One lane of traffic on John Street between Fourth and Fifth streets will be closed between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Monday, Jan. 4 through Wednesday, Jan. 16, due to a concrete pour at the McKinley Foundation, 405 E. John St. Eastbound traffic will be narrowed but cars will still be able to pass.

Bronze markers missing from Campustown

CrimeStoppers and the University Police Department are asking for assistance in locating historical markers that have been stolen from the Urbana campus. The 75-pound bronze markers, which are attached to 6-foot poles sunk several feet into concrete, commemorate significant people and events from the University’s history. Of the five markers stolen since early 2006, two have been recovered. Anyone with information in regards to the missing markers can contact Robert Murphy of the University Police at (217) 333-1216 or call CrimeStoppers at (217) 373-TIPS.

Stratton Elementary heads to state Lego League

Stratton Elementary, 902 N. Randolph St., Champaign, is sending a team of fifth grade students to the state level for the First Lego League competition. This news comes after t The Stratton Strands Energy Savers Team 5229 won the regional competition, which was sponsored by the University of Illinois College of Engineering, on Dec. 8. The state competition will be held on Jan. 19 in Arlington Heights, Ill.

Updated Spice Box offers fine dining on campus

The Spice Box, a restaurant run by students in hospitality management located on the second floor of Bevier Hall, 905 S. Goodwin St., will begin the semester in their newly renovated space with a Kentucky Derby-themed meal on Jan. 18.

Each themed dinner offers a four-course meal and alcoholic beverage, with varying prices according to the menu. A complete list of the dates and times, menus and guest chefs for each meal can be found at spicebox.uiuc.edu and reservations can be made at (217) 333-6520.

January dubbed National Blood Donor Month

Community Blood Services of Illinois is thankful for the celebration of National Blood Donor Month in January 2008, according to a press release. Traditionally, blood is in short supply during the winter months, including January, which is a particularly difficult month for blood centers to collect blood from donors.

To find the nearest blood drive or donor center near you, log on to americasblood.org or call (800) 217-GIVE.

Naomi Jakobsson donates fluorescent lamps to charity

On Friday, State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, D-Urbana, will host an “Installation Day” at Restoration Urban Ministries, 1213 Parkland Court, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers from Jakobsson’s staff, Ameren IP and Restoration Urban Ministries will be on site to install the compact fluorescent lamps. Volunteers from the community are welcome to attend.

“It is no secret that Restoration Urban Ministries has been hit very hard by the rate increase,” Jakobsson said in a press release. “I hope these bulbs will significantly cut their monthly power bills.”

Compiled by Amanda Graf and Sky Opila