The Pantagraph Bloomington, IL

Daily Digest

NEWS IN BRIEF ODC gets grant from FCAI chapter

Our Nation & World

Our Nation Mahomet man among14 pardoned by Bush

Full-Meal Thanksgiving Dealpolice, Firefighters Distribute Groceries to Residents in Need

NORMAL - Hundreds of Twin City families in need will have a Thanksgiving dinner this year, thanks to the time and labor police officers in Normal and firefighters in Bloomington put in on Monday. The police officers and firefighters, often joined by their families, bagged and distributed groceries to make hundreds of Thanksgiving meals.

U of I Students to Revise Dewitt Co. Plan

CLINTON - Students from the University of Illinois will rework DeWitt County's 16-year-old comprehensive plan next year. The board unanimously agreed to work with a U of I class to update the plan at a cost of $14,629.

City Limits On-Street Parking

BLOOMINGTON - Vehicles with antique plates parked on city streets can be towed after 24 hours if a neighbor complains. At its meeting Monday night, the Bloomington City Council unanimously approved a change in its parking ordinance to keep people from storing their vehicles on the streets of residential neighborhoods.

New Workout Planel Paso School Transforms Pool Into Gym

EL PASO - Karen Krug stood in the crumbling indoor pool at El Paso-Gridley High School, where she and countless others learned to swim, and wondered if the future plans were "the right thing." That day in July, ribbons of liquid concrete converted the former pool into the floor for a fitness center, forever changing the 1920s- era school building.

Clinton School Officials Apologize for Forcing 8th-Graders to Kneelsome Parents Irate Over Actions Taken During Assembly

CLINTON - Clinton Junior High School officials have apologized for requiring eighth-graders to kneel to get their attention during a disciplinary assembly. "We realized we made a mistake and we wish we were able to do it all over again, but we can't," Principal John Pine said Monday. "So, we are just going to be open and frank about it. I've answered every e-mail and returned every phone call on the subject.

Jury Sides with Estate Over Bromenn in Suitdeceased Woman Had Received at El Paso Clinic

BLOOMINGTON - The executor of a deceased woman's estate and her son were awarded $704,000 by a McLean jury in a civil lawsuit against BroMenn Healthcare and BroMenn Physicians Management Corp. Debbie Blake died in 2001 as a result of lung cancer. The 42- year-old received treatment from doctors at Crossroads Medical Associates in El Paso. The clinic is owned by BroMenn Healthcare.

Private Help Keeps Site Open

SPRINGFIELD - Private donations and a guarantee of additional volunteer help have taken another state historic site off Gov. Rod Blagojevich's hit list. The Bryant Cottage State Historic Site in Bement reached an agreement with the state last week to remain open past Nov. 30.

Illinois has Space for Garbage for 18 More Years

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois has space to dump garbage in Illinois for almost two decades, which is good by national standards, according to a new state report. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency found the state had enough room for 18 years worth of garbage at the end of 2007, down from a 2006 estimate of 19 years.

Work Session On Living Wage Planned On Dec. 9ciop Leaders Call for Putting It in Effect with City's Next Budget May 1

BLOOMINGTON - The referendum calling for city workers to be paid $9.81 a hour should give the Bloomington City Council a clear direction, proponents of the "living wage" said Monday. During a press conference outside City Hall, 109 E. Olive St., leaders from the Central Illinois Organizing Project called on the council to implement the living wage starting May 1, 2009, the start of the city's next budget.

A3 Rail

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Teacher Faces Charges After Cocain Found

LeROY - A LeRoy high school teacher faces felony drug possession charges in connection with cocaine found in her pocket while police were investigating a domestic dispute at her home. Miki Aberle, 27, an English teacher at LeRoy High School, posted $300 to be released Nov. 15, hours after her arrest on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Public Safety

POLICE, FIRE, RESCUE iPod stolen after car burglarized

Alderman to Runfor Pontiac Mayorrussell has Been On Council Since 1992

PONTIAC - Pontiac Alderman Bob Russell announced Monday he intends to run to succeed Mayor Scott McCoy, saying his own political experience can help Pontiac through the tough times ahead. "I had no plans to do this at all until he announced his decision to not seek re-election," the Ward 1 alderman said. "People called me and said that we need continuity and to keep it going. After some contemplation and prayer, I decided to do it."

Food Drive On Pace to Surpass '07but Extra Items Won't Be Enough to Provide for 12-Month Demand

BLOOMINGTON - Despite worries about the ongoing economic meltdown, donations to Clare House food pantry during its food drive are on pace to exceed last year's collection of 101 tons by the time the annual event ends Wednesday. Though that total was enough in the past to see the pantry through a year, organizers estimate they need about 140 tons to meet demand during the next 12 months.

How Time Flies

100 years ago Nov. 25, 1908: Opera singer Kate Condon of Bloomington will perform tonight at The Grand. This is her first public appearance since she went to Paris to study two years ago. She made her operatic debut eight years ago with the Savage Company.