[JUNE 6, 2001]  Lead

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[JUNE 5, 2001]  With John Turner's recent acceptance of the opportunity to serve as an Appellate Court justice, a vacancy was created for an appointment to fill out his term in the Illinois General Assembly as state representative. I have been encouraged and supported by a great many people to participate in the process as a candidate to fill that vacancy. Over the last month I have wrestled with the decision as to whether to accept the appointment if chosen by the county chairmen to fill the vacancy.

[Carla Bender]

It is indeed a great honor to be considered for this appointment, and I want to sincerely thank Justice Turner for his recommendation of me to continue his work in the General Assembly. I also wish to thank Congressman Ray LaHood, Republican Central Committee Chairman Ron Sparks and all of those who have voiced their support for me for this appointment. It has been a truly humbling experience to have so many colleagues and supporters, people whom I have admired professionally and personally and whose examples I have tried to follow in my own public service career, offer their support and commitment to me for the appointment to the office of state representative. It is, for me, a personal reward to have received so much encouragement and support, and I thank each and every individual for their faith and confidence in me.

As the mother of a 3-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son, a change in careers such as this opportunity would present would bring with it significant changes in my family's life. The demands and rigors of a six-county campaign in the upcoming March primary to retain the seat if I am appointed to it would impact my time with my family greatly. After much heartfelt consideration and consternation my husband, David, and I have decided that the timing of this opportunity, given the youth of our children, is just not right for our family. Therefore I would have to decline the appointment, should I be fortunate enough to receive it. My children are my highest priority, and I believe this is the best decision to make for our family at this time.

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I have not completed all I've set out to do in the Circuit Court clerk's office. Since being elected as Circuit Court clerk I have worked very hard toward the goals and initiatives we've set in the office. I am extremely proud of my staff and what we have accomplished together over the last nine years, and it is a job in which I feel I am making a difference. There is more work yet to be done. I intend to continue to champion the cause of parents and families in the still unresolved problems in the issue of child support in this state.

Next year I will serve with pride as the president of the Illinois Circuit Clerks Association. We will continue our work on this and other legislative and policy issues that affect our court systems across the state. I intend to continue to provide the level of quality service to the people of Logan County in my capacity as Circuit Court clerk. It is truly my honor and privilege to serve the people, and I love doing the people's work every day.

Again, I offer my sincere thanks to the many citizens and fellow elected officials who have expressed their support of me for this appointment to the office of state representative. The gravity of this decision is the only reason that I have not made it before now. It has been an incredibly difficult decision to make.

I wish the best to the other candidates in the appointment process and know that the Republican Central Committee chairmen in the six counties that comprise the 90^th Representative District will carefully consider all of the candidates and make a wise decision. I sincerely thank each of them for the important work they are doing. I look forward to the future challenges in my current office, and I thank the people of Logan County for the opportunity to serve them.

[News release from Carla Bender,
clerk of the Circuit Court]

[JUNE 5, 2001]  Lincoln College will benefit from Illinois lawmakers’ approval of the state budget. Lincoln College will receive a $1 million grant from the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs. The grant is made possible through bonds by the Build Illinois program.

Lincoln College President Jack Nutt says the money will go toward building a new Lincoln College Museum. "Our museum contains many historical pieces of our namesake, Abraham Lincoln. We have joined forces with the Looking for Lincoln project and are aiming to create an environment that one day will complement the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield. The money will allow the Lincoln College Museum to increase its size from 1,200 to 6,000 square feet and will be the focal point of the new Lincoln Center."

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Nutt said he appreciates the efforts of Sen. Bob Madigan, Rep. John Turner and Gov. George Ryan. "This is a first for Lincoln College. We are a private school and receive no direct tax dollars from the public, so this is a real boost to our total program."

The Lincoln Center, the new capstone building of Lincoln College, will be located on the northeast side of campus. A fund-raising campaign is currently under way to build the new Lincoln Center. Nutt said if campaign goals are met, construction could begin as early as this fall.

[Lincoln College news release]

[JUNE 5, 2001]  Salaries for department heads as well as new committee appointments were announced at Monday night’s Lincoln City Council meeting.

