The Pantagraph Bloomington, IL

State Pension Funds Need Scrutiny From All Corners

The past, present and future of the $30 billion Illinois Teachers' Retirement System's fund are now under study. The U.S. attorney's Chicago office is dealing with the past -- indicting two political appointees for taking kickbacks from firms seeking business with the pension fund for Downstate and suburban teachers.

A Round of Applause

Bhs-West: Whot's Best? ; Football Matchup Formerly Dominated by Bloomington Now a Rivalry Game

NORMAL -- The series began in 1995. But the rivalry? That didn't sprout wings until last year, when Normal West High School's football team won at Bloomington, 14-12, spoiling the Purple Raiders' homecoming.

Nchs Seeking More Enjoyment in Big 12

Normal Community High School girls tennis coach Jim Boswell liked the Big 12 Conference Tournament even before his team claimed the championship last season. "I really enjoy the conference a lot. Conference is one of the big team events," Boswell said. "No matter how you're doing on your court, you've got to fight and battle out there for team pride and your placement in the Big 12. We stress that."

A Look at What It Would Be Like to Be Like Wie

Kaitlyn Wampler can see her 16th birthday in the rearview mirror, now that she can legally climb behind the wheel. The University High School sophomore turned 16 on Sept. 27, making her two weeks older than Michelle Wie. Not exactly the same age, but close enough to share the same sign (Libra). Wampler and Wie also share a passion for golf, just on different levels, in different worlds.

Deaths

Joyce Hiser ARROWSMITH -- Joyce Elaine Hiser, formerly of Arrowsmith, died Saturday (Oct. 1, 2005) at Clark Memorial Hospital in Jeffersonville, Ind.

Deaths

Roma Ballinger ATLANTA -- Roma Ballinger, 77, of rural Atlanta died at 6:25 a.m. Thursday (Oct. 6, 2005) at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Lincoln.

Deaths

William H. Bartlett FAIRBURY -- William H. "Bill Jr." Bartlett, 82, of Fairbury died Thursday (Oct. 6, 2005) at Fairview Haven Nursing Home, Fairbury.

Deaths

Kenneth E. Ely LINCOLN -- Kenneth E. Ely, 75, of Lincoln died at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 5, 2005) at St. Clara's Manor, Lincoln.

Nursing Home Fined in Resident's Death

CLINTON -- State health officials have cited a Clinton nursing home for causing delays in medical care for a resident who died before emergency services could be provided. Hawthorne Inn was fined $10,000 for failure to promptly follow a physicians' order to obtain a CT scan of an 89-year-old resident who died July 28 at the facility. The state alleges staff failed to assess a change in the resident's condition and notify nursing staff and the doctor of those changes.

Vaccine Prevents Cervical Cancer

An experimental vaccine to prevent the most common forms of cervical cancer proved 100 percent effective in a two-year test on more than 10,000 girls and women, drug maker Merck & Co. says. Merck is hoping to win Food and Drug Administration approval for the vaccine, Gardasil, and put it on the market as soon as late 2006.

Vanishing Act ; How Low Will It Go?; Several Factors Causing Drop in Lake Bloomington

HUDSON -- There's only one other time Lake Bloomington resident Don Wey has seen the city of Bloomington reservoir as low as it is today, and that was during the drought of 1988-89. Wey, an avid fisherman who's lived at the lake 45 years, was forced to remove his boat from the water when his dock was left high and dry by Labor Day weekend.

Flick Fact

Question Name the B-N institution that's been here so long that when it was built, the area on which it sits was still countryside and at the time was situated exactly halfway between the cities of Bloomington and Normal.

Daily Digest

NEWS IN BRIEF Burned student's condition improves

Hey There, Mr. Everything Do It Yourself!

The other day, while dining at a well-known buffet-style restaurant in Normal, it suddenly all dawned on me. Rather than add a 15 percent gratuity -- you know, as a tip to my waiter, who happened to be rather inefficient, terribly slow and, because it was a buffet, also me -- should I therefore subtract 15 percent instead?

Military Service Serves Sheriff's Candidate Well

I am writing in support of Mike Emery for sheriff of McLean County. In his background is military service. This certainly has led to self-control and self-discipline, which as a veteran myself I can attest. His further educational training locally as well as in the state academy and with the FBI programs is indeed significant. Furthermore, I have worked and served with him in the McLean County Sheriff's Department, where I respect his decisions and actions.

Olympia Teams Deserve Collective Pat On the Back

Congratulations to the Olympia Middle School girls softball team for achieving first place and the boys baseball team for achieving second place in their respective Illinois Elementary School Association state tournaments! It's been an exciting season. Both teams exemplified true spirit, determination, positive attitudes, cooperation and self-discipline; key ingredients for success.

Disabled Seniors Overlooked for Good-Paying Jobs

I feel that our disabled seniors in Bloomington-Normal are being left out in the work force. I walked into two places, filled out the applications.

Where Are Politicians with Gas Gouging Going On?

I have written in, as have others, about the price of gasoline -- gouging. My questions is: Where are our leaders -- politicians -- the people we voted in office to represent we, the people, when we need them? Busy filling their pork barrels? I wonder if any will answer our concerns about this problem. Do any of them have the guts to answer us?

'Flowers' Delivered in Wry Jarmusch Fashion

Broken Flowers 3 Stars