The Pantagraph Bloomington, IL

Experts: Dust Not a Factor in Gravel Pit

BLOOMINGTON - Two experts testified Wednesday that a proposed gravel pit would not create dust or increase noise at a nearby school or residences. The testimony came at a McLean County Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on a request by Carri Scharf Materials Co. for a special- use permit that would allow a gravel pit on 26 acres of a 156-acre parcel off Stringtown Road. It would be near the Fox Creek subdivision and Fox Creek Elementary School.

Obama's Appeal to Youth Supercharged

NORMAL - The youth vote, as predicted, appears to have been a factor in Barack Obama's White House win. But whether Obama can transfer that energy into participation during his presidency remains unclear.

Council Eyes Vote On 'Living Wage'

BLOOMINGTON - Most members of the Bloomington City Council say they are willing to consider a "living wage" for city workers in response to the advisory referendum results. About 65 percent of the voters in Bloomington said they would like to see city workers paid $9.81 an hour, a rate that would pay someone over a 40-hour work week enough to afford a one-bedroom apartment and associated living expenses.

Area Calendar

Today Twin Cities- Global Review; 5 p.m., Room 244, Schroeder Hall, Illinois State University, Normal Speaker: Erik Rankin on the experience of winning a McLean County Board seat.

Obama Presidency Seen As Inspiriing Racial Healing

BLOOMINGTON - The selection of Barack Obama as president Tuesday could inspire people in McLean County and other places to work on issues that affect race relations, according to the head of the Bloomington Branch of the NAACP. "Many folks will feel inspired to achieve the American dream and protect that dream," said local NAACP President Mike Williams.

Several Likely Successors for Senate Post

SPRINGFIELD - Wanted: Someone to serve two years in the U.S. Senate. Requirements: Must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for at least nine years and an Illinois resident.

Man Given Prison in Drug Case

BLOOMINGTON - A Texas man convicted of trafficking large amounts of marijuana into McLean County was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years in prison. Jose Lozano, 27, pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Judge Turns Back Race Claim,Affirms 92-Year Term for Rape

BLOOMINGTON - A judge rejected suggestions Tuesday that race may have played a role in the handling of a sexual assault case against a Bloomington teen serving 92 years for raping a woman. Yarri Massey was 16 at the time he was arrested in connection with the May 25, 2007, brutal attack of a woman in her apartment on Bloomington's east side. In August, he was sentenced to a total of 92 years for the rape and multiple counts of burglary stemming from break-ins to several homes the same night.

No Talk of Giving Up Prison Fight

PONTIAC - Local officials are continuing to talk with state leaders about the closure of Pontiac Correctional Center. "I can tell you adamantly that we are not throwing in the towel," state Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, told a morning crowd at the Pontiac VFW. "We will continue to use all legal and ethical means necessary to keep the prison open."

A3 Rail

FYI Stay updated Visitwww.pantagraph.com for the latest road closures.

Dewitt Bacvks Referendum On Landfill Chemical Measurer

CLINTON - For the second time in less than a year, DeWitt County residents have voiced their opinion against the storage of chemical waste at a Clinton landfill. By a two-to-one margin, DeWitt County residents voted in favor of a non-binding referendum asking the DeWitt County Board to rescind the amendment approved Aug. 23, 2007, with Clinton Landfill Inc. for the permitting of a chemical waste landfill and related structures in DeWitt County.

Local Turnout Doesn't Reach Level Expected

BLOOMINGTON - Location was a key indicator of how McLean County residents voted Tuesday in both the presidential and local races. Following the county's traditional demographic lines, Republican strength was greatest in rural areas and Bloomington's white-collar areas while Democrats saw their best numbers in the Twin Cities, especially the older parts of Bloomington.

Daily Digest

NEWS IN BRIEF Deadline today for holiday food

Economy May Sink Pool Plan

EUREKA - Declining sales tax income and the general negative economy have some residents questioning the wisdom of going ahead with a municipal pool. "I think we could get ourselves in a lot of trouble with the economy the way it is," Tom Doubet Sr. said. "It's the wrong time."

Public Safety

Police, fire, rescue Man buys, returns stolen truck

Congress Turns More Democratic

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Democrats broadened their control of Congress, though in the Senate they fell short of the 60 votes needed for a filibuster-proof majority that would have given them almost unbridled power over legislation. Voters ousted Senate Republicans in North Carolina and New Hampshire and added three seats held by retiring GOP incumbents to the Democrats' fragile 51-49 majority. Four other Senate races involving Republican incumbents remained too close to call Wednesday, including Geo...

How Time Flies for Nov. 6, 2008:

100 years ago Nov. 6, 1908: This year's Electoral College will include Bloomington attorney Sain Welty. He'll vote for William Howard Taft. From California comes news that former Bloomingtonian George Tracy was elected to Congress. He's a Democrat in San Francisco.

Lincoln Approves Sewer Upgrade

LINCOLN - An assisted living facility cleared a major hurdle for a proposed expansion project Monday when the City Council approved changes to a sewer upgrade on the city's west side. City attorney Bill Bates has been working on the agreement for several months with Lincoln Towne Center LLC, the parent company of St. Clara's Manor.

Watson Gives Up Top Gop Post After Stroke

SPRINGFIELD - Although the partisan makeup of the Illinois Senate wasn't altered after Tuesday's voting, the General Assembly's upper chamber will be a vastly different place in January. On Tuesday, 19 days after suffering a stroke, Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, announced he would not seek re- election to a third term as head of the GOP caucus.

Democrats Win in Counties Throughout Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - In what's become an election trend in recent years, Illinois Democrats made gains Tuesday at various levels of government. Democrats latched onto the success of President-elect Barack Obama even as Republicans tried to remind voters that the widely unpopular Gov. Rod Blagojevich is also a Democrat.Here's a quick look at how the fight over political power went Tuesday in Illinois.