Lincoln Journal Star from Lincoln, Nebraska • 1

Rolling Husker Invi ofional Paga 27 South Korean Industrial offers perspective on trsda Page 24 MARKET FINAL iby on 1989 Journal-Star Printing Lincoln Neb. Serving Nebraska for 121 years carrier No rejection from Dillard's yet back at time city desperately needs to Chadrori frRushyilla Valentin County jf I I Harris: Store pulled By David Swartzlander and Ed Russo Journal Writers Dillard Department Stores while not rejecting Lincoln's downtown redevelopment project, has "pulled back" from it at a time when the city desperately needs to sign an anchor tenant, "They have not given a definite no," Harris said. Asked about Harris' announcement, Councilman Joe Hampton said he will propose next week an alternative to the downtown redevelopment project Hampton, a developer, would not reveal the details of his proposal, but said Mn 1 7 Plan to defer tough deficit decisions Bush to oner 'kinder' budget 4.0 on Richter scale Northwestern Nebraska shaken by earthquake WASHINGTON (AP) President Bush Thursday night is to propose a budget reflecting his campaign promises of "kinder and gentler" programs without new taxes, but it will leave difficult decisions on reducing the federal deficit for later. The president, in an 8 p.m. CST speech before a joint meeting of Congress, will call for a nation more competitive abroad and more compassionate at home.

The three major networks plan live coverage of the address. Bush will propose more federal spending in fiscal 1990 for clean air and clean coal technology, for science and space, for AIDS research and aid to the homeless, education and child care, according sign anchor tenant an alternative is needed if the downtown project does not proceed as planned The project appeared to be in jeopardy on Thursday. City needs answer For months, the Arkansas-based Dillard's has told the city "maybe." But with time running out on a federal $6.5 million grant for the project, the city needs an answer. And it needs it before next month. Harris said Thursday that for the city to meet its May 9 deadline for the Urban Development Action Grant, including preparation of the paperwork and financial agreements, an anchor tenant must sign onto the project by the end of this month.

"Time is running out to save the UDAG," Harris said. "We need tenants by the end of February." The city already has received two extensions on the grant and a third is considered highly unlikely, especially since the federal government has discontinued the program. "There's no more money," Harris said. "The money would go to someone else to use." He urged Dillard's to make a decision. "We've done everything we can do," he said.

"Everything (from the city's See DILLARD'S on page 8 By AIJ. Laukaitis Journal Writer A minor earthquake rocked several communities in northwestern Nebraska Wednesday night but no injuries or damage was reported, authorities said. Sheriffs officials in Sheridan and Cherry counties said they received numerous telephone calls from area residents in Gordon, Rushville, Chadron and Valentine shortly after the temblor. 4.0 on Richter The earthquake, which registerd 4.0 on the Richter scale, occurred at 11:16 p.m. CST, said John Minsch, a geophysi-cist with the National Earthquake Infor- mation Service in Golden, Colo.

He said the epicenter of the earthquake was located about five miles south of Merrimaa Minsch described the earthquake as "minor" and said it was not as severe as Over 1 00 attend meeting Commission hears both sides of Wal-Mart issue Fltzwater, White House press secretary. Left deliberately unclear, however, will be how much Bush embraces the many budget cuts he left unchanged from the first-draft spending plan former President Reagan submitted last month. Bush will distance himself from any of the individual, unpopular cuts by inviting Congress to help set each program level in accordance with his flexible freeze plan to limit overall spending in general categories. Reagan suggested terrninating dozens of domestic programs and cutting back many others in order to reduce the deficit below the $100 billion maximum al- See BUSH on page 5 -5 ft Ashford seeks repeal of arms amendment The epicenter of an earthquake Wednesday night was located 5 miles south of Merrlman. --The earthquake registered 4.0 on the Richter scale.

the tremor that shook the same area in 1964. That earthquake registered S.1 on the Richter scale, he said. The Richter scale is a measure of ground motion as recorded on seismographs. Every increase of one number means a tenfold increase in magnitude. An earthquake of 3.5 on the Richter scale can cause slight damage in the local area; 4 moderate damage; 9 considerable damage; 8 severe damage.

