The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 15

i J- J- RANDY EVANS, Iowa Editor, 5 1 5-284-8065 ROBERT BORSELLINO, Metro Editor, 515-284-8102 Wkdnksday, Novkmbkr22, Section Waiting in Line Customers flock to stores in Dcs Moines to buy The lieatles Antlwlogy Page6M Another Conviction A second man is found guUty of first-degree murder in the slaying ofYuvalKedent Page3M And Iowa News -r Meto Metro Record D)T delayin highway projects $280 million in construction shelved; 1235 plan unaffected 'SOME PROJECTS'sTrqj DELAYED BY THE DOT'S ISPENDINQ jLANSi.lj Avenue of the Saints in eastern Iowa. Des Moines to Burlington expressway. Four-laning of U.S. Highway 6 between waukee and Adel in Dallas County. Four-laning of U.S.

Highway 61 from the Muscatine bypass to the Scott County line. "SOME PROJECTS (UNAFFECTED BY THE 1 SPENDING REVISIONS; Interstate Highway 235 in Des Moines. Relocation of U.S. Highway 65 in the Des Moines area. Sioux City bypass on U.S.

Highway 75. Charles City bypass along Saints highway route. The Register added and, in some cases, there has been a significant escalation of costs. To balance long-range spending plans, members of the Iowa Transportation Commission said they expect to adopt a $2.2 billion, seven-year highway program next month, instead of a traditional five-year plan. The new plan will push back some road projects by one to two years, and some possibly longer, said Gerald Solbeck, a DOT highway program manager.

"We had been trying to work our way out of this, but we haven't been able to," Solbeck said. "So the commission said, 'Let's take a big hit now and settle Saints Highway Delayed The proposed delays which won't be final until a Dec. 12 meeting will include some work on the Avenue of the Saints expressway in eastern Iowa, the Des Moines to Burlington four-lane highway and many other projects. The Saints highway was once promised to be completed in Iowa by 2000, but apparently won't be finished now until at least a few years later. Another delay calls for the com- By WILLIAM PCTR0SKI Rkgistkk Staff Writkr Ames, la.

Faced with too many projects and not enough money, the Iowa Department of Transportation plans to delay $280 million worth of highway construction statewide, officials said Tuesday. DOT officials said their five-year road program has lacked sufficient money to pay for scheduled projects since 1992 because of overly optimistic forecasts of federal financing. Many new projects were pletion date of a four-lane project from Waukee to Adel in an area of rapid residential growth to be pushed back from 1999 to beyond 2002. Other setbacks include the Monroe bypass, moved from 1999 to 2001; the Otley bypass, from 1999 to 2000; and the four-laning of U.S. Highway 61 from the Muscatine bypass to the Scott County line delayed four years to 2003.

A delegation of more than 50 southeast Iowa civic and business leaders expressed strong objections DOT Please turn to Page AM 'We're Very Pleased' Two teen-agers suspected in vandalism on east side Two boys ages 13 and 14 trashed an east-side house Monday night and broke out all of its windows before trying to burn it down, police said. The house, located at 816 E. 21st Court, is owned by Debbie Field of 3306 First but has recently been Unoccupied, police said. Two caretakers told police that when they arrived to check on the property and pick up the mail, they saw one of the boys run out of the house carrying a torch, consisting of a stick with a burning shirt on it. Police found the front door on the floor, papers strewn throughout the house, and furniture overturned.

Officials said someone had attempted to start a fire on the stove's gas burner with paper and that a strong odor of lighter fluid was detected in one room. Both juveniles were gone when police arrived and no arrests were reported Tuesday. A 14-year-old girl told police that the boys told her earlier Monday evening that the home was owned by their aunt and that they intended to break out the windows of the house and throw items out of the garage. International Cause Celebre State unveils its $400 million freeway plan I l-t, V-; t'- i aim I Cousins to be sentenced in marijuana case Two Des Moines cousins are to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ronald E.

