The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 12

Page 2B Wednesday. Decembers, 2001 The Des Moines Register ST AROUND IOWA Exonerated teacher fights for job responsibility for the marijuana. The board didn't budge when a jury acquitted Fielder last spring, or when an arbitrator ruled that the 26-year teacher had the right to return to her job. Instead, school Teacher case THE ISSUE: The Carroll school district wants to block a former teacher from returning to her job. BACKGROUND: The school board fired Yvonne Fielder in September 2000 after police found marijuana and paraphernalia in her home.

Students and parents rallied around the award-winning speech and debate teacher. A jury acquitted Fielder in April, saying her son was to blame. Days later, an arbitrator decided Fielder should get her job back. The school district appealed the decision. WHAT'S NEXT: Judge William Ostlund will decide who's right within weeks.

I Cam officials appealed Within weeks, a district court judge will decide permissive attitude. Fielder violated the school's strict antidrug policy because she knew about drug materials in her home, said Brian Gruhn, a Cedar Rapids lawyer. "We cant have a double standard," he said. "It sends the wrong message to kids." Fielder's attorney said school officials were trying to predict the trial's outcome and the public's reaction when they fired her nine months before the trial. Fielder lives in Florida, where she began a new teaching job this fall.

She could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Reporter Stacl Hupp can be reached it (515) 232-2383 or huppsnewt.dmreg.com marijuana stems and a marijuana cigarette. Jason Fielder lived in Des Moines but had been staying with his mother. Fielder said she found the cigarette after her son's high school graduation party in 1998, and Jason Fielder denied marijuana use. His mother eventually forgot about the cigarette, said Jay Hammond, her attorney.

Fielder kept her husband's marijuana pipe and other paraphernalia as keepsakes after he died in a car accident more than a decade ago, her attorney has said. Tuesday, the school attorney portrayed Fielder as a woman with poor parenting skills and a DES MOINES teacher wants to clear her name. School officials "are trying to save face, so they keep going farther and farther, and it's costing more money that could be going back into the educational system," said Rachel Stork, 18, a former student of Fielder's. "I think it would be better if they admitted that they should have waited until her criminal trial and decided from there." Superintendent Steve Schulz did not return a telephone call Tuesday. Fielder and her son, Jason, were arrested after a police raid turned up bongs, pipes, devices to roll cigarettes, marijuana seeds, The Carroll school Ixwd has refused to rehire Yvonne Fielder, ho's now cleared of drug charges.

By STACI HUPP REGISTER AMES BUREAU Carroll, la. A former Carroll teacher who was cleared of drug charges is fighting for her job more than a year after she was fired. Yvonne Fielder lost her job after police found a marijuana cigarette and paraphernalia in her home in August 2000. Protests by dozens of parents and students didn't sway the school board. Neither did Fielder's son, who took whether the arbitrator's ruling should stand.

Attorneys duked out Fielder's past and future Tuesday in a battle that appears headed for the Iowa Supreme Court, both sides say. The award-winning speech and drama ANKENY Road work in Des Moines area The Iowa Transportation Commission on Tuesday approved the following projects in Polk and Dallas counties: E. 1st St. Small papers rail at 'bully' in D.M. of ISU students questioned by agents CE3 Interstate Highway 35 will be widened from four lanes to six lanes between Des Moines and Ankeny at a cost of $36 million.

The project area extends from the northeast interchange of I-8035235 north to East First Street In Ankeny. Construction will begin next year and be completed in late 2003. Well, it's 625 so far, and this week she's bringing proof of the orders to the Iowa Department of The interchange of Interstate Highway 3580 and Douglas Avenue in Urbandale will be rebuilt at a cost of $9.8 million. Construction will start next year and be finished in late 2003. The work also includes the construction of two lanes along I-3580 between the Hickman Road and Douglas Avenue interchanges, reconstruction of Douglas Avenue through the interchange and modification of the north ramps at the Hickman Road interchange.

City officials in Waukee received a state transportation grant of $326,239 to help pay for road improvements at the city's industrial park along U.S. Highway 6. One of the questions asked by the FBI was whether a student knew any of the victims from Sept. 11. Transportation office in Des Moines.

