The Pantagraph Bloomington, IL

Mclean County State's Attorney

I was extremely disappointed back in mid-2003 when I read in The Pantagraph that the Illinois Department of Public Aid was pulling the funding of the Child Support Enforcement Division of the McLean County state's attorney office. I had personally received assistance in obtaining child support from this division. Bill Yoder met with local legislators and was able to get this decision reversed. A new contract was negotiated in Springfield, and this important service was restored.

B-N Housing Sales Match Last Year's Record Pace

BLOOMINGTON -- Twin City residents appear to have beaten the January blahs by buying and selling homes at a pace on par with last year's record-setting rate. "The start of the year looks great. I feel very excited about the year," said Jean Hutson, Bloomington-Normal Association of Realtors Inc. president, Monday. "Financial advisers with the National Association of Realtors say it's going to be a great year across the nation. We see the same thing happening here."

Deaths

Jacqueline M. Oller STREATOR -- Jacqueline M. Oller, 68, of 612 W. Stanton St., Streator, died Sunday (Feb. 8, 2004) at 2:21 p.m. at St. Mary's Hospital, Streator.

Deaths

Ivan Gleeson BLOOMINGTON -- Ivan LaVerne Gleeson, 89, of 329 Fairway Dr., Bloomington, died at 11:05 a.m. Sunday (Feb. 8, 2004) at his residence.

Victims of Abuse Entitled to Time Off

BLOOMINGTON -- Victims of violent crime typically need time to recover from injuries and attend counseling, navigate the court system or care for traumatized children. Now, employers are required by the Illinois Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year for dealing with fallout from domestic violence and sexual violence.

Comments Directed at Unit 5 Chief Irresponsible

We are responding to the letter to the editor from Kim Schertz on Feb 2 ("Unit 5 spending spree showed reckless disregard"). Kim Schertz apparently believes that Unit 5 has not achieved any educational goals. Indeed, the comment was made that "Unit 5 exists, not to educate, but to train athletes." A list of the failings of Unit 5 was rehashed, with the sole solution apparently being the complete elimination of all athletic programs.

These Telephone Solicitors Don't Ask for Your Money

You put your name on the national "Do Not Call" list and, after a few months, noticed a decrease in unwanted telephone solicitations. Then, just when you thought it was safe to answer the phone again, a new type of solicitor begins to call.

The Garden's Bloom Will Remind Us of Elsie Kehr

With great sadness, we learned of the passing of our good friend and neighbor, Elsie Kehr. We want to thank The Pantagraph (Feb. 3) for including the stories of generosity that she was so well-known for in South Hill and likely beyond. Elsie was truly a neighborhood treasure. When we moved into this neighborhood eight years ago, she was the first to befriend us, helped us with numerous projects, filled our garden with a multitude of perennials that we were not allowed to thank her for -- she ...

Livingston County Nursing Home

The people of Livingston County have a problem. The Illinois Legislature, in its wisdom, has decreed that certain improvements and conditions should be met by nursing homes in the state of Illinois. Livingston County is faced with a big problem. One option is to remodel the existing home. Another option is to build a new home closer to Pontiac.

Olympia School Referendum

The governor outlined his plans to overhaul the Illinois State Board of Education. Local government leaders and the Illinois Education Association appear to agree that something needs to be done to assure accountability and to control expenses. Voters will be watching to see if talk turns into action.

Players Hit the Mark in Drama 'Stalag 17'

Historical drama, poignant character study or a classic whodunit, "Stalag 17," currently playing at Community Players delivers all the above and more. Set in a German prisoner-of-war camp during World War II, the cast of 21 gentlemen provides an ensemble performance that is more than worth the price of admission.

Arts in Brief

art Violin art

Illini to Face Red Hot Foe in Hall Filled with Orange

CHAMPAIGN -- It might look like Halloween at the Assembly Hall tonight. Just don't expect the visiting team to get spooked. A local radio station is sponsoring "Paint the Hall Orange Night." Everyone is asked to wear orange in support of the University of Illinois basketball team for its 8 o'clock Big Ten Conference showdown against league-leading Michigan State.

A Simple Goal: Help Kids ; Western Avenue Basketball League Gives Youngsters a Chance to Play

BLOOMINGTON -- Cars lined both sides of narrow Illinois St. on a brutally cold late January evening. From behind the concession stand of the Lawrence Irvin Neighborhood Center, George Roach asked arrivals to wipe their feet upon entering.

Dui Really Eats at Driver ... His Underwear, Too

One of the grand things about life -- other than weekends and occasionally engulfing an entire bag of mini-Snickers bars -- is mankind's ability to never quit entertaining. Or, as we also like to call it -- News Is Stranger Than Fiction, our latest collection of news stories, as culled from the news wires and newspapers:

Wjbc, Others Have New Owners

BLOOMINGTON -- WJBC-AM and four sister stations were sold by Citadel Communications to Regent Communications of Covington, Ky., WJBC general manager Red Pitcher said Monday. Pitcher said he doesn't expect the transaction to affect the programming or 55 employees of the affected stations.

Pump Prices Dip Despite Rumors

BLOOMINGTON -- Gasoline prices in Bloomington-Normal dropped from last week's highs Monday despite reports OPEC members would urge oil production cuts today. Representatives of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries were urged to slash overproduction by fellow members in response to fears of a spring glut of crude. OPEC begins an oil policy meeting in Algiers, Algeria, today.

Judge Says Handgun Admissible in Trial

BLOOMINGTON -- A McLean County judge ruled Monday that jurors in the attempted-murder case against Bobby Johnson can consider the gun used in the shooting of a Bloomington couple. Circuit Judge Elizabeth Robb rejected defense arguments that the .357 Smith and Wesson should be barred from Johnson's March 1 trial because prosecutors had accused another man, Deon Hoskin, of possessing it.

Local Travel Turns Tricky

BLOOMINGTON -- Gusty overnight winds combined with weekend snowfall to make a slippery commute Monday morning. Several accidents were reported, although no one was seriously hurt.

Second Boy Expelled in Gun Incident

BLOOMINGTON -- An 11-year-old Sheridan Elementary School student was expelled from District 87 for two years Monday but could return in the fall of 2005 if conditions are met. The boy is one of two students involved in an incident in which a gun was fired on a school bus Jan. 26. No one was hurt.