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[Joan Crabb]

[JUNE 5, 2001]  Jason Harlow, chief pilot of Skycruiser Balloon Promotions in Lincoln, has announced a partnership with LTA Marketing in Murphysboro, enabling Skycruiser to lease "She’s A Lady," a 75-foot-tall, ladybug-shaped hot-air balloon.

"This is a very exciting time for our company to move from the conventional-shaped balloons to the exotic, crowd-pleasing special-shaped balloons," said Harlow.

"She’s A Lady" sports six 12-foot long legs and a 15-foot-tall head, complete with antennas.

The balloon will be making appearances at festivals across the United States, Mexico, and Canada this summer and fall.

Some locations include Quebec City, Canada; Juárez, Mexico; El Paso, Texas; Canton, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Okla.; and Albuquerque, N.M.

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It is still unknown if the balloon will be appearing at the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival in late August, as negotiations are still taking place.

Future plans by Skycruiser do include the acquisition of more special-shaped balloons, as company focus is shifting from private and corporate functions to partnerships with various balloon festivals.

"People in Lincoln should not be surprised to possibly see 110-foot-tall cactuses, 75-foot-tall ladybugs, or any other odd-shaped creations floating over Lincoln in the future," said Harlow.

[News release]

[JUNE 2, 2001]  There will be special treats for concertgoers at Latham Park this Sunday, June 3. A. Lincoln General Store will be providing FREE samples of cookies and lemonade at this year's first performance in the annual Concerts in the Park series. A. Lincoln General Store, located at 127 S. Sangamon St., has fresh baked goods daily. The business is owned by Norman and, appropriately, Cookie Wentworth.  The Sunday concert, featuring Sojourn, begins at 7 p.m. Click here for more details.

[JUNE 2, 2001]  The search for a new Abraham Lincoln brought a wagonload of impersonators to the stage during the recent Elkhart Chautauqua celebration.  The men came to vie for inclusion in a Lincoln video being planned by the Looking for Lincoln Master Plan Committee administered by Main Street Lincoln. 

Competing for the prize were Howard Rankin of Mount Pulaski, Joseph Woodard of Hazel Dell, Steven Miller of Washington, Randy Duncan of Carlinville, Max Daniels of Wheaton and Richard Klein of Springfield.

During the first portion of the competition, contestants were judged on their appearance, stature and facial similarity to Lincoln, as well as accuracy of costume.  Each contestant then gave a 60-second portrayal, with most choosing to do Lincoln's farewell speech to Springfield. They were judged on selection, mannerisms, voice inflection and stage presence during that portion. 

Chosen for prizes were Woodard as the beardless Lincoln and Klein as the bearded.  Each received $100 and a prize package sponsored by the Elkhart Historical Society, Main Street Lincoln and the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau. 

Plans for the video production are still in progress, and the Lincoln look-alike for it has not yet been announced.

[News release]

[JUNE 2, 2001]  The Illinois General Assembly gave approval Thursday night to a $50 billion budget with no new taxes, a budget that makes priorities of public education, Illinois’ struggling coal industry and downstate nursing homes, according to Sen. Bob Madigan.

The state’s new fiscal year begins July 1.

"This is a balanced budget that takes into consideration a slowing economy but also recognizes vital programs and services," said Madigan, R-Lincoln. "This plan wisely uses the taxpayers’ dollars without overspending and maintains a projected balance of about $1 billion in our state bank account by the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2002."

Of the new revenue expected to come into the state, public education will receive $460 million.

"I’m especially pleased that public education remains a top priority," said Madigan. "Fifty-one percent of the additional revenue collected will go to our schools. Additionally, the budget contains $740 million in funding for school construction grants."

The education funding plan calls for a new minimum per-pupil funding level of $4,560 for school districts across the state. Exceeding the recommendations of the Education Funding Advisory Board, the plan also eliminates the threshold for poverty grants so schools will be eligible if they have just one student below the poverty level. Locally, schools in the 45^th Senate District will receive $1.38 million dollars more in state support than last year, $1.38 million more than recommended by EFAB’s recommendations.