"Gosh, this is a thrill," Albrecht said. "We heard from people all over the state who want them." Production of the plates probably will begin fairly soon, and they'll be available through treasurers' offices in each of Iowa's 99 counties within a couple of months. Unless, of course, the state figures it can make a buck by coming up with a way to shut down treasurers' offices in a bunch of counties. No, that last part is a joke. I think.

URBANDALE Douglas Ave. ASSOCIATED PRESS FBI agents have questioned a DES MOINES Hickman Rd. handful of students at the University of Iowa and Iowa State Uni H3- CLIVE 1.5 miles WAUKEE versity in their sweeping terrorism investigation. WINDSOR HEIGHTS "They were asking us a lot of basic questions," said Raymond Sidharta, an ISU sophomore from Ouilts have been big news WEST DES MOINES CARLSON, from Page 1B newspaper. "State of Iowa declares war on small counties," it says.

The article, written by Independent editor Jeff Gargano, talks about how the Iowa Department of Transportation closed its facility in Humboldt; how the human services department is cutting its office there; and how the state judiciary wants to shut down 71 county clerk of court offices across Iowa. "The state of Iowa is trying to balance their budget woes on the backs of small, rural counties," Gargano writes. "Those in power in Des Moines think the rural people will just sit back and let all of this happea" The West Branch Times says, "The bully is at it again." Meaning the state is slapping around the counties and small towns. It's nice to see rural Iowans sticking up for themselves, but people who don't have enough money to bury their kids probably won't say much. They don't have a lot of clout at the Capitol.

Pat Albrecht has done it. She's putting the inmates to work in Anamosa, stamping out fancy new license plates. Albrecht is the Humboldt County treasurer who came up with the idea for "God Bless America" Iowa license plates. The state promised to mass-produce the things if she sold at least 500 out of her office in Dakota City. Iowa this fall.

Betty Nielsen in Varina and Deb Roederer in Mount Pleasant organized the donation of Indonesia. "They started by asking really basic stuff like What do your parents do at home? and if you knew any victims from Sept. 11." expected at the proposed Jordan Creek Town Center mall at 74th and quilts to victims of the Sept. 11 He was questioned for about an terrorist attacks. hour last week in his apartment, he And the kids in Stephanie Stw- said, where agents checked his passport and other documents.

The interchange of Interstate Highway 80 and 74th Street in West Des Moines will be rebuilt next year at a cost of nearly $9 million. The project will include construction of a partial cloverleaf interchange at 74th Street and a two-lane westbound exit ramp from 1-80 to 74th Street. In addition, the project will include a two-lane eastbound entrance ramp which will provide an additional eastbound lane on 1-80 between 74th Street and 60th Street. Seventy-Fourth Street will be rebuilt to provide four traffic lanes and the 74th Street bridge over 1-80 will be six lanes wide to accommodate the loop movements. A multi-use trail will be constructed east of 74th Street and will be carried over 1-80 on a bridge about 1,200 feet east of 74th Street.

The improved interchange would be used by future shoppers der's class at Lincoln Elementary School in Washington report great success in their quilt raffle. They are the children who wrote to E.P. True Parkway. However, Scott Dockstader, the DOT'S district engineer, said Tuesday that the interchange modifications were envisioned prior to the announcement of the shopping mall plans. He said traffic already backs up at times onto I-80 because of congestion problems at 74th Street and I-80.

Eventually, they started asking questions like 'Have you ever had President Bush and the governors of the 50 states, asking them to sign flying and 'Do you know anyone who has access to the microbiology lab on quilt sections. 1 THE REGISTER SOURCE: Iowa Department of Transportation Sidharta said. "They also asked if I had ever gotten mail from Indo All responded except the governors of Indiana and Texas and the one-of-a-kind red, white nesia that didn't have a return address," Construction projects and blue quilt was raffled last Gary Althen, director of the weekend in Washington. PLAN APPROVED: The Iowa Transportation Commission approved a $2.2 billion plan Uofl's Office of International Students and Scholars, said at least The kids hoped to make $500 on their project, and it looks like they'll City group seeks more road funds three students there were inter end up with close to $1,000. Tuesday for construction projects viewed.

