The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 3

www.pantagraph.com The Pantagraph Wednesday, December 17, 2003 A3 CENTRAL ILLINOIS Daily digest Visitors tip i tie; challenge Iml i. jw-. 111 Groups take tours of learning center By Sharon K. Wolfe swolfePantaqraph.com BLOOMINGTON They came. They saw.

They concurred. The Challenger Learning Center at Prairie Aviation Museum drew rave reviews from about 175 first-time visitors Tuesday at an open house. The center, which will use simulated space missions to teach elementary school students, will be open for student groups in February "In today's lingo: Awesome. Totally awesome," said Wilma Eddings, a senior citizen who lives in Normal. "It's amazing we have this in a community our size." Groups of both adults and children coming to the center will assume the roles of space station astronauts and experts manning mission control.

The open house continues today The center is in the old terminal at Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington. "Well, it's extremely fun, and I can't wait to be able to come here. It's so amazing how they could put this together," said Ben Litchfield, 13, Blooming-ton. Planetary knowledge Troy Stoneking came with his wife, Sally, and two sons, Adam, 8, and Alex, 10. He viewed the center with a greater background knowledge than the average visitor.

Stoneking used to teach astronomy at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais and ran its planetarium. "I couldn't get him out of there," Sally Stoneking said, referring to her husband using the robotic arms. "I love it. I love studying outer-space stuff," Adam said. "I have to say (my favorite part was) when my dad went crazy on the robotic arms." Troy Stoneking said he enjoyed learning how to handle the different samples for an experiment using those arms.

It averages $20 per student to use the center when they come in a group, said Ruthie Cobb, a Prairie Aviation Museum volunteer. The missions, which are designed for fifth through eighth grades, require a minimum of 16 students and a maximum of 32. The PantaqraphSTEPHANIE OBERLANDER Above: Nine-year-old Nate Moore of Normal operated a robotic arm to try to pick up meteorite samples in the simulateed space station during an open house Tuesday at the new Challenger Learning Center at the Prairie Aviation Museum. Below: Fairbury native and NASA astronaut trainer Jerry Miller, middle, showed his two sons, Aaron Miller-Schumacher 5, left, and Sean Miller-Schumacher, 7, the center's Mission Control room. Miller, who Is the manager of spacewalk activities at the Johnson Space Center In Houston, spoke during the open house.

Insurer must pay estate $579,000 By Steve Silverman ssilvermanpantaqrdph.com BLOOMINGTON If a defective fuel-line system caused Raymond Wagner's van to burst into flames after crashing into another vehicle; as his family claimed, there's no way to prove it at least not anymore. That's because the remains of the Dodge van were scrapped without being inspected following the crash and resulting fire that killed Wagner, 51, of Metamora. The mistake led to the dismissal of a product liability lawsuit against Daimler-Chrysler AG. But Wagner's family filed another lawsuit against American States Insurance accusing the insurer of negligence for failing to preserve the vehicle. A McLean County jury deliberated seven hours Tuesday before awarding Wagner's estate about $579,000.

Wagner, who'd been an electrician for Caterpillar is survived by his wife and three children. Van caught fire Wagner was killed in May 1998 at the intersection of Woodford County roads 900 East and 1200 would have survived the collision but died from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning after his van caught fire, said Bloomington attorney Tim Kelly, who represented Wagner's family. The driver of the other vehicle, Charles Remley, was critically injured in the crash and later died. His wife also was seriously injured. Remley's failure to yield at the intersection caused the crash, Kelly said.

The Wagners received an undisclosed settlement in connection with the collision with Remley. A lawsuit also was filed against Daimler-Chrysler that alleged Wagner's van had a defective fuel-line system that leaked after the crash, sparking the fatal fire. Damaged van was crushed The most critical piece of evidence in that case was the van itself, which American States Insurance stored at a Bloomington auto parts shop. The van later was crushed, an act that wrecked the case against DaimlerChrysler, Kelly said. Kelly said the insurance company was obligated to preserve the van, but instead sent the manager of the auto parts shop a letter saying the vehicle should be salvaged.

