[MARCH 2, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — A proposed constitutional amendment to automatically review all death penalty appeals and legislation to retain the state’s fair share of tobacco money topped legislation action this week, according to state Sen. Claude Stone, R-Morton.

SJRCA 18, should address concerns over the integrity of Illinois’ death penalty process by ensuring experienced judges and attorneys are involved in the capital litigation process. Specifically, the constitutional amendment asks voters to approve the creation of a State Supreme Court of Criminal Appeals to automatically review all death penalty cases and all criminal cases appealed from the state Appellate Court level.

SJRCA 18 must be read in full once more before a vote is taken in the Senate. If approved by both chambers of the General Assembly, SJRCA18 would appear on the statewide ballot in 2002 and would take effect on the first Monday in December if approved by a majority of voters.

The Senate Executive Committee approved legislation to retain a larger portion of the state’s share of the Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement. Private attorneys representing the state in the lawsuit were awarded $121 million from the fund. These attorneys contend they are entitled to $910 million of the state’s share of the tobacco moneys.

Senate Bill 2303 asserts the state’s right to the funds, nullifying the lien the attorneys have declared against the receipt of future tobacco money. With this legislation, Illinois would be able to use the $910 million for critical state programs.

In other committee action, the Senate Executive Committee again approved legislation (SB 1634) requiring public high schools to set aside time to say the pledge of allegiance each school day. This legislation would require high schools to set aside time but would not require students to participate.

In Illinois, elementary school students are already required to say the pledge, but high schools are not. Of the 20 states with this requirement, Illinois is the only one to distinguish between elementary and high schools.

The Senate Insurance and Pensions Committee passed Senate Bill 1840, making the "30 and out" retirement provision permanent for the State University Retirement System. Previous law gradually lowered the service requirements to retire at any age from 35 years in 1997 to 30 years in 2002. Without this legislation, the service requirement will again become 35 years in 2003, possibly prompting a mass exodus this year.

  [to top of second column in this article]

Next week is the deadline for Senate bills to gain approval in committee. The following bills were among the legislation approved in Senate committees this week:

Elections (SB 1733) — Calls for election of precinct committeeman in Cook County.

Special education (SB 1777) — Creates seven new designations for certified special education teachers.

Body piercing (SB 1658) — Requires parental consent forms for oral piercing to state that the piercing will be oral and to describe the health risks involved.

Alcohol and teens (SB 1527) — Increases penalties for selling or providing alcohol to minors in exchange for money.

MAP grants (SB 406) — Increases the maximum Monetary Award Program grants for undergraduate students to $5,166 for full-time students and to $2,583 for part-time students.

Police powers (SB 1704) — Expands the questioning and arrest powers of a police officer outside his or her jurisdiction, if law enforcement officials request the officer’s assistance.

Teens and tobacco (SB 1926) — Requires distinct drivers’ licenses for those younger than 21 and 18 years old, specifically stating the date they may legally purchase alcohol or tobacco.

Drinking water (SB 2072) — Requires public notification within 60 days of drinking water contamination.

Senior tax deferral (SB 1606) — Increases the annual income limit for the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act from $25,000 to $40,000.

Private detectives (SB 1951) — Allows police officers to work as private detectives without meeting the licensing standards, as their law enforcement training is sufficient.

Tobacco (SB 2017) — Prohibits the sale of cigarettes if the manufacturer has failed to participate in the master settlement agreement and creates an escrow account as required by the settlement and state law.

[News release]

Weather watch

Winter storm slows as it takes aim on the northern half of Illinois

Updated information: 4:25 p.m. Friday, March 1

[MARCH 1, 2002]  A potent winter storm continues to move across the plains into the mid- and upper-Mississippi valleys. Snow will push eastward ahead of the system and reach western and central Illinois this evening. Snow will become heavy at times, especially late tonight and Saturday. In addition to the heavy snow, strong north winds late Saturday through Sunday will produce considerable blowing and drifting snow.

The storm will push east of the area late Saturday night, leaving a few flurries in its wake on Sunday. Cold air moving south behind the storm system will push temperatures into the single digits over many areas Sunday night.

A winter storm warning is issued when severe winter weather is expected to occur. Heavy snow or snow and ice are forecast to accumulate in the affected areas, causing hazardous driving conditions. People with travel plans in the warning area are advised to choose an alternate route or should use extreme caution if travel is unavoidable.

