[FEB. 13, 2002]  A brief exchange of information and small agreements resulted from this morning’s legal hearing at the Logan County Courthouse. The lawsuit brought in early January by Sen. Larry Bomke, AFSCME Union 425 President Don Todd and LDC parents seeks to protect the facility from closure by Gov. George Ryan.o be posted

Gov. Ryan announced Feb. 4 that he would be reducing the resident population to 100 and cutting the workforce to 200 employees. Transfers and cuts would begin in April.

Lawyers Steve Yokich, representing LDC, and Karen McNaught, defending the state, met shortly after 9 a.m. before Judge Eldon Behle.

Yokich said a law on the books restricts a state-run facility from making residential cuts at random. According to the State Health Facility Planning Act, before a state hospital can reduce the number of beds, a permit must be issued from the State Health Facilities Planning Board.

The state has not gotten a permit to do that.

It had been rumored that transfers might begin as early as in two weeks. However, according to the McNaught, transfers are not to begin until April except in case of an emergency.

As a result of a request by Yokich, McNaught agreed to have a representative of the Department of Human Services notify Yokich if there are any residents to be moved before April. Not only will they need to say the resident(s) are being moved, they will also need to say why they are being moved.

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McNaught filed a motion on behalf of the attorney general’s office on Monday, Feb. 2, to dismiss this suit as well as a motion to stay further discovery. The second motion would prevent any further actions against them. Yokich stated he was not in his office for two days and had not received the motion prior to the hearing. Judge Behle did not get a copy until today.

With all done that could be done today, Judge Behle set the next hearing for 1 p.m. Feb. 20. It is to hear the motion by the state to dismiss this lawsuit to restrict the governor’s actions.

Meanwhile, Yokich has received leave to conduct one deposition of an unnamed person before the April hearing.

That deposition will take place at 10 a.m. Feb. 19 at the attorney general’s office.

[Jan Youngquist]

[FEB. 12, 2002]  Children all over Logan County have spent the last few weeks concentrating their artistic efforts on our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. In honor of Lincoln’s birthday the Logan County Arts and Craft Guild sponsored a poetry and picture contest for all school-age children of the county. Entries were judged based on subject, clarity, neatness and technical accuracy, and winners were announced at the guild-sponsored birthday party Saturday at the Logan County Courthouse.

[View more pictures]

The celebration opened with a prayer by Henry Johnson, a local prison chaplain. This was followed by the annual placing of the wreath. Girl Scout Brownie Troop 479 carried a wreath across the courthouse and placed it in front of a statue of Abraham Lincoln. Representatives of the local Interveterans’ Council presented the American flag and a 21-gun salute.

[Brownies cover their ears during the 21-gun salute]

Civil War music, provided by The Prairie Aires, included "Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! The Boys are Marching" (a tune better known as "Jesus Loves the Little Children"), "Minstrel Boy" and a medley of "Camptown Races," "Little Liza Jane" and "Skip to my Lou."

The educational time of the celebration was a presentation by Susan Kirby, author of the American Quilts books. She told stories about Abraham Lincoln and the people of the Midwest in the 1800s. Her lessons included what she called her "cue card quilts." These quilts contained pictures of buffalo, American Indians, snow and farmland. Using them, she was able to draw a vivid picture of life in the 19th century.

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[Susan Kirby tells about Lincoln]
[Both photos by Bob Frank]

Finally it was time for the highlights of the day: The entire assembly sang "Happy Birthday" to Lincoln, and the awards for the poetry and picture contest were handed out. Each winner in the elementary school levels received a copy of one of Kirby’s American Quilts books. The one high school winner received a book on the use of quilts in the Underground Railroad.

Henry Johnson closed the program with a benediction. All of the children were invited to come and receive a "souvenir" of the day. The souvenir turned out to be a metal portrait of Abraham Lincoln — i.e., a penny.

And what is a birthday without cake and ice cream? Both were served after the main festivities were over, to the delight of all participants and attendees.

