Quad-City Times from Davenport, Iowa • 2

Section I QUAD-CITY TIMES Friday, Dec. 24, 1993 Pages 3M-10M 3 AREA rir yyy dgar putt Rock Island County will continue to burn leaves for at least two more years 1995, when "a new governor would approve it." She said two legislators who have supported the bill, Rep. Louis Lang, D-Skokie, and Sen. William Mahar, R-Orland Park, are filing for a veto override, but the chances are slim. The governor's veto was supported from Rep.

Joel Brunsvold, D-Milan. He said he is sympathetic to the health concerns outlined in the bill, but believes the decision to ban leaf burning should remain at a local "If the city or municipality wants to do it, then do it. The fewer decisions of this nature that are made in Springfield, the better," he said. The cost to the city of Rock Island to collect leaves and dispose of them would be almost $500,000 per year, he said. "That's a lot of money, and, let's face it, a tax increase." cerns of citizens" over health problems associated with leaf burning, and suggested that the Illinois Pollution Control Board deal with the matter.

"I believe the board could conduct hearings, review scientific and public health data, consider demographics and develop more reasonable and consistent rules than exist" in the vetoed legislation, he added. Edgar also argued that the bill amounted to an unfunded mandate for local governments, which would have been called upon to either operate or coordinate leaf collection and disposal service. "He nit-picked to find a reason, and that reason is very, very weak. The only message that he sent is that he doesn't care about the children in this state," said Goodman, who vowed to keep the issue alive until spring Terrie Goodman of Moline, a representative of the Illinois Clean Air Coalition. "There are hundreds and thousands of moms with asthmatic children who have been working for this for a long time, who helped create the legislation.

Then it gets to the governor, and with one swipe of his pen, and for a very petty reason, he wipes added. In his veto message, Edgar said the bill, which was approved by the legislature in October, "would have banned leaf burning by a resident of a town of 1,500 in a large county, but not by a resident of a town of 25,000 in a small county," he said. Edgar said he is "sympathetic to the con- -7" if: J-Ml 1 1 Edgar it out," she Jl.lli.LIIIJIllLUI.IIlH-Jlll... IL. Ill i i.

I. i.l l1lll.l,l.l.l.llUH.il,.l!lll. ') v' r- 'X By Jim Dyer and Heidi Hildebrand QUAD-CITY TIMES SPRINGFIELD Leaf burning will remain legal in much of Rock Island County for at least two more years. Gov. Jim Edgar announced Thursday that he is vetoing legislation that would have banned leaf burning in most parts of Rock Island and 16 other counties with more than 100,000 residents.

He cited inconsistencies in the "fatally flawed" bill that exempted towns with a population of less than 1.000 and allowed farmers to burn agricultural waste. The governor's decision drew fire from Quad-City area residents who had pushed for the burn ban. "We're just devastated over this." said Samaritan in the time of need Rl woman feeds thousands By Lee Nelson QUAD-CITY TIMES Their plates were heaped with ham, corn, potatoes and buns. "A dinner like this means everything to us," Barbara Cirillo said as she went through the serving line Thursday at Rosie Pem-berton's 1 1th annual Christmas dinner in Rock Island. "It's good to be out of the cold.

We are still living in our car," she said. She and her boyfriend, Greg Kehl, have been displaced since the July flood pushed them out of their home in Davenport's Garden Addition. They have yet to find a place to live that is both within their budget and allows them to live together. "People treat us poorly. But knowing there is a place to get a meal helps us through," Kchl said.

Cirillo just got out of the hospital after a two-week stay. They heard about the dinner while listening to the radio in their car Thursday morning. "We listen to the radio a lot. If we had more blankets, we'd be OK," he said. Many people down on their luck, lonely or just plain alone showed up at Pemberton's meal.

Festive food, ornaments and even gifts for the kids helped cheer up some who may not have had a merry Christmas otherwise. The dinner was held at the Knights of Columbus hall. Pemberton and her son, Lewis, cooked most of the food, ranging from turkey to pies, which was enough to feed more than 1,000 people. "I really like helping people. It's just something that I do," she said while dishing up a plateful of spaghetti and meatballs for a young child.

