Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • A3

1 DECATUR HERALD REVIEW MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 A3 LOCAL STATE HERALD REVIEW STAFF Before she was a child prodigy, before she was blazing a trail for the national popularity of a music genre, and before she became the most-awarded female artist in history, Alison Krauss was born in Decatur. The woman who helped bring Americana music into the mainstream spend much time here, with her family moving to Champaign a couple of years after her birth. She began taking classical music at age 5, and switched to bluegrass music. At age 8, she placed fourth in a competition at the Champaign County Fair, competed at the Illinois State Fair when she was 10, and the next year won the Illinois State Fiddle Championship at age 11 and being named Most Promising Fiddler in the Midwest by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass in America. She signed her rst recording contract when she was 14.

When she was 18, she earned her rst Grammt nomination, She became a member of the Grand Ole Opry when she was 22. She was featured on Oscar-nominated movie soundtrack work on Brother, Where Art and topped the country charts with albums three times, and charted in the top 10 an additional nine times. Grammy Album of the Year (2007), featuring Krauss and former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant, reached the top of the Billboard album chart, but stopped at No. 2 on the country chart. She been nominated for 42 Grammy Awards, winning 27.

She is tied with Quincy Jones as the most awarded living recipient. Classical conductor Georg Solti, who holds the record for most wins with 31. She is the most awarded singer and the most awarded female artist in Grammy history. Decatur the birthplace of Alison Krauss Celebrate great about our region The Herald Review each day is listing a reason the Decatur region is loved. ling people, places and history that are special to our region and that make it a great place in which to live.

Follow previous reasons to love the Decatur at Have an idea about something we should feature? Email or use on Twitter to tell us about it or share your photos. REASONS TO LOVE THE Decatur area REASONS TO LOVE THE Decatur area 100 Before she was a prodigy, Alison Krauss lived in Decatur. New cial to be elected by Nov. 9 RYAN VOYLES Herald Review DECATUR Macon County Board cials are hoping to ll the vacancy left by the death of Jon Baxter by their November 9 meeting. Letters were sent Friday to leaders of both the Macon County Democrat and Republican parties asking for recommendations for who should ll the seat.

you have someone in mind who would be interested in the vacancy, please notify me as soon as so I can make my decision and the appointment can be included on the board said the letter signed by board Chairman Jay Dunn. The letters were provided to the Herald Review on Friday afternoon. By state statute, the county has 60 days from when the letters went out to ll the vacancy. Baxter, who died Monday, Sept. 11, was appointed to the board in 2008 and was unopposed in his most recent re-election in 2014.

Along with serving on the board, the former public defender also served for years as chairman of the justice committee. The appointee would serve the last of term, which is set to expire after next election. Since Baxter was a Democrat, the seat is expected to be lled by one as well, despite the letter being sent to leaders of both parties. With the vacancy, the board has 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans. Whomever does ll the seat will have big shoes to ll, as knowledge and sense of humor made him one of the most likable members of the county board.

going to be dearly said board member Kevin Meachum, who served alongside Baxter in county District 1. For Tim Dudley, vice-chairman of the board and fellow Democrat, few people have expressed such a passion for the board as much as Baxter did during his time. He cally noted a time when Baxter came to a meeting in a wheelchair, pushed by his wife, just so he would not miss it. was the dedicated Jon had to this county, even though he feel right and probably have even been Dudley said. 421-7985 TOM LISI Herald Review DECATUR The Decatur City Council will consider tonight a $73,500 contract with Soules Bird Repelent Co.

to keep birds away from downtown Decatur and the surrounding area for the next three years. The city has contracted with the company for decades to prevent large amounts of birds such as starlings from congregating downtown and causing problems for residents and businesses. purpose of controlling the birds is to minimize the health related problems, cleanup costs and nuisances that can be associated with high numbers of birds ocking or roosting in the city sta wrote in a memo to the council. The new agreement expands the area covered by the contract to include the Decatur Civic Center, downtown post ce, Decatur Public Library, Bus Depot and Parking Garage at Wood and Franklin. In 2005, owner James Soules was featured in the Chicago Tribune as someone very ective at his trade for reasons unknown.

know what he does. They just away, and they come the newspaper quoted former Mayor Paul Osborne as saying at the time. A representative for the company could not reached for comment in time for this story. Deputy City Manager Billy Tyus and Public Works Director Rick Marley acknowledge the company has never shared with the city its methods. Marley said sta in the public works department have been able to gure it out, but Marley said he did not want to disrespect claims of propriety.