All entries in the poetry and picture contest can be seen during the month of February in the display window of the Red Cross downtown, next to Sew Many Friends.

Lincoln Daily News and the Logan County Arts and Craft Guild look forward to another great party next year.

[Gina Sennett]

[FEB. 11, 2002]  Monday, when WMNW Classic Rock 96.3 in Atlanta becomes FIX 96, a new sports show with Jeff Mayfield and Greg Taylor will debut at 6 p.m.

Mayfield, a former Lincoln Community High School assistant coach and currently sports editor at Lincoln Daily News, said the hour-long show, "Sports Open Line," will encourage call-ins regarding all area sports. Men’s and women’s sports, teams from throughout the county, non-revenue sports as well as the bigger draws, college and professional sports of area interest — all are in the mix planned for the show.

Basketball is the hot topic just now, and the opening segment will comment on the Lady Railers’ first regional playoff game. But expect a quick-moving format that includes many topics. Mayfield said he and Taylor will prepare a skeletal outline for each segment, but they hope that callers rather than they will determine the shape of the fan-friendly show.

"Sports Open Line" will include interviews, live feeds and giveaways. The hosts plan to interview guests such as coaches and athletes and, after several segments have established an audience, to make them available to take calls. Broadcasts from satellite sites where fans congregate, such as college hangouts, are also in the plans. In addition, Mayfield and Taylor hope sometimes to give away items such as T-shirts and tickets.

Sports to be covered include swimming, cross country, golf and tennis, as well as basketball, football and baseball. Area teams will include those from Mount Pulaski, Hartem, Illini Central and Warrensburg-Latham.

Greg Taylor, already familiar to area listeners and readers as color commentator for Railer broadcasts and sports writer for Lincoln Daily News, is an avid Chicago Cubs fan, and Jeff Mayfield roots for the Cardinals. The two expect sometimes to play off each other in a pattern similar to that on ESPN’s "Pardon the Interruption."

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In addition, Mayfield said, Taylor is an eternal optimist, hoping to win every game. His enthusiasm will collide with Mayfield’s greater realism. Expect Mayfield to analyze and evaluate, using statistics and coaches’ explanations of strategies. When Taylor goes on about his Chicago favorites, Mayfield said, "I’ll remind him that the Cubs haven’t won since 1908."

Friends for a long time, the two hosts met when Taylor was still in high school. According to Mayfield, he is an old man compared with the young whippersnapper, Taylor. They have talked of collaborating on a radio show for several years.

Mayfield emphasized that the future of the show is in the hands of the advertisers and audience. If there is good response, "Sports Open Line" may expand beyond the one-hour weekly show. One of Mayfield’s dreams is to lead into Monday night football in the fall.

Lincoln Daily News will be providing a live feed for listening to the broadcast via the Internet. This will enable fans traveling out of the area, college students and die-hard sports diaspora worldwide to catch the show. Just click on lincolndailynews.com, go to "Hear it Here!" located under the sports banner on the front page, and click. You’ll be there with Greg and Jeff listening to two new voices exclaiming our local sporting news.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

[FEB. 11, 2002]  The Decatur Sister Cities Committee is hosting this year’s Illinois State Sister Cities Convention, on April 12 and 13 at the Holiday Inn in Decatur.

Guest speaker will be John S. Kavulich II, president of the U.S.-Cuba Trade Economic Council, Inc., New York. For more information visit the website at www.decaturnet.org/dscc.

[Sarah Mixell, public relations chair,
Decatur Sister Cities Committee]

Investigations into after-dark incidents continue

[FEB. 8, 2002]  Detective John Bunner is heading the investigations of two separate criminal activities that occurred in the same area of town three weeks apart.

On the evening of Thursday, Jan. 17, a woman reported an incident that began in the Kroger parking lot. She was returning to her car after doing some shopping. As she approached the car, a person who was hiding in the back seat jumped out and put a gun to her, demanding her money. She gave her money to a person she believed was a heavyset man about 5-foot-8 and in his early 20s. Then, at gunpoint, the suspect made her get into the car and drive to another location. The suspect then got more money from the victim. No further harm came to the woman.