In his closing argument, the insurance company's attorney, Greg Cerulo, disputed that a gas leak caused the fire. He said thick smoke that filled the interior of the van was consistent with fluids other than gasoline burning. Kelly argued that the other fluids wouldn't have burned unless gasoline vapors triggered the fire. He also scoffed at defense claims that the insurance company wasn't liable for the destruction of the van, saying the Wagners weren't warned the van would be scrapped. I -1 k- Open house What: Open house Challenger Learning Center at Prairie Aviation Museum.

When: 4 to 8 p.m. today. Retired astronaut and Canton native Steve Nagel speaks at 6 p.m. Where: Former airport terminal, 2901 E. Empire Bloomington.

Contact: (309) 661-1621. Four-year contract for firefighters OK'd NORMAL Members of Firefighters Local 2442 have a new four-year contract with the town of Normal. The city council approved the pact Monday. Firefighters ratified the contract on Dec. 2.

The union's previous three-year contract expired March 31. The new agreement provides a 3.5 percent wage increase each of the first three years, a 2 percent increase on April 1, 2006, and another 2 percent increase on Oct. 2006. Other changes affect shift bids, promotions, residency requirements and time-off procedures. Water main break closes several lanes BLOOMINGTON Cold water and warm ground temperatures are blamed for a break in a capped water main in the 300 block of West Washington Street early Tuesday.

Work on the main forced lane closures throughout the day on Washington and in the center lane of Madison Street. The right, westbound lane of Washington will remain closed until it can be resurfaced. Water Director Craig Cum-mings said the 4-inch, cast-iron pipe had been abandoned for years but never separated from the main pipe. The pipe dates from the 1800s, Cummings said, and will be removed when the weather becomes warmer. Work crew member Mike Fowler said the main, which has been capped for at least 30 years, broke just above the cap.

Woman faces prison in fatal accident BLOOMINGTON A Bloomington woman who drove off after an accident that killed a 3-year-old boy could face prison time as a result of a new driving offense that violated her probation terms. Jackie Miller's probation sentence was revoked Monday after she admitted to driving while her license was revoked Sept. 22. Sentencing is set for Feb. 18.

Miller, 20, could be resentenced to up to 14 years in prison for leaving the scene of a fatal accident in connection with the death of 3-year-old Dalton Moudy. She originally was sentenced to 30 months on probation and 180 days in jail. Miller, who lived next door to the Moudys in the 800 block of West Grove Street, accidentally hit Dalton in June 2002 as she backed out of her driveway. She dragged the boy down the street, and then sped away after the child's body became dislodged, according to prosecutors. Humane Society plans fund-raiser BLOOMINGTON Volunteers from the Humane Society of Central Illinois will wrap purchases at local bookstores as a way to raise money.

Volunteers will be at Borders, 200 Greenbriar Drive, from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday Volunteers will be at Barnes Noble Booksellers, 1701 E. Empire from 6 to 9 p.m.

Dec. 22 and Dec. 23, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec.

24. For information, call (309) 452-5000. Group sponsors anti-drug contests BLOOMINGTON Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Normal is sponsoring a coloring, poster and essay contest that warns about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs and promotes abstinence. Entries are due Feb. 15.

Local winners will advance to a state contest. Essay topics, which are decided by age group, include "Don't Be the One to Fall for "Marijuana: Know the Facts" and "Choose to be Tobacco-Free." For information or packets, call Loreta Jent at (309) 963-4521. out what he learned and getting ato'ur. After Bissoondial brought two classes for simulated space missions, Fran Romine, vice president of the aviation museum, said, "Four of the kids asked, 'Did we really find a Glenn Elementary School, Normal, who has served on the center's education committee. "We had a task book it was really easy to follow," Beau said.

Beau was hitting the punch and cookies with his mom, Lisa, and brother, Brady, 7, before walking through and pointing Fire damages home in west Bloomington PANTAGRAPH STAFF BLOOMINGTON A Bloomington man and his two children were displaced by a fire that damaged their mobile home in Maple Grove Estates on Tuesday Firefighters responding to the 9:18 a.m. call found smoke pouring from several areas of the mobile home at 1506 Gamma on the city's far west side, fire reports said. A fire in the living room area was put out quickly, but not before smoke and heat damaged much of the home's interior. The fire department left the iJ) F- r-i' rtf if The PantaqraphSTEVE SMEDLEY Bloomington firefighters extinguished a blaze that damaged a mobile home Tuesday on Beta Road in Maple Grove Estates. "I think it's worth 50 bucks," Alex Stoneking said.