(217) 421-6949 Contract could keep birds away CLAY JACKSON PHOTOS HERALD REVIEW Baxter County board aims to spot in November IF YOU GO The Decatur City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. tonight in the council chambers, third oor, Decatur Civic Center, 1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza. Here is the schedule of government meetings and other activities of interest to the public in Decatur and Macon County. TODAY Argenta Village Board of Trustees, 6 p.m., village hall, 330 N.

Warren St. Barclay Public Library District Board of Trustees, 7 p.m., 220 E. Main Warrensburg Decatur City Council, 5:30 p.m., council chambers, third oor, Decatur Civic Center, 1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza Forsyth Village Board of Trustees, 6:30 p.m., village hall, 301 U.S. 51.

Hickory Point Town Board of Trustees, 7:30 p.m., town hall, 2240 W. Ash Decatur Long Creek Village Board of Trustees, 6:30 p.m., 7135 East U.S. 36. Maroa Public Library Board of Trustees, 6:30 p.m., community room, library, 305 E. eld St.

Macon County Board Finance Committee, 5:15 p.m., Room 514, Macon County ce Building, 141 S. Main Decatur Mount Zion Village Board of Trustees, 5:15 p.m., village hall, 1400 Mount Zion Parkway Oakley Township Board of Trustees, 6 p.m., 221 Sangamon St. South Wheatland Fire Protection District Board of Trustees, 7 p.m., training room, re station, 1851 S. Taylorville Road, Decatur Warrensburg Village Board of Trustees, 7 p.m., 155 E. Main St.

TUESDAY Harristown Township Board of Trustees, 7:30 p.m., 195 N. Meridian St. Macon County Board of Health, 6:30 p.m., conference room, health department, 1221 E. Condit Decatur Mount Zion Board of Education, 7 p.m., south wing, junior high school, 315 S. Henderson St.

Oreana Village Board of Trustees, 7 p.m., Community Center, 407 S. View St. Richland Community College Board of Trustees, 5:30 p.m., 1 College Park, Decatur WEDNESDAY Decatur Civic Center Board, 8 a.m., civic center meeting room, rst oor, Decatur Civic Center, 1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza Decatur Historical and Architectural Sites Commission, 4 p.m., council chambers, third oor, Decatur Civic Center, 1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza Decatur Park District Board of Commissioners, noon, administration building, 620 E.

Riverside Ave. Macon County Conservation District, 5:30 p.m., Rock Springs Nature Center, 3939 Nearing Lane, Decatur Niantic Park Board, 6:30 p.m., park building, 130 W. North St. Sanitary District of Decatur Board of Trustees, 5:30 p.m., 501 S. Dipper Lane THURSDAY Decatur Human Relations Commission, 3:30 p.m., council chambers, third oor, Decatur Civic Center, 1 Gary K.

Anderson Plaza. Decatur Public Library Board of Trustees, 4:30 p.m., library, 130 N. Franklin St. Macon and DeWitt Counties Workforce Innovation Board, 4 p.m., Illinois WorkNet Center, 757 W. Pershing Road.

Macon County Soil and Water Conservation District, 8 a.m., board room, 4004 College Park Road, Decatur Macon Mosquito Abatement District, 6 p.m., district ce, 3755 Cundi Road, Decatur MEETINGS CALENDAR DOGGIE DIP Above: Max and her owner Marsha Lehan enjoyed the dip in the pool at Timber Cove Apartments in Decatur. Timber Cove Apartments in Decatur opened its pool before it was drained to the dogs for a to end summer. Left: Carrie Holderby tries to get her dog named Master Jedi in the pool. Below: Nova and his owner Melissa Kramer enjoyed the dip in the pool. To see more photos visit www.herald-review.com/ gallery.