On the night of Saturday, Feb. 2, a taxi driver called police from his cell phone to report someone had accosted him in his taxi. The driver went to pick up a fare in the 300 block of Feldman Drive. As he sat waiting for his customer, someone grabbed him and sprayed something in his eyes. He exited the cab and moved away a distance before stopping to call police on his cell phone. He could see the person looking for the cash drawer in the front seat of the cab. His description was much like that of the Kroger assailant except the suspect was female.

Based on evidence, Lincoln Police went to the apartment of a 41-year-old woman living at 321 Feldman Drive. Due to her inconsistent statements, Kimberly L. Ingram was arrested for attempted robbery in the taxicab incident.

The state’s attorney has the information on both cases. It has not been stated that the two incidents are linked.

[Jan Youngquist]

Atlanta radio station announces new shows and name change

[FEB. 8, 2002]  On the air less than a year, Classic Rock 96.3, WMNW in Atlanta is changing its name to FIX 96. The name change begins Feb. 11, when the station unveils its new local morning show and an evening open line for sports. General Manger Jim Ash hopes the new image will give the station a stronger identity across central Illinois.

"We’re still going to be playing the classic rock music that’s so popular, but we feel that we’ve got a lot more to offer," Ash said.

Besides music, the station broadcasts area high school football and basketball games, special events like the Logan County Fair and balloon fest, local news, and sports. Ash says the new "Morning FIX" will run from 7 to 10 a.m. weekdays. He plans to have surprise guests, trivia games, prizes and more.

The new open-line sports show will run Mondays from 6 to 7 p.m. and will be hosted by local sports personalities Jeff Mayfield and Greg Taylor. Both men write sports news and features for Lincoln Daily News (www.lincolndailynews.com). Mayfield is a former Lincoln High School basketball assistant coach, and Taylor currently serves as the color commentator for Railer broadcasts. Ash says eventually the sports show will run five nights a week with a variety of hosts.

"We think it’s going to be a big hit, not just in Lincoln, but all across central Illinois," Ash said.

WMNW went on the air April 13, 2001. It serves DeWitt, Logan, Macon, Mason, McLean, Menard, Sangamon and Tazewell counties.

[WMNW news release]

National campaign will bring anti-drug messages to area families

[FEB. 8, 2002]  Drugs are one of the greatest threats currently facing America’s young people. Dedicated to minimizing this threat, Logan-Mason Mental Health has announced that it will join forces with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign in an effort to significantly reduce youth drug use in Logan and Mason counties.

The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign is a five-year initiative dedicated to reducing youth drug use in America. The campaign mainly targets middle-school-age adolescents (approximately 11- to 13-year-olds), along with their parents and primary caregivers.

The integrated communications campaign uses a variety of communications vehicles to achieve its objectives, including advertising, the Internet, relationships with the entertainment industry, public education efforts and community partnerships, to teach children and parents about this issue.

"Building on the momentum generated by the materials and messages provided by the campaign, we at Logan-Mason Mental Health will mobilize Logan and Mason counties around this issue to de-normalize drug use in our community, " said Kristi Simpson, prevention specialist at Logan-Mason Mental Health. "Our local efforts will enhance those occurring at the national level and will provide a ‘surround sound’ effect for Logan and Mason County’s children and parents that cannot be ignored."

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 "Community involvement is essential to our success. In order to truly make an impact, the campaign’s anti-drug messages must be constantly repeated — by different people in a variety of ways," said Alan Levitt, director of the campaign. "When community organizations, such as Logan-Mason Mental Health, step up to the challenge and provide local leadership, change is accelerated and our children are the ultimate winners."

For more information about prevention efforts and what you can do to help in Logan or Mason County, call Kristi Simpson, prevention specialist at Logan-Mason Mental Health, (217) 735-2272.

