May 2014 – CU-CitizenAccess.org

Deb Busey, Champaign County administrator in her office in the Brookens Center in Urbana, IL on Tuesday, May 20, 2014.

Champaign County owes employees more than $1 million in unused vacation time

Post author:Robert Holly / For CU-CitizenAccess and Sari Lesk / For CU-CitizenAccess
Post published:May 30, 2014
Post category:Government

Despite a 2003 effort to limit the number of unused vacation days employees can carry over, Champaign County workers have accumulated more than 62,000 hours of unused vacation. And that total will cost the county at least an estimated $1.6 million as of the last fiscal year, according to County Administrator Deb Busey.

Read more about the article Slices of Life: Area families struggle to find life after a soldier’s death

Robin Scholz /The News-Gazette

Robin Scholz /The News-Gazette connie Bickers sheds tears at the memorial she has built in the front yard of their home in rural St. Joe on Thursday, May 15, 2008.

Slices of Life: Area families struggle to find life after a soldier’s death

Post author:CU-CitizenAccess.org
Post published:May 29, 2014
Post category:Article Neighborhoods

By Jonathan Jacobson -- Connie Bickers gave me simple directions to her house in St. Joseph, but the country roads in central Illinois all…

Read more about the article Breast milk drop off site to open in Champaign

Sean Powers/WILL

Beth McKinney, 26, of Champaign breastfeeds her son, Charlie.

Breast milk drop off site to open in Champaign

Post author:CU-CitizenAccess.org
Post published:May 27, 2014
Post category:Article Health Care Public Health

By Sean Powers/Illinois Public Media -- Many lactation experts say newborns can get their nutrition needs met through formula, but that breast milk is…

Wanted: Your restaurant photos

Post author:CU-CitizenAccess.org
Post published:May 22, 2014
Post category:Article Food Public Health

By Pamela G. Dempsey/CU-CitizenAccess.org -- Under a new notification system that began Jan. 1, restaurants and food establishments in Champaign-Urbana are required to post a…

Read more about the article Slices of Life: Never give up: The constant message at Restoration Urban Ministries

Bradley Leeb/The News-Gazette

Pastor Ervin Williams of Urban Restoration Ministries poses for a portrait in the main sanctuary.

Slices of Life: Never give up: The constant message at Restoration Urban Ministries

Post author:CU-CitizenAccess.org
Post published:May 22, 2014
Post category:Article Neighborhoods

By Candice Norwood -- The Rev. Ervin Williams loves Sunday night, the rare time when he can stop, relax and listen. As the founder…

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the very young and the very old are at highest risk of death from home fires.

Preparing for the unpredictable: Urbana assisted living home regularly practices fire safety

Post author:CU-CitizenAccess.org
Post published:May 15, 2014
Post category:Article Elderly Watch

By Joe Moyles, Carl Rosenberg, Charlie Maniates and Rebecca Jacobs / For CU-CitizenAccess.org -- The U.S. Fire Administration said that in 2010, adults 65 years or…

Read more about the article Slices of Life: Dave’s Firearms is a place for camaraderie — and camouflage

Darrell Hoemann/The News-Gazette

Dave Costley tries to get Gus to quiet down at Dave's Guns in Mayview on Thursday, June 6, 2013.

Slices of Life: Dave’s Firearms is a place for camaraderie — and camouflage

Post author:CU-CitizenAccess.org
Post published:May 15, 2014
Post category:Article Neighborhoods

By Gabrielle Irvin -- The sooty, unpolished wood floor in Dave's Firearms hasn't been refinished in years. Laid with random planks of different widths…

Read more about the article Former Meals on Wheels recipient finds joy in volunteering

Janelle O'Dea/CU-CitizenAccess.org

Meals on Wheels volunteer Jerry Call makes a delivery on the "Pink Route" in Urbana, Ill., on March 18, 2014.

Former Meals on Wheels recipient finds joy in volunteering

Post author:CU-CitizenAccess.org
Post published:May 8, 2014
Post category:Article Food Public Health

By Janelle O’Dea/ CU-CitizenAccess.org - Meals on Wheels in Champaign-Urbana, Ill., provides hot lunches and sack suppers for a small cost to adult recipients…

Read more about the article Slices of Life: University of Illinois student grateful for his journey to belief

Darrell Hoemann/The News-Gazette

Kaiwen Man prays during worship at Bible study.

Slices of Life: University of Illinois student grateful for his journey to belief

Post author:CU-CitizenAccess.org
Post published:May 8, 2014
Post category:Article Neighborhoods

By Xing Zhuo -- "Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God?" Elder Wei-Laung Hu asked. "Yes, I do." Kaiwen Man answered. "Do…

Read more about the article Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park computer lab celebrates “El Dia Del Nino”

Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess.org

Children try to break a piñata as part of a Children's Day party at Bristol Park in Champaign on April 30, 2014.

Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park computer lab celebrates “El Dia Del Nino”

Post author:CU-CitizenAccess.org
Post published:May 7, 2014
Post category:Article Neighborhoods

Giovanna Olea works for CU-CitizenAccess.org as a community ambassador in a computer lab at Shadow Wood Mobile Home Park. CU-CitizenAccess.org has opened and operated a computer…