The budget also makes a priority of Illinois’ coal industry.

"At a time when there is growing concern over energy supplies, the program outlined in the budget will help prevent the kind of energy shortages experienced by California, while also giving a much-needed economic boost for our coal miners and mines," said Madigan.

Illinois will finance $3.5 billion in assistance by selling bonds and using the proceeds to build new coal-mine-sited power plants and to install coal scrubbers to allow more use of Illinois’ higher-sulfur coal.

The budget also reconfigures how the state funds nursing homes that receive Medicaid assistance.

"The Medicaid funding changes are good for downstate nursing homes," said Madigan. "The budget sets aside $70 million to increase reimbursements for nursing homes that care for low-income patients.

The FY2002 budget also includes funding for the following projects in the 45^th District:

•  $1 million for various improvements at Lincoln College

•  $350,000 for campground improvements at Weldon Springs State Park

•  $240,000 for rehabilitation work at the Mount Pulaski Historic Courthouse

•  $1.1 million for renovation of the Lincoln Correctional Center

•  $260,000 to upgrade roofing systems at the Logan Correctional Center

Other FY2002 budget highlights:

Education

•  Commits 51 percent of new revenues for education with an increase of $460 million.

•  Funds the governor’s recommended increase for the State Board of Education at $303 million GRF over FY01 levels.

•  Funds the EFAB-recommended foundation level of $4,560 per student in FY02.

•  Includes general funds of $3,225,000,000 for general state aid and $37 million GRF for GSA/Hold Harmless for FY02.

•  Fully funds the mandated categoricals in FY02.

•  Includes $72 million GRF for the School Safety and Education Improvement Block Grant (ADA).

•  Restructures poverty grants so that school districts are compensated for every poverty student in the district.

•  Includes $71,480,000 GRF for the early intervention program, which amounts to a 56.4 percent, $25.7 million increase over FY01.

•  Includes approximately $7 million GRF for the Teacher’s Academy for Math and Science, which is equal to a 19 percent, $1.1 million increase over FY01.

•  Includes approximately $7.2 million GRF for the Jobs for Illinois’ Graduates program, which equals a 38.1 percent, $2 million increase over FY01.

•  Includes approximately $184 million GRF for the Early Childhood Block Grant program, which is equal to a $4 million increase over FY01.

•  Includes $4 million GRF for the Reading Improvement Statewide program, which amounts to a 33.3 percent, $1 million increase over FY01 levels.

•  Includes a total increase of $3 million GRF for the Alternative Education, Regional Safe Schools and Truant Alternative Optional Education programs.

•  Funds the ROE’s superintendent’s salaries at the statutorily mandated level of $7,875,000 GRF.

•  Includes $26 million GRF for the Summer Bridges program, which is equal to a 13 percent, $3 million increase over FY01 levels.

•  Allocates $157 million new dollars to higher education, an increase of over 6 percent.

•  Provides $39,005,300 to the community college board to fully fund the governor’s request for adult education.

•  Includes $367 million for the monetary award program, an increase of $14.7 million, or 4.2 percent.

Human services

•  The FY02 budget includes almost $80 million to fully fund the $1 per hour wage increase for developmental disabilities direct-care workers which becomes effective retroactive to March 1, 2001.

•  Adds $18 million to fund a 2 percent COLA for all non-Medicaid community service providers, effective April 1, 2001.

•  Includes over $650 million to fully fund the child-care program, providing service to 221,000 kids, an increase of 9,000 children over last year.

•  The child-care program includes a new $2 million GRF appropriation to fund the Great Start program, which provides wage supplements to child-care workers who establish longevity and who attain higher levels of education. This program is designed to increase the quality of care provided in child-care settings.

•  Provides $3 million to fund an additional 150 CILAs for individuals with developmental disabilities.

•  Funding for programs to combat compulsive gambling is doubled from $1 million to $2 million.

•  Includes a new $2 million to expand mental health services to provide treatment to juveniles with mental illness.

•  Provides $2.5 million for services for immigrants, an increase of $1.5 million over the FY01 level of funding.

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•  Re-establishes a $3.8 million appropriation for the Project Success program, which was eliminated in the governor’s budget proposal.

