Amtrak cuts could leave Carbondale strandedSaluki and Illini lines would be taken away
Two years after the state of Illinois and Amtrak collaborated to bring more train service to Carbondale, passengers could be left with fewer travel options than they had before. Gov. Rod Blagojevich's $1.5 billion state budget cut proposal would eliminate three Amtrak train routes, including the Saluki and Illini lines.…
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Area rivers expected to crestSouthern Illinois could miss excessive flood waters
Though precautionary sandbags don't seem to be in the region's near future, workers throughout southern Illinois are taking measures to avoid the record-breaking flood levels that have devastated states throughout the Midwest. Local rivers are expected to crest this week, helping the area avoid the peril of other regions that have seen their worst flooding in 15 years. More than 24 deaths have been associated with the flooding in six states throughout recent weeks, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.…
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Former secretary may plead and pay
A plea agreement seems likely in the case of a former administrative assistant in the political science department who is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the university. Rhonda Musgrave, 41, of Anna, appeared Tuesday in Jackson County Circuit Court for a preliminary hearing on felony charges stemming from accusations by the university that she illegally spent its money for personal use. During the hearing, Musgrave's attorney, Jackson County Assistant Public Defender Margaret Degen, told Judge Charles Grace that a plea agreement was in the works.…
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Road construction enters final phasePleasant Hill road work should finish by September
Kenton Newton waits for the day he can drive to his house on a newly paved road. Until then, Newton, a junior from Anna studying information systems technologies, will have to live with loud excavation vehicles, commuters turning around in his driveway and a thick cloud of dust.…
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Unions protest local construction projectDemonstrators say wages are 'subpar'
Local union workers lined East Park Street in Carbondale Wednesday morning to protest a construction company they say offers subpar wages and in turn takes money from the local economy. The demonstrators were union laborers, pipe fitters, concrete finishers and other craftsmen.…
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Citizens say farewell to family storeCity's oldest operating business closes
An old black-and-white photograph of John Dillinger still hangs behind the counter in the feed store he opened more than 73 years ago - but not for long. Dillinger's Feed Store, the oldest operating business in downtown Carbondale, will close its doors at 109 S.…
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Alumni Association names Suarez directorInterim director chosen over Mayor Cole
After a nationwide search, the Alumni Association has found its next leader in its own backyard. Michelle Suarez, who has worked at the university for 23 years, was named the next executive director for the SIUC alumni organization Monday, pending approval from the Board of Trustees.…
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University prepared for wage increaseBigger budget won't decrease employment, officials say
Kiley Nave is excited about the prospect of a little extra money in her pocket. Nave is one of more than 3,000 student workers who will be affected a minimum wage increase starting today. The minimum wage in the state of Illinois increased 25 cents from $7.…
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Student killed in motorcycle accident
Family, friends and fellow Marines will gather today to remember an SIUC student who was killed after his motorcycle collided with a van Friday morning. Bradley Owings, 24, was traveling west on Illinois Route 13 at a high speed when he ran a red light and crashed into a van turning left onto Reed Station Road, according to reports from the Carbondale Police Department and the Jackson County Coroner.…
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Martial arts masters break bricks, records
Steve Tran had no way out. His bare back pressed against a bed of nails as 20 concrete bricks weighed down on his chest with only a thin board separating the tower of concrete from his body. The moment the board was placed on Tran's chest, two sledgehammer-wielding men began to smash the bricks as quickly and forcefully as they could.…
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New committee examines enrollment problemCampus-wide effort begins to implement solutions
Victoria Valle is determined to reverse the enrollment crisis. She's not the only one. Valle, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management, formed a strategic enrollment management committee comprised of representatives from across campus including housing, admissions, colleges and student groups to find solutions.…
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Employees rejoice, worry over minimum wage increaseLong-term economic impact of hike remains unclear
With prices of food, gas and other commodities continuing to rise, many workers say an extra 25 cents is needed now more than ever. Minimum wage in Illinois increased today to $7.75 an hour because of a bill Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed in 2006 setting the wage to increase every year until 2010.…
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Goldman's got gameNew interim chancellor described as '73 going on 33'
The university's newest leader has a secret. He is a Cubs fan (though he likes the Cardinals too). But interim Chancellor Sam Goldman hardly has time to watch baseball since he took office in mid-April. His schedule keeps him at work from 7:30 a.m. to past 6 p.…
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Former students lose appeal against universityCourt rules university did not discriminate
Three former students who accused the university of discrimination after they were suspended for hazing in 2004 do not have a federal case, an appeals court ruled last week. The plaintiffs claimed the university treated them more harshly than white students who had committed the same actions, as well as deprived them of the right to due process during disciplinary hearings, according to court documents.…
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Third candidate interviewed for admissions director, fourth could visit
The merry-go-round of administrators in admissions and enrollment positions may continue to spin a little longer. Rance Larsen was scheduled to be the third and final candidate for director of undergraduate admissions, but the search committee now awaits a reply from Cleveland James of Albany State College for an on-campus interview, said Janna Gharbawi, office administrator for undergraduate admissions.…
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SIUC takes first step toward new program for freshmen
SIUC hopes a hired firm can help the university take its first step in its new First-Year Experience program. Mark Amos, head of the committee to develop First-Year Experience, said SIUC is interested in hiring the Policy Center on First Year of College. It would implement its specialized plan that focuses on retention and creation of a plan to help the university develop an easy transition for incoming freshmen.…
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University Mall has hole to fillGoody's closes amid company restructuring
he University Mall has another space to fill as Goody's Family Clothing prepares to move out. The Carbondale store, which has been in the mall since 2005, is one of 69 underperforming Goody's locations across the country to be shut down as part of an organizational restructure, according to a company release.…
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Local toy store owners find nicheIndependently owned store thrives in mall
Listening to the lullaby versions of Metallica songs at work has become commonplace for Kit Peacock. Peacock, who has worked in the My Toys store in the University Mall for more than a year, said the independent and unique shop provides a haven from classes and other school-related stressors.…
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