The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 5

Local News of our communities, our region and state A5 The Pantagraph Saturday, April 26, 1997 Police: Chicago man admits killing 8 women One victim found in Livingston Co. fee tA Corum's body was discovered July 1 4, 1 996, by fishermen near a bridge over the Vermilion River on County Road 1875 North. Jut. WJSm. A ft museum gets lift By SCOTT RICHARDSON Pantagraph staff Plans took off Friday to raise $2 million to build a new and larger Prairie Aviation Museum at the Bloomington-Normal airport.

Dubbed "Project 2003" for the targeted completion date, a central feature of the new museum would be enough hangar space to store the museum's showcase airplane, a DC-3 built during World War II. Recently, the plane became one of only seven aircraft listed on the National Historic Registry, and it is the only airplane on the registry still flying. The former naval cargo and personnel transport was repainted as a commercial airliner in 1985 to mark the 35th anniversary of the now-defunct Ozark Airlines, which also used DC-3s. The fund-raising campaign will focus on tapping government sources as well as seeking individual and corporate donations. "The urgency here is to preserve this piece of history," said Norm Wingler, president and founder of the museum, pointing at the DC-3, which often is parked outside, exposed to the elements and causing damaging corrosion when borrowed hangar space is unavailable.

Since doors opened at the Prairie Aviation Museum in 1988, it also has become home to: a T-33 and T-38, both former Air Force trainers; an A7A, a Navy jet from the Vietnam era; a Sea Cobra helicopter once used by the U.S. Marines; and a 1958 Cessna 310, a plane like the one made famous years ago by the "Sky King" television series. A Navy F-4 fighter jet will soon Special lo The PantagraphFARNSWORTH WYLIE, INC. Above, a model shows of the museum layout. Below, Norm Wingler, right, of the Prairie Aviation Museum talked about the plans for a new museum as Steve Thompson of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency listened.

By TONY PARKER Pontiac bureau chief PONTIAC A 32-year-old Chicago man has confessed to fatally shooting and stabbing an Indiana woman near Pontiac last July and seven other killings in Illinois and California, authorities said Friday. Andrew Urdiales was charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the slayings of two Chicago area prostitutes whose naked bodies were found in Wolf Lake last year. And, police said, he has confessed to killing Cassandra "Cassie" Corum, a 21-year-old Hammond, woman whose naked body was found July 14 in the Vermilion River less than two miles northwest of Pontiac. In addition to the confession, police have a handgun confiscated from the ex-Marine that matches the firearm used in the slayings of the three Midwestern women. "I anticipate at some point in time when we get all the reports there are going to be charges here," said Livingston County State's Attorney Thomas Brown, who discussed developments in the case with Cook County prosecutors Friday.

Two Livingston County sheriffs detectives went to Chicago Wednesday night after Urdiales was taken into custody. Livingston County Sheriff Marv Rutledge said a multi-agency investigation shows Corum was shot and stabbed to death at the location where her body was found. Brown said there is no urgent need for him to file charges because Urdiales is already being held without bond for the Cook County slayings and he could demand a trial within 120 days. Both Brown and Rutledge declined to release other details of the investigation. Cook County authorities charged Urdiales with killing Lynn Huber, 22, of Chicago, and Lora Uylaki, 25, of Hammond, Ind.

Huber's body was discovered in Wolf Lake Aug. 2 and Uylaki's body was found in the same lake on April 14, 1996. Huber had been shot three times in the head and stabbed in the back at least 15 times. Like Corum, Huber and Uylaki are believed to have been prostitutes working in the Chicago area. Their slayings have been the subject of a joint investigation since mid-August, when testing of bullets recovered from all three of the women's bodies indicated the same handgun was used in each of the killings.

Corum's body was discovered July 14 by fishermen near a bridge over the Vermilion River on County Road 1875 North. She suffered multiple gunshot and stab wounds to the head and chest Authorities spent the first three weeks after the body was discovered in Livingston County sifting through hundreds of leads and trying to determine her identity. A tip from the Hammond area led police to do a fingerprint check that verified Corum was the victim. Chicago police said Friday that Urdiales, who was working as a security guard on Chicago's south side, also has confessed to five California killings dating back to 1987. He previously was stationed with the Marines at Camp Pendleton in California, police said.