"After I get through here, then I won't cook again 'til next week." A handful of volunteers showed up to help Pemberton serve the I Rosle annual enormous Beth came ject. Police look for house burglar. Moline police are searching for an apparently finicky burglar who unwrapped some Christmas gifts inside a home before stealing some gold jewelry instead. A 50-year-old Moline woman told police someone broke into her house between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday and took a gold necklace and her diamond wedding ring. The burglar broke a window to gain entry to the house in the 3000 block on 44th Street, police said Thursday. Once inside, he ransacked some dresser drawers and opened five presents, all of which were under the Christmas tree in the living room, police said. The victim told police she usually is at home and believes the suspect must have known she was going away for a few hours. Police located footprints in the snow on the deck behind the house, but have made no arrests.

Moline man faces burglary charge Police have arrested a 22-year-old Moline man who they say stole Christmas presents intended for a child. Marcus Taylor, 22, of 306 Center Springbrook Courts, was apprehended Wednesday on a warrant for a felony charge of residential burglary. He is accused of entering a woman's apartment at the housing complex and stealing a video cassette, a toy telephone, puzzles and a Miami Dolphins jacket. Taylor was being held Thursday night in the Rock Island County Jail on $35,000 bond. Police arrest EM'grinch' An East Moline man will spend the holiday in jail after police said he tried to play Grinch and steal a Christmas present.

Robert Robinson, 20, of 1356 12th East Moline, was arrested Thursday on charges of felony theft, battery and resisting arrest stemming from an incident at the Jewel Food Store, 4143 3rd East Moline. Lt. Richard Scott said the man is accused of stealing an envelope containing 1 3 from an employee's lounge. The money was part of a gift exchange, he said. "He went into Jewel to use the bathroom, and after he left the bathroom he went across the hall into the employee's lounge." As the man went to leave the store, the manager confronted him, retrieved the money and was pushed by the man, Scott said.

The manager then chased the man a short distance before police apprehended him a few blocks away. "He was going to ruin someone's Christmas," Scott said. Robinson was being held on $20,000 bond Thursday night in the Rock island County Jail. Jennifer DeWitt Robbery takes place outside bank A Hardee's restaurant supervisor was robbed outside a Davenport bank early Thursday. Police said she was taking a bag filled with the restaurant's daily receipts to Brenton Bank, 1606 N.

Brady about 12:30 a.m. when a robber came running up, grabbed the bag and fled on foot. She was not injured. Lone gunman robs DeWitt store DeWITT, Iowa A Casey's convenience store here was robbed Thursday morning by a man who displayed a handgun, police said. The man in his late 20s or early 30s entered the store about 8 a.m.

and demanded money from the clerk. He escaped with an undetermined amount of money. The gunman told the clerk to hand over the money and sit on the floor, store manager Chcrly Hageman said. There were a few customers in the store. Annawan family reunites TV show makes it all happen By Doug Schorpp QUAD-CITY TIMES ANNAWAN, III.

Henry County Sheriff Gilbert "Gib" Cady seemed every bit as excited as the long-lost Craun family members who discovered each other after 45, years apart. Plans for a huge reunion already are under way for the children of Frank and Hilda Craun, whose family was split up in 1948 after they were evicted from their rural Annawan home. The happy reunion happened just minutes after their plight aired on NBC's "Unsolved Mysteries" Wednesday night. Scott Hancock of Annawan, son of the late Francis June Craun, initiated the search after his mother died. Hancock found seven of the siblings and learned of another, born after the eviction.

"We've waited so long, but this is our Christmas present," he said. Cady, who portrayed a 1948 deputy in the re-enactment segment, said he was overjoyed with the results. "I am absolutely thrilled to death. What a Christmas present," he said Thursday. "I never, ever dreamed I've ever be a part of something so happy.

