Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 3

LOCAL STATE Tuesday, February 5. 20D8 A3 Plan to create district library to go before voters in 2009 LOCAL Report "What we are aiming for is bringing them into a library district," Cisna said. The library board said the referendum would go to voters sometime in 2009 possibly during the spring municipal elections in April. Informational meetings will be scheduled in the future to inform taxpayers on the advantages of the conversion. Contact Herb Meeker at or 238-6869.

erendum on creating a Mat-toon Library District could go before voters next year. Jennifer Cisna, who is completing her tenure as Mattoon Public Library director, said expansion to a library district via referendum could bring more to library services. She has been advocating the change for years. "First and foremost, people who now have to pay for nonresident cards will now be taxed for library services annually so they won't be By HERB MEEKER Staff Writer MATTOON The library wants to expand its tax base in a big way. On Monday night, the Mat-toon Library Board voted to convert from a citywide library to a district library for taxing purposes.

The district could include unincorporated areas around Mattoon as well as communities and rural areas in Lafayette, Paradise, Pleasant Grove and North Okaw townships. A ref cfe urt Lincoln Log plans craft workshops Jaw w-iHJ expand its services and staff with tax cap restrictions now in place But she emphasized that for some non-residents the conversion to a library district could produce a savings in the long run. The non-resident charge for a library card is now $45. A city resident with a home valued at $70,000 paid about $42 last year for the library's share on property taxes. However, library district would produce a larger tax base overall.

Submitted Photo Benson, Karl Walden, Jonathan Shick, Kaitlin Lmapley, Tyalor to sectional non-residents anymore," Cisna stated. "Also, it will mean a lot more money if it passes money for staff, more money for books, more money for building improvements." The library now bases its tax on city limits only and last year drew in $400,000 from city taxpayers. Cisna said the library currently has no estimate on how much more tax money could come from district status. But the library does need money to TO TALK first in verse and In ft. L) Uj Members of the CHS speech team are, front row, from left, Liz Amarh and Zoe Corso; second row, Katie Hawkins, Amanda Nyamache, Josh Magee, MeghanKuhn and Gabl Wandllng; third row, Kevin Giffln, Dan Adams, Robert Hawkins, Colin Roberts, Llndy Fallow, Max Stearns and Cassiy Lampley.

1 READY tion; Kaitlin Lampley, CHS speech team members going CHARLESTON The Charleston addition, the CHS Performance in High School speech team took second place at the regional competition it hosted Saturday with several CHS team members advancing to sectional competition. Students finishing fourth or higher will advance to the sectional. CHS team members who reached event finals were Taylor Adams, first in dramatic interpretation and second in oratorical declama the Round, "Into the Woods," placed second, and featured the following cast members: Andy Hudson, Gabi Wandling, Zoe Corso, Dain Miller, Robert Hawkins, Meghan Kuhn, Jonathan Hawkins, Max Stearns, Lindy Farlow, Amanda Nyamache and Cassidy Lampley. Lincoln won the 10-team regional and will host the sectional competition on Saturday. second with Kan Walden in dramatic duet; Walden, second in radio; Colin Roberts, first in extemporaneous and second in oratory; Josh Magee, first in humorous interpretation and second in special occasion speaking; Kevin Giffin, second in prose and second with Dan Shick in humorous duet; Liz Amarh, second in original comedy, and Katie Benson, fifth in impromptu.

JGTCPOU Gents spdse Patriots, pc3 respendeds Most Journal GazetteTimes-Courier online poll respondents missed on predicting the Super Bowl winner. The New England Patriots were heavy favorites to become the NFL's second-ever unbeaten champion but the New York Giants surprised them and most JGT-C poll respondents, too. When asked who would win Super Bowl XLII, 59 percent of respondents picked the Patriots while 41 percent thought the Giants would win. This week's poll question concerns Punxutawney Phil's prediction on Groundhog Day. "Punxutawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of winter.

