Former Gov. Edgar says he wouldn't be worried about security at Thomson prison

By MIKE RIOPELL - H&R Springfield Bureau Writer

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois governor who ordered Thomson Correctional Center built said Friday he's not worried about security if the prison eventually holds Guantanamo Bay detainees.

Nov 21, 2009 | 4:00 am | Loading…

Sex offender Kim Allan Overlin seeks release from state custody

By RON INGRAM - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - A 57-year-old Decatur man who has been fighting for nearly 12 years to be released from state custody where he is being treated as a sexual predator must wait until December to find out his fate.

Nov 21, 2009 | 3:00 am | Loading…

Marijuana conspiracy led to Oakley man being shot, police say

By RON INGRAM - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - A 19-year-old Oakley man was in serious but stable condition Friday at a local hospital after being shot in the upper torso about 5:30 p.m. Thursday during an armed robbery at a house in the 500 block of West Garfield Avenue.

Nov 21, 2009 | 3:00 am | Loading…

State may close Stateville maximum-security prison

KURT ERICKSON

Nov 21, 2009 | 1:10 am | Loading…

Beasley Properties, Dennis Ballinger Real Estate purchase most of tax liens on downtown Barnes properties

By KENNETH LOWE - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - The tax debts on the Barnes Building and its adjoining parking garage are now partly divvied up between two major property owners in town, Macon County Treasurer Steve Grimm said Friday.

Nov 21, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

St. John's Lutheran Church adds Pontius Pilate display to Living Nativity in its 20th year

By SHEILA SMITH - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - Pontius Pilate has been known in history as the man who ordered the crucifixion of Jesus.

Nov 21, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Harris School students welcome home their soldier from Afghanistan

By HUEY FREEMAN - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - The gym floor was packed with children, waiting to welcome back a man who had kept his word to them.

Nov 21, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Eastern Illinois University breaks ground on biomass-fueled energy plant

By HERB MEEKER - H&R Staff Writer

CHARLESTON - Turning the dirt Friday for the new biomass-fueled energy plant at Eastern Illinois University was easy.

Nov 21, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Salvation Army bell-ringing campaign in Coles, Cumberland counties needs more volunteers

By HERB MEEKER - H&R Staff Writer

The Salvation Army bell-ringing campaign had plenty of doughnuts Friday morning, but more volunteers are needed to fill some holes at the red kettle stations.

Nov 21, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Office's baby boomlet inspires new line of smart and sassy babywear

By CHRIS LUSVARDI - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - The events leading to the creation of Babble Babywear might seem like they were coordinated.

Nov 21, 2009 | 12:00 am | Loading…

Crimes and misdemeanors

By CLAUDIA QUIGG - For the Herald & Review

He lies. He cheats. He steals. Is he a convicted felon? No, he's a preschooler.

Nov 20, 2009 | 8:00 pm | Loading…

Renewed dedication: St. Patrick Church marks building's 100th anniversary

By SHEILA SMITH - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - The Rev. Jeff Grant had always been at small-town parishes before coming to St. Patrick Church, which is considered by many a Decatur landmark.

Nov 20, 2009 | 7:00 pm | Loading…

Illinois reports nine new deaths from H1N1

SPRINGFIELD (AP) - Illinois is reporting nine new deaths and 241 new hospitalizations from swine flu.

Nov 20, 2009 | 4:00 pm | Loading…

• Related: H1N1 news & resources

Home invading elf discovered

HERSCHER, Ill. (AP) - The home-invading Christmas elf has been identified, and it turns out to be a teen-age prankster.

Nov 20, 2009 | 3:15 pm | Loading…

100 years of worship

H&Rstaff report

Nov 20, 2009 | 2:00 pm | Loading…

Scientists map the genetic makeup of corn

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Scientists have unraveled the DNA of humans and other creatures. Now, a team led by the Genome Center at Washington University in St. Louis has decoded the genetic makeup of a stalk of corn.

Nov 20, 2009 | 12:00 pm | Loading…

Rural bankers see slow recovery

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - For the third straight month, a survey of rural bankers in the Midwest and Plains suggests the weak economic conditions are strengthening, if slowly.

Nov 20, 2009 | 11:00 am | Loading…

Burris admonished by Senate ethics committee

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate ethics committee today admonished Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., for making "inconsistent, misleading or incomplete" statements about the circumstances surrounding his appointment to the seat once held by Barack Obama. The committee didn't recommend any punishment.

Nov 20, 2009 | 11:00 am | Loading…

Suspect asks victims for legal aid

By TONY REID - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - William Huber, the man accused of ripping off well-to-do clients with a $17 million Bernie Madoff-style Ponzi investment scheme, has now sent out a letter to friends asking them to contribute to his legal defense fund.

Nov 20, 2009 | 10:50 am | Loading…