Read more about the article Champaign potholes still costly to city, driversDarrell Hoemann
Elm_looking_south_from_Vine_ on Wednesday, November 2, 2016. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Champaign potholes still costly to city, drivers

In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, the city’s public works department responded to 329 pothole service requests from residents — a slight decrease from the 397 service requests in the previous fiscal year.

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Read more about the article Almost one in every five roads in Champaign in poor conditionDarrell Hoemann
White_looking_west_from_Fifth_ on Wednesday, November 2, 2016. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Almost one in every five roads in Champaign in poor condition

In an analysis of Champaign’s most recent city pavement database from 2015, three sections of White Street have a or pavement condition index (PCI), below 10 — more than any other street in the city.

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Read more about the article Libraries struggle to reach entire Champaign-Urbana communityDarrell Hoemann
Patrons leave the Champaign Library just before the 6 pm closing on Friday, December 9, 2016. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Libraries struggle to reach entire Champaign-Urbana community

Historically, library usage is highest during economic downturns, when people go to libraries for employment and educational training.

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Read more about the article Popular items mean long waits for Champaign-Urbana library patronsDarrell Hoemann
Kelly Strom, collection manager at the Champaign Public Library with with then screen method of reserving books and a copy of the popular new John Grishmam novel on Wednesday, November 16, 2016. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Popular items mean long waits for Champaign-Urbana library patrons

“I think our patrons are pretty used to how the system works,” said Kelly Strom, collection manager at the Champaign Public Library. “If they don’t want to wait on a holds list, then they can get a rental book if it’s available for that particular title. Otherwise, they seem to go pretty quickly because we buy so many copies.”

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Read more about the article Domestic violence agencies shocked by lack of funds in stopgap budgetDarrell Hoemann
Fromm left: Elana Whitsitt, Oksana Whitsitt and Brooke Riddell organize gifts as volunteers gathered to wrap gifts for the women and children of Courage Connection at Trinity Lutheran Church, Urbana, Il on Thursday, December 15, 2016. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Domestic violence agencies shocked by lack of funds in stopgap budget

“The state of Illinois expects us to spend more than half a million dollars and maybe – or maybe not – get reimbursed for it in this fiscal year,” said Isak Griffiths, the executive director of Courage Connection. “That's a huge burden to put on a social service agency.”

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Read more about the article $1 million lawsuit filed against Champaign County for death of inmate Toya FrazierDarrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org
A common area between pods at the Champaign County satellite jail in east Urbana on March 11, 2013.

$1 million lawsuit filed against Champaign County for death of inmate Toya Frazier

The lawsuit was filed on Dec. 1 by Frazier’s sister Jacqueline Jones against the county, Sheriff Dan Walsh and four medical and correctional staff members. It demands damages of $1 million.

Continue Reading$1 million lawsuit filed against Champaign County for death of inmate Toya Frazier
Read more about the article Central Illinois already seeing effects of climate change
Julie Pryde, administrator of the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, speaks at “Climate Change in Illinois: A community conversation”, sponsored by the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting, on Tuesday, November 29, at the Champaign Public Library.

Central Illinois already seeing effects of climate change

“We’re actually at the warmest part for the historical record for Illinois,” said State Climatologist Jim Angel, speaking to a crowd of about 60 at the Champaign Public Library on Tuesday. “This is a different climate for what our parents, grandparents or great grandparents would’ve experienced in Illinois.”

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Read more about the article Join our community conversation on climate changeDarrell Hoemann
on Friday, May 29, 2015. photo by Darrell Hoemann/The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

Join our community conversation on climate change

The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting and CU-CitizenAccess are hosting a public discussion on Tuesday, Nov. 29 on the local, regional and agribusiness impacts from climate change — ranging from flooding and the water supply to changing weather patterns and agricultural techniques.

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Read more about the article New court documents show top Champaign officials knew about problem officer before excessive force incidents
Screenshot of the latest City of Champaign filing in an excessive force lawsuit filed by Precious Jackson.

New court documents show top Champaign officials knew about problem officer before excessive force incidents

Top Champaign officials had met with concerned citizens about the conduct of former police officer Matt Rush as far back as 2012 – well before four incidents that led to excessive force lawsuits, new documents filed in court Wednesday show.

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Read more about the article Despite influx of funds, vacant housing increases in countyDarrell Hoemann
Nuisance Houses on Tuesday, September 20, 2016. photo by Darrell Hoemann/The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

Despite influx of funds, vacant housing increases in county

CHAMPAIGN-URBANA: Since the housing market crashed in 2007, the cities of Champaign and Urbana have received more than $2 million in state and federal…

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