In a small claims case local black activist Patrick Thompson filed against his former attorney, Harvey Welch, a judge decided that legal malpractice had been committed and ruled in Thompson’s favor. Thompson filed the suit pro se, arguing his own case, while Welch was represented by Urbana attorney David Rumley.

In the spring of 2008, a class at the University of Illinois produced a film about their participation in the Books to Prisoners program at the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center. SPCM396: Crime, Punishment, and Social Justice was taught by Professor Stephen Hartnett. Additional DVD credits include Martha Becker, Lisa Galvan, Nick Guida, Cody Mullen, and Roger Smith-Bergsrud.

Breaking News ... Danielle Chynoweth, City Council Member from Ward 2 and Mayor Pro Tem, who has served for the past 7 years, is stepping down from Council. Here is a copy of the letter sent from Ms. Chynoweth to the Mayor and Council Members today:

Dear Mayor Prussing and Urbana City Council Members,

Please accept this letter announcing my resignation from Urbana City Council.

Opponents to I-69 shut down business at a Gohmann Asphalt site for three and half hours on Wednesday, disrupting the normal flow of operations, clogging construction traffic, and costing Gohmann several hours worth of lost profits.

I have been attending the meetings of the newly formed Civilian Police Review Board in Urbana
and a few folks have asked about its composition, members, etc.

A CPRB currently only exists in Urbana - NOT in Champaign, which has dropped the idea all together.

The Urbana CPRB just had its third meeting and is now overseeing any complaints contested.

On Tuesday, June 24, 2008, a hearing was held for a small claims suit Patrick Thompson has filed against Urbana attorney Harvey Welch to recuperate approximately $3,000 in legal fees. Thompson is arguing the case pro se and Welch is being represented by Urbana attorney David Rumley. A hearing was set for July 30, 2 p.m. in courtroom D for additional evidence to be presented.

June 20th 7am, Evansville Indiana -- In the early morning hours of June 20th, around 25 police officers from the Indiana State Police (ISP), Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the Gibson County Sheriff's office descended on the scene of the anti-I69 tree sit, just south of State Road 68 in southern Gibson County (20 miles north of Evansville).

In a tumultuous meeting with several moments of drama and many unanswered questions, the Champaign County Board voted 21-4 to put the county's Nursing Home on life support on the evening of June 19th.

Penny-Wise, Pound-Foolish: Conservative County Board Members Admit Responsibility for Crisis, Take It Out on Union

By nightwatch

BREAKING UPDATE: The jury returned a verdict of NOT GUILTY for the charges of criminal sexual abuse against Patrick Thompson.