The Pantagraph Bloomington, IL

Woman Critically Hurt in Suv Crash Inside Apartment Dies

BLOOMINGTON - A 91-year-old woman critically injured when an SUV crashed into an apartment at 1901 Tracey Drive Sept. 18 died at 11:35 a.m. Monday at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center. A close family friend, Debbie Ashman, said Vera Ely, known as "Granny" had been heavily medicated due to injuries, including a fractured skull and crushed facial bones.

Vote On Sewer Rate Increase in Lincoln Put Off 2 Weeks

LINCOLN - A vote on raising the sewer rates in the city of Lincoln will wait for another two weeks. With Mayor Beth Davis-Kavelman, and Aldermen Dave Arburst, Marty Neitzel and Jonnie Tibbs all absent at Monday night's City Council meeting, a vote to possibly increase sewer rates for residential and commercial customers was tabled until the next voting session Oct. 20.

Pact's Aim: Restore Normal Bank's Look

NORMAL - The facade of the former Normal State Bank Building in uptown Normal would be restored through a proposed partnership between the owners and the town. A redevelopment agreement for the project is expected to be considered by the City Council on Oct. 20 but on Monday night, council members agreed that $22,000 in windows could be ordered now to ensure installation this year.

Project to Repair Sidewalks Around Pontiac Schools Ok'd

PONTIAC - The Pontiac City Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday night that would both repair sidewalks and encourage active lifestyles in area students. The Safe Routes to School program is a reimbursement grant program where the city would be reimbursed for funds spent up to an allocated amount. The idea of the program is to make infrastructure repairs to sidewalks to encourage children to not ride in a car to school.

Efforts to Restore Budget Cuts Back in Governor's Hands

SPRINGFIELD - Efforts to stave off cuts to state parks, historic sites and social service programs are back in the hands of Gov. Rod Blagojevich. In action Monday, the Senate quietly forwarded legislation to the governor designed to restore more than $220 million in cuts to a variety of state programs.

Public Safety

In court Man charged withresidential burglary

440-Year Sentence Stands

BLOOMINGTON - The conviction of former Bloomington police officer Jeff Pelo is going to appellate court after a judge denied his request for a prison term shorter than the 440 years he received for raping four women. The former police sergeant was brought to McLean County Circuit Court on Monday in an oversized yellow prison jumpsuit. He waved to his daughter, Shayla Pelo, as he shuffled into the courtroom, his legs shackled at the ankle.

Well Questions Unanswered

HUDSON - The key answers Hudson area residents wanted to hear about how the city of Bloomington will protect their wells were not available at a meeting Monday. More than 100 turned out for a meeting at Davis Lodge at Lake Bloomington, where city officials and state water experts talked about some of the characteristics of drilling into the Mahomet Aquifer and the city's plan to drill into it.

Request to Halt Inmate Movement to Be Heard

PONTIAC - A request for a temporary restraining order will be heard Wednesday as Pontiac prison workers prepare to move 100 inmates within the next two weeks. Anders Lindall, spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said the hearing was scheduled for 1 p.m. It was unclear in which court the request would be heard, although Lindall earlier said the request would be made in Livingston County.

Driver of Red Pickup That Hit Utility Pole Sought by Police

BLOOMINGTON - Bloomington police are looking for the driver of a red pickup truck that crashed into a utility pole on Prospect Road early Monday. Police Department spokesman Dave White said the 1:20 a.m. collision caused extensive damage to the truck, which he said is registered to a construction company in Louisiana.

Expect Lecture to Be Open-Ended for Holocause Survivor Wiesel

NORMAL - Elie Wiesel - Nobel Peace Prize winner, Holocaust survivor, and prolific author - visits Normal today. But don't go to his lecture with preconceived notions he'll spend the entire time analyzing World War II events or the culture that brought Adolf Hitler to power.

Clinton Intends to Build Up Its Firefighting Ranks

CLINTON - After a controversial summer that included the appointment of a new fire chief and the resignation of eight firefighters, the Clinton Fire Department is trying to get back to normal. Seven firefighters will be added to the force when their initial training exercises are completed, Public Health and Safety Commissioner Jerry Milton said.

Judge Considers Bond Reduction

BLOOMINGTON - A McLean County judge will decide by the end of the week whether bond should be reduced for a Decatur man accused of murdering a toddler a year ago. Judge Charles Reynard will rule on the request to lower the bond of Frank Byers III to $250,000 from $1 million.

Setting It Right

A3 Rail

FYI Stay updated Visit www.pantagraph.com for the latest road closures.

Academy's Mission Focuses On Learning

BLOOMINGTON - Everyone gathers at the desk of teacher Pam Law. The seven students of Heartland Christian Academy have their own cubicles, but they regularly congregate at Law's desk. The school is on the third floor of 510 E. Washington St., a building owned by Mount Moriah Christian Church.

How Time Flies for Oct. 7, 2008:

100 years ago Oct. 7, 1908: This is the day of founding the YWCA's Bloomington chapter. Its East Monroe Street location provided a cafeteria, rest rooms (retreat facilities), physical activity and babysitting. 30 local ladies, all but three of them being married, are listed as the directors.