He had no details about the This time, the money and the students or their nationalities. on the state highway system between 2002 and 2006. quilt are staying in Iowa. Nancy The interviews have made for $200 MILLION IN CUTS: The plan Clawson of Washington won the quilt, and the cash is being used to eign students nervous, he said. Since Sept.

11, the FBI has gen buy a bulletproof vest for Rex, the town Police Department dog. ROADS, from Page 1 Snyder said Rex stopped by the erated a list of 5,000 people agents plan to interview about terrorist activities. The FBI is looking to interview men between 18 and 33 was identical to one unveiled in November that slashed $200 million in spending by delaying or withdrawing 32 projects. The cuts were needed because road tax revenues have declined. school the other day to say thanks.

Mary Kramer, a West Des Moines Republican, Tuesday said it's too early to predict how the proposal will be received by state lawmakers. Transportation. The group presented its plan Tuesday to the Iowa Transportation Commission. Kent Sovern, senior vice president of the Greater Des Moines who are in the United States on nonimmigrant visas, including student visas, and who come from John Carlson can be reached at (515) 284-8204 or carlsonjnews.dmreg.com Call 284-8311 or 800-365-4692 PRIORITIES: State officials will go countries where the al-Qaida terrorist organization is suspected of Partnership, said the proposed changes are a "major priority" for his pro-business organization. operating.

State Rep. David Johnson, an Ocheyedan Republican, said he was concerned the shift would hurt rural Iowa. "It looks like an ahead with a $426 million reconstruction of Interstate Highway 235 scheduled to begin next spring. They plan to finish a half-dozen other four-lane expressway projects. Fajar Widharta, another ISU 0b to be An AMERiq "This is a keystone in a broader sophomore from Indonesia, said he CHANGES POSSIBLE: Commission The First American Flag on a Hummel economic development plan that includes many other elements, including investment in the work force, a competitive tax structure, wasn't surprised when he found out the FBI was going to interview him.

He had received an e-mail from the ISU Indonesian Student Chairman Tom Aller of Cedar Rapids promised that state officials and Just 3 Americans in a Million will Own One! and on and on," Sovern said. Association. Tom Aller of Cedar Rapids, will review the construction plan annually and reinstate projects if money becomes available. He also "It was just basically telling Aller on-ramp for economic development, but at the same time it has all the makings of an exit ramp for large parts of Iowa," he said. Reporter William Petroski can be reached at (515) 284-8547 or petroskiwnews.dmreg.com Only 685 "Proud to be an American" will be created for Christmas 2001 said the commission plans to meet people that the FBI was on campus and preparing people for what kinds of questions they were going chairman of the Iowa Transportation Commission, said the commission won't take a stand on the proposal.

Iowa Senate President Ceramic US flag with words "God Bless reverse of newspaper reads "Proud to be an 4 685 isn't our allotment, it's the total world in February and March to discuss U.S. Highways 20 and 30. to ask," he said. sir r. FBI agents asked "simple things like Have you ever visited any Conceived a few weeks ago, just in Iowa Deaths VJTjkT fc ji.

rW I time for Christmas, it's other countries besides the United Widharta said. "They also asked me things like if I knew anybody who supported the Tali Transportation panel OKs nine-mile Ottumwa bypass the kind of Hummel investment savvy ANKENY- Rosemary Diehl, 54. CALMAR Lavon Bunnell, 99. CEDAR FALLS Richard Bean, 55; Donald ban, or if I knew anybody who supports terrorism." collectors dream about. This December we'll receive a small allotment of Putnam.

63. FBI officials in Des Moines and C0RYD0M VelvaBell, 92. DEC0RAH Elmer McCauley. 96; Elsie Quam, Omaha declined to comment about nine-state group planning a high i a the first "Proud to be an American" to arrive in America. These 91; Ruby Moen, 90; Cora Lundy, 86.

speed Midwest railroad network. the investigation. DES MOINES F. Virginia Saflell. 82; Clara The system would include a route By WILLIAM PETROSKI REGISTER STAFF WRITER Ames, la.

