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Group makes another attempt at saving Charleston theater

Ross Griff
/
Flickr/Creative Commons

CHARLESTON, Ill. (AP) - Another effort is being made to save the Will Rogers Theater in the central Illinois city of Charleston. 

 

Dave Stevens is a member of the Will Rogers Project. He says the theater should be auctioned at a sheriff's sale in December. 

 
Another of the group's members, Earl Halbe, expects the price to be about $100,000. 
 
Members hope the price will be lower if it goes to a buyer willing to restore it. A previous restoration attempt failed. 
 

The organization is seeking to become a not-for-profit. It is using another nonprofit, the historic Five Mile House, to accept donations in the interim.  

 
Halbe says the group hopes the theater's future includes community activities as well as movies.
 

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