Longstaf Feb. 16 after pleading guilty to maruuana-related charges. James Mauro, 30, of 805 Taylor St. and Thomas Mauro, 31, of 1235 66th Place were arrested in a sweeping investigation of Jack Kime, who prosecutors said was the brains behind a local ring plotting robberies and dealing in drugs. Longstaff described Kime as one of the most dangerous criminals he had known and sentenced him in July to 75 years in prison on drug dealing and firearms charges.

According to the U.S. attorney's office, James Mauro pleaded guilty of conspiring with Kime and others to distribute marijuana during early 1994. Thomas Mauro pleaded guilty of possessing marijuana with intent to distribute it to others in April 1994. The sentencing will be based on the amount of the drug Longstaff determines was involved. business leaders.

Tom Kane, head of the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, a coalition of local governments, said he thinks local officials will support the state's long-delayed recommendations for the freeway. "Overall, we're very pleased," Kane said. "We want this to go forward." The state's plan estimated at $375 million to $395 million would mean the removal of 176 apartments, homes and businesses, down from the 198 that would have been bulldozed under the local proposal. In general, the rebuilt freeway would feature three continuous lanes in each direction four in western Des Moines. Meeting Dec.

12 The Iowa Transportation Commission is expected to debate the project Dec. 12, and to vote by the end of the year to please local officials angered by delays in the project. If the commission approves the project, members are expected to spend the next few months deciding how to handle requests for early property buyouts and early construction of noise walls. The state staff sided with west-suburban leaders in saying that proposed West Des Moines frontage roads should be scrapped. That would spare a string of houses along Pleasant Street in the heart of West Des Moines, as well as other properties.

Saving Homes Project engineer Marty Sankey said the state will be looking for ways to save homes and businesses at the new 35th Street and 22nd Street interchanges in West Des FREEWAY PU-aae turn to Page 4M mmmmmmmamma. iiiMnin inn mm iimn ir With a few exceptions, the overhaul is supported by local businesses and neighborhood leaders. PERRY BEEM AN RwiistkrStakiWkitkk Ames, la. State transportation planners on Tuesday proposed a nearly $400 million overhaul of Interstate Highway 235 that generally matches what local governments asked for. One key exception would be that the state plan would eliminate the eastbound exit to Easton Boulevard, which east-siders and local governments had demanded.

University Exit In a related compromise, the planners agreed to a design that would allow northbound and southbound drivers on Interstate Highway 3580 to exit to University Avenue in the western suburbs, as they currently can. A previous proposal would have ended that exit for northbound drivers, but business owners from the booming area complained, saying the exits should be retained. However, the new plan would eliminate a popular shortcut in that area. A separate ramp from westbound 1-235 to northbound Interstate Highway 3580 would be designed to prevent drivers from using the route as a shortcut from 1-235 to University. Instead, drivers would take a new exit at 50th Street in West Des Moines.

Protests Likely The proposals, unveiled at an Iowa Transportation Commission meeting Tuesday, are sure to bring protests from some residents and HARRY HAIHIKKTRmUNTKH I'll! iTi Mark Curtis' wife, Kate Kaku, left, and his hearing Tuesday. They hoped to have Curtis mother, Jane, celebrate after his parole home for Christmas, but that is unlikely. Socialist Party activist Curtis paroled in sex assault on teen By CHARLES BULLARD Of Tin. Reuistf.k's wa City hi VL7 V' Criticizes Sarcone Bisignano links politics to prosecution of case Holiday schedules for stores, banks, mail Most government offices and some businesses will be closed Thursday be-'cause of the Thanksgiving holiday, many will operate on a holiday schedule throughout the weekend. Here are some of the schedules that will be in effect: GOVERNMENT OFFICES Federal offices will 'be closed Thursday; state.