The Iowa Transportation Commission on Tuesday approved plans to spend $68 million to build a nine-mile LeMar, 85; Pearlie Chandler, 70; Timothy Lincoln, 40. GILBERTVILLE Sister Blanche Becker, 89; Leo Steils, 83. rrom Chicago to Omaha on the Iowa Interstate Railroad's tracks through Davenport, Iowa City and Des Moines. Metcalf urged state officials to proceed with railroad Engineers institute FAR Ml NGT0N Albert Turner, 57. FONTANELLE Daisy Davis, 80.

GREENFIELD Ullie Fritz, 96; Janice Lin- "First Day of Issue Hummels will come with a Gold Bordered Certificate of Authenticity attesting to their special status. We expect this to be one of the greatest Hummel investments of all time. In 1973, Robert Miller, the owner of the world's largest Hummel collection bought 8 rare Hummels for a few hundred dollars. One year later he was offered $250,000.00. taps of I'sSonka DES MOINES derman, 80.

expressway loop around Ottumwa. The bypass along US. Highway 63 and US. GRINNELL Arnold Hagen, 87; Perry Kelly; Ottumwa engineering studies and planning, noting that several states are moving forward with track Esther Lincoln. THE REGISTER'S IOWA NEWS SERVICE Miles 200 Iowa City, la.

Milan Sonka, upgrades and other work. Approved construction or a INDIANOLA Frances Hannam, 77. JESUP-Dolores Blad, 70. KE0SAUQUA James McGrath, 84. LAKE VIEW JoAnn Riedell, 48.

LANSING William MENL0 Robert Kane, 77. MONTEZUMA Chad Burkelt, 30; Albert Your figures will be hallmarked with four-lane expressway loop on US. professor of electrical and computer engineering in the University of Iowa College of Engineering, has been elected a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Elec 34, bypassing Danville on the west and south, in Des Moines County. Facille, 87. the most sought after of all Hummel bottom-stamps, the Full Bee.

These "First Day of Issue" figures are the rarest Hummels Mader's has ever offered. Only the first customers to reserve can expect to own one, issue price $289.50. Limit: two. tronics Engineers. RAYMOND Jerome Etringer, 72.

SCHALLER Ordella Thompson, 92. STOCKPORT Ivan Billingsley, 54. WATERLOO Robert Dana, 66; Fred Larson, bonka was elected in recognition Awarded a state grant of $125,406 to Delaware County for road improvements needed to provide access to a proposed etha-nol plant near Earlville to be con Highway 34 will require construction of a four-lane highway around the north and east sides of Ottumwa. District Engineer Larry Jackson said plans call for the bypass to be complete by late 2006. The loop will be a key part of a planned four-lane expressway between Des Moines and Burlington.

Most of the route between Des Moines and Ottumwa is complete, except for a section near Eddyville. In other business Tuesday, the of his contributions to medical image analysis and computer Hummel figure Iowa residents pay no sales tax. from $100 to $31,250 00 Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back since 1902. 99; Irene Madole, 80; Patricia Phillips, 62; James Jackson, Royce Arnold, 55; Michael Cortright, 59; Lymon Parker, 69; Ronald McGee, 69; Hugh Knapp, 64; Sammie McKennie, 53; Evelyn Martin, 91; Martha Wagner, 89; Fred Reiter, 81; Anna vision. His research interests include medical imaging, image segmentation and automated knowledge-based analysis.

31W Reinertson, 93; Clara Sallis, 100; Margaret Pepe, 58; Steven Bender, 48. structed by Northeast Iowa Gram Processors Inc. Awarded grants to the following cities for road projects to improve access to industrial parks: Grinnell, Peosta, Washington, and Dubuque, $197,501. 1 he institute is a nonprofit tech WATERVILLE Charles Christianson, 69. WAUK0N Ruth Brandsmeier, 77; James www.maders.com America's Largest Hummel Store 1-800-HUMMEL-l (800) 558-7171 (414) 271-1911 Fax: (414) 271-2297 1041 N.

Old World Third Milwaukee, WT 53203 commission: Quinn, 90. nical professional association of more than 350,000 individual Was briefed by Alexander WEST DES MOINES Betty Sarno, 84. WINDSOR HEIGHTS Mildred Wick, 84. members in 150 countries. Metcalf, a consultant for a.