"I thought that if we could find some of them in time but to find all but one that night, is mindboggling. When they do have their big reunion, I'd love to walk into that room from five minutes." Hancock learned his mother's brother, Frank Craun of Marion, contacted "Unsolved Mysteries" two years ago in an effort to find his family. Frank already knew the whereabouts of one sister. Two other sisters and a brother, coincidentally, had reunited in February, but couldn't find the other four siblings. Frank Jr.

said he viewed a promotional spot for the television show before it aired, and knew it was his family. Then, his daughter, Ann, called the show after viewing the 12-minute segment. Hancock said someone also contacted the show, saying that another brother, Clarence, lives in Las Vegas. Only sister Florence, who was adopted by a dentist in Arizona, is unaccounted for now. Hancock said he also learned that Hilda was pregnant when the eviction took place, and later gave birth to Mary Jane, who now lives in Pine Bluff, Ark.

Hancock said he also was told that Frank Sr. died at age 53 of a heart attack, shortly after the family separated. "The update and reunion will be held real soon," Hancock said. Da ve Clarke of the Ke-wance Star Courier and correspondent Mary Frank contributed to this report. 1 TIMES Jeff CookQUAD-CITY TIMES Pemberton dishes up food during her fed more than 1,000 people Thursday afternoon Christmas dinner.

She and her helpers at the Knights of Columbus hall In Rock Island. feast. Twelve-year-old my life, and many of these people about. Bultinghouse of Rock Island have nothing," Beth said. "This meal makes them happy, with her brother.

But the experience made the so that makes my Christmas bet- "This is my confirmation pro- Jordan Catholic School student ter that I could be a part of it," I have more than I need in understand what Christmas is all she said. Soldier's return is 'wonderful' gift for a Maquoketa family rx A A. si 2 r-jzLj'. I ft out and get it, write reports and pass it on to other people." Also, he helped locate land mines and dealt with members of several Somali clans, or tribes. He received his first Bronze Star during the Persian Gulf War.

DiDominicus, who shrugs off praise, was honored after he ran two miles on foot to a rear post to retrieve anti-tank missiles while his unit was under fire from Iraqi troops. In addition, he was recognized while serving in the Persian Gulf for saving the life of a Saudi man who had been stabbed in the back. In Somalia, the purpose was much different, but the action was just as heated. At least it was on that memorable Oct. 4 day when 18 U.S.

Army Rangers were killed by- rebel troops. "Things went bad fast and got worse," he said. "When we helped, it took hours and hours to get in there to help." He was 1 ,500 feet from the battle and was in the next group ready to be dispatched. But without enough armor to go around, his group stayed put. Although he remains unable to discuss much of his missions in detail, DiDominicus said he faced some dangerous situations.

He also viewed the remains of the American soldier whose body was dragged through the streets of Mogadishu to the cheers of Somali people. By Doug Schorpp QUAD-CITY TIMES MAQUOKETA, Iowa Cindy and Dave Brady have received an early twofold Christmas present. Their son, U.S. Army Sgt. James DiDominicus, 26, will be home for the holidays after returning last weekend from Somalia, where he had been stationed for four months.

"This is our Christmas present, that fact that he is home," Cindy Brady said. "He's back with his wife and baby. He's a family man, and being away, it's hard for a young family." He won't be in 1 DiDominicus Maquoketa, but at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he lives with his wife, Julia, and their 3-year-old son, Nicholas. But that's only half of the good news. DiDominicus has been nominated for his second Bronze Star for his efforts in Somalia.

DiDominicus, a counterintelligence agent, said the nomination comes for his team's overall efforts to collect information on Somali rebel warlord Mohamed Aidid. "That played a part in it," he said. "I col-Icied information. Sometimes we woijI go Mary NavMii-PedarMitQUAD-CITY Dino Santa First It was Barney and now It's a skeleton dinosaur In Santa duds. Known in Andrew, Iowa, as "the dinosaur," he Is spending the holidays at Andrew 9U.