County briefs         

CIEDC property under consideration for purchase, and other briefs

[JAN. 8, 2007]  Serious interest has been expressed to purchase the CIEDC property just off Fifth Street Road on Lincoln's west side. The CIEDC property was put on the market in late fall when it was decided that it was too big for the agency's needs and a more suitable location might be sought. It is listed at $350,000.

CIEDC chair Pat O'Neill said that the interested party wishes to remain anonymous at this time. He said that their decision will be influenced by the decision of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital to purchase the land next to that property. That decision would be favorable to buy the property if ALMH should locate near there, O'Neill later said.

ALMH has an option on the undeveloped land located southwest of the Logan County Fairgrounds, northeast of CIEDC. The hospital announced last month that they would be moving forward with their intention to expand their campus, which would mean a move to a new location. They have not yet purchased that property, but a representative for the hospital, Marty Ahrends, said that they do not have an option on any other land.

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Special recognition from U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood was given to two recently retired board members, Paul Gleason and Dale Voyles. The congressman recognized Gleason for his many years of service to the board and Voyles for acting as board chairman.

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Beginning Jan. 1, Illinois law granted coroners more permissive decision-making in investigating deaths, new law enforcement committee chair Michael McIntosh said.

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McIntosh also said that work is still in progress on a new truancy ordinance.

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Bill Sahs, the county board liaison to the Lincoln/Logan County Chamber of Commerce, said that work has begun on the 2007 Lincoln Balloon Festival, which the chamber sponsors. It will be held for its third year at the Logan County Airport.

He also said that the Ag Day Breakfast would be on March 21.

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