CU-CitizenAccess.org looks back at 2013
CU-CitizenAccess.org continued providing high-quality journalism to the residents of east-central Illinois in 2013 with new investigative news packages on public housing, bridge safety, meth…
Contributed/Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
A draft version of a reinspection notice. Public health officials are drafting ordinances that would require food establishments to post a color-coded placard that indicates the results of each health inspection. Yellow means the food establishment failed its health inspection with an adjusted score below 36 and but can remain open pending a reinspection within 30 days.
Moldy Cool Whip, a baby cockroach, and warm raw meat among violations found in 11 area restaurants
By Pamela G. Dempsey/CU-CitizenAccess.org -- Eleven restaurants failed health inspections in October, with critical violations ranging from employees not washing hands to potentially hazardous foods out…
Slices of Life: Former waitress has taken a leap of faith — and her life savings — to open her own design shop
By Jordan Sward -- One o'clock cannot come fast enough. It's 8:30 on an autumn Wednesday morning and Heather Smith has a decaf pot…
Slices of Life: Entrepreneur has spent much of his adult life belying a label from his high school days
By Phil Johnson/For The News-Gazette -- Cutting hair in the barbershop no one ever expected him to own, Seon Williams entertains in frenzied, fluid…
Slices of Life: Jessie’s first fight
By Thomas Bruch One Jessie Bushman's back grazes the top rope of the ring, making it vibrate gently in contrast to the violence all…
Heather Coit/The News-Gazette
Mitch and Frances Harris join another couple during contra dancing at Phillips Recreation Center in Urbana, Ill on Friday, May 16, 2008.
Slices of Life: After meeting on dance floor, Harrises waltzing through life
By Richard Anderson -- Frances and Mitch Harris treasure these five minutes. They have plodded through the evening, trading partners and sharing laughs, surrendering to…
Slices of Life: Genetic disorder means daily battle with calculated risks
By Megan Graham -- In his old room in his parents' home, a pretty house in the Cherry Hills subdivision of Champaign, Chike Coleman…
Heather Coit/The News-Gazette
Zina Bhaia shares conversation with Lynn Holley before the two leave for another day on UI campus in Urbana, Ill on Tuesday, April 21, 2009.
Slices of Life: Iraqi woman relates tale of her ‘rebirth’ in America
By Zina Bhaia -- So many lights! I knew that America would be big, but as I looked out my Royal Jordanian Airline window at…
Slices of Life: Still missing his wife of 36 years, man keeps himself occupied at Champaign laundromat
By MARISA GWIDT -- "Oh, boy," Charlie High sighs as he watches a college student drag in four heaping bags of laundry. "She won't…
Slices of Life: Bishop seeks life for his church despite bleakness of neighborhood
By Robert Holly -- Bishop Morris Paul Lockett sits patiently in the former crack house at 205 E. Garwood St., C, waiting for his…