Polk County, city of Des Moines and city of West Des Moines offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, i Polk County courts will not be in session Thurs-' day and Friday. All state drivers' license stations will be closed Thursday through Sunday. MAIL Normal mail deliveries will not be made Thursday and post offices will be closed. However, special delivery and express mail wilt be delivered. BANKS All banks surveyed will be closed Thursday.

i BUSES Des Moines Metropolitan Transit Au- 'thority buses will not run Thursday. GARBAGE COLLECTIONS Households that have Thursday collection from the Metro Waste Authority or the Curb II! recycling program will have pickup on Friday, and Friday routes wMI be picked up Saturday. The Metro Park East Sanitary Landfill will be dosed Thursday. i The Regional Collection Center Bondurant for household hazardous waste will be closed Thursday and Friday LIBRARIES All branches of the Des Moines Public Library will be closed Thursday. SUPERMARKETS Dahl's Food Stores close at 10 today and will be closed Thursday Fareway 'stores close al 9 today and will be closd I Thursday Hy-Vee Food Stores.

Super 1 Foods and Tail's Foods will be open 24 hours. Most convenience stores surveyed, including Kwik Shop. QuikTrip and 7 -Eleven stores, will be 'open 24 hours Hours vary at independently owned shops, such as Casey's General Stores. SHOPPING MALLS Local shopping malls wilt be closed Thursday and will reopen Friday with the following holiday shopping schedule: Kaleidoscope 'at the Hub Mall will be open 9 a to 6 Friday, 10 a to 5 30 Saturday and noon to 5 m. Merle Hay Mall will be open 8 a m.

to 9 m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a to 6 Sunday, ark Fair Mall will be open 8 30 a to 9 Frt-'day. 8 a to 10 Saturday and 9 30 a to 5 jp m. Sunday; Southfhdge Mall will be open from 8 a to 10 Friday and Saturday and 1 1 a to ft Sunday: and Valley West Mall will be open 8 a to 9 Friday. 9 a to 9 Saturday and I I a to 6 Sunday Other shopping hours are as follows: Halt Price Stores will be open 10 a to 7 pm.

Thursday, 7am to 1 1 Friday and Saturday -and 9 a to 9 30 p.m. Sunday Kmart stores will be open 8 a m. to 8 'Thursday, 7 a.m. to 1 1 m. Friday and 8 a m.

to 1 1 m. Saturday and Sunday, Target stores will be closed Thursday and will open 7 a m. to 1 1 Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 1 m. Saturday and Sunday Venture stores will be open 8 a to 5 m.

7 a to 1 1 m. Friday and 8 a to 1 1 pm Saturday and Sunday. Wal-Mart stores at 1001 73rd St in Windsor Heights and 5102 E. 14th Street will be closed all iday Thursday but will open at midnight and remain open through 11pm, Friday The Windsor Heights 'Store also will be open 7 a to 11 m. Saturday and 8 m.

to 10 m. Sunday, and the Southeast 14th Street store will be open 7 a to 10 Saturday and 9 a to 8 Sunday The Ankeny Wal-iMart store will be closed Thursday and will open 'from 5 a to 1 1 Friday. 7 a m. to 1 1 pm 'Saturday and 9 a m. to 8 m.

Sunday ATTRACTIONS The State Historical Building 'will be closed Thursday, and the research library will ibe closed Thursday through Monday The Des Moines Art Center will be closed 'Thursday. 5 The Des Moines Botanical Center will be closed Thursday The Science Center of Iowa will be closed Thursday I- Mark Curtis responds to questions Tuesday. 'If I were Joe Blow he says, the weapons charge would have been reduced or dismissed. By FRANK BOWERS Rmiistkk St.mi Wkitik Tony Bisignano said Tuesday that he is being prosecuted on a weapons charge because of his po Fort Madison, la. Mark Curtis, a Socialist Workers Party activist whose imprisonment for sexually assaulting a Des Moines girl became an international cause celebre, was granted parole Tuesday by the Iowa Board of Parole.