Investigators from Chicago, California, Hammond, the Illinois state police, Livingston County Sheriffs Department and the FBI are working on the various cases apparently tied to Urdiales. 1 i i i jrtf tY- vfa'f I oil .1 1 4' history of aviation to visitors, which numbered about 10,000 last year. Interactive displays and offices would be included, too. A Project 2003 steering committee has been named to work out details. "We're saying, now, hey, we don't have enough space," Wingler said.

"To upgrade to the next level, we need to develop a bigger museum." Wingler foresees no problem getting more space adjacent to the landing strip from the the Airport Authority, which has been very supportive of the museum's mission. On Friday, Wingler flew several officials of the Illinois Department of Transportation from Springfield to Bloomington in the DC-3 to acquaint them with the plane, the status of the current museum and Project 2003. Stephen A Thompson, resource protection manager of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, who helped gain the National Historic Registry designation, was aboard. Wingler also credited Thompson with alerting Prairie Aviation Museum officials to the National Historic Registry designation, which means a chance for federal dollars administered by IDOT may be avail- The current museum is housed The PanlagraphLLOYD YOUNG um would be custom-made to receive funding. "This is unique," Thompson said of the DC-3.

"It's the only operational airplane on the National Historic Registry. It's the only one that flies. It's a miracle because of the efforts of the Prairie Aviation able for the museum expansion. Specifically, the money is earmarked for protection of historic objects on the registry. However, Thompson said that current allotment is due to run out soon, and Congress is mulling whether to set aside more for the purpose.

If so, he thinks the Prairie Aviation Muse- in a small building that is 35 feet by 70 feet Preliminary plans call for the new museum to be 100 feet by 200 feet, or 20,000 square feet Wingler said the facility also will host a theater to show films on the Congerville man named general manager of Interstate Center center office manager Wendy Bowers ofi Hopedale. A recent ISU mathematics gradu ate, she is a former Tazewell County 4-H member. i Although her duties have yet to be deter mined, Mrs. Bowers said she is concentrating; on scheduled events. Her husband, Jeff, isj due to complete four years in the Marine Corps, and return to McLean County laterj this month.

Jerry Singley of Stanford, Interstate Centei board chairman, said he was happy Simpson, accepted the position so quickly. He said he? has known Simpson for seven years. "Things are going very well at the center.j We have more events scheduled this yeai than we thought would be," said Singley. Simpson said the McLean County Fair Juljl 29 through Aug. 2 will be a particularly furt' event to manage given his 4-H background-that included attending fair livestock showsj The fair will be the first conducted at the Illi nois 9 West site.

Singley said he guarantees all support buildings for the fair, including livestock showbarns, will be completed before July. In fact, he said three livestock buildings that! will not be totally enclosed should be fin- ished in time for the first Third Sunday Martf ketMayl8. and event management experience. He has served on the executive committee of the Mackinaw River Project, and is a member of the Woodford County zoning board and United Way board. Simpson's wife, Janan, works as a dental assistant in Bloomington.

"John (Brown, executive vice president of the Interstate Center, and McLean County Farm Bureau manager) and I have talked a lot about development of the center during the last two or three years," he said. "I have a good historic perspective. "I don't know that I have been planning for this position, but I have been looking at it for a long time." Brown confirmed that Simpson's quick hiring resulted in part from the duo's seven-year relationship as Farm Bureau managers. Brown oversees personnel at the center, which is a for-profit corporation. The center's stock is wholly-owned by the McLean County Farm Bureau.

"I became aware that we needed to keep a short list of people capable of taking the position when I learned what the needs were (for developing the center and new fairground). When you lose somebody from a small staff, it creates a big hole. Doug was at the top of my short list," said Brown. Simpson will be assisted by newly named By CHRIS ANDERSON Pantagraph farm editor The 28-year-old manager of Woodford County Farm Bureau has. been named the new general manager of the Interstate Exposition and Conference Center, a title that also includes fair manager.