What are you least looking forward to: LCold 2. Snow 3. Ice 4. What? I love winter!" lb cast your vote, go to www.jg-tc.com HEOGA Semhtnsck stuck under k57oveipass A driver sustained minor injuries when his semi-truck careened off Interstate 57 and became wedged under an overpass early Sunday evening in Cumberland County, said the Illinois State Police in Effingham. At 5:25 p.m., Leon Knittel, 53, of Herscher was southbound in a 2007 International semi-truck when the vehicle left the west side of the roadway, struck a cluster of trees and then lodged under the County Road 1300N overpass about two miles north of Neoga, the ISP said.

The trailer broke open, spilling some of its contents. Knittel was wearing a seat-belt and sustained some injuries, said the ISR He had to be extricated from the truck tractor. MATTDON Rafie tickets for Project Graduation car on sale Tickets for the Project Graduation raffle will be on sale at the girls' home basketball game on Thursday and at the boys' home game on Saturday. Those purchasing tickets will have a chance to win a 2008 Hyundai Elantra or $12,000. Tickets are $100 each.

Patrons also may purchase a portion of a chance to win a portion of the $12,000 cash. For more information about purchasing a ticket, contact Jane Mann at 238-7909. All raffle proceeds will benefit Project Graduation, an all-night, substance-free celebration for Mattoon High School seniors. The 2008 Project Graduation night will be May 23 at Lake Land College. DECATUR F( forces cancelation tf f.T.ercnrceeE The Illinois Commerce Commission canceled Monday night's public hearing on Ameren Illinois' rate increase proposals.

Foggy weather had created dangerous road conditions in many areas. The Decatur public hearing will be rescheduled for another date in February. Details will be released later this week, according to an ICC notice. Illinois' early primary brings mixed reactions LERNA Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site will conduct a series of craft workshops that will begin next week. An announcement from the site said most workshops are designed for beginners, and participants should bring a sack lunch.

Reservations can be made by contacting the site at 345-1845, and all registration fee payments should be sent to the Volunteer Pioneers, PO Box 100, Lerna, IL 62440. The schedule for the workshops is: Introduction to weaving, Feb. 12-16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

The workshop is for those who have no previous weaving experience. The course will introduce the basics of weaving. Participants will have the opportunity to warp one of the looms as a class and weave on a variety of pre-warped looms. All materials are provided. Cost is $200.

Day caps, Feb. 23 and March 1, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Students will be provided hands-on instruction on making an authentically reproduced day cap.

Participants should bring needles, thread and scissors and all other materials will be provided. Cost is $10. Knitting, March 8 or 29, 10 a.m.each day 4 p.m. Participants can learn the basics of knitting or brush up on techniques. The class will teach two basic stitches, the knit and purl, so a number of projects can be completed.

Cost is $5. Mountain dulcimer March 15, 9 a.m. to noon for beginners, 1-4 p.m. for intermediate players The morning session will for beginners, no experience required, and will focus on basic playing techniques. The afternoon session of the class will be tailored for intermediate students.

Participants should bring a three- or four-string mountain dulcimer. Cost! is $50. Shaker boxes, April 26, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and April 17, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Participants will learn to make traditional shaker boxes during the twoday class. Students should bring a craft knife and all other materials will be provided. Cost is $95. Grand jury to hear deadly wreck case BELLEVILLE (AP) St. Clair County's prosecutor says he'll ask a special grand jury to hear the case involving a trooper involved in a November freeway wreck that killed two CoUinsville sisters.

State's Attorney Robert Haida says the grand jury will review the evidence in the case involving Trooper Matt Mitchell. Mitchell's police car was rushing to another wreck, reportedly at 126 miles per hour, when it swerved across the Interstate 64 median and into the path of a car occupied by Collinsville sisters Jessica and Kelli Uhl. The girls died at the scene. NOTICES Readers REPEAT BOUTIQUE 60 Clothing Sale 50 Housewares Misc SIDE DOOR Phone Rachael 235-0011 By KURT ERICKS0N JGT-C Springfield Bureau SPRINGFIELD When Illinois voters head to the polls today, it will mark the earliest ever primary election in state history. And, by most accounts, moving the primary election date to the first Tuesday in February will likely serve its intended purposes: To help U.S.