Curtis' wife, mother and other supporters hugged each other after the board voted to parole him, effective Dec. 7, after more than seven years in prison. "We're just so happy. I'm just so thrilled. It's just wonderful," said Curtis' mother, Jane Curtis of Santa Fe.N.M.

"We're certainly ecstatic," said Curtis' wife, Kate Kaku of Chicago. "This is a real victory for Mark and everybody who supported him all these years. It's a wonderful, pleasant surprise." Curtis, 36, was convicted by a jury of third-degree sex abuse and first-degree burglary for a 1988 attack on a 15-year-old girl. He received a sentence of up to 10 years for the sex abuse charge and up to 25 years for the burglary. Curtis, who has maintained that he was framed by Des Moines police, was accused of pulling a knife on the girl and taking off her clothes as they struggled on the porch of the girl's home.

The girl's 1 1-year-old brother called police, who testified that Curtis' pants were down when they arrived. The girl's father, who had spoken at previous parole hearings to urge Curtis' continued imprisonment, did not appear at Tuesday's hearing. Curtis' supporters iasist that he was at a restaurant with co-workers when the assault allegedly occurred. They claim he was arrested and framed by Des Moines police because of his political activities. They say Curtis, who worked at Monfort was targeted because he spoke in Spanish at a public meeting to protest the arrest of co-workers from Mexico and El Salvador by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

"There is no question in my mind he was innocent," said John Studor, coordinator of the Mark Curtis Defense Committee. Studor said 500 people sent letters to the parole board on Curtis' behalf this fall, continuing a letter-writing campaign that had inundated the board, "His release, in my opinion, is the result of years of growing support by thousands of people around the world who became partisans of his case," said Studor. Not so, said parole board Chairman Walter Saur ofOelwein. "The only reason you're getting out of here is because you've behaved yourself," Saur told Curtis. "If you weren't behaving yourself, you'd still be lllr5WMWi charges of favoritism.

"I respect John Sarcone, and I respect his integrity," Bisignano said, "but I think because of my public position, there's a tendency to go overboard to show you didn't do someone a favor. But when doing that, you may swing too far to the other side." Sarcone declined comment. "I won't dignify that with a response," he said. "This case is pending and I don't comment on pending cases, and that's all I'm going to say." Bisignano, 43, who is president pro tempore of the Iowa Senate, was indicted Monday on a charge that he possessed a loaded shotgun inside Des Moines' city limits. The charge stems from an incident last month at the home of a Des Moines woman who told police that her ex-boyfriend, Bisignano, had struck her.

Police said Bisignano was "in possession of a shotgun." Bisignano acknowledges that he and Susan Parkins, who called police, had had a loud angry argument. He denied striking her but knowledged keeping an unloaded sition as a state senator. "I want to be treated like any other citizen of this community," he said. "You should check with the county attorney to find out the here." Except for a 1994 incident, in which he was accused of striking a fellow inmate at the Iowa State Penitentiary here, Curtis had a good record behind bars, said Joanne Lorence, a parole board member from Atlantic. "But for one incident, your institutional record is sparkling," she said.

But Lorence warned Curtis to stay out of trouble while on parole. "If you stub your trte, you're going to be back in here," she said. Curtis' lawyer, William Kutmus of Des Moines, said Curtis plans to live with his wife in Chicago and three Chicago-area employers have offered him jobs. "I can guarantee he'll never be in the criminal justice system again," Kut mus said "He is a very good candidate for parole," Kutmus told ihe parole board. "He's ready for it." Kutmus said Curtis will be paroled to Illinois authorities and will have to present himself to Chicago police for placement on a register of sex offenders.

Curtis' name will remain on the register for 10 years. Because Curtis is being paroled to Illinois, his release from Fort Madison will be delayed, said Saur. last time he had Bisignano a case on this Democrat charge witn no complainant and no injury that was pursued to the grand jury." He said he believes Polk County Attorney John Sarcone, a fellow Democrat, took the case to the grand jury to buffer himself from SENATOR Please turn to Page 8M.