Page 5 - Garyl Smith News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

HENRY — A longstanding chemical plant at the north edge of Henry has announced plans to shut down this summer, potentially idling up to 50 employees. Emerald Polymer Additives LLC has decided to de-commission its local site because of “low-cost foreign competition,” according to plant manager Galen Hathcock. “Emerald produces rubber antioxidants and accelerators (used in tire production) at the Henry plant but has seen a significant decline in demand for these products in recent years as a result of low-cost foreign competition, primarily from Asia, which is also gaining market share...

WENONA — A Colorado-based national agribusiness plans to build a large new retail agricultural services center outside this small community that sits along the Marshall-LaSalle County line, about 45 miles northeast of Peoria. The new facility is expected to employ 10 to 20 full-time workers during peak seasons and five to eight at other times, according to documents. Operating hours will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in peak times and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. otherwise. The Marshall County Zoning Board of Appeals and County Board recently approved a special-use permit for Nutrien Ag Solutions to construct t...

Illinois teen flies through pilot training, despite COVID-related obstacles Gary L. Smith LACON — Ask Brady Neuhalfen of Henry how a high school student recently met the rigorous demands of earning a private pilot’s license midway through his senior year — and midway through a pandemic that has practically paralyzed many aspects of American life — and he’s quick to start thanking everyone who made it possible. First, there’s Marshall County Flyers Inc., the non-profit group that sponsors the huge Father’s Day Fly-in/Drive-in Breakfast each year at the Marshall County Airport....

LACON — The next Marshall County State’s Attorney will be Lacon attorney and longtime public defender Patrick Murphy. The county board voted unanimously Thursday to approve Chairman Gary Kroeschen’s appointment of Murphy to succeed Paul Bauer, who became a judge last month after more than 17 years as the county prosecutor. Bauer recommended the appointment. Murphy, 52, has served as the county’s part-time public defender for 27 years, though he was officially an assistant in that role for the first seven. He also has maintained a large private practice with roots extending back throu...