•  Provides $9.7 million for the Healthy Families program, an increase of $850,000 over last year’s funding.

Medicaid

•  Fully funds the Medicaid program at a 30-day payment cycle by closing the governor’s proposed Medicaid shortfall without imposing any additional rate reductions to Medicaid providers.

•  Includes $80 million to implement the updating of cost reports for nursing homes (SB 608) for the purpose of increasing Medicaid rates for geriatric long-term care providers. This increase in rates is effective July 1, 2001.

•  A total of $48.3 million is budgeted to implement the second phase of AABD Medicaid eligibility expansion. This phase expands the Medicaid eligibility to those AABD individuals with incomes between 70 percent and 85 percent of the federal poverty level.

•  A total of $52 million is included to annualize the cost of providing enhanced Medicaid rates to tertiary care hospitals, effective April 1, 2001.

•  An allocation of $180 million is earmarked to fund the KidCare program, providing health coverage to an estimated 180,000 kids, an increase of 44,500 children over the FY01 level.

Public safety

•  Provides a total of $1.5 million GRF for two new cadet classes, which are expected to graduate 100 officers in FY02.

•  Provides a total of $2.1 million GRF, along with $1.0 million State Police Vehicle Fund for the outright purchase of 135 new police vehicles and accessories.

•  Includes an additional $607,400 GRF to support costs associated with DNA short tandem repeat technology for use in DNA casework analysis.

•  Includes a total of $2.3 million GRF to provide resources for the department to reduce the current backlog of DNA processing in the Chicago area.

•  Another $168,900 GRF is included to allow for the hiring of five new forensics staff members at the Springfield facility.

•  Provides $1.1 million in funding for the state police to continue work on the Illinois Wireless Information Network.

•  Includes a total of $2.0 million GRF to allow the department to proceed with the development of a statewide voice communication system known as STARCOM 21.

Environment

•  The Illinois Rivers 2020 initiative is being funded in FY02 at $1.4 million GRF. The EPA is working in conjunction with the Departments of Agriculture and Natural Resources to restore the natural resource value of the Illinois River basin. The dollars will be passed through to local entities to be used for watershed planning and mapping support.

•  The Household Hazardous Waste Project at EPA is increasing by $1 million GRF. This program deals with the collection and disposal of hazardous household waste. The additional monies will enable the program to fund three permanent facilities as well as to have 12 one-day events throughout the state.

Economic development

•  Includes a new $3 million appropriation to fund the Agri-First/Value Added initiative at the Department of Agriculture. This program provides Illinois farmers with the opportunity to increase the net worth of their product by processing Illinois products in Illinois.

Transportation

•  Includes a total investment of $2.3 billion for the state’s FY02 road program. This amount equals the appropriation for the FY01 road program.

•  Adds $2.5 million to reinstate funding for the operation of the emergency medical response helicopters.

•  Includes a total of $335.1 million in state operating assistance for mass transit. This amount includes increases of $44.5 million in state assistance to the Regional Transportation Authority and $4.3 million to the downstate public transportation systems.

•  Provides $40.4 million for the fare-reimbursement program, which benefits students, the elderly and people with disabilities in the RTA transit region and eligible downstate transit systems. This amount equals the FY01 appropriation for this purpose.

•  Includes $91.0 million in capital for RTA transit projects and $5.0 million for downstate transit projects. In addition, a total of $6.0 million GRF is included for non-bondable transit projects throughout the state.

•  Provides $14.3 million in federal funding to be used throughout the state for operating assistance to rural and small urban systems and for capital assistance to purchase buses and para-transit vehicles for the downstate systems.

•  Includes a total of $172.7 million in state, local and federal funds for airport safety improvements, runway rehabilitation and construction, and taxiways at local airports.

•  Includes $15.0 million for land acquisition for the third Chicago-area airport.

•  Provides a total of $10.3 million for state support of Amtrak service for the three downstate trains and the Chicago-Milwaukee line.

•  An additional $42.2 million is included for rail improvements, including $24.0 million to continue work on high-speed rail in the Chicago-St. Louis corridor and to improve rail service on the other three corridors in Illinois.