Doug Simpson of Congerville will oversee all events at the new center, including the McLean County Fair, Third Sunday Markets, car shows and the 1998 Mennonite Relief Sale. "This is a fantastic opportunity. And I feel that I am coming in on the ground floor," Simpson said Friday. The Illinois State University agribusiness graduate officially stepped into the position Thursday. But because of a 30-day notice provision with Woodford County Farm Bureau, he will continue fulfilling obligations to that organization until May 23.

"We need to pick up things where they are. and let them grow. We need to make sure existing commitments are met, then look ahead," Simpson said. Simpson becomes the sixth fair manager in 74 years and succeeds Tom Rogers, who resigned earlier this week to pursue another career. Attempts to contact Rogers for comment have been unsuccessful.

ThePantagraptVDANAHOBACK Doug Simpson met with the media as John Brown, executive vice president, looked on. McLean County about seven years ago. He has managed the Woodford County organization for six years, where he gained general The new general manager grew up on a pork and grain farm near Tuscola and served as a Farm Bureau manager trainee in Serial rapist remains at-large rair ui; Hi i 1 fVA at night Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln added another night security guard. Knox College security officials in Galesburg have been encouraging students to use the escort service. "People realize that even the ivory tower is in the middle of the world, and they have to conduct themselves accordingly," said Kai Swanson, a spokesman at Augustana College in Rock Island, where one of the attacks occurred.

The first attack occurred Feb. 6 at Union College in Lincoln, when a man wearing a ski mask raped a woman who was playing the piano at night in the basement of an administration building. Three days later, someone tried to rape a young woman in an art studio at Knox College. Another student walked in and scared off the assailant The next day, a 19-year-old woman at Carthage College in Kenosha, was raped as she played the piano and sang in a music practice room. On Feb.

16, a 24-year-old woman was raped while working alone in a computer lab at St Ambrose University, a religious school in Davenport, Iowa. Just four hours before the Davenport rape, a man tried to sexually assault a 31-year-old teacher in an office at Augustana College. A faculty member stopped the assault and pulled the attacker's mask off before he fled. 4 women have been attacked on 4 campuses By Associated Press and Pantagraph staff Colleges in Illinois and neighboring states have stepped up security while authorities search for a suspected serial rapist who may be targeting women working alone in computer labs and music rooms. Four women have been raped and two others sexually assaulted since February on four Midwestern campuses, ranging from 10 minutes to six hours apart Police suspect the attacks are the work of the same person: a man who likes to spit on his victims, ask questions and ask them to pray for him.

"It is a terrifying thought to me that college campuses would be the preying grounds for a serial rapist," said a University of Nebraska student who was raped March 5 while chatting on the Internet alone one night in a computer lab. Officials at Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan universities are monitoring the investigation, but said programs are already in place to deter attacks on their campuses. "We are always striving," said ISU Police Chief Ron Swan. "We do so much of this proactive work because were cognizant of the reality. We are Officials at Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan universities are monitoring the investigation, but said programs are already in place to deter attacks on their campuses.

constantly vigilant of it" ISU pays for night buses to take students around the large campus and offers "Safe Ride" escorts via van. It also has 18 emergency call boxes around the campus, a student patrol and full-time police patrol by bike, foot and car, said ISU Police Sgt Keith Gerhand. Swan said ISU also offers 14 crime prevention programs to reduce vulnerability to sexual assault and drug-related crimes. Two classes, "Common Sense Self-Defense for Women," and "Rape Prevention," were taught 133 times last year by university police, Swan said. Like ISU, Illinois Wesleyan has an escort service and emergency call boxes, said Chuck Adam, director of security.

Students also are encouraged to report suspicious activities, he said. Meanwhile, at other campuses in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Nebraska, some teachers have turned their desks around to face doors. More students have asked for escorts The PantagraphLIOYD YOUNG All wrapped up Randy Hadfield of Ellsworth pulled out a donation to help Wal-Mart managers Steve Beccue, left, and Dave Orzel get free from shrink wrap around a pole in the store. The two were raising money for the Children's Miracle Network, and had to raise $100 to be set free. Store associates raised $150..