Winter storm watch for Saturday afternoon and Saturday night

For Cass, Christian, DeWitt, Logan, Macon, Mason, McLean, Menard, Morgan, Sangamon, Scott and Shelby counties, including the cities of Beardstown, Bloomington, Clinton, Decatur, Havana, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Mason City, Shelbyville, Springfield, Taylorville, Virginia and Winchester:

A mixture of rain and snow tonight will change to all snow Saturday afternoon. An inch or so of snow will be possible tonight before the snow changes to rain. Once the rain changes back to snow Saturday afternoon, an additional 2 or 3 inches will be possible by Saturday night. Strong north winds of 20 to 30 mph will cause blowing and drifting snow Saturday night and Sunday.

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Winter storm warning tonight through Saturday night

For Fulton, Knox, Marshall, Peoria, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell and Woodford counties, including the cities of Canton, Eureka, Galesburg and Lacon:

Snow will develop early this evening and become heavy at times. Snow accumulations by daybreak will range from around 6 inches near Galesburg to around 4 inches near Peoria. The snow may briefly mix with sleet or freezing rain near the Illinois River tonight. The snow will continue through Saturday evening, with storm total accumulations from 6 inches to around a foot in some areas. Strong north winds Saturday afternoon through Sunday will cause considerable blowing and drifting snow.

Winter storm watch for Saturday night

For Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie Piatt, and Vermilion counties, including the cities of Champaign, Charleston, Danville, Marshall, Mattoon, Monticello, Paris, Rantoul, Sullivan, Toledo and Tuscola:

A mixture of rain and snow tonight will change to all snow late Saturday. An inch or so of snow will be possible tonight before the snow changes to rain. Once the rain changes back to snow late Saturday, an additional 2 or 3 inches will be possible by Saturday night. Strong north winds of 20 to 30 mph will cause blowing and drifting snow Saturday night and Sunday.

[News release
forwarded by Logan County ESDA]

[FEB. 28, 2002]  In one year Lincoln will begin celebrating 150 years. Plans are well under way to make it a big celebration.

The sesquicentennial committee and subcommittees invite you to participate in preparations. You can contact Thressia Usherwood, executive director of Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County, for more information about how to get involved. Call (217) 732-8687.

You have one more day to submit sesquicentennial logo designs and slogans for Lincoln’s 2003 celebration. Submissions are due Friday, March 1, and can be dropped off at Mayor Beth Davis’ office in City Hall. Winning entries will be used on promotional materials.

The city was christened with the juice of a watermelon by Abraham Lincoln on Aug. 27, 1853. (For information about the christening, see http://www.lincoln-il.com/history/#melon.) 

[LDN]

[FEB. 28, 2002]  SPRINGFIELD — Local police and prosecutors throughout Illinois may soon have more information at their disposal to help them identify suspects and prosecute offenders, state Rep. Jonathan Wright announced. Wright helped pass legislation in the House earlier this month to expand and improve Illinois’ DNA database for convicted criminals.

"For our police and prosecutors to do their jobs protecting our families, they need to have access to as much information as possible about potential suspects in criminal cases. Expanding our DNA database will provide them more complete and accurate information about those who have been convicted of serious crimes in our state," Wright said.

House Bill 3717, initiated by DuPage County State’s Attorney Joseph Birkett, expands the pool of convicted criminals who are required to submit DNA samples for the state’s database to all individuals convicted of any felony or given supervision for a felony under the Juvenile Court Act. Current law requires samples only from those specifically convicted of violent or sexual felony offenses.

The legislation also, for the first time, allows samples for the database to be extracted from sources other than blood, including saliva or tissue, which is much less intrusive for the offender and more cost-effective for the state.

[to top of second column in this article]

The DNA database expansion is based on a successful program in the state of Virginia, where expansion of their database has led to a positive identification of suspects in hundreds of cases.

"Expansion of the DNA database in Virginia has been a tremendous success," Wright said. "Hundreds of new criminal cases and several older cases have now been solved and those responsible have been brought to justice because their DNA was added to the database. I fully expect that our law enforcement here in Illinois will have equal success," he said.

Having passed the House, the measure progressed to the Senate for further consideration.

