Local News Tidbits
 

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April 21, 2007

SON OF PAXTON RESIDENTS INJURED IN IRAQ. U.S. Army Sgt. Derek Whitaker, son of Gene Eppelheimer and Deb Petkus, was injured from a roadside bomb last week. He was transported to Germany for treatment of a broken leg and lacerations.

PBL BOOSTER CLUB DONATES $5,000 toward construction of new all-weather track  Also, a suggestion was made by former resident that the new track facility be named in honor of the late Fred Guyot, who was track coach for over 25 years .

PARK BOARD rescinded board family discounts previously granted at last month's meeting. Park board attorney Bob Martensen advised them that granting discounts to family members violates state statutes. The Board also rescinded truck policy not allowing Park District vehicles off district property when not in use.

RESULTS OF THE APRIL 17, ELECTIONS are available at the Ford County website. http://www.fordcountycourthouse.com

PBL BAND spent spring break in New Orleans. Students raised funds for the past four years to pay for the trip. While there, they visited numerous sites throughout the city, and performed at Lafayette Square and on the steps of the Washington Artillery Park.

April 10, 2007

FORD COUNTY COURTHOUSE GETS SECURITY MEASURES.  Metal detector will be installed at south entrance of courthouse where all visitors & employees will be required to enter. Also five armed part-time guards will be employed. Sheriff Mark Doran hopes to have the new security in place by mid-May.

COUNCIL VOTES ON BRIDGE ISSUE. City Council voted 7-0 to retain plans to construct new $3.9 million bridge on Holmes Street. A petition with 389 names was presented at Monday's Council meeting requesting the new bridge be constructed at Center St.

RAFFLE HOUSE OPENS. New raffle house opened April 10 to large crowd. The business will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

April 7, 2007

PRESERVATION AWARDS GIVEN TO PAXTON SITES.  The Preservation and Conservation Association (PACA) of Champaign, IL will be honoring the following Paxton sites at the PACA annual meeting on April 15:  Residential Heritage Award - Tom & Laurie McQuinn house at 242 W Center St, Paxton and Steve & Sandy Burgener house at 130 S Elm St, Paxton;  Landscape Heritage Award - 10-Mile Grove Barn funded by the Paxton Foundation.

PAXTON WOMAN MISSING. Jamie Harper, 20, of Paxton was last seen March 9 leaving her home for trip to Rantoul. Harper is epileptic and has been without her medication, driver's license and cell phone. Crimestoppers is offering up to $1,000 reward for information. Harper is Caucasian, about 5 feet tall and 130 pounds, has brown hair, brown eyes, a nose ring in her left nostril, and a small "tribal" tattoo on her lower back. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, white jacket, sandals and black handbag. Anyone with information should call Paxton Police (217 379 4315) or Rantoul Police (217 892 2103)

BRIDGE PETITION TO BE PRESENTED at next City Council meeting on April 9. The petition will request that the Council reconsider the location of new proposed bridge from Holmes Street to Center Street.

WARREN PACEY, PAXTON ATTORNEY & CIVIC LEADER DIES. Mr. Pacey died Friday, April 6, 2007. He was 90.  Click here for obituary.

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION HAS 4 CANDIDATES FOR 3 POSITIONS.  3 incumbents are running for re-election - Dave Dowling, Jeff Jarboe, and Dean Swan. Dave Bergandine has also declared his intention to run.  Election will be held on April 17.

PAXTON FOUNDATION SPONSORS NATURE WALK.  The 1 hour walk will be held on April 29, 2 PM, at 10-Mile Grove (Howard Thomas Memorial Nature Preserve) and conducted by Bob Reber. Space is limited and reservations are necessary. Call 379-2459 after 6 PM. The tour will include discussion of native plants and birds. The largest blooming population of Michigan lilies is located in the preserve.