Loogootee News

“The poles along that stretch were old and needed to be replaced, and in addition, we are upgrading from copper wire lines to larger aluminum lines that allow for higher voltage”

MJM Electric Cooperative Inc. crewmen were busy Wednesday morning replacing a 1.5-mile section of utility poles along Illinois Routes 111 and 267 north of Brighton. via Alton Telegraph

“I couldn't paint very well. But even when I was little, that's all I could afford, a paper bag and a pencil. I always drew. I just progressed my own style and my own technique.”

Bob DeFrates said he tried to retire two years ago but couldn't quite do it. And for an even longer time, the life-long artist quit doing what he had loved best: drawing. via Belleville News

Ghost tours now taking reservations Historic Ghost Tours of Naperville will begin its spring and summer season of ghost walking tours April 18 and 19. via Naperville Sun

A proposed Downtown Peoria medical clinic won the necessary go-ahead Tuesday from the state, and the project's planners hope the new Central Illinois Endoscopy Center will be open for business by fall. via Journal Star

“We're meeting with FEMA and SBA personnel today in Springfield to develop the plan of action for viewing the damage, and the teams should hit the ground in southern Illinois on Wednesday morning”

State, federal teams to begin documenting flood damage in southern Illinois on Wednesday Assessments teams to view damaged homes, businesses SPRINGFIELD - ' Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that ... via Illinois Public Safety

“Yeah, you want 'em slightly bent at the down stroke.”

I feel good. I knew that I would. Feel good. Feel good. Yeah! I just did a quick workout under the direction of sports trainer Pete Villicana, 29, a personal trainer and licensed massage therapist who ... via St. Charles Sun

“To me, it just creates all appearances of a very safe environment”

The city on Monday reopened East Main Street between Walnut and Oak streets, a section of road that had been closed for months while crews renovated the road as part of the streetscape project.

Crews still must complete a few tasks before Mayor Mark Eckert will declare the downtown makeover finished -- it's 98.5 percent complete, he said.

The project, originally expected to cost $6.4 million, may top $7 million, Eckert said. The extra money will have to come from tax increment financing revenue. The project is about 6 months behind schedule because of poor weather, problems moving utilities and other unexpected problems. Read more

Write a review for Thirsty Fox Pub Thirsty Fox Pub 104 E. Main St. - St. Charles 630-377-6634 This is a great place... By Sassy Girl from Chicago, IL, April 5, 2007 Overall rating: This is a great place to have ... via Chicago Tribune

“There was a car in the road leading up to the hospital and it was sitting with water halfway up on its windshield.”

Gov. Rod Blagojevich declared 19 southern Illinois counties state disaster areas on Thursday after a massive storm dumped up to a foot of rain on parts of the state. via State Journal-Register

“These clinics offer consumers a chance to meet one-on-one with experts who can analyze their bills and suggest easy, practical ways to save hundreds of dollars a year”

Members of the Citizens Utility Board will be at the Collinsville Public Library today to help people learn how to save money on their phone bills. via Belleville News

The City Council on Monday approved seeking bids for millions of dollars worth of remodeling and construction on city buildings.

Offers are now sought for:

** The renovation and equipping of the former Illinois American Water building at 1125 S. Illinois St. into a new firehouse at a cost of about $4 million.

** The conversion of the old auto dealership building at 512 W. Main St. to an office building for the parks, human resources and maintenance departments and the city mechanic at a cost of up to $1.5 million. Read more

The Honorable Lawrence J. Morrissey Mayor of the City of Rockford, Illinois Cordially Invites You to Attend the 2008 State of the City Address Thursday, March 20th, 2008 6:00 p.m. - " 7:00 p.m. at the historic ... via WIFR

“I'm just ready for this type of challenge”

When the Rev. Dan Deutsch became pastor at Holy Cross Catholic Church six years ago, heading a 3,200-family parish, he knew the demand for a Catholic education had reached an optimum level. via Batavia Sun

“If this helps the decision makers make better informed decisions, it's going to be worth every penny of it if not more.”

Say a developer wants to build a 30-lot subdivision in Dunlap. Will the additional property tax revenue cover the increased burden on the school district and fire and police departments? Or will the development ... via Journal Star

The Area Agency on Aging of Southwestern Illinois on Wednesday will announce its proposed two-year plan to help elderly people in the area.

Public hearings for the announcements will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the village of Caseyville building, 909 S. Main St., Caseyville, and at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Waterloo Senior Center, 107 W. Fourth St., Waterloo.

Unless you notified the agency by last Thursday that you want to speak at one of the hearings, you will not be allowed to speak there. Read more

“People do their online banking whenever they want at their convenience. I think health care is going to take on certain elements of that”

Methodist Medical Center will once again look north to establish a new outpatient medical facility as residents and businesses continue their expansion to Peoria's outer limits. via Journal Star

“This is the city making sure the infrastructure is in place to encourage investment”

By Elizabeth Donald

--

North Main Street will eventually look a lot more like the rest of downtown, or so the City Council hopes.

The council voted 6-0 on Tuesday to approve a new tax increment financing district for North Main Street. The sole opponent of the new district, Alderman Wesley Tippit, was absent from the meeting.

The North Main Street Redevelopment Project will stretch from College Street to the intersection of Illinois 143 and Illinois 159. Plans for the district include extending the downtown streetscape rehabilitation program, replacing aging infrastructure and providing faade and residential rehabilitation assistance. Read more

“A Reflection of Your Community.”

Music On Stage of Palatine is seeking directors and choreographers for its 2008-2009 season. via Daily Herald

“I needed a couple more years to get that thing fully turned around”

Property developer and broker John Cardwell is like those Weebles toys they used to advertise on TV - he wobbles, but he don't fall down. via Herald & Review

ST. CHARLES Only two citations were issued when the St. Charles Police Department checked 25 local businesses for compliance with state and local tobacco laws. via Kane Co. Chronicle