Medical, other

•  Includes $105 million to fund last year’s expansion of the Circuit Breaker program and adds another $1.7 million to include the coverage of osteoporosis prevention medications in the Circuit Breaker program.

•  Provides $52 million for activities related to smoking prevention and cessation.

•  Includes a total of $17.9 million for medical research activities including $13.8 million for the Excellence in Academic Medicine program, $2.2 million for juvenile diabetes research at the University of Chicago and $1.9 million for the sickle cell program at the University of Illinois.

•  Fully funds the governor’s Venture Tech I proposal with $176.7 million. This funding is being used to build state-of-the-art technological and medical facilities in an effort to improve the state’s medical research and treatment capabilities and foster economic development.

•  An allocation of $35 million funds the third year of the earned income tax credit.

[News release]

[JUNE 1, 2001]  New portable defibrillators are being distributed to sheriff departments in the 45^th District. The defibrillators were purchased with Illinois FIRST program funding secured by Sen. Bob Madigan and Reps. John Turner and Keith Sommer. Sen. Bob Madigan was on hand for the presentation at 9:30 a.m. Friday, June 1, at the Logan County Safety Complex, 911 Pekin St.

Defibrillators are being distributed to Logan, Mason, DeWitt, Woodford and Tazewell counties.

The sheriff departments were awarded grants by the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs to purchase the defibrillators. The grant amount and number of units are:

• Logan County, $19,200, six units
• Mason County, $12,800, four units
• DeWitt County, $16,000, five units
• Woodford County, $16,000, five units

• Tazewell County, $38,400, 12 units

The portable defibrillators can be assigned to patrol officers who will be instructed in their use. The purpose is to have the devices ready during emergency situations when a person’s heart may stop. The defibrillators can be used to start the heart again and save lives.

[News release]

[JUNE 1, 2001]  The following report states the results of a cable survey taken within the city of Lincoln in April. The questionnaire was in two parts. The first section asked which cable television stations individuals deem to be their favorites. The second part asked which specific programs the Insight Cable subscribers view as their favorites.

In order to make the survey manageable and of a length that would cause more complete replies, only principal cable stations were included on the survey and not newer entries or standard broadcast stations.

The programs chosen also were limited to a small group to ensure response. The programs were selected either to encompass the entire age demographic of viewers or as a station's leading program or as a program broadcast at the same time when Linc-On TV was airing their own programs.

The surveys were left at area locations and were filled out with no assistance from local Channel 15 staff members.

The options available to a viewer were "never watch," "seldom watch," "watch frequently" or "watch all the time." The judgment of whether a show or station is popular was then based on only the "watch frequently" or "watch all the time" responses being compared to the total response for that question. In some cases where a question was left blank, the response was considered a "no response" and was not counted either way. This was to allow the parts of the survey that were answered to be part of this report. In all, 143 surveys were returned.

Results of the first section of the survey are charted below.

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Carrying only 16 hours of airtime per week compared to 168 by the other networks, Channel 15 was pleasantly surprised to find themselves in the middle of the station choices, with a response indicating that more than 40 percent of the local cable audience watches frequently or all the time. This percentage represents approximately 2,400 homes and 5,000 to 7,000 viewers.

How Channel 15 reached this plateau can be seen from the following chart of favorite programs.

It is apparent from the survey that Channel 15 more than holds up its share in the local area viewership. Although this is the first written survey taken by this station, two previous verbal interviews with 50 or more cable subscribers carried a 44 percent viewership rating.

It is also apparent that when Channel 15 is broadcasting programs, a great deal more area viewers are tuned to that station than to almost any other prime-time cable program running against it.

[Mike Fak]

[MAY 31, 2001]  The city of Lincoln will not join the computer network that will link five Logan County buildings by fiber-optic cable, the city’s public grounds and buildings committee decided Tuesday night.

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[Joan Crabb]

[MAY 31, 2001]  The annual Concerts in the Park series will begin this Sunday, June 3.  All the concerts are at Latham Park, one block north of the historic courthouse square in Lincoln, and will begin at 7 p.m.  Concertgoers are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy the free entertainment. 

