The Pantagraph Bloomington, IL

Lawrence a Cut Above ; Senior's 32 Points, 16 Rebounds Power Bhs

OTTAWA - Lonnie Lawrence's trademark work ethic is frequently evident as Lawrence grabs a rebound in traffic or positions himself perfectly to turn an entry pass into a quick layup. It also is on display when the Bloomington High School senior is standing still.

Daily Digest

News in brief Nominees soughtfor Fairbury award

Dean Accused of Plagiarizing Work ; Panel: Gordon Did Err, but 'Inadvertently'

NORMAL - An Illinois State University dean accused of misrepresenting his credentials and plagiarizing scholarly work will keep his job, for now. But some faculty in the College of Fine Arts say a lack of confidence in Dean Lon Gordon might lead to his departure anyhow - based on numerous comments made during a faculty meeting on Wednesday with ISU Provost John Presley.

City Begins Paramedic Service

BLOOMINGTON - City fire employees transported people to hospitals as paramedics for the first time this week. The step won't change the level of service available to patients, but it will help Bloomington prepare to fill the role of offering countywide paramedic service.

County Leaders Push for Federal Dollars ; Money Sought to Help Fund Work-Force Facility and Transportation Hub

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A McLean County group picked an awkward time to join the lobbying game in Washington, D.C. Competition for dollars is tight because Congress held the line on funding for local projects in the 2007 fiscal year, a move that cost the Twin Cities thousands of dollars.

Governor Wants to Sign Electric Rate Relief

SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Rod Blagojevich Wednesday called on lawmakers to deal with rising electric bills, but he didn't say exactly what he wanted them to do. Lawmakers have sparred for months - often shouting in debates from the House floor over the 2007 rate hikes. But the issue garnered only a passing mention in Blagojevich's 34-minute annual budget address Wednesday.

$60 Billion State Plan Unveiled ; Governor Would Bankroll Health, School Improvements with New Business Taxes

SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Rod Blagojevich called Wednesday for a major overhaul of the state's business taxes to bankroll a massive expansion of state spending on health care and schools. In his fifth budget address, the Chicago Democrat said it is his "moral imperative" to change a state tax structure that relies more on individual taxpayers than large corporations.

Girl, 9, Rural Cullom Man Die in Accident

PONTIAC - A 9-year-old Chatsworth girl and a 30-year-old rural Cullom man were identified Wednesday as the people fatally injured in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday night southwest of Cullom. Briana N. Krawczykowski died at the scene of the accident and Peter Gunther died Wednesday in a Peoria hospital from the injuries he received in the accident.

Fitzgerald Succeeds Hubbard at U High

NORMAL - Bob Fitzgerald came back to University High School in 2002 to teach history and coach basketball. He wound up being a student as well. Fitzgerald spent the past five years as an assistant under Cal Hubbard, watching and learning from a Hall of Fame coach with 520 victories. Fitzgerald said the experience has been invaluable in preparing him for his next assignment.

Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested

BLOOMINGTON - A 30-year-old Twin City man was arrested Wednesday morning in a small town 20 miles north of Indianapolis, four days after he allegedly robbed a Bloomington bank, police said. Andrew N. Hertter of Bloomington turned himself in to police in Tipton, Ind., about 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, nearly six hours after an officer in that town tried to stop his vehicle for speeding, police said.

League Gets Tougher with Dakotas ; North Dakota State, South Dakota State to Begin Play in '08

NORMAL

3 Redbirds Net Valley Honors ; Cirone Named to First Team

NORMAL - Being named the Missouri Valley Conference's Freshman of the Year last season was just a warm-up act for Illinois State point guard Kristi Cirone. The Chicago Resurrection High School product padded her resume Wednesday by earning all-MVC first-team honors and a spot on the league's all-defensive team.

Police Find Drugs at Bhs During Sweep

BLOOMINGTON - A small amount of marijuana was found in a locker Wednesday during a routine check at Bloomington High School. The school was on temporary lockdown Wednesday morning as part of a routine drug check in cooperation with Bloomington Police Department. Students remain in their classrooms when the locker search is taking place.

No Peeking! Weber Wants Illini Focused On Task at Hand

CHICAGO - Bruce Weber doesn't want his Illini basketball team looking past this afternoon, when it takes on Penn State in an opening-round game of the Big Ten Tournament. And if they win today, he won't want the Illini looking past Friday's clash with Indiana.

Students Come to Aid of Teachers

NORMAL - Students and teachers in Normal's high schools will use theatrical and athletic skills to help raise money at two different events for two different teachers struggling with health challenges. The events, on consecutive Fridays, start this week.

Isu Women Poised for Postseason Run

DES MOINES, Iowa - Less than two weeks ago, the Illinois State women's basketball team was mired in its worst slump of the season. The brutal stretch of five losses in seven games, including four straight setbacks at Redbird Arena, followed ISU's 9-0 start in Missouri Valley Conference play.

Towns Join Forces to Battle Fire

ELLSWORTH - Firefighters from more than six area towns battled a blaze Wednesday morning that destroyed a rural home south of Ellsworth. The home of Matt and Kimberly Carley was fully engulfed when fire crews arrived shortly before 10 a.m. The large home was located just east of Dawson Lake.

Groups: Funding Is Health Care Fix

BLOOMINGTON - The emerging scandal over conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center demonstrates the need for Congress to pump more money into the overburdened veterans health care system, spokesmen for the Illinois chapters of two major veterans groups said Wednesday. "It falls down because of money," said Terry Woodburn, Illinois state adjutant of the Bloomington-based American Legion. "I still don't understand why it hit just now. Somebody has to have known about that. They (lawmakers) l...