Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 13

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2003 DECATUR, ILLINOIS LOCAL B3 BRIEFS OBITUARIES FARMER CITY Man dies after hitting semitruck's trailer A Farmer City man died early Saturday when his car hit a semitruck's trailer on Sheriff Roger Walker Jr. said in the face of rising concerns about terrorist attacks and homeland security, his office has had to lay off 10 deputies within the last year. He said the way federal law enforcement grants are structured, he cannot tap into that money because of the layoffs. Tim Butler, LaHood's communications director in Springfield, said hopefully with the greater emphasis on homeland security, more money can be found to fund local law enforcement. He said future federal aid may not look like past grant programs, and what it could be is still unknown.

Bill Houlihan, a Durbin administrative assistant, said the senator is making an effort to remove one unfunded mandate, the Leave No Child Behind education plan adopted by Congress at the behest of President Bush. He said no additional federal funding is proposed to carry out the law's mandates, so Durbin has introduced a bill to have those requirements waived until more funds are available Ron Ingram can be reached at or LEADERS Continued from B1 returned to the jail, which already is overcrowded, Sampson said. Chuck Shonkwiler, superintendent of the Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education, noted a state advisory board has recommended shifting the burden of funding public education from real estate property tax to the state income tax. He asked if and when that may occur. Mitchell said under the plan Shonkwiler referred to, income taxes would increase about $2.5 billion but there is no guarantee of a corresponding decrease in property taxes.

He said until assurances can be devised that real estate taxes would decline, many legislators are reluctant to support the shift. Flider noted, "We haven't been able to find the (political) will to do it in the last 20 years. How can we find the will to do it today? The income tax proposal would mean higher taxes north of I-80 since the majority of taxes would come from there." ophone; Doug Neff, MacArthur, alto saxophone; Michael Scherer, MacArthur, trombone; Evan Marien, MacArthur, bass. Drummer Shalen Walker of MacArthur was named top musician of the day. BLGSMINOTOM Decatur Lutheran School takes first Decatur's Lutheran School Association Scholastic Bowl team finished first of 14 teams Saturday at the Met-calf Sweetheart Academic Tournament in Bloomington.

The seventh- and eighth-graders are coached by Dorothy Damery. Team members are Clay Parks, Jared Carter, Bradley Day, Sam White, Ryan Easterling, Jar-rad Jinks and Kurt Weber. DECATUR Richland to be closed Tuesday, Wednesday Richland Community College will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 11-12. Staff and faculty will participate in a staff development day Tuesday, and the college will remain closed Wednesday in honor of Lincoln's Birthday.

No student services will be available either day. The Fitness Center also will be closed Tuesday but will reopen Wednesday. The college will reopen at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13.

MATTOQN Lawmaker now has toll-free number State Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, has installed a toll-free telephone line in his district office in Mattoon. The toll-free number is 1-888-235-6033 and rings in his office at 916 Broadway. The regular number is 235-6033. To contact Righter at his Springfield office, call 782-6674 or write to M103 E.

State Capitol, Springfield, IL 62706. Constituents also may contact Righter by e-mail at drightermcleodusa.net. Saturday's regional Math-counts competition at Millikin University. Team members Susan Bicknell, Jessica Honegger, Rosie Litwiller and Alyssa King, along with coach Susan Knepler, will advance to the state Mathcounts competition on March 8. Decatur's Johns Hill Magnet School finished second, coached by Karen Wenger.

Team members are Bryan Becker, Jack Funk, Farzan Mohammadi and Alec Who-brey. Chester East Lincoln took third. Their coach is Doug Rader, and team members are Cody Davison, Cassie Gunning, Rachel Noel and Marjorie White. Winners of individual and countdown round trophies were Alec Whobrey, Rosie Litwiller and Jack Hainline. Whobrey and Hainline also advance to state competition as the top two individuals who are not members of the winning team.

The competition was sponsored by the Central Illinois Chapter of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers. CMIEiESTOM Area jazz bands rake in awards at EIU Area jazz bands walked away with many of the top awards Saturday at the 44th annual Eastern Illinois University Jazz Festival. Among the 35 bands that competed, Decatur's MacArthur High School was named top jazz band in Class Robinson High School was first in Class and St. Teresa High School took top honors in Class C. Among junior high bands, Stephen Decatur Middle School was first in Class and Mattoon Middle School was third in Class A.

The following students received special recognition: Adam Cunningham, Stephen Decatur, bass; Chase Porter, Stephen Decatur, drums; Corbin Andrick, Stephen Decatur, alto saxophone; Nicholas Groesch, MacArthur, piano; Rob Hecht, MacArthur, tenor sax cers knocked, Chabak said They forced entry into the house and found evidence that shots had been sprayed around inside, but the occupants claimed to know nothing of the shooting. Just minutes prior to the girl being shot, a 22-year-old Decatur man was driving in the 500 block of East Grand Avenue when a car, driven by a man he recognized, pulled up next to him, Chabak said. One of the two passengers in the other car pulled a gun and began shooting at the 22- that could be a little difficult." Despite Blagojevich's visit to the state capital Thursday, he did not stay in the Execu tive Mansion overnight. Jackson said Blagojevich I FUNERAL SCOUTS Continued from B1 Pana," said Moweaqua Scoutmaster Ken McLeod. "Our food pantries in town were full, and they said they were hurting." Many times, a surge in holiday giving can carry the food pantries into January.

But when February rolls around, a need for more food often surfaces, Pelz said. Angela Jackson, a pantry worker for Catholic Charities of Decatur, agreed the Scouts' hard work is much needed and much appreciated. A cold winter increases power bills, and some families may have Valentine's' Month Drawing February 28th Register for one of our Valentine's Month Gift Baskets 'Ssi Continued from B2 Plummer BEMENT Lyndal Bobbett Plummer, 87, of Bement died 10:10 a.m. Friday (Feb. 7, 2003) in Kirby Hospital, Monti-cello.

Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in Bement United Methodist Church with the Rev. Steve Bramlett officiating. Visitation will be 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday in Roux-Hinds Funeral Home, Bement.

Burial will be in Bement Township Cemetery. Lyndal Plummer Memorials: Bement United Methodist Church or Kirby Hospital. Mrs. Plummer was born July 29, 1915, in Fairfield, the daughter of Charles A. and Bertha Matthews Bobbett.

She was a 1934 graduate of Monti-cello High School. She was a member of Bement United Methodist Church, Bement Woman's Club and a loyal supporter of the Bement Country Opry. She married Clark "Dingy'' Plummer on Nov. 1, 1943, in Monticello. He preceded her in death Sept.

1, 1989. Surviving are her daughter, Sue Plummer Loveridge and husband Robert of Scottsdale, brother, Dennis Bobbett of Lexington, Ky. whose calls made her eyes sparkle; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded by her parents; husband; son, Ray Plummer who gave his all in Vietnam and died Dec. 1, 1968; sisters, Mary Ellen Allen Craig and Pearl Shonkwiler; brothers, Lowell, Eldon and Carol Bobbett; granddogs, Sweetie and Angel.

A special thanks to niece, Linda Sprau of Gibson City and nephew, Jeff Shonkwiler of Decatur and their families. Additional special thanks to Ed, Jack, and Tom Walsh and families; Greg Romack and Sandy Fritz of Bement; the Monticello Kirby Hospital staff and Pastor Steve Bramlett for their extra support and comfort which will forever be appreciated. A sincere thank-you to Mary Jane