The Pantagraph Bloomington, IL

Slower Drivers Hog Left Lane On Towanda-Barnes

I commute to Bloomington for work each day. I turn off I-74 at Downs and take Towanda-Barnes Road. Since the widening of this road, I've noticed a phenomenon I'll call, for lack of a better term, "Left Lane Road Hogs." Many drivers will immediately occupy the left lane and remain entrenched, though they may not be turning left for over four miles at Illinois 9. They continue, oblivious to the speed of other vehicles or the number of cars passing them in the right lane.

Hang Time ; Framer Knows, Breaks the Rules of Picture Hanging

Custom framer Timothy Kent Nurnberger doesn't always prescribe rules. In his world, there isn't black and white, unless you're referring to a non-color photograph with extremely high contrast. Said Nurnberger, "I see a million shades of gray, not black and white."

Cleaning Women Foil Burglary

PEORIA -- Police say two cleaning women mopped up a burglary along with the rest of their overnight chores this week at a Peoria mall. Pamela Williamson, 38, of Elmwood and Judith Miller, 61, of Peoria said they found a man standing behind the counter after hearing a strange pounding at a mall pizzeria shortly after midnight Tuesday.

Council to Vote On Arena Issues

Bloomington City Council meetingTime: 7:30 p.m. Monday Place: City Hall, 109 E. Olive St.What: The council will vote on four arena issues: Accepting areport that includes a recommendation to issue bonds Hiring a firm to study downtown intersections Moving an underground sewer line Reimbursing the city for up-front arena expenses from bond revenue.---- BLOOMINGTON -- The city council will take up matters concerning the proposed $35.2 million arena on Monday, but one issue is largely settled -...

New Fitness Center Possible ; Delavan Group Weighs Options

How to helpFor information to donate, call Principal Andrew Brooks at (309)244-8265. The committee will meet again Feb. 3. The time and location will be announced.Donations can include time and materials including paint or plumbing skills.-------DELAVAN -- A committee of Delavan residents has formed to raise money to build fitness center the community and school district can share.

Schools Collaborate in New Program

NORMAL -- Illinois State University's College of Education has been picked to help determine what ideas work well in Illinois schools and share them with other educators. The college is joining with the Illinois Business Roundtable and the National Center for Educational Accountability in the Illinois Best Practice Study.

Deaths

Anna Lee Tuttle BLOOMINGTON -- Anna Lee Tuttle, 85, of 1102 Mechanic St., Pekin, mother of a Bloomington resident, died at 11:44 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 20, 2004) at Pekin Hospital.

Augustana Assures No Team Will Go Undefeated in League

BLOOMINGTON -- To absolutely no one's surprise, the 1972-73 Augustana basketball team is safe for another year. The Vikings are the last College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin team to negotiate an entire league schedule without a loss with a 16-0 record.

Out with the Old Brings an End to Feeling Young

Sunlight beamed in through the patio door Thursday morning, a slice of heaven for a five-pound poodle napping on a small pillow. If, in fact, every dog has its day, this was hers, or at least the makings of it.

Pontiac Deliberate About Winning

PONTIAC -- Coming into this season, the Pontiac High School basketball team had won 17 games and lost 48 the previous three years. The Indians have made defeat a rarity this year thanks to an 11- 3 start. It leads the Corn Belt Conference at 4-1 ahead of tonight's home game against Central Catholic (4-14, 0-6).

Saints Clinch Share of Crown ; Nchs Tops West; Pioneers Upset

Junior guard Sara Wemlinger scored a game-high 22 points as Central Catholic High School's girls basketball team claimed at least a share of the Corn Belt Conference title with a 69-45 league victory at Pontiac on Thursday night. The Saints, ranked third in Class A, improved to 18-2 overall and 7-1 in the Corn Belt, two games ahead of second-place University High with two conference games remaining.

Isu Faces Pressing Matter

NORMAL -- Here's a friendly tip for fans planning to attend Saturday's 2:05 p.m. Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball game between Illinois State and Indiana State at Redbird Arena: Don't blink because you're bound to miss something.

Gridley, Chenoa Earn Victories

BLOOMINGTON -- Playing in the consolation bracket might not excite some teams. Gridley and Chenoa high schools felt otherwise Thursday night in the 94th McLean County Basketball Tournament at the Shirk Center.

Kowalski Powers El Paso

Sophomore Amanda Kowalski scored 10 of her game-high 21 points in a key second-quarter surge as El Paso High School's girls basketball team earned a 56-41 Midstate Conference victory over Tri-Point on Thursday night at Cullom. El Paso (13-5 overall, 7-1 Midstate) held a slim12-10 lead after the opening period. The Comets used a 19-10 run in the second quarter to extend their advantage to 31-20 by halftime.

Deaths

Kenneth W. Booth MINIER -- Kenneth W. Booth, 95, of Minier died at 12:50 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 21, 2004) at the Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka.

Deaths

Leva Burton CLINTON -- Leva Marie Burton, 82, of Clinton died at 12:30 a.m. Thursday (Jan. 22, 2004) at LeRoy Manor Nursing Home, LeRoy.

Deaths

John Degenhart FAIRBURY -- John Wesley Degenhart, 69, of Charlotte, N.C., formerly of Fairbury, died Monday (Jan. 19, 2004) in Charlotte.

Deaths

Eugene 'Mike' Hayes ODELL -- Eugene Michael "Mike" Hayes, 56, of Odell passed away Wednesday (Jan. 21, 2004) at his home.

Deaths

Marie J. Kettman STREATOR -- Marie J. Kettman, 94, of 250 Manor Drive, Perrysburg, Ohio, formerly of Streator, died at 12:35 a.m. Thursday (Jan. 22, 2004) at The Manor at Perrysburg.

Deaths

Christena J. Kissack DANFORTH -- Christena J. Kissack, 86, of Watseka, formerly of Danforth, died at 7:11 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 21, 2004) at Iroquois Memorial Hospital, Watseka.