The Daily Illini

Fire at UWisconsin destroys fraternity house

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A raging fire at a Langdon Street fraternity house left one firefighter injured and the house destroyed Monday night, though no residents were hurt. The fire reportedly caught near the base of the Sigma Phi Epsilon house on 237 Langdon St. around 11:30 p.m.

University housing deals with dorm damages after students leave

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Though the mass exodus of summer vacation-bound students from the dorms has left much of campus uninhabited, University Housing expects to stay busy through the summer.

More than 10,000 people are expected to live in the dorms during the next few months including students taking classes during the summer sessions and groups using the rooms for camp programs, but University Housing will be making renovations, installing microfridges and carpet for next year's tenants and cleaning the aftermath of another school year in the dorms.

Illinois students, community members plan to remember victims of China quake

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

University students and community members plan to locally remember the victims and aid the survivors of the severe earthquake that hit central China Monday.

The Chinese Students and Scholars Association and the Overseas China Education Foundation have planned a candle requiem and a blessing of the victims for Thursday night from 8 to 8:30 p.

Senate committee to discuss tuition, student scholar bills

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Illinois senate higher education committee will hold hearings Wednesday to discuss in-state tuition for active military personnel and admittance of state scholars.

The committee will consider HB5905, which would provide in-state status for tuition purposes to any active duty military personnel that are reassigned to an out-of-state post or to a different country and their dependents.

Teach for America sees big growth

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON - Backpacking in Europe? Nah, the dollar's too weak - and for some, the needs closer to home are too great.

More than ever, graduating college seniors are signing up to spend two years in America's poorest communities as part of Teach for America, the nonprofit organization that recruits and trains top college students for teaching jobs.

Anonymous rape tests are going nationwide

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

ELKTON, Md. - Starting next year across the country, rape victims too afraid or too ashamed to go to police can undergo an emergency-room forensic rape exam, and the evidence gathered will be kept on file in a sealed envelope in case they decide to press charges.

Champaign votes against resident funding of apartment inspection program

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The consensus with the Champaign City Council is that the new Multifamily Common Area Inspection Program, an apartment inspection program, is so far a success. However, the Council voted Tuesday night to not move forward with a plan to fund the program with taxes from Champaign citizens.

Another twister reported in tornado-damaged Mo.

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

SENECA, Mo. - Another round of storms moved Tuesday into tornado-ravaged areas of Missouri, Arkansas and several other states where residents are still picking up from the weekend's killer twisters.

The National Weather Service said conditions could be similar to those that spun funnel clouds and killed 27 people Saturday and Sunday in the Plains and the Southeast.

Ellis sentenced to prison term, probation for burglary

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Former Illini football player Joseph "Jody" Ellis was sentenced to 120 days in prison and 30 months probation at the Champaign County Courthouse Tuesday morning.

Ellis pleaded guilty to a class three felony for charges stemming from a March 2007 incident in which Ellis was charged with the theft of a laptop valued at more than $300.

Police reports

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Champaign A 47-year-old man was arrested late Sunday night at the 00 block of East Bradley Ave. after officers discovered he was in possession of a controlled substance. According to a police report, police pulled the suspect over to the side of the road after he signaled improperly.

Johnson waiting to reschedule Bulls interview

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO - The Chicago Bulls had not rescheduled an interview with coaching candidate Avery Johnson as of Tuesday evening after last week's meeting was postponed.

General manager John Paxson called that off, and Johnson's representative, Tyler Glass, said he hadn't heard from the Bulls in about two weeks.

Tribune nixes deal to sell Wrigley to state

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO - Tribune Co. and its CEO Sam Zell rejected an Illinois state agency's plan to buy Wrigley Field and are pushing ahead to sell the ballpark together with the Chicago Cubs, a top company official said Tuesday.

Crane Kenney, the Cubs' chairman and outgoing general counsel of parent Tribune, said there still is a chance Wrigley could be sold separately to the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.

LaBeouf: Cigs run led to Walgreens arrest

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

NEW YORK - Turns out it was a nicotine jones that led to Shia LaBeouf's arrest in Chicago.

The 21-year-old actor, who stars opposite Harrison Ford in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," told the story of his infamous Walgreen's arrest during his appearance on Monday night's "Late Show.

Ludacris returns to his alma mater in Atlanta

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

ATLANTA - Ludacris returned to his alma mater, stepped into a gymnasium - and saw a mural that included his likeness.

"I've always wanted a street named after me, but this is better," the 30-year-old rapper said of the mural, which includes his face overlooking the words "Gym of Dreams.

Calif. schools shouldn't punish peacemongers

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

It's difficult to digest that religious beliefs should stand in the way of one's ability to work in California, but they can. If a teacher refuses to swear she or he will grab a weapon to defend the "Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic," they don't teach - period.

Growing up as one of the early in vitro babies

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

I've already blown my 15 minutes of fame. And, unfortunately, far before I could appreciate it. As one-half of the first set of test-tube twins born in Iowa, my birth was deemed newsworthy, even though my sister, Jen, and I were healthy, normal babies.

In May 1987, the Des Moines Register did a story on my family - a family that was formed, the reporter wrote, "thanks to technology.

Pay attention to more than weather this break

Wed, 14 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

It's summer, and while the weather has been less than stellar, vacation has begun here at WSU. It's time to let loose, hang out and maybe take a class or two. But it's also time to drive around with the windows down, cat-calling young women with R-rated outbursts and blasting The Misfits.

Deadline for opinions applications extended

Fri, 02 May 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Daily Illini will be hiring columnists and editorial cartoonists for the Fall 2008 semester. If you are opinionated and write well, complete the application and send it to diopinions(at)gmail.com or drop it off at the Illini Media Building at 512 E. Green Street.