A 7 reading is a "major" earthquake, capable of widespread heavy damage; 8 is a "great" quake, capable of tremendous damage. Last quake in '87 The last time a tremor shook Nebraska was in January 1987, said Ray Burchett, chief of the geology branch of the Conservation and Survey Division at See QUAKE on page 5 session of firearms, he said. Ashford said he intends to put his idea before the Legislature by amending his LB642, which would have put into state law a seven-day waiting period for handgun purchases. He wants to change it into a proposed constitutional amendment he said, because he is convinced that even if the waiting-period law were passed it probably would be found unconstitutional under Initiative 403. Ashford said he thinks voters had good intentions when they approved Initiative 403 but would not have done so if they had understood its full implications.

LB642 is scheduled for a Judiciary Committee public hearing on March 9. Ag debt rise being seen as positive By Staff Writers and New ServlcM Nebraska banking officials say the prospect, raised Wednesday, that farm debt will increase this year is a sign of recovery in agriculture. A slight increase is expected when an 1988 figures are in, said a source in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, Before last year, farm debt had declined every year since 1983. "Since there is some land for sale, some of the farmers are now starting to buy some land again," said Harley Berg-meyer of Wilber, president of the Nebraska Bankers Association, "so there is new debt But let me ten you that the farmers who are borrowing this money don't have any other debt" The Economic Research Service said Wednesday that farm debt is expected to rise.

"The large paydown in farm debt held by major farm lenders appears to be over and debt is expected to grow IS percent to 3.5 percent in 1989," the service said. "Farm loan demand strengthened in the past year and should con-See DEBT on page 8 1 Mayor Bill Harris said Thursday. "Dillard's has pulled back from the downtown mall concept," Harris told re- porters In a Thursday morning press conference. "It appears to me they've pulled back from the project" But they havent rejected It yet, he said. to administration and congressional sources.

Bush claims that those costs will be offset by about 4 billion in new revenue from a controversial cut in the capital gains tax another campaign promise and $2 billion by holding the expansion of the military budget to the rate of inflation. As he did during the campaign, Bush is to highlight his commitment to some issues by proposing initiatives that do not cost money. For Instance, Bush will ask for an international summit on the environment to address such issues as acid rain and global warming. "You will have a very detailed and precise description of the priorities of the Bush administration," said Martin Wyuka explains plans for big development. Paga 12.

outside the grasp of the commercial interests," Hines said. Don't change atmosphere Elaine Cave, 524 Trail Ridge Road, said city officials have told residents that only residential development will be allowed on the property wanted by Wal-Mart "We don't want you to change the atmosphere or structure of our area," Cave sail "Keep it residential so my children and grandchildren will want to visit or even live on Trail Ridge." Other residents said they were concerned about the effects of the shopping center, including Increased traffic, noise, water problems and decreased property values. Safety a concern Some said they were concerned about the safety of children. Joyce Po-licky, 700 N. 86th St, said children could be injured in accidents along Vine Street caused by increased traffic.

Robert Hill, 618 N. 81st St, said children could drown in the holding pond planned for the residential area. Steve Glenn, 3105 S. 30th St, said he supports the proposal because he is concerned that Lincoln will be seen as anti-business if the Wal-Mart is not allowed. Tm worried about the perception if we say, 'We dont want you to See WAL-MART on page 5 The Justice Department had asked for a halt in the trial pending the outcome of the appeaLThe department said it was making the motion "because of the national security equities involved and the highly sensitive classified information that may be compromised if this case is permitted to proceed to trial without correction of the procedures that the district court proposes to employ." In his earlier order, Gesell said the attorney general did not have the authority to intervene at this point in an attempt to stop the trial on national security grounds.

The appeals court panel ordered that By Ed Russo Journal County-City Bureau More than 100 people packed the City Council chamber for three hours Wednesday night to oppose the Wal-Mart development at 84th and streets. The meeting, before the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission, was to hear Wal-Mart's proposal to build a 114,577 square foot Wal-Mart Store, a Sam's Wholesale Club, 1,700 parking stalls, four 24-unit apartment buildings, three duplexes and 36 houses. The project would cover 50 acres west of 84th Street, between and Vine streets. Change of zone Wal-Mart is seeking a change of zone, an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, a use permit and a special use permit to allow the development The planning commission, an advisory group, is expected to recommend approval or denial of the plan Feb. 22.

