Sullivan; Tabitha Davis, fr ... Decatur St. Teresa; Rebecca Swaney, jr., Tuscola; Amanda Rice, sr., Unity; Kayti Loudin, fr ... Dankia Hislope, sr., Monticello; Sarah Halford, sr., Decatur St. Teresa; Hillary Bragg, fr. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Martinsville future business leaders attend state conference May 26, 2008
DECATUR Future Business Leaders of America members and adviser Susan Weir from Martinsville High School attended the 59th Illinois Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership conference in Decatur April 11-12. More than 950 members, advisers and guests from Illinois FBLA chapters were in attendance. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Rain doesnt hurt Carlinville, Herrin May 24, 2008
Capable of hitting 15 feet he did so following the Decatur Herald & Review s area best meet he hasn t seen Doerflein since state a year ago. I can get him, Mammoser said. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Fleener and Fancher induted into NC Hall of Fame May 24, 2008
In his senior season, Fancher pulled down an average of 10 rebounds per game and was number two in scoring within the Decatur Herald and Review circulation area ... After graduation, Fancher played basketball at Murray State University from 1959-1962 and played for the Decatur Bullets of the CBA from 1969-1971. (Clay County Daily Advocate Press, IL)
Blood drive honors work of George Schmink May 24, 2008
Schmink was born in Decatur and his first career was as sports editor for the Herald and Review Newspaper. He entered the U.S. Air Force and an eye problem grounded him. (Harrisburg Daily Register, IL)
IECC board approves five-year contract with faculty May 23, 2008
Most recently, Taylor had served as Dean at Richland Community College in Decatur. Taylor was one of four candidates interviewed by the board, FCC faculty and staff, and a committee of Fairfield leaders. (Olney Daily Mail, IL)
Illinois notes for NCAA Men's Golf Championships May 23, 2008
1 million, the multi-level, all-inclusive indoor golf teaching center was made possible by a lead gift from the Demirjian family of Decatur, Ill. and is named the Demirjian Golf Practice Facility. (Fightingillini.com)
Court overturns conviction in ISU student's killing May 23, 2008
Beaman was convicted in 1995 of killing the 22-year-old Decatur woman, his former girlfriend. Lockmiller had been strangled with a clock radio cord and her partially nude body, stabbed in the chest with scissors, was found in an apartment in Normal, 130 miles south of Chicago. (DeKalb Daily Chronicle, IL)
Spartan standout among SJC’s softball recruits for 2009 May 23, 2008
Micah Docherty, who plays third base, is also from Indianapolis, and is completing her senior year at Decatur Central High School. She was an All-Conference, All-County, and All-District selection last season, when she helped lead the Hawks to a Marion County Championship. (Rensselaer Republican, IN)
DeWitt County gives OK for machinery owner to grow after dispute May 23, 2008
Frank Byers, a Decatur attorney representing the homeowners, said his clients were not willing to pay for the fencing either. So, collectively, they asked the county to pay for the barrier in exchange for a satisfactory agreement from both parties. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Supreme Court says case against Beaman weak in 1993 murder May 23, 2008
SPRINGFIELD -- The states highest court Thursday reversed the conviction of Alan Beaman, who has been in prison for 13 years for the murder of Illinois State University student Jennifer Lockmiller of Decatur. Alan Beaman. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Tornado kills 1, injures 13 in northern Colorado May 23, 2008
He said a few barely touched down, but a couple moved along 30 to 50 miles on the ground in Sheridan and Decatur counties. Authorities said the tornadoes destroyed one home and damaged several others. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Bonnett Raymond May 22, 2008
Raymond W. Bonnett, 88, of Decatur, formerly of Pittsfield and Pekin, died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, Sunday, May 18, 2008 after a brief illness ... R. Keith (Jana) Bonnett of Pekin, John W. (Debi) Bonnett of Canal Winchester, Ohio, Dan (Jeanie) Bonnett of Decatur and Tom Bonnett of Forsyth; three daughters, Evelyn J. (Roger) Beard, of Mooresville, Ind ... Memorials may be made to either the American Cancer Society or the DMH Hospice at 3122 Brettwood Circle, Decatur,... (Pittsfield Pike Press, IL)
Campbell, Lambert: HHS' best of the best May 22, 2008
Campbell will continue her catching career at Millikin University in Decatur. On the girls side, Megan Sullivan was named recipient of the Amy Seright Freshman Athlete of the Year award; Lacee Underwood was given the Cathy Monroe Scholarship Award; and Lacee Underwood and Campbell were co-winners of the Randy Jones softball award. (Harrisburg Daily Register, IL)
Pieces Of Our Past May 21, 2008
While they were approaching Decatur, Alabama, Robinson and Coffee had to crash land their two-man plane. Being the junior members of the group, Coffee and Nash remained in Decatur, while their leader went on to address students at Tuskeegee. (Dublin Courier Herald, GA)
IHSA Class A Track Meet full results May 17, 2008
2, Katie Landry (Fr), Decatur St. Teresa, 16-8 1/4 ... 10, Decatur St. Teresa, 10:30 ... 6, Maria Burke (Jr), Decatur St. Teresa, 16. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Closed ISU dorms to live on through donation of salvaged items May 17, 2008
Other donations include 800 desk chairs and 200 dressers to Bloomington-based Recycling for Families; and nearly 900 bunk-bed frames and 700 desks to New Day Church in Decatur. Mattresses going to families, refugees, medical clinic. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
CEO Intern TV started by Babson senior May 16, 2008
Hometown: Decatur, Ill. by way of Tuscon, Ariz. (Wellesley Townsman, MA)
Bill includes billions in farm subsidies May 16, 2008
By Kelly J. Huff, Decatur Herald & Review via AP. A grain trucks from central Illinois farms arrive at the Archer Daniels Midland East plant, in Decatur, Ill. (USA Today)
Kermicle will play football at Jacksonville’s Illinois College May 15, 2008
Kermicle chose IC over Decatur s Millikin University, which coincidentally is who the Blueboys face September 6 in their 2008 season opener. IC, an NCAA Division III program and member of the 10-team Midwest Conference, finished 4-6 a year ago. (Olney Daily Mail, IL)
Jaycees receive numerous awards at state May 15, 2008
The Hoopeston Jaycesss received several awards at Decatur on May 3rd. The Ilinois Jaycees First Trimester 2008 , Vice Presidents Cup award was awarded to only the top 10 Chapters in the state. (Hoopeston Chronicle, IL)
Wal-Mart's "Faded Glory" May 15, 2008
A correspondent from Decatur, Ga. writes that he recently visited a new Wal-Mart in his neighborhood and noticed for the first time Wal-Mart's private label Faded Glory clothing and shoe line. (Salon)
NAR: Prices Up in 1 of 3 Metro Areas May 14, 2008
The most affordable markets include the Youngstown-Warren-Boardman area of Ohio and Pennsylvania at $67,700, and Decatur, Ill ... After Peoria, the strongest metro price increases in the Midwest were in the Decatur area, where the median price of $79,400 was 4. (Realtor Magazine Online)
Median home prices in metropolitan areas May 14, 2008
Median home prices in more than 150 metro areas - USATODAY.com. Get information on education programs that could help you increase your earning power. (USA Today -- Money)
