Plant-eating dinosaurs did not eat grass, because there wasn't any, so it is thought. During the Mesozoic Era, when the dinosaurs lived, conifers - cone-bearing trees and shrubs - dominated the landscape. They included redwoods, yews, pines, palms, cypress and the monkey puzzle tree. Flowering plants and grass evolved only later.
By the way, a plant does not look like its parents, but will always resemble its grandparents
Water Rate Increase Expected
Saturday, 05 April 2008
Ground Water Pollutants
Urbana's newest well field on State Route 29 west of town is expected to be supplying water to City residents by the end of 2008. The new well field became a priority when it was determined the water from the wells at the airport well field contained high levels of nitrates. Volatile organic contaminants have been detected at the Old Troy Pike well field which means drilling additional wells at that location is not possible.
As man made pollutants continue to make their way into ground water aquifers, maintaining a safe water supply is becoming increasingly more complex, more difficult, and more expensive.
At McNeely's Auto Service you won't find a fancy waiting room or plush surroundings, but you will find friendly, competent, and honest automotive service. Stepping inside is a bit like going back in time. Among other things, you can have your oil changed, buy tires, have a flat fixed, get a tune-up, have your brakes serviced, and get your windshield wipers replaced -- all at the same place. Just like it used to be.
McNeely's Auto Service has a long history of serving Urbana residents. Known by almost everyone in town simply as Walt, the owner and operator of McNeely's Auto Service has been raising car hoods for over 50 years. Prior to the 30 years at his current location, he owned and operated the Shell gas station on South Main Street in Urbana.
Walt is passing along his wisdom and the benefit of his many years of experience to his grandson Ashley, who is his only full-time employee.
McNeely's Auto Service is located at 331 North Main Street in downtown Urbana. Business hours are Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
Even if they don't need repairs, you'll find folks stopping in just to chat a spell and say howdy. The unhurried old fashioned small town atmosphere is alive and well at McNeely's Auto Service.
This is one in a series of brief articles designed to highlight Champaign County business establishments. If you are a local business owner, use the contact us page to send us a description of your products, services, and other relevant information. We'll be happy to include you in the Urbana On-Line Business Spotlight.
Understanding Property Appraisals for Taxing
Tuesday, 01 April 2008
Sales of homes & condos from 1993-2006 for the 41 counties with reappraisal/update for 2007 taxes paid in 2008 are depicted in the following chart. Red represents averaged sale amounts per home and blue is number of homes selling in a year.
Your real estate taxes use two main items to calculate: the county appraised market value and tax rates. Tax rates are based on the language of the levy when placed on the ballot, which do vary.
*BOND levies can increase or decrease each year based on the amount needed to pay the principal and interest rate for that year.
*NEW tax levies are typically voted to collect for a certain number of years based on the county's values for year the levy was passed (which means when values go up for revaluation every six years the taxes DON'T go up). However, each year NEW construction values are added for tax calculating purposes allowing the levy to bring in more money.
On February 20, 1805 Champaign County was created on the authorization of the Ohio government. The name "Champaign" comes from the French word meaning "level land". The land that comprises Champaign County was originally part of Greene and Franklin Counties. It was the 18th of 88 counties that would eventually be established in the State of Ohio.
Champaign County consists of 429 square miles of land. More than 99 percent of the county is considered rural with less than 1 percent classified as urban. The county population stood at 38,800 as of the 2000 census with roughly 90 people per square mile. This is an increase of approximately 8 percent over the 1990 census.
