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Ray Spooner, Who Cycled Cross Country After ALS Diagnosis, Dies

An Urbana man who set out to cycle across the country last year after being diagnosed with ALS has died. Ray Spooner was injured on that ride, but was determined to finish. Last November, he dipped the front wheel of his bicycle into the Atlantic Ocean and crossed one more item off his bucket list.

The Champaign County Jail in downtown Urbana, which would close under a proposed 1/4 cent sales tax proposal that could go before voters this fall.
Jeff Bossert/Illinois Public Media

County Voters May Face 1/4 Cent Sales Tax Plan For Facilities

Voters in Champaign County could be asked this fall to support a 1/4-cent sales tax to address facilities needs. County Board Chair Rick Snider says priorities include closing the downtown Urbana jail, and expansion of the satellite site, as well closing the Brookens Administrative Center to move county government to downtown Urbana. The county board would have to approve the plan by August 18 for the question to appear on the November ballot.

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