The commission's recommendation will be sent to the City Council for final action. Fifteen residents spoke against the plan, including Jim Hires, 520 N. 81st St, whose home is located next to the proposed Wal-Mart site. He said a dangerous precedent would be set if it is allowed. "This would tell the citizens of Lincoln as well as any corporation with sufficient finances that Lincoln's Comprehensive Plan can be bought for a price and that no area of the city lies 4 RANDY HAMPTONLINCOLN JOURNAL Sunlit, snow-covered Herbert Park, 81st Street and Trail Ridge Road, is the subject of much of the discussion concerning the proposed Wal-Mart stores, which would be located immediately east of the park.

By Kathleen Rutledge Journal Statehouse Bureau Sen. Brad Ashford of Omaha said Thursday that he will ask the Legislature to place on the 1990 ballot a constitutional amendment that would repeal the right-to-bear-arms initiative passed by voters in November. He said he will propose substitute language that still would guarantee the right to bear arms but would allow reasonable restrictions, such as bans on felons' carrying firearms. A Couple of courts in the state recently have found that Initiative 403, the current right-to-bear-arms provision in the state constitution, "prohibits any reasonable restriction at all on firearms," he said. He noted cases in which judges said state statutes banning defacement of firearms and banning possession of firearms by felons were unconstitutional He said Initiative 403 also has led to a challenge of the death penalty.

Crofton veterinarian J.V. Carlson, who led the campaign for the passage of Initiative 403, said Ashford Is overreacting. "As a practical matter, the language that's in the one that's there does the same thing," Carlson said. "Once the thing gets to the Supreme Court, we'll find that we don't have a problem." But if the Nebraska Supreme Court were to uphold the lower courts' rulings, he said, "hell, I'll help him change it" Ashford announced his plan at a Statehouse news conference with Omaha Police Chief Robert Wadman, who said he does not want to jeopardize the hunters' right to bear arms but does want laws that allow police to prevent crime. He noted that 14 people in Omaha were killed with handguns and 394 were seriously injured with handguns during 1986.

During that year, he said, 62 felons were arrested for possessing handguns. Those statistics clearly show the need for reasonable restrictions on the pos- Cheryl's Fashions Outlet Just arrived! Gitano fleece separates $10.99 other sale items still $8.88 up-Ad 89 Bridal Extravaganza This weekend at Gateway Center. Fashion Shows at 2pm both Appeals court clears way for North trial A3 charges of shredding evidence and lying to Congress in an attempt to cover up the Iran-Contra affair. The Justice Department stepped into the case Wednesday by demanding censorship control over classified documents that the defense wants to enter as evidence. That position also was opposed by independent counsel Lawrence Walsh, who is prosecuting North, a former White House national security aide.

Gesell said the only person who may make an appeal in the case is the independent counsel, but Noble responded that "the government's position is that the right to appeal is the attorney gen- end's. WASHINGTON (AP) A federal appeals court on Thursday cleared the way for Oliver North's Iran-Contra trial to resume, dissolving a temporary halt in proceedings it had issued earlier in the day. In a one-sentence order, the U.S. Court of Appeals said it was allowing the trial to go ahead for basically the same reasons given earlier Thursday by U.S. District Judge Gerhard A.

GeselL The appeals court initially had issued an administrative stay, halting all proceedings, after the Justice Department acting on behalf of U.S. intelligence agencies, said more stringent controls are needed for classified material North intends to present in his defense. Gesell had sent the jury home until next week until the appeals panel ruled. the Justice Department's motion to stop the proceedings "be denied substantially for the reasons given by" GeselL In denying the motion, Gesell said "the attorney general's belated general appearance is wholly misplaced. The attorney general's attempt to appeal is at jdds with the purposes of the laws establishing the independent counsel," who is prosecuting the case.

Ron Noble, a Justice Department deputy to criminal division chief Ed Dennis, immediately went to the U.S. Court of Appeals to try to get the trial stopped. At issue is whether national security will be threatened by disclosure of clas- smea imormauon during North tnai on 3HDEX 3b Pages Weather Clear, not as cold Thursday night, low 5 to 10. Mostly sunny, warmer Friday, high around 40. Page 15.

Nebraska To make more room in the state's prisons, another 25 inmates are to receive expedited releases in the next few weeks. Page 31. Editorial It's time for the United States to ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty it helped draft but backed away from during the Reagan administration. Pages. Business In the next two years, Nebraska banks would pay an additional $16 million and state $2 million if President Bush's bailout plan is approved.

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