Author: Fred Kroner

Mahomet-Seymour’s boys’ basketball team finds itself in a tough bracket for the State Farm Classic, which will start at multiple Bloomington-Normal gymnasiums on Dec. 27. Coach Chad Benedict’s Bulldogs open with Thornwood, from South Holland, at 8 p.m. on Dec. 27 at Normal West High School. With a win, the likely second-round foe for M-S… Read more

Elena Oertwig knows many people who deserve a hand. She was at the top of the list. The Mahomet-Seymour kindergarten student literally received a helping hand a few weeks ago. Had the device for her left hand been manufactured by a faceless corporation in another state — or another country — it wouldn’t have had… Read more

Photo and article by Fred Kroner: Members of the Edwards family from Mahomet served as bell-ringers for the Salvation Army last week at Prairie Gardens. From left are, Layla, 8, Lucy, 6, Easton, 1, and Ella, 11. The sisters, dressed as elves, sang Christmas carols during their four-hour shift. Ella Edwards is 11 years old… Read more

Lu Rippy will soon transition from working with a building of children to focusing on one specific child. On Dec. 20, the Lincoln Trail physical education teacher will retire from her classroom duties for a pursuit she expects to be enjoyable. The first-time grandmother — who earned that title on Aug. 29 — will have babysitting duty (for Sloane Rae… Read more

The heaviest roles in the Champaign-Urbana Ballet Academy’s Nutcracker performances often falls on the lightest shoulders. Tiny ballerinas are dancing around stage with a 4-foot stick attached to a 7-pound horsehead. It’s a weighty issue. That was in the past. When the annual production is revived on Dec. 1, the dancers will hold new props thanks… Read more

People’s Gas spokesman Brian Manthey said last week that “trace amounts,” of methane gas was found in two additional private wells in the vicinity of a leak that occurred approximately 6 miles north of Mahomet last December. That brings to seven the number of private wells that had confirmed levels of methane. “We have conducted over 70 tests and… Read more

Photo and article by Fred Kroner: Kathryn Woodcock stands by the donated 2005 Chrysler Town and Country van she received in May from Mattoon-based New Life Car Care. Her family had endured nine years without transportation of their own. Daniel Craw repairs donated vehicles and makes sure they are ready for the road before he makes donations, based on… Read more

People’s Gas spokesman Brian Manthey said Friday that “trace amounts,” of methane gas was found in two additional private wells in the vicinity of a leak that occurred approximately 6 miles north of Mahomet last December. That brings to seven the number of private wells that had confirmed levels of methane. “We have conducted over 70 tests… Read more

Photo and article by Fred Kroner: John Scott is the organizer of the soup kitchen, which opened for the first time on Monday at the poolhouse at Candlewood. It will be open on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:30-6 p.m. Kristen Bryant is learning that payback is sweet. The Mahomet resident is one of the volunteers who helped cook… Read more