[News release]

Judge gives go-ahead to union lawsuit

[FEB. 27, 2002]  Judge Donald A. Behle ruled today that the lawsuit filed to prevent closure of Lincoln Developmental Center can proceed based on the state’s failure to obtain a permit through the State Health Facilities Planning Board. The board’s process requires public hearings where the effects of the changes in services can be explored.

"We are pleased that the judge has recognized the validity of our case," said Henry Bayer, executive director of AFSCME Council 31. "We intend to pursue this matter to prevent any further precipitous movement of residents from Lincoln Developmental Center.

"If the state thought it could justify its downsizing plan, it wouldn’t be attempting to circumvent the law and avoid the spotlight of public hearings," Bayer added. "We will continue to work with the parents and other concerned community members to advance the well-being of Lincoln residents and employees."

The judge ruled that immediate court action is warranted because "to wait until after the parties are laid off or the alleged failure to comply with the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act occurs could create irreparable harm."

[to top of second column in this article]

AFSCME Council 31 initially filed the suit in Logan County Circuit Court on Jan. 7. The plaintiffs, in addition to the union, are Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, and Eleanor and Norlan Newmister, parents of a resident of LDC.

Council 31 will next file a motion for preliminary injunction asking the judge to stop any further downsizing or patient transfers until a permit is obtained.

[News release]

Sewer bill delinquents face disconnection

[FEB. 27, 2002]  The city of Lincoln is $37,000 in the hole because of people who aren’t paying their sewer bills, and it’s digging in its heels to do something about it.

City Clerk Juanita Josserand reported at the city council’s work session Tuesday that 30 certified letters had gone out to property owners behind on sewer bills, but 28 of them came back because the owners refused to sign for them. She noted that it cost the city $4 to send each letter.

"The best thing to do is dig them up," she said.

None of these delinquents are on combined sewers, she added. In a few cases, where delinquents are on a double hookup and the other person on the hookup has paid the bills, digging up may not be an option.

Sewer plant manager Grant Eaton said the next step is to give these delinquents one more notice, then dig up the sewer line and disconnect them. The procedure is to send a team to the home of the property owners, knock on the door and show them what they owe. They then have three days to pay or be disconnected.

Once the sewer connection is broken, building inspector Les Last will condemn the home as unfit to live in, and anyone still in the house will have to move out, Josserand said. The city bills the property owners directly for sewer use, not renters who might live in the house, she said.

To reconnect after being dug up, the owner will have to pay all costs, which could be as much as $5,000, Eaton said.

Foreclosing on the home is usually not a good option, according to City Attorney Bill Bates, because mortgage holders get priority over the city as creditors, and the city will probably never collect the overdue fees.

Eaton said the city has been owed as much as $100,000 in the past in overdue sewer bills but has been able to collect most of it, as most property owners do pay when threatened with immediate disconnection.

In other business, Alderman Verl Prather, chair of the police committee, announced that his committee has begun contract negotiations with the Police Department. "We did meet tonight and we have their wants," he said.

Alderman Glenn Shelton, insurance committee chairman, announced a meeting on March 4 to go over plans with insurance provider Roger Garrett. He also announced a meeting March 7 with union representatives to go over insurance proposals.

City Attorney Bill Bates asked why union representatives were involved, as the city is paying all expenses for insurance. Bates also noted that some city employees have clauses in their contracts that say they must be given 60 days notice of any changes in health insurance.

Phil Mahler, regional planner, announced that he has a client looking for a site for a communication tower in Lincoln, a contract which could bring the city as much as $267,700 over a 30-year period.

"I think we could have a contract within a month," he told the council.

[to top of second column in this article]

The client, Insite Wireless, wants one site in Lincoln, one in Atlanta and one in Elkhart, Mahler said. Mahler said this would be a good source of revenue for the city —$500 a month for the first five years, with a 15 percent increase in revenue every five years after that. He noted that there are already preapproved sites for communication towers in Lincoln.

Bates noted that these communication companies usually have contracts they can terminate whenever they wish or contracts that are assignable to other firms. Mahler replied that Insite builds towers for Sprint and would probably assign the towers to that company.

Alderman Pat Madigan told Mahler he would like to have the client come to a city council meeting, possibly on March 12, and give a presentation on the tower they want to build.