Kicking off the season will be the sounds of Sojourn. Sojourn will present a rock-and-roll journey through the last four decades.  If you did the twist in your bobby socks, imitated John Travolta from "Saturday Night Fever" or did the moonwalk with Michael Jackson, you'll love this trip down memory lane.  Sojourn's five members are from east-central Illinois and have performed at a number of fairs and festivals, including Decatur's Summer Start over Memorial Day weekend.  Sojourn is sponsored by Logan County's classic rock local radio station, WMNW 96.3, and by Bob Neal, Edward Jones Investments.

The following four Sundays will feature the Lincoln Area Music Society and a variety of music. The June 10 concert is sponsored by friends of LAMS, June 17 by Maple Ridge Care Centre and June 24 by Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital. Always popular are the patriotic features on the Sunday prior to Independence Day.  This year the date will be July 1, with sponsorship by Union Planters Bank. 

Stone County Ramblers will perform on July 8.  They are an all-acoustic string band with a repertoire of bluegrass, traditional gospel and old-time country tunes.  The group traces its roots to Jim Birkey and his two sons, Jim and Jason of Hopedale.  All three sing and play guitar.  The Birkeys were later joined by their neighbors, Darin and Barb Rexroat.  Darin plays bass and Barb provides some vocal work.  Non-Hopedale residents who have joined the aggregation include five-string banjo wizard Rance Fouts of Pekin and Lincoln resident Dan Tackett, who sings and plays guitar, fiddle and mandolin.  Fouts, incidentally, also performs with the Lincoln-based acoustic group Farmer's Daughter.  Besides performing at benefits and private parties, the Stone County Ramblers have become a monthly staple at Now & Then, a restaurant in Hopedale.  They are sponsored by Keystone Risk Management and Puritan Springs Bottled Water.

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Beans and Such and Family Custom Cleaners and Laundry are sponsoring the July 15 concert.  The Nostalgics will delight the young and young at heart with music from the Roaring ’20s to the post-war ’40s. You'll be "In the Mood" after an evening of enjoyable entertainment.

Angel Spiccia and Friends will perform on July 22.  Spiccia is an accomplished vocalist and has performed several times at The Restaurant at the Depot.  Her repertoire includes jazz and standards.  The group is sponsored by Bassi Construction and The Tropics Restaurant.

Paul and Win Grace will make a return appearance on July 29.  The Grace duo performed last year and were a special request of their sponsors, Prairie Years and Lincoln Public Library.  Paul and Win perform on a number of instruments as well as vocalize.  Their folk tunes tell the story and will conclude the concert season with a happy ending.

The Concerts in the Park series is coordinated by Main Street Lincoln and the Lincoln Area Music Society.  In addition to the individual concert sponsors, patrons supporting the season include J.M. Abbott and Associates, Bassi Construction, Century Dental Center, CILCO, The Courier, Graue Inc., David and Mary Lanterman, and Pacesetter Financial Group.  In-kind services are provided by Lincoln Music Center and the Logan County Board.

[Main Street Lincoln news release]

[MAY 31, 2001]  Police are investigating the death of a Lincoln baby. Eleven-month-old Daneysia Williams of 1202 N. Kankakee St. was taken to Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital by her parents at 4 p.m. Sunday. She was pronounced dead by Logan County Coroner Chuck Fricke at 4:33 p.m. Fricke says an inquest will be held as is required by law in the death of any child younger than 2 years of age.

Lincoln Police Department Detective John Bunner is handling the investigation. An autopsy has been performed.

The case was further complicated when a neighbor called police about an apparent burglary taking place at the baby’s home while the parents were at the hospital with her. Police caught the suspect at 5 p.m. at the home. A 23-year-old male from the 100 block of Omaha Street was arrested on charges of criminal trespassing, possession of an unknown amount of marijuana, possession of less than 30 grams cocaine and obstructing a police officer. He was scheduled to appear in Circuit Court on burglary charges Thursday morning.

Logan County State’s Attorney Tim Huyett is following the situation, but could only say it is suspicious.

[Jan Youngquist]

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