Classes visit Ten-year-old Beau Adams was in the first class to go through the center Thursday with his teacher, Cathy Bissoon-dial, a fifth-grade teacher at scene in about an hour. Renter Tom Saylor lived in the home with a young son and daughter, said Channis Clem, manager of the mobile home park. Neighbors have begun taking up a collection for Saylor and his children, Clem said. "It seems a lot of people are coming forward, and it may be it's because of the holidays, which I think is awesome," Clem said. Nobody was home when the fire started.

The fire began in the living room and was accidental, said Mark Visintine, a Bloomington fire investigator. ruled in October that Reeves should receive a new trial. The court said there was evidence that Reeves was being assaulted when she killed Malone and hadn't planned the slaying. Court records said Reeves left her home in Normal on a hitchhiking trip that took her to Sab-ula, Iowa, where she ended up in a tavern in search of a place to stay for the night. Malone, a customer at the tavern, offered to let her stay at his home, and she accepted.

Testimony showed that both were very drunk. Reeves testified Malone made sexual advances after they arrived at his home, but she resisted. They left the home in his pickup truck and drove to a remote rural area, where Malone began assaulting her, Reeves testified. Reeves said she began firing a gun packed in her bag, though she doesn't remember pulling it New sentence may end woman's prison time Valerie Reeves' case chronology out. Though a jury convicted her, a judge later ruled there wasn't enough evidence to show she had planned to kill Malone.

The plea to the Class felony, punishable by up to. 10 years in prison, was part of an agreement with the prosecutor's office. Clinton County Attorney, Mike Wolf said the deal is expected to lead to her release during her sentencing Jan. 8, according to the Quad City Times newspaper. With credit given for the six years she has spent in custody since her arrest in 1997 and credit for good behavior, Reeves already has served double the average prison term of three years served on a voluntary manslaughter conviction.

Voluntary manslaughter describes a crime in which the person does not have time to reflect and bring his or her passion under control. By Kevin Simpson ksimp5onpantagraph.com CLINTON, Iowa A Normal woman sent to prison for the 1997 shooting death of an Iowa man may be released if a judge accepts a 10-year sentence on a lesser charge. Valerie Reeves, 43, on Friday pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, which carries an enhanced penalty of up to 10 years in prison because a weapon was used. She will be formally sentenced in Clinton County, Iowa, Circuit Court on Jan. 8.

If the judge agrees to the deal, Reeves will be released because she already will have served enough time in prison. Reeves was convicted in 1998 of second-degree murder in the slaying of Eugene Malone. She received a 50-year sentence, but the conviction was reversed and appealed several times. The Iowa Supreme Court highway about five miles from the shooting. Reeves said during trial that Malone stopped his truck and attacked her.

Reeves admitted she shot Malone but said it was in self-defense. July 10, 1998: Reeves was convicted of second-degree murder after a weeklong trial. Sept. 17, 1998: Reeves was sentenced to a mandatory 50-year prison term. Reeves' attorney immediately appealed the conviction, setting off a five-year legal battle.

Oct. 8, 2003: The Iowa Supreme Court ordered a new trial for Reeues. Dec. 12: Reeves pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. Jan.

8, 2004: Reeves is scheduled to be sentenced. Sept. 28, 1997: Valerie Reeves left her Normal home and hitchhiked to Sabula, Iowa. Reeves, a waitress at a Normal restaurant, was carrying more than $500 and a semiautomatic pistol. Sept.

29, 1997: Reeves arrived at Fuzzy's Tap in Sabula just after midnight. A bartender said Reeves had a few drinks before leaving with Eugene Malone about 2 a.m. Malone offered to let her stay with him at his mother's home. Sept. 30, 1997: Malone, 41, was found shot to death about 4 a.m.

by a sheriff's deputy patrolling a rural road near Clinton, Iowa. Malone was shot four times in the head, face, shoulder and chest. Police arrested Reeves after finding her walking along a.