The Springfield News-Leader from Springfield, Missouri • Page 15

WEDNESDAY, JULY ll, 1990 Daily record Across the Ozarks Marketplace 4-6 The News-Leader To report local news, call 836-1199 SECTION OZARKS Solar car surges into 5th place in race Cooler weather to give Ozarkers, air conditioners break from heat Despite stops to repair a punctured tire and broken drive belt, Crowder College's Star II finished in fifth place Tuesday in the 2nd day of Sunrayce USA. Warren, Mich. Mason, Michvi Greenville, Ohk (Indianapolis, Jnd. Louisville, Ky.V Dwling Green, Ky Spring Hill, Tenn Monday and to counter dark skies Tuesday, and haven't been able to fully recharge, STAR II has 70 percent of its reserve battery power available, Holt said she was told. "Art said we'll see who uses up the batteries today," she said.

Rain caused problems for some racers, General Motors Sunrayce spokesman Glenn Reedus said. "Today, there was some rain and some of the cars had problems maneuvering through the puddles," he said. The University of Maryland's car finished first, he said. The Pride of Maryland took seven hours and 12 seconds to run the course, for an average speed of just over 27 mph. The route after the 9 a.m.

start took the racers along U.S. 1998 through swamplands just east of Florida's Gulf Coast. Today's race segment will be the longest in Sunrayce, which ends July 19 near Detroit. The vehicles will drive 206 miles through northwest Florida, a segment of southwest Georgia, and a stretch of southeast Alabama to Montgomery. By Mike Penprase The News-Leader Stops to repair a punctured tire and a broken drive belt Tuesday didn't stall the STAR II solar racer from breaking into the top 10 on the second day of Sunrayce USA.

Members of the Crowder College team that built the car reported STAR II passed five other racers to finish in fifth place, compared to an llth-place finish Monday, college spokeswoman Lori Holt said. STAR II was the last of six cars to complete the course, she said. Thirty-one cars are competing in the world's largest-ever race for solar cars. Team leader Art Boyt described the race so far as "a real horse race," she said. The Crowder team hopes to make a move for the top three today, she said.

Reserve storage batteries that supplement the racers' solar cells came into play when rain hit the race Tuesday. Strategic battery use may be a factor today, with more rain predicted, Holt said. While some teams used their batteries for extra speed days. The cool front is expected to last into the weekend, Lee said. Lows for the next few days should be in the 60s, allowing people to turn off the air conditioning and open some windows at night.

Highs should be in the low to mid-80s. And there is more good news for those with withering gardens or lawns. Lee said the cool front is expected to bring with it some "much needed" rain. There is a 60 percent chance of rain today with a chance for showers again on Thursday, Lee said. By Deborah Barnes The News-Leader You won't need to break out winter blankets or sweaters, but you may be able to turn off the air conditioning for the next few days.

Cool air from Canada is expected to arrive in the Ozarks today, bringing with it a five- to 10-degree drop in the temperature. Jim Lee of the National Weather Service said today's high is expected to be in the mid-80s, providing Ozarkers with a respite from the 90- to 95-degree heat experienced for the past 10 Haleyvllle, Ala: Tallahassee, Fla Montgomery, Al Floral City, LakeBuena Vista, Ra JA The News-Leader IaiuisiftDsin) Ma Measure aims to reduce Missouri's dropout rate I pwpMMWyiUH, JHj. "fj Other bills signed by Gov. Ashcroft3B By Terri Gleich Our Capital Bureau JEFFERSON CITY A mas-sive education bill that provides new programs for disabled preschoolers and for children in danger of dropping out of school was signed Tuesday by Gov. John Ashcroft.

The measure mandates a $2.1 million funding increase for early childhood education and extends preschool programs to 6,000 disabled 3- and 4-year-olds. It also establishes a hot line to link high school dropouts with alternative education programs. In addition, the bill takes a step in the direction of school choice by allowing parents to choose which summer school or area learning center their children attend. It also allows high school juniors and seniors to both high school and college credit for college courses taken prior to graduation. Bill sponsor Sen.

Harold Cas-key, D-Butler, said the measure contains a slate of programs designed to reduce the state's dropout rate from 25 percent to 10 percent within eight to 10 years. "We now recognize that there are no children that are throw-aways," he said. "We can't allow children to drop out prematurely without the state intervening." One provision that isn't in the final bill would have taxed tobacco products to help fund school nurses. That proposal became the focus of a tug-of-war between abortion foes and supporters that nearly scuttled the education bill for the second time in two years. The argument centered on whether the state should prohibit school nurses from referring students for abortions.

In the end the Sandv WatsonThe News-Leader school nurse provision came out and the bill passed on the final day of the legislative session. Although Ashcroft lauded the education bill as an important step forward, he said he was disappointed the measure curtails a state program to issue mini-diplomas to high school graduates. The wallet-sized diplomas would have contained information on attendance, grades and class rank. State educators proposed the idea last year to reward good students and provide information to potential employers. But some lawmakers said the mini-diplomas would stigmatize average and below-average students.

