The Pantagraph Bloomington, IL

School's Out

School's Future the Talk of Hopedale ; Village Board Hasn't Taken a Position

HOPEDALE -- The future of Hopedale Elementary School and whether to pull out of the Olympia school district are the talk of the town, and the village board -- which has leaders from the two major camps - - is no exception. The board has taken no official stand on the future of Hopedale Elementary School, and officials on both sides have encouraged people to express their opinions. They said the issue should not divide the board on other village issues.

Daily Briefing

LOCAL Program excludes farmers from area BLOOMINGTON -- Central Illinois farmers will not be able to participate in the Conservation Security Program this year. U.S. Department of Agriculture officials announced Thursday that farmers in six northeastern counties operating in the Kishwaukee River watershed can sign up for the program.

Governor Threatens Layoffs

SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich threatened Thursday to lay off thousands of state workers and close more prisons if lawmakers don't approve his budget. Although he wasn't specific about either threat, the governor's comments came as lawmakers continue to balk at his plan to raise taxes and fees on businesses as a way to fill a $1.7 billion deficit and boost overall spending by more than $900 million.

Arts in Brief

MUSIC Brass band concert

Kiley, Mikel Propel Central Catholic

Amy Kiley and Meghan Mikel combined on a six-hitter to lead Central Catholic High School to a 5-2 victory over Delavan Thursday in a Class A Central Catholic Softball Regional first-round game at Bloomington's O'Neil Park. The 14th-seeded Saints improved to 10-15 and advanced to Saturday's semifinals against third-seeded Illini Bluffs at 10 a.m. at O'Neil Park.

Fielding Woes Prove Costly for Central Catholic

The Central Catholic High School baseball team, despite pounding out 11 hits, was unable to overcome five errors in a 13-10 loss to host Warrensburg-Latham in the first round of the Clinton Class A Regional Tournament Thursday at Warrensburg. The loss ended the Saints' season at 9-18. Warrensburg-Latham (11- 12) will play host Clinton Saturday at 11 a.m. in the semifinals.

Bloom, Pickrel, Isu Top Bradley

NORMAL -- Thanks to Kyle Bloom and Jeremy Pickrel, Illinois State's baseball team kept alive its hopes of making the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Thursday night. Bloom went 7 innings and allowed just four hits while Pickrel belted his team-leading 11th home run as the Redbirds downed Bradley, 5-4, at Redbird Field.

Berta, West Romp Past Macarthur

DECATUR -- Alex Berta capped an eight-run fourth inning with a three-run double as Normal West High School downed Decatur MacArthur 11-1 in a Big 12 Conference baseball game Thursday shortened to five innings by the 10-run rule. Eric Birky won his eighth game without a loss for the Wildcats, who improved to 25-6 overall, 9-3 in the league. Birky allowed four hits while walking one and striking out four in four innings of work.

Eash Fans 13 As Bhs Wins

DECATUR -- Kaylyn Eash had a career-high 13 strikeouts as the senior shut out Decatur MacArthur on one hit to lead Bloomington High School to a 4-0 victory in a Big 12 Conference softball game Thursday. Eash (17-6) helped the Purple Raiders improve to 23-7 overall and 11-2 in the conference to remain tied with Mattoon for second place behind league leader Normal Community.

Morton, Nchs Look to Halt Bhs' Streak

Bloomington High School's streak of 28 consecutive boys tennis sectional championships likely will end this weekend, with Morton and Normal Community expected to battle for the title at the BHS Courts. Morton lost to BHS by one point a year ago, and has two singles players and two doubles teams seeded among the top six. The top four finishers in singles and doubles advance to next week's State Tournament at Arlington Heights.

Deaths

Frances L. Lane STANFORD -- Frances L. Lane, 62, of Stanford died at 7:50 a.m. Thursday (May 20, 2004) at her residence.

Deaths

Eleanore E. Powell HEYWORTH -- Eleanore E. Powell, 91, of 103 N. Karr St., Heyworth, died at 9:15 p.m. Wednesday (May 19, 2004) at her residence.

Deaths

Dorothy M. Suntken GIBSON CITY -- Dorothy M. Suntken, 85, of Gibson City died at 11:35 a.m. Monday (May 17, 2004) at Gibson Area Hospital, Gibson City.

Illinois Following Old Regulations

BLOOMINGTON -- Federal overtime laws will go into effect in August, but that doesn't bother citizens of Illinois. On April 2, Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed a law that overrules the proposed federal rules and follows federal guidelines created in March 2003.

Children Latest to Take Part in Beading Fun

Penny Wilson's business, Bead on a Wire, 303 Landmark Drive, Suite 3, Normal, still is discovering that beads and beading are growing in popularity. She plans special classes in June for children, beginning with the basics of how to put the bead on that wire, and work the students up to "weaving," a process where beads and weaving techniques blend.

A Chicago Casino, Maybe; Chicago Ownership, No Way

It took a lot of intestinal fortitude for Gov. Rod Blagojevich to reject a proposed city-owned casino in Chicago. Perhaps he hasn't learned that it's not nice to buck a Chicago mayor -- especially one from your own party -- without at least getting a personal explanation of his proposal. Chicago having the state's 10th casino license should be open to consideration.

A Round of Applause

Smooth Operator

Daily Digest

FARMER CITY CF fund-raiser brings in $10,000