Sen. Barack Obama's presidential run and to give Illinois more of a voice in the presidential sweepstakes. But when the polls open at 6 a.m. today, not everyone will be happy the date was changed. State Sen.

John Jones, R-Mount Vernon, was among a handful of lawmakers who voted last year against switching the date, saying it would merely create an even longer campaign season. "In my district, I've knocked on a jillion doors. People are always telling me that the campaign season noughey. As for the future, Illinois is now locked in as an early primary state. But, Brown says the entire primary system should be reviewed before the next presidential race in 2012.

"Party leaders on a national level should come together and figure out what works best," Brown said. Jones agrees the entire national election process needs to be reviewed. He suggests there may even be a need for a national primary election, rather than the current state-by-state set-up. Despite his reservations about the date change, Jones said he likes the idea that Illinois voters will play a role in the national races this year. "We do have somewhat of a voice, which we didn't before," Jones said.

Kurt Erickson can be reached at kurt.ericksonlee.net or 217-789- business owners, area residents and others to make more informed decisions about energy usage." David Turnbull, a bioscience instructor, said "The event will also offer free public workshops on increasing energy efficiency in the home and obtaining help for paying utilities. This is your chance to learn how to convert your ideas from concept to reality." "With increasing energy costs, it is becoming more and more important to find alternative ways to reduce our dependence on non- renewable energy sources," Sanderson added, lb register for the conference and learn more about the speakers, visit www.ener-gyconf.org. For more information contact Turnbull at 234-5419. of county-level seats. When House Speaker Michael Madigan proposed moving the primary last year, he offered two reasons: Make Illinois a player in the early going and give a boost to Obama's then-fledgling bid for president.

Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said he believes those goals will be met. "It's had its desired effect," said Brown. It's also meant changes for candidates. In Illinois' 18th Congressional District, Republican candidate John Morris of Peoria had to adjust some of his plans because of the heavy snowfall across the region last week. Rather than going door-to-door to campaign, his volunteers were spending a lot more time on the telephone trying to convince voters to back him, rather than his GOP primary foes, Aaron Schock and Jim McCo- cial focus on entrepreneurs and alternative energy.

Other highlights include a juried energy fair that will feature local students' alternative energy projects. Participants may also seek advice from several vendors such as Ameren. Ron Sanderson, special projects coordinator said, "Vendors at the conference will provide a wide variety of energy saving ideas, products and demonstrations to help Lake Land College "In my district, I've knocked on a jillion doors. People are always telling me that the campaign season never seems to end." State Sen. John Jones, R-Mount Vernon, one of the handful of lawmakers to vote against switching the primary data, never seems to end," Jones said.

Along with the high profile presidential races, Illinois' 7.1 million registered voters will choose delegates for each party's national nominating convention. Scores of candidates also are on the ballot for Congress, the Illinois General Assembly and a variety energy efficient. Selecting a certified solar electric installer. Biomass initiatives. Corn to ethanol conversion.

Planning an ethanol plant. Section 9006 loan and grant opportunities for energy projects. Illinois Clean Fuels Project update. Renewable energy. Location, Preparing for the impending energy and infrastructure crisis.

Keynote speaker Jack Schultz, CEO of Agracel and author of Boomtown U.S.A., will kick off the conference with the "7 Keys to Big Success in Small Towns." He will share examples of the things happening in small towns across America, with a spe- Energy Innovation Conference expected to stoke ideas MATTOON Registration is still being taken for Lake Land College's energy conference People can learn more about installing solar panels, wind turbines and other alternative energy solutions in their home or business Information about loan and grant opportunities for energy projects also will be available Lake Land's first Energy Innovation Conference will be Feb. 27-28. Conference topics are designed to meet the interests of contractors, educators, business owners, facility managers and farmers. Guest speakers will focus on: How to meet 2008 building codes regarding energy efficiency. State policy for energy efficient buildings.

Making new construction.