After sitting vacant for more than two years, construction is set to begin at 621 E. Green St., the former site of Record Service. Contractors Broeren Russo are scheduled to begin adding a third floor for apartments to the building starting July 18.

According to a press release, construction will result in lane closures on Green Street through October.

Rape Crisis Services to protest court ruling banning terminology

In a local response to a Nebraska court that ruled against the use of the words ‘victim,’ ‘assailant,’ and ‘rape’ in an ongoing sexual assault case, Rape Crisis Services of Champaign will participate in a protest in front of the Champaign County Courthouse scheduled to be held this Tuesday.

The protest will take place at noon, and other protests around the country will take place simultaneously. Protesters will be wearing scarves or tape over their mouths to protest the silencing of rape victims.

Last week, a judge in Lincoln, Nebraska ruled that victim Tory Bowen and prosecutors could not use words like ‘rape’ and ‘sexual assault kit’ in describing her alleged attack, out of fairness for the defendant.

UIC chancellor announces retirement

Sylvia Manning, chancellor at the University of Illinois at Chicago campus, announced Thursday she would be retiring at the end of 2007. Manning has been chancellor of the Chicago campus since 1999 and has worked on several initiatives, including expansion and research.

“It has been a great privilege to lead one of the most dynamic university campuses in the nation,” Manning said, in a press release.

Manning has a Ph.D. in English and literature from Yale and a Bachelor’s degree from McGill. During her tenure as chancellor, the Chicago campus expanded and moved into the top 50 universities in the nation in federal research funding. University President B. Joseph White said the University would launch a nationwide search for a replacement.

Bagelfest returns to Mattoon

Got a hankering for a bagel? The 22nd annual Bagelfest in Mattoon returns this weekend, beginning with the Beautiful Bagel Baby contest Wednesday night. The event runs from July 19-21 and includes food booths, games, carnival rides, competitions and entertainment of all kinds.

Mattoon is the home of Murray Lender, the originator of Lender’s Bagels, and some 60,000 bagels are given away at the festival each year.

Compiled by Jenette Sturges