Other provisions of the bill signed Tuesday would: Require all schools to develop reading intervention programs for grades kindergarten through third. Establish programs to provide teacher's aides to schools with large numbers of "at risk" students and to provide guidance counselors in grades kindergarten through ninth in some schools. Provide grants for colleges, school districts and non-profit groups to develop programs for at-risk students. Grants also are available to train teachers to work with at-risk students. Establish learning centers at area vocational-technical schools to ensure services to dropouts and potential dropouts.

Establish a grant program for schools that wish to offer extended day child care. arrived in Springfield in a red 1961 Corvette, the same type of car driven by Buzz and Todd in the 1960s TV series, "Route 66." Gov. John Ashcroft signed a bill Tuesday marking Route 66 as a historic district. The governor signed the bill in Waynesville, then Route 66 officially becomes historic district after Ashcroft signs bill, visits Springfield background. Ashcroft said he grew up "braving the traffic" of Route 66 through Springfield.

Once, the rear tire of his bicycle was struck by a car while he was crossing the road. Along Route 66, he said, "I learned to be a little safer crossing highways." The road stretches from Chicago to Los Angeles, and for much of this century was the main roadway across America's heartland. At times, portions of Glenstone Avenue, Please see ROUTE 66Page 3B marked the event by driving to North Town Mall in a 1961 Corvette, the same type of car driven by Buzz and Todd in the 1960s TV series, "Route 66." Ashcroft actually signed the bill during an earlier ceremony at the Pulaski County Courthouse in Waynesville. Mitchell noted that it was an historic day for Pulaski County because it was the first time a bill had been signed there. The designation will mean Route 66 will be marked with signs showing the old black and white Route 66 highway shields on a brown By J.

Lee Howard The News-Leader Gov. John Ashcroft signed a bill designating the 307 miles of Route 66 through Missouri as an historic district Tuesday, to the delight of Ozarkers who have come to know the stretch of road as "America's Main Street." The bill, sponsored by state Reps. J. Dan Woodall, R-Springfield, and Jim Mitchell, R-Richland, won unanimous support in the General Assembly. "Route 66 and Springfield are important parts of the heritage of Missouri," Ashcroft said.

He, Teacher, NAACP activist served as role model for young "He did quite a bit for the NAACP and the community at large," i said Carolyn NAACP president. "I really liked and admired him." Moncrief said Hughes, an industrial arts teacher, had tutored her son Michael fight against poverty in Springfield. "Both he and his wife contributed a lot to low-income families and the elderly out of their own pockets," Hazard said. "He was always willing to help with anything we ever asked for out here." Hughes often bought winter clothes, jackets, food and toys for the children at the apartment complex, Hazard said. Opal Hughes said affordable housing had always been one of her husband's major interests.

"He'd always been a great one to help everybody," Opal Hughes said. "He's just always been that kind of guy." everyday attitude that he had." Through the Truth Lodge, No. 151, a Masonic organization, Hughes coordinated the construction of a low-income housing development named in his honor in the early 1970s. The 138-unit John B. Hughes apartment complex was completed in 1972.

He had been developing a 38-unit elderly housing project on North Fremont Avenue shortly before his death. Construction for the project is slated to begin by the end of the month. Dorothy Hazard, manager of the Hughes apartment complex, said Hughes and his wife Opal were generous contributors to the Hughes, he learned that he needed to do something with his life. And he did finish school." Ron Cordry, principal at Central High School, was principal at Pipkin Junior High when Hughes taught industrial arts there. "He certainly took an active leadership role for the black community," Cordry said.

"At times, he felt like he was fighting the fight by himself." Cordry said Hughes had been popular with students and faculty alike and had the ability to look on the bright side of things. "He always seemed to be very positive," Cordry said. "He kept a good sense of humor, even in crisis situations. That was the By J. Lee Howard The News-Leader John B.

Hughes served as a role model for young blacks in Springfield, encouraging them to complete their educations and develop their talents, and was a tireless advocate for low-come people and the elderly, friends and admirers said Tuesday. Hughes, 72, died Saturday after an eight-month fight with liver cancer. The former president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Springfield, Hughes was described by those who knew him as a "wonderful person" who was consistently upbeat, charitable and involved jn the community. Hughes and counseled him to stay in school. "My son definitely connected with Moncrief said.

"After he talked to Mr Re-entry to education The Southwest Missouri State University continuing education office will present a re-entry to education seminar from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. July 24 in Temple Hall 107. There is no fee and registration is not required. 836-4126.

Women's Self-Defense A class in Women's Self-Defense begins at 7 tonight and continues on July 18 and July 25 at Cox Medical Center South. Martial arts experts Janie and Binky Furstenburg will present the classes to build confidence through self-defense. For information, call 886-LADY. Where's the hay? "Instant" hay listings for buyers and sellers are now available via computer. The Hay Directory lists up-to-the-minute available hay supplies in and around Missouri by hay type and location.

The service is offered by the University of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Agriculture. For information, call (314) 882-4827. 0-8-7 EXACT ORDER Winning ticket worth S500 AN ORDl Winning ticket wo. payouts based on 51 piay.