Assumption News

The Stardust Drive-In, at 375 N. 14th St., opened two weeks ago in Charleston, a town that hasn't had a drive-in theater in more than 25 years.

Events will be held this weekend to mark the 775th anniversary of the Servite order.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the appointment of four members and three alternate members to serve on USDA's Grain Inspection Advisory Committee .

Helen Elizabeth Gerbing, 90, died Friday, April 25, 2008, at Rosewood Care Center in Alton. via Alton Telegraph

March flooding closes stretch of I-280 Flash flood watch issued for region State champs welcomed home to Assumption Assumption girls win state title Flooding closes I-280 Riding across the QC: Is it really ... via WQAD-TV Moline

“I wish they would have said nine years ago, 'It's not worthy of the money,' ”

After nine years of work and less than 10 miles of road, former Pana Mayor Ken Mueller is frustrated with the pace of the U.S. 51 four-lane expansion. via Herald & Review

“See how that pendulum jumps back and forth”

ASSUMPTION, Ill. - Len Corzine zipped up the hooded sweat shirt a John Deere dealer gave him hours earlier, before heading out to survey a plot of land he farms. 'This is one of the most expensive coats you'll ever see because it came with a new combine,' Corzine said. 'It's a $325,000 jacket.' Corzine, an otherwise frugal man who wears tired leather boots and drives a Ford pickup with more than 120,000 miles packed on the odometer, harvests, threshes and cleans enough grain to need a new combine each year. What is different about these days is the spectacular rise in corn prices because of the ethanol boom. Grain farmers' net income in the state stayed above $110,000 for the second straight year in 2007 after settling below $30,000 in 2002, according to University of Illinois researchers. But there is no free lunch. And one result of the farmers' good fortune is that consumers are paying more for food. Dairy, beef and bread prices are all connected in one way or another to the farm economy. Corn is animal feed as well as a source of biofuel, and with corn prices above $4 a bushel - nearly twice the 2005 price - a striking cause-and-effect phenomenon has come home to roost. Some in the food industry are concerned about the impact of ethanol on consumer prices but you won't find much apologizing from most of the folks in farm country. Nor is there an abundance of gloating. They know too well that just as drought follows rain, commodity prices that go up will eventually go down. Read more

“I'd probably be going home and wrapping until there's no tomorrow”

Kim Emerson of Taylorville was pressed for time to shop and wrap gifts with Christmas only a few days away. via Herald & Review

“We have some good customers up in that Assumption-Moweaqua area, but we think there are a lot more potential customers out there, also. We've been looking for a location in that area for several years now.”

A new Sprint Store is open in Decatur's South Towne Plaza, the first stage in what the company describes as a major expansion of service and sales in this part of Central Illinois. via Herald & Review

“Also, most of the mugs I've found have a snowman somewhere on them”

No, it's not made by gathering snow and melting it. But Snowman Soup is made with love, and it comes with a message guaranteed to bring a smile. via Herald & Review

The introduction of "lean manufacturing" practices and an increase in international marketing are two of the priorities for the new president and chief operating officer of GSI Group , Assumption, IL. via Milling Journal

“You look around at the piles on the ground and it does lose some condition”

Despite a change of ownership over the summer, the new CEO and president of Assumption-based GSI Group sees the company flourishing. via Herald & Review

“A lot of the guys had the best corn they've ever had”

Central Illinois farmers are generally pleased with how the year went as they prepare to wrap up harvest ahead of the usual pace. via Herald & Review