Read more about the article Champaign nonprofit group pulls for more retail downtownDarrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access
Erin Lippitz, Executive Director of Champaign Center Partnership and Jeff Brandt, owner of Exile on Main St. in Brandt's store on Wednesday, November 19, 2014.

Champaign nonprofit group pulls for more retail downtown

By Sarah Soenke/For CU-CitizenAccess.org — As the number of small business retail establishments has decreased in the city of Champaign, downtown business owners and…

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Read more about the article Sister uses troubled past to help campus youthDarrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access
Sister Maryann Schaefer, in the food pantry of St. John's Newman Center on the UI campus on Friday, November 21, 2014.

Sister uses troubled past to help campus youth

Steffie Drucker/For CU-CitizenAccess.org — Sister Maryann Schaefer was dressed modestly in a simple gray habit and fleece vest, hands folded on her lap. Though…

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Read more about the article Data reveals fire hotspots in Champaign and Urbana; causes of fires varyDarrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access
Jeremy Leevey, fire prevention officer for the Urbana Fire Department at the campus fire station on Thursday, September 25, 2014.

Data reveals fire hotspots in Champaign and Urbana; causes of fires vary

Rebecca Jacobs/For CU-CitizenAccess.org — When it comes to fires involving buildings in the twin cities, there are six hot spots. Three of them are…

Continue ReadingData reveals fire hotspots in Champaign and Urbana; causes of fires vary
Read more about the article Central Illinois farmers rally against proposed water ruleClaire Everett/CU-CitizenAccess.org
Champaign County farmer Lin Warfel points to a drainage area on his property on Nov. 5, 2014. Warfel is among the many farmers who oppose the Waters of the U.S. proposed rule.

Central Illinois farmers rally against proposed water rule

By Robert Holly/CU-CitizenAccess.org — Thousands of agriculture groups and independent farmers – including many from Champaign and other central-Illinois counties – are using a…

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Read more about the article Roaches and rodent droppings among October health violationsClaire Everett/CU-CitizenAccess.org
A yellow placard is seen posted in the window of Mandarin Wok, 403 1/2 E. Green St., on Nov. 3. The yellow color means the restaurant failed its health inspection on Oct. 22. The restauraunt passed a reinspection on Nov. 6 and received a green placard.

Roaches and rodent droppings among October health violations

Claire Everett/CU-CitizenAccess.org — Cockroaches, rodent droppings and flies were among dozens of violations that prompted health inspectors to fail four restaurants and shut down…

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Read more about the article Cooking, trash spark dozens of university firesDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org
Fear Factor Training- Champaign fire department Lt. Mike Kling demonstrates how in just over three minutes fire can build in a room without a sprinkler to students at the Illinois Fire Service Institute on Saturday, September 27, 2014.

Cooking, trash spark dozens of university fires

By Robert Holly/CU-CitizenAccess.org — There were 10 university housing fires last year, most of which were caused by cooking gone wrong. One housing fire,…

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Read more about the article Small business development lagging in Champaign CountyDarrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access
Seven Saints in downtown Champaign on Wednesday, November 5, 2014. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Small business development lagging in Champaign County

Sarah Soenke/For CU-CitizenAccess.org— Champaign County small business development is still struggling under setbacks from the Great Recession and have not returned to pre-recession conditions,…

Continue ReadingSmall business development lagging in Champaign County