[News release from Logan-Mason Mental Health]

[FEB. 7, 2002]  ^"Soil moisture conditions over Illinois for spring have improved with the first significant winter storm that struck Illinois on January 30-31, generating a large swath of snow across the northern half of the state, freezing rain south of the snow band and rain over the rest of the state," says Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey in Champaign.

Precipitation was heaviest south of the band of maximum snow. Some west-central Illinois locations received more than 3 inches: Morton (3.41 inches), Washington (3.31 inches) and Peoria (3.17 inches).

Based on preliminary storm data, Galesburg reported 17.3 inches of snow, and snowfall amounts of 10 to 12 inches were common in the Chicago area. There were reports of 12.3 inches (Chicago Botanic Garden), 12 inches (O’Hare) and 11.1 inches (Midway).

"Even with this storm, winter snowfall remains at less than 50 percent of normal across central Illinois and less than 75 percent of normal across northern Illinois. Southern Illinois is at or above normal winter snowfall thanks to an earlier storm on January 18-19 that dropped between 3 and 6 inches at most locations. Normal February snowfall ranges from 8 inches in northeastern Illinois to 4-6 inches in central Illinois to 3 inches in southern Illinois. So we still have a chance for more snow this winter," says Angel.

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The 33.2 F average January temperature was 8.4 degrees above normal, the sixth warmest January on record since 1895 and tied with 1914 and 1921. The warmest January on record was 1933 with 37.6 F. South of a line from Galesburg to Kankakee, the average temperature was at or above 32 F. Based on preliminary data this month, only Galesburg reported a below-zero January temperature, -1 F on Jan. 2. Because December and November temperatures were also above average, the combined November-January period was the second warmest on record since 1895.

"Through January 29, precipitation for the state was only 31 percent of normal. However, the late-month storm boosted the statewide total to 2.19 inches, 0.27 inches above normal. The storm also alleviated some concern about having adequate soil moisture for spring crops," concludes Angel.

[From the Illinois State Water Survey]

[FEB. 7, 2002]  Police are currently investigating a reported bank robbery at Central Illinois Bank, 428 Keokuk St. The suspect has left the premises. The activity occurred just before 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

Lincoln Police are doing a complete door-to-door canvas of the neighborhood.

The suspect, said to be a white male, 40ish in age, escaped on foot and is believed to have left the area in a car. The robber is said to have made off with an undisclosed amount of money.

It is believed that there is no relationship between this robbery and the Dec. 28 State Bank of Lincoln robbery.

The FBI has been notified.

[LDN]

Military addresses sought

It is a year like no other. Since Sept. 11 we are a changed nation. Individually, our daily sensitivity toward whom and what we have in our lives has been heightened. We are more conscious and appreciative, first about those we love and see everyday. Next, we have a newfound appreciation for those who risk their lives every day as rescue workers and protectors of life and property in our communities. We also now think more about our military men and women who are committed to serve and protect our country. Many are away engaged in battle, some are in waiting to go, all are ready to lay their lives on the line in defense of our freedom.

Lincoln Daily News is seeking the names and addresses, including e-mail addresses, of friends and relatives who are serving in the armed forces. They need not be from here in Logan County. If you know someone serving, please send the information to ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com. A complete list will be made available and kept updated through the site so we might all hold them in our thoughts, prayers and well wishes.

[Click here for names available now.]

Name of person in military:

Branch of service:

Current location of service:

Postal address:

E-mail address:

Relationship to LDN reader sending information (optional):

[LDN]

It’s on the radio, TV, in all the media. You hear it in the office, on the street and maybe at home — threats of terrorism. America is on high alert. Here in central Illinois, away from any supposed practical target areas, perhaps we feel a little less threatened, but we are still concerned. So how concerned should we be, and how prepared are we for the types of situations that could occur?

Whether the threat is domestic or foreign, violent, biological or chemical, our public health and rescue agencies have been preparing to respond to the situations. Lincoln Daily News has been at meetings where all the agencies gather together as the Logan County Emergency Planning Committee to strategize for just such a time. Our reports have not even provided every detail that every agency has reported; i.e., a number of representatives from differing agencies such as the health and fire departments, CILCO and ESDA went to a bioterrorism and hazmat (hazardous materials) seminar this past August.

Here are some of the articles that LDN has posted pre- and post-Tuesday, Sept. 11. Hopefully you will see in them that WE ARE WELL PREPARED. At least as much as any area can be. Every agency has been planning, training, submitting for grants to buy equipment long before Sept. 11. We can be thankful for all of the dedicated, insightful leaders we have in this community.

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• LEPC hears plans for annual exercise

• U.S. under terrorist attack
  How is Logan County affected?

• The day after ‘Attack on America’
  Area leaders respond to national tragedy

• ESDA and LEPC conduct successful hazardous materials exercise at water treatment plant 

• Logan County ready for action if terrorist event occurs - Part 1

• Logan County ready for action if terrorist event occurs – Part 2

• Clinton nuclear power plant safety measures in place

• Logan County agencies meet to discuss protocol for suspicious mail

As promised, the United States led an attack on Afghanistan. The attack began Sunday, Oct. 7. American and British military forces made 30 hits on air defenses, military airfields and terrorist training camps, destroying aircraft and radar systems. The strike was made targeting only terrorists.

More than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East have pledged their cooperation and support the U.S. initiative.

Online news links

Other countries

Afghanistan

http://www.afghandaily.com/ 

http://www.myafghan.com/  

http://www.afghan-web.com/aop/ 

China

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/

http://www1.chinadaily.com.cn/

Germany

http://www.faz.com/

India

http://www.dailypioneer.com/ 

http://www.hindustantimes.com/ 

http://www.timesofindia.com/ 

Israel

http://www.jpost.com/ 

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/ 

England

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/ 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/ 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/

Pakistan

http://www.dawn.com/

http://frontierpost.com.pk/ 

Russia

http://english.pravda.ru/

http://www.sptimesrussia.com/ 

Saudi Arabia

http://www.arabnews.com/ 

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United States

Illinois

http://www.suntimes.com/index/ 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/ 

http://www.pantagraph.com/ 

http://www.qconline.com/ 

http://www.pjstar.com/

http://www.sj-r.com/ 

http://www.herald-review.com/

http://www.southernillinoisan.com/ 

New York

http://www.nypost.com/

http://www.nytimes.com/

Stars and Stripes
(serving the U.S. military community)

http://www.estripes.com/ 

Washington, D.C.

Announcements

[JAN. 15, 2002]  Citizens who are not registered to vote and cannot leave their home, hospital, nursing home or other institution because of a permanent physical disability can arrange for voter registration by contacting a deputy registrar or the county clerk’s office.

Voter registration will close on Feb. 19 for the March 19 general primary election.

If you are physically able, you may register to vote by going to the county clerk’s office, Room 20 in the Logan County Courthouse, 601 Broadway in Lincoln. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You will need to show two forms of identification, one with your current address on it.

For people with physical disabilities and the elderly, election judges will be available at the polling place on election day to assist voters when a friend or relative is unable to help. Handicapped-voter booths will be available for your convenience. Physically impaired or elderly persons may be eligible to vote absentee. Please contact the Logan County clerk’s office for information.

For any information concerning voter registration or voting for the elderly or disabled, please call the Logan County clerk’s office at (217) 732-4148.

[Sally J. Litterly, Logan County clerk]

[JAN. 3, 2002]  Are you registered to vote?

The March 19 primary is rapidly approaching. The close of registration is Feb. 19. If you have moved, or if you have married and changed your name, it is necessary that you change your voter registration with our office in order to cast your vote in the election.

If you have questions about your voting eligibility, please contact our office at (217) 732-4148.

[Sally J. Litterly, Logan County clerk]

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