Steve Fuhrer said the Economic Development Council would also be attending the meeting on March 12 to make a presentation. The EDC is recommending the city establish an industrial-commercial park on about 60 acres north of the city at Interstate 55 and Kruger Road.

Fuhrer also reported that the city’s revenues so far this fiscal year are $300,000 less than projected. "People are not spending money. Sales taxes are down," he said. The city’s fiscal year ends April 30.

The city is also having trouble collecting the final costs of façade renovations made with a grant from Illinois Department of Transportation. The IDOT grant, awarded more than four years ago, paid 80 percent of the costs for participating property owners, with the other 20 percent to be paid by the owners. Work was completed in the summer of 2000.

Bates reported that he has been in touch with some of the property owners downtown who say that all the improvements that have been promised have not been completed to their satisfaction.

Eaton, who did some of the engineering on the project, said he walked through the buildings with the IDOT representative when the final inspection was made. All work was approved by the state at that time, he said.

Bates said some property owners complained that work is not satisfactory. Complaints included thermopane windows that sweat inside, lighting that starts fires and doors that do not fit. Some property owners have also complained that costs were considerably higher than first quoted.

"I didn’t talk to anybody who told me they weren’t going to pay. But there has been no follow-up since March of 2001," Bates said.

Eaton and Bates will meet to discuss further action.

[Joan Crabb]

Judge will hear arguments
on AFSCME suit

[FEB. 25, 2002]  Although one count of the suit brought by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 425 to prevent Gov. George Ryan from closing Lincoln Developmental Center has been dismissed, arguments will be heard on the second count, Dan Senters, local AFSCME spokesman, said Monday afternoon.

Senters said the union learned about the ruling, made by Associate Judge Don Behle of the Logan County Circuit Court, at about noon Monday, Feb. 25. AFSCME contended that Gov. Ryan did not have a right to close LDC because the legislature had appropriated money to fund it until the end of the fiscal year, June 30. Judge Behle dismissed that count, Senters, said, because the governor has decided not to close the facility but to reduce the number of residents to about 100, and the question is moot.

However, Judge Behle will hear arguments on the second count, that the governor and the Illinois Department of Human Services must get a permit from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board before moving residents from LDC. Steve Yokich, attorney representing AFSCME, argued last week that, according to the statutes, permits are required if changes are made to the "scope and operation" of facilities such as LDC and if the facility cuts more than 10 beds or 10 percent of its beds. No permits were issued for the residents who have already been moved, Senters said.

Senters said Yokich will be filing an injunction immediately to stop the state from moving any more residents from LDC until the court has heard arguments on the permit issue, even though the governor’s office had already announced that it will not move any more residents until April 15. Senters said he expects a hearing on the injunction early next week. Judge Behle will hear arguments on the permit issue at a later date.

[to top of second column in this article]

According to the Logan County circuit clerk’s office, the plaintiffs have the option to refile on the question of appropriations (count one) within 14 days.

AFSCME staff members say 114 residents have already been moved from LDC, most of them to other large state-operated facilities. There are 256 residents and 620 employees still at LDC, but the governor wants to move at least another 150 out of the 124-year-old facility and cut employees from a peak of 700 to about 210.

On Friday the Department of Human Services gave layoff notices to LDC employees who are members of AFSCME. One hundred ninety-two AFSCME employees are to be laid off by April 30 and another 180 by June 30, under the governor’s present plan.

Layoff notices will also go out to LDC employees who are members of three other unions, the Teamsters and unions that represent nurses and security personnel.

[Joan Crabb]

LCC dedicates new athletic facility

[FEB. 25, 2002]  Saturday was the day for Lincoln Christian College’s new Laughlin Center and Gaston Arena to be presented to the public. You may have noticed the construction over there on that side of town. This dedication marks the culmination of many years of planning and vision to bring a new physical facility to the LCC/LCCS campus. According to sources, some 1,200 to 1,300 people showed up to celebrate and dedicate the building.

This new athletic center features a 13,000-square-foot gymnasium with seating for 1,000 spectators. It houses a weight room, four locker rooms, training rooms with whirlpool and training tables, as well as new offices and two new classrooms. It replaces an aging and undersized facility on the other side of the campus.

Immediately after the original building was completed in the early ’60s on that 22-acre campus, coach Marion Henderson remarked that the facility was inadequate, and even then the LCC faculty and staff set their sights on bringing together the resources to construct an appropriate indoor athletic facility. The campus grew, the students came, and the dream lived on.

The Laughlin Center is the fulfillment of a vision to expand and enhance the athletic program at LCC/LCCS — a vision that began in the early ’90s. According to Jeff Mayfield, one of the early LCC visionaries of this expansion, he and Lynn Laughlin had drawn up plans for a $5 million facility and even had a model constructed in the early ’90s to bring this logical expansion to the attention of the alumni, the administration and even the entire Christian Church convention. But, "it was like kicking a dead horse," said Mayfield. Even with plans coordinated with the YMCA to bring this facility to light, it was still a matter of dollars and cents. They were told if they got someone to write the check, then construction could be started immediately.

A recent anonymous gift of $1 million, plus a pledge drive among friends and alumni of LCC/LCS that raised an additional $2 million piece of the pie, started construction on the Laughlin Center and provided for a needed $5 million renovation of the entire LCC campus.

The construction on this new building was coordinated by PJ Hoerr of Normal, which served as the primary contractor for this facility.

The ribbon-cutting event started out this day of dedication at 10 a.m. Jean Driscoll, an athlete who medaled in both the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympic Games and won the Boston Marathon eight times, was the guest speaker at 10:30 a.m. In addition to her athletic background, Driscoll holds a degree in communications and is a national sports commentator of some renown.

The reception and guided tours of the new center began at 11:30 p.m., followed by a women’s basketball game against Emmaus Bible College at 1 p.m. and a men’s basketball game against the same college at 3 p.m. The alumni events Saturday were the best-attended alumni events ever held by LCC.

This new athletic facility, The Laughlin Center, was named after longtime friend, coach and recruiter at LCC/LCS, Lynn Laughlin. Laughlin came to the college as a student in 1960, and never left. He began in the athletics program as an assistant basketball coach in ’64 and took over as head coach in ’69. He also coached baseball from 1975 to 1983 and finally retired from coaching in 1986. Laughlin currently serves as the vice president of alumni development for LCC.

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As a recruiter for LCC, he was instrumental in helping to build a strong student body at the college. His motto has been: "We can work this out. If you will come, we’ll find a way to make it work." His personal integrity has inspired trusted relationships with thousands of students, as well as the faculty and staff of LCC/LCCS.

An ordained minister, Laughlin is a well-respected member of the Logan County community. He has served the community in several public capacities, among which were his years of ministry at Lake Fork Christian Church, preaching ministry at Raymond, Ill., and service to the community as a "Paul Harris Fellow" Rotarian. Laughlin has served on public school boards, as well as being an officer of his school district.

Laughlin called the fulfillment of this project "unbelievable!" He said he kept pinching himself and kept pinching himself, and when he drove onto the grounds of LCC Monday morning, the sports facility was still there — a physical reality, not merely a pleasant dream. He credits the work of many friends of LCC/LCS, and purposefully pointed out the leadership of President Keith Ray and the development work of Kevin Crawford.

The gymnasium portion of this new athletic facility is known as the Thomas A. Gaston Arena, named and dedicated for a Christian known for outstanding faith and focus. Gaston was said to be exemplary in his conduct, a model who could be imitated just as the apostle Paul was worthy of imitation. Often referred to as the "Holy Man of the Midwest," he shunned public attention and simply worked obscurely to advance the cause of the church. His family honored him with a substantial gift toward the completion of the athletic facility.

Lincoln Christian College and Seminary have enjoyed a rich athletic heritage, with an active basketball program dating back to 1952 in the old Odd Fellows gym on Wyatt Avenue. Women’s basketball was added in 1963. Women’s athletics were expanded in 1980 to include women’s volleyball. Baseball began prior to the institution’s name change (formerly Lincoln Bible Institute) back in the ’50s. Track began in 1962 and flourished in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Soccer was added in 1979, women’s softball in 1980 and tennis in 1988. LCC will be adding four other sports in the 2002-03 academic year: women’s softball, men’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s cross country.

Lincoln Christian College is a four-year institution offering certificate, associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree programs, as well as cooperative programs with ISU, U of I Springfield and Greenville College. The Seminary offers a Master of Divinity degree in leadership ministry, an MA in counseling ministry, as well as MA programs in six other areas of specialization.

Lincoln Christian College is accredited by the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges and the Higher Learning Commissions of the North Central Association. The seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and the Higher Learning Commissions of the North Central Association. In recent years the college and seminary have experienced record enrollments, with more than 1,100 students enrolled. The college is the third-fastest-growing private college in the state of Illinois (of schools over 300). Lincoln alumni number nearly 12,000 and serve in nearly every state of the union and have served in mission fields in 57 countries.

[Jim Youngquist]

Lincoln court will rock in one week

[FEB. 25, 2002]  The average height in Lincoln will be raised the evening of Tuesday, March 5, as the popular Harlem Ambassadors take to the basketball court. The fund-raising event is being hosted by the Habitat for Humanity of Logan County. It will take place at the new Laughlin Center Gaston Arena on the Lincoln Christian College campus at 7 p.m.

Reduced price advance tickets are available at $10 for adults, $7 for senior citizens and $5 for children under 12. Tickets at the door will be $12 for adults, $9 for senior citizens and $7 for children under 12. For more information, contact Habitat at P.O. Box 714 or phone (217) 732-6234. Tickets can be purchased in Lincoln at the IGA, A.G. Edwards and Union Planters Bank.

The Harlem Ambassadors Basketball Show features high-flying slam dunks, dazzling ball-handling and hilarious comedy routines. The team of men professionals is uniquely led by a woman player and coach, Ladè Majic, the "Queen of Show Basketball." The team is challenged by local opposition at each stop. In Lincoln, they will face the talents of a team specially formed for the Habitat for Humanity of Logan County: the Nail Benders, composed of young men from the area who are over the age of 19.

Speaking for the Harlem Ambassadors, Ladè Majic said, "We find that no matter what part of the country we tour, the fans love us, and the home team always has a few players that can put us to the test." Despite the challenges, the team remains undefeated in four years of touring, during which the team has journeyed to 14 foreign countries on three continents.

The Harlem Ambassadors/Amtrak Coast-to-Coast Tour offers a unique mix of the old and new. Slated for the prime basketball period of Feb. 23 to March 24, the tour will carry the Harlem Ambassadors from Philadelphia to Oakland entirely by Amtrak rail service.

"We are very excited to be teaming with Amtrak to present this unique undertaking," said Dale Moss, president of the Harlem Ambassadors. "It seems now, more than ever, the public is seeking wholesome family activities in their own backyard," he added. The Harlem Ambassadors frequently present their world-class basketball extravaganza in small college and large high school facilities where fans have greater access to interact with the performers than they might have in a huge sports arena.

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This tour is bringing back the memories of a time when sports teams crisscrossed the nation by rail. Back in that day, instead of the isolation of private air or motor coach transportation, sports stars were accessible to fans as they journeyed by train. However, there is nothing old-fashioned about either the Harlem Ambassadors or Amtrak in the partnership of this tour. The team offers many fresh ideas in the traditional African-American basketball presentation. And Amtrak offers an extremely high standard of up-to-date service in modern Superliner rail coaches.

The tour is projected for performances in 25 communities on Amtrak’s routes. The Harlem Ambassadors staff has scheduled performances at stops that include large city, suburban and rural locations. The tour is designed to bring good feelings to each of the communities where the Harlem Ambassadors will perform.

This tour is a great public relations opportunity for the Harlem Ambassadors, Amtrak and the communities in which the tour will stop. Print and broadcast media representatives are being invited to join the tour for various segments, traveling with the team, experiencing the pleasures of Amtrak rail transportation, enjoying the communities in which the tour stops and even having an opportunity to play in the basketball game (for the challenging team). The Harlem Ambassadors public relations representatives and Amtrak PR are coordinating this national media coverage. For more information, call (970) 472-1000.

As with other Harlem Ambassadors games, the game performances of the Amtrak Coast-to-Coast Tour are benefiting local not-for-profit community, youth and school organizations. It is estimated that nearly a quarter of a million dollars in funds will be raised for these organizations through this tour.

[News release]

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.

[to top of second column in this section]

• 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

• General primary election notices

• Ballot information

• Polling places

• Absentee notice

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