LDN celebrates one year

[JAN. 27, 2001]  One year, one solid amazing year! Every single person who worked with Lincoln Daily News in the last year has impacted and been impacted by it. A novel concept in its inception as an online-only community newspaper, it had to earn acceptance as a valid news source. Like with many new inventions, there were many who said, "I don’t know why you would want to do that. I don’t think it will work. Do you know how difficult it is to start a dot-com business, produce news, get advertisers, run a paper (we do now!)?

From writers to office/production staff to ad salespeople, as well as our many contributors, all have worked long, often stressful hours. We owe you a huge debt of gratitude.

To all the encouragers who have said, "We’re with you," " That’s a great idea," "I’m glad you’re doing it," "I’m telling everyone I know," and "Keep up the good work", we say, "Thank you!"

To all our advertisers who had no way of knowing if this was a good use of their advertising dollars, we thank you for your willingness to take a gamble. You are the means by which we exist, and we hope we bring you direct monetary returns and recognition as a business which supports the local community.

Without all our wonderful readers there would be no LDN. Thank you for being faithful!

All have contributed greatly to LDN’s success.

Serving Lincoln/Logan County in the new millennium style,

Lincoln Daily News

Jan Youngquist, Managing Editor


LaHood speaks at Healthy Communities Update

[JAN. 27, 2001]  The Healthy Communities Partnership (HCP) got high marks for its work in promoting rural health from U.S. Representative Ray LaHood and Dr. Carl Getto, Dean of the School of Medicine at Southern Illinois University, at its semi-annual Update to the Community on Thursday.

Before the meeting, both officials toured the HCP Mobile Health Unit, a van that travels to 12 Logan County towns and villages, a site in Lincoln, and Greenview in Menard County, providing health services to about 700 walk-in patients a month, both young and old.  The 36-foot van has exam rooms, lab equipment, a computer, TV/VCRs for patient education, and both a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner on board.  It visits each community at least once each month, and most more often.

“That’s the changing face of health care.  It’s fantastic,” LaHood said of the Mobile Health Unit.

The Congressman from the 18th District told the audience of about 120 that America has the finest health-care system in the world, comparing it to some of those he has seen in other countries.  “When people get sick in other countries, they come to America if they can.”

However, LaHood noted that the problem with health care today is access.  “A good number of people in this country work in jobs that don’t have health insurance.  This is a serious problem that I hope Congress will deal with.”

 

Others who may lack access are uninsured people coming off welfare who must give up government-funded health benefits and people in rural communities without doctors or hospitals.  The Mobile Health Unit is one answer to that problem, he said, as well as hospitals who are beginning to collaborate to set up clinics and send medical professionals to rural areas.

Another health care problem is providing prescription medications for senior citizens faced with large drug bills.  “We actually passed a bill in the House [of Representatives] last year to provide seniors with money for prescription drugs, but the bill didn’t pass in the Senate,” he said.  “We are going to have a spirited debate in Washington about prescription drugs.”  He added that he believed legislation would be passed to provide this help.

He also noted that legislators “need to continue our efforts in Washington to provide funding for medical schools.”  The Blanaced Budget Act of 1997 cut funding to hospitals from Medicare and Medicaid, jeopardizing the financial standing of some hospitals.

LaHood did not, however, advocate creation of a universal health care system, and he said drug companies need to make profits so they could continue to do research on new life-saving medications.

Dr. Getto, dean of SIU School of Medicine, told the audience that communities like Lincoln “have much to offer in helping to educate physicians.  Our job is made a lot easier by communities like yourself, focusing on making the community healthier.”

Since the Mobile Health Unit began making its rounds in April of 1998, family practice residents at SIU School of Medicine have gone out with the unit as part of their training in providing medical care to rural communities.  Some residents also serve as interns at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, an unusual program, he noted.

These programs encourage medical school graduates to stay in rural communities and SIU graduates to stay in Illinois, he said.  More than 40% of these graduates do stay in the state, and many more go to adjacent states such as Indiana, Missouri and Kentucky, Getto said.

Members of the various task forces that make up the Healthy Communities Partnership gave progress reports on their activities during the past six months and outlined some plans for the future.

 

 

 

[to top of second column in this article]

Becky Sank, chair of the Healthy Families Task Force, described ongoing programs such as Safe Stop, finding homes and businesses that will provide safe havens for children; mentoring for teen parents; and the Baby-Think-It-Over program, which puts computerized “babies” in high school and junior high school classes to give young people an idea of the reality of caring for an infant.

Sank announced that a job fair will be held again this year for high school students who are going into the work force after graduation.  This project, set for March 14 at Lincoln College, will each students how to apply for job, fill out an application, and dress for job hunting.

Kristi Simpson of Rural Health Partnership Task Force and the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Task Force outlined education programs put on in all Logan County schools.  These Youth Prevention programs are presented 10 times per year in the 7th and 8th grades.  Seventh graders learn how to resist peer pressure, how to resolve conflicts, and how the media distorts the reality of substance use.  Eighth graders focus on the dangers of specific drugs like marijuana and methamphetamines.

Ron Sillings of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Task Force, told the audience about Friday night teen dances without drugs or tobacco, the DARE program, and the Family Fun Day, which brought more than 300 people to its first outing last summer.  Sillings is also planning an after-prom event for Lincoln Community High School.

Debby Cook, chair of the of Domestic Abuse and Violence Task Force, which was established in 1999, reported that in 2000 there were 162 battery cases, and that in 66 of these incidents children were present.  Among the community-based prevention programs were the candlelight vigil to raise awareness of the issue, complete with silhouettes of women who had been killed as a result of domestic violence.

She noted that on Thursday, Feb. 1, a seminar, Domestic Abuse and Violence 101, will be held at the Lincoln Park District at 1400 Primm Road.  The program, set for 6:30 to 8 p.m., will be presented by Andrea Shaner of Sojourn Shelter Services.

 

The Healthy Communities Partnership presented two major awards and a number of certificates of appreciation to organizations that have supported its programs.  One plaque went to the SIU School of Medicine, which helps fund the Mobile Health Van, and was accepted by John Record, assistant dean of the division of rural affairs, and Dr. Getto.  Another plaque went to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Center for Rural Health, accepted by Mary King, director, and Julie Casper. 

Certificates of Appreciation were given to Lincoln mayor Joan Ritter, representing the City of Lincoln; Alderman Glenn Shelton, representing the Lincoln City Council; Dick Logan, current Logan County Board president, representing the board; Darrell Deverman, former County Board president; the Lincoln Fire Department, the Lincoln Police Department; Lincoln Daily News, Curtis Sutterfield, first chairman of the Domestic Abuse and Violence Task Force; Police officer Diana Short for her work on compiling and maintaining statistics on domestic abuse and violence; and Linda Schneider, for her support of farm safety programs in the Rural Health Partnership.

 

[Joan Crabb]

ILLINI BANK
2201 Woodlawn Rd. in Lincoln
1-888-455-4641 or 735-5400
Ask for Terry Lock or Sharon Awe

Ask about our 7% APY CD
7 mo. - $5,000 minimum

Claire's Needleworks
and Frame Shop
"We Frame It All"
On the square
217-732-8811
M-F 10-5  Sat 10-4
cmstitches@aol.com

Tan every day of the week

at FAMILY CUSTOM CLEANERS
and LAUNDRY

621 Woodlawn     735-2505

M-F 7am-6pm,  Sat.  8am-4pm, Sun. Noon-3

We have top-of-the-line 7ft beds

Mention this ad for 10% off

any tanning package


Meth lab seized in Lincoln

[JAN. 26, 2001]  Lincoln City Police Department announced a meth lab sting was made early last night. According to this morning’s press release, at approximately 10:45 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, members of the Central Illinois Enforcement Group, the DEA and Lincoln Police Department, in conjunction with the Logan County State’s Attorney Office, seized a suspected methamphetamine lab at 1111 Fourth St. in Lincoln. No arrests were made, pending the completion of the investigation. Information received and evidence obtained led to the identification of this suspected lab. Lincoln Police Chief Rich Ludolph praised the coordinated effort saying, "The listed agencies work every opportunity to seize these illegal operations and work together for successful prosecution."

[News release]

It's Tax Time

Come see the tax professionals at

Meier Accounting

and Tax Service

Dale Meier, Enrolled Agent

519 Pulaski, Lincoln

217-735-2030

Tell a friend about

Lincoln Daily News.com

Blue Dog Inn
111 S. Sangamon
217-735-1743

Open for Lunch  Mon.-Sat.
Open for Dinner  Tues.-Sat.

Click here to view our
menu and gift items


School board hopefuls file for April vote

[JAN. 25, 2001]  Four Lincoln-area school boards have candidates slated to run in the April 3 consolidated general election, though only one school district will have a contest. Jan. 23 was the last day to file petitions for school board seats.

Two incumbents, current board president Robert Meinershagen and vice-president Larry Gleason, will run again for the Lincoln Community High School board. Two new candidates, Tom Ackerman and Jim Mammen, have also filed to run for four-year terms. Stepping down are incumbents Charles Bennett and Dale Voyles. Voyles resigned recently after having been elected to the Logan County Board. His seat has been filled temporarily by Robert Pharis, who is a former member of the board and has served as board president.

 

In Elementary School District 27, a full slate of candidates will run for four-year terms with no competition. They are incumbents Marilyn Montgomery, Jim Wilmert and Bruce Carmitchel, and newcomer Steve Rohrer. Board president Bill Bates, who has served for more than 15 years, has decided not to run again.

In West Lincoln-Broadwell Elementary District 92, incumbent Laurie Muck will run for another four-year term, along with two candidates who were appointed to fill unexpired terms, Patricia Quint and Augustus Scott. Scott Goodman, who is not presently on the board but has served previously, will also run for a four-year term. Doug Muck is running for the two-year unexpired term of Lynne Neal. Incumbent Bill Cross chose not to run again.

 

[to top of second column in this article]

In Chester-East Lincoln District 61, five candidates will compete for four four-year terms. They are incumbents Jim Meyrick and Bob Buse; Jennifer Dalyrmple, who was appointed to fill an unexpired term; and newcomers Gladys Elkins and Aaron Leesman. An unexpired two-year term still remains to be filled. Current board member Dennis Uphoff has chosen not to run again.

Candidates who will be elected on April 3 will not be seated until the following November, because of recent changes in the election law. School board members used to be elected in November and seated in the same month, but the date for their election was changed to April to consolidate those races with the election of city, county, town and township officials.

For the last two election cycles, school board members have been elected in April and seated the following November so they would be able to complete their entire four-year terms. After the 2001 election, school board members will be elected and also seated in April.

[Joan Crabb]


LCCS appoints two vice presidents

[JAN. 25, 2001]  Lincoln Christian College and Seminary announces the recent appointments of Gary Edwards as vice president of stewardship development and Don Green as vice president of church development.

Edwards brings extensive education, experience and training to LCCS. From 1990-2000 he served as vice chancellor for advancement for Purdue University Calumet in Hammond, Ind. There he led the marketing and community relations departments, as well as the annual and capital campaigns, alumni affairs and special events. During his career, Edwards has applied his experience and expertise as a marketing and fund-raising consultant, vice president for development at Manhattan Christian College and executive director for Coleman Adoption Services.

A graduate of LCC, Edwards certainly is not a stranger to Lincoln Christian College and Seminary and its community. And, he returns to Lincoln with enthusiasm and a desire to serve. While living in Indiana, he served on the boards for Meals on Wheels, Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce. He says that he finds community service fulfilling and always becomes active in the community in which he lives. "In addition to serving the college and seminary, I look forward to getting involved in the community," Edwards explains. "And, I can think of no better place than Lincoln Christian College and Seminary to live out the purpose the Lord has given me for my life — service to the church and to others."

In addition to earning his B.A. from LCC, Edwards earned his M.A. from Ball State University and has written two books: "A Capital Campaign For Your Church" (1991) and "Keys to Success" (1994).

 

[to top of second column in this article]

As Edwards steps into his new role, longtime LCCS administrator Don Green does so as well. Green has served LCCS for the past 18 years, most recently as executive vice president. He now serves as vice president of church development and will act as a liaison between LCCS and churches.

Through partnership with churches and Christian organizations, the purpose of the church development program at LCCS is to "provide quality services and resources," explains Green. "We intend to build on the foundation of what our faculty and staff have done by working more intentionally, holistically and collaboratively with constituent churches."

Green graduated from both Lincoln Christian College and Lincoln Christian Seminary, earning his A.B. in Christian Ministries and a Master of Divinity in New Testament. Before coming to LCCS, Green worked as a youth minister and as a preaching minister in several Christian churches. In 1994, he was the recipient of the Restoration Award for exemplary leadership and contribution to higher education, preaching and administration.

Green says he wants to help make LCCS a "premier resource" for the church, and is thankful for this opportunity to serve. He adds, "[Church development] is an area of my greatest passion — helping churches."

[LCCS news release]


Rep. Ray LaHood to be featured
speaker at HCP community update

[JAN. 24, 2001]  The Healthy Communities Partnership (HCP) "Update to the Community" is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Lincoln.

Congressman Ray LaHood will be a featured speaker at the event. Dr. Carl Getto, dean of SIU School of Medicine, will present the keynote address.

The HCP is comprised of task forces which address access to medical care for rural communities, substance abuse among youth, teen parenting and pregnancy prevention, and domestic violence prevention. HCP task force members will present updates on their progress and future goals. Special awards will be presented to HCP supporters and participants.

For more information, contact Dayle Eldredge, partnership director, at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.

[HCP news release]


Jefferson School receives
$8,000 worth of books

Third graders enjoy a grand day out!

[JAN. 24, 2001]  Jefferson School third graders were treated to a bus trip to select their books from the Bloomington Barnes and Noble on Tuesday, Jan. 16. They arrived to bunches of big ribbon-wrapped boxes filled with books. On site to present the books to the youngsters were Tenny Ahn, district manager for Barnes and Noble Booksellers; Jodi Martinez, deputy director of literacy for the state of Illinois, representing Secretary of State Jesse White; and Lincoln Mayor Joan Ritter.

[Click here for photos]

It all started with a month-long campaign, through the secretary of state’s office and the Literacy Foundation of Illinois, in which Barnes and Noble Booksellers raised money to purchase books for children. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, customers at the Bloomington branch of Barnes and Noble were asked to contribute a dollar toward local literacy programs. The total program raised $80,000 through 20 Barnes and Noble stores.

Lincoln became a beneficiary when Mayor Joan Ritter learned of the program last fall at a state meeting and recommended Jefferson School. The school applied and was chosen for the grant. They received $6,800 of that money, but, because Barnes and Noble gave them an education discount, the donated money stretched to purchase $8,000 worth of children’s books. Jefferson School received hundreds of new books that were selected by the teachers and students for their school library.

 

[to top of second column in this article]

Once the boxes were unpacked, excited children got to look through the hundreds of books. Each child chose the book of his or her liking for the school to receive. Then a decorative placard was placed in the book with the child’s own name on it.

Following the festive event the children were treated to a special lunch out with the mayor. A decorated celebratory cake was included in the fare.

All in all it was a grand day out for the Jefferson School third graders and a day they and their teacher, Kathy Hawkinson, will remember for a long time.

Thank you, Barnes and Noble Booksellers, Mayor Ritter and Kathy Hawkinson for bringing a little more to our community.

[LDN staff]

Click here for "Books are one harvest from Jefferson School garden,"a related article posted Jan. 13 in Lincoln Daily News.


Jefferson School third grade class receives two new national awards

[JAN. 24, 2001]  Jefferson School, recent recipient of $8,000 worth of new Barnes and Noble books, just received two new awards. The National Gardening Association (NGA) awarded Jefferson School the 2001 Youth Garden Grant Award for Cathy Hawkinson’s third grade class’s gardening program. The NGA also presented Jefferson School with the 2001 Kidsgardening Community Spirit Award, an honor that means Jefferson School is in the top 100 of 1,500 school gardening applicants in the country.

Hawkinson is proud of these awards and intends to continue her gardening program. She has enlisted the aid and funds of several local business and organizations to enhance the existing gardening program. See the Jan. 13 LDN article "Books are one harvest from Jefferson School garden" for a full list of contributors and volunteers.

[Jean Ann Carnley]


Council hears plans for street repairs

[JAN. 24, 2001]  Because last summer’s city street rehabilitation project came in under its $1.3 million budget, the city should have another $142,626 to spend on street projects during the fiscal year that ends April 30, the Lincoln City Council learned yesterday evening.

George Mitchell, chairman of the streets and alleys committee, suggested that the money be used on several of the smaller street improvement projects that have been on the city’s list for some time. The 2½-block area of Clinton Street from the railroad to McLean was his first suggestion for the extra repair work.

Donnie Osborne, street superintendent, agreed that the city should consider doing the Clinton Street project on this year’s budget. "I’ve received a lot of calls about that street. It’s in a bad state of repair, and this winter has accelerated its deterioration," he told the streets and alleys committee. Cost of this project is estimated at $62,100.

In addition to Clinton Street, Sheridan Street from Delavan to Tremont should also be finished with the current year’s funds, Osborne said, because it has a serious drainage problem. Cost of this one-block project is estimated at $47,600. "If we could get those projects done and finish what we began this year, I’d be one happy street superintendent."

A third project, completing the installation of curbs on Washington Street from Seventh to Short Eighth Street, could also be completed this year, by using public benefits funds if necessary, Osborne suggested. Cost would be about $8,000.

"This is money we didn’t spend last year, and we’re looking for the best place to spend it now," Osborne said.

Work on Clinton Street would include removing the existing surface and putting in a new asphalt surface. Curbs and gutters are already installed. Sheridan would be totally rehabilitated, with curbs, gutters and new pavement. Washington, which already has curbs on the east side, will have curbs put in on the west side and the pavement reshaped, Osborne said. Some work remains from last season’s project, the final resurfacing of Gavin and State streets. Early winter weather came before the final blacktopping could be put on.

The additional repair work was put on the agenda for the next regular meeting Feb. 5. Sewer plant manager Grant Eaton said he would check to see if sewers need repair while the road work is being done. Eaton, Osborne and city engineer Mark Mathon will present more detailed cost figures at the Feb. 5 meeting. If the council approves the plan, bids can be let and work can begin as early as April.

 

 

[to top of second column in this article]

The most expensive item on the "wish list" for the next fiscal year is also the one needed most, Mitchell said. Rehabilitation of South Elm Street from Kickapoo to Fifth Street, about eight blocks, is estimated to cost $409,600. The streets and alleys committee agreed this should be the first priority for the next phase of city street rehabilitation.

Others on the list are Omaha Street from Rutledge to Logan, estimated at $157,600; Harrison from Ottawa to Logan and Logan from Harrison to Ophir, estimated at $266,700; Evans from Main to Short Eighth and Eighth, $208,000; parts of 11th and Chestnut, $181,100; Pulaski from Sherman to LaDue, $117,100; 13th from Madison to Jefferson, $49,900; Hennepin and Inlet, $144,100; and Pekin from Beason to Miller, $174,500.

The amount of money that will be available for street work in the next fiscal year is still undetermined, but Mitchell noted that not all the projects on the "wish list" can be done right away. "We’ll run out of money before we run out of places that need repair," he noted.

Alderman Gerald Dehner reported that he had had several complaints from people who live on cul-de-sacs that the snow removed from the streets was piled in their yards. He asked Osborne if it was possible to pile the snow in the middle of the cul-de-sac.

Osborne said the only way to do that would be to go in with an end loader after the street is plowed and move the snow from the yards to the middle, because the snowplows would not have room to maneuver without backing into yards or driveways. He also said he was concerned that so much snow could pile up in the center that emergency vehicles could not get through.

Alderman Steve Fuhrer said he had received a petition for reimbursement for cutting down a tree, in two stages in 1997 and 1998, because the tree was partially on city property. However, city clerk Juanita Josserand said she had no record of a petition for reimbursement turned in during those years. The letter also indicated the tree may have been removed as early as1993 and 1994.

Osborne said he had looked at the tree some years ago and determined that only a very small portion was on city property. The sidewalks, forestry and lighting committee voted to turn down the request for reimbursement.

[Joan Crabb]


Deputy honored as hero

[JAN. 23, 2001]  Deputy Jason Lucas, a two-year veteran of the Logan County Sheriff’s Department, was recognized by the Logan County Board on Tuesday evening, Jan. 16, for an act of heroism performed Dec. 31, 2000.

Sheriff Tony Soloman presented the award to Lucas.

Soloman told those attending that Lucas came across a burning house, entered it and rescued a man who was incapacitated.

"Not only did he bring the man out," Soloman said, "but he re-entered the building to fight the fire until help arrived.

Lucas was given a standing ovation.

[Fuzz Werth]


Lincoln still sorting out
liquor code debacle

[JAN. 22, 2001]  The Lincoln City Council Ordinance Committee met before a regular council meeting Tuesday evening to discuss the new liquor code for the city. The committee was again unable to affirm the newly revised liquor code. At the last meeting, committee members objected to raising fees. This night, there was a little more discussion.

Proposed new fee structure:

Class A: $1,250 a year; restricted to packaged goods for off-premises consumption (same as old code).

Class B: $1,000 a year; restricted to alcohol sales for on-premises consumption (newly created category).

Class C: $1,000 a year; unrestricted alcohol sales, a combination of Class A and B (replaces old tavern license).

In this meeting it was first recognized that this fee structure holds no incentive for businesses to acquire a Class A or B license that allows for restricted alcohol sales and that a restricted Class A is even higher priced than the unrestricted Class C license.

 

 

[to top of second column in this article]

It was Alderman Pat Madigan who brought out these points. He then proposed decreasing the Class A and B licenses to $1,000 a year and raising the Class C to $1,100 a year.

Alderman Glenn Shelton did not think it good business to lower fees that are already in place. With Madigan’s proposal, Class A would drop from the already established $1,250 to $1,000 a year.

With time running short and participants unable to spur further suggestions for a resolution, the meeting ended with the intent to come to a consensus on the matter of fees at the next meeting. The committee will reconvene at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, at City Hall.

[LDN staff]


Announcements

Back to top


 

Top Stories | Sports News | Sports Talk | Area Athletes in Action | Out and About | TechLine | Weather | Elsewhere

A Day in the Life... | Milestones | Obituaries | Diaspora

Business & Ag | Organizations | Events | Good Neighbors | Honors & Awards

Ombudsman | Law & Courts | Rural Review

Crosswords | Games

The Arts | Home and Family | Spiritual Life | Health & Fitness | Teaching & Learning | Book Look | Movies & Videos

Still Waters | The Hallway Buzz | What's Up With That? | Where They Stand | the em space
How We Stack Up | By the Numbers

Letters to the Editor | About LDN | Corrections | Happy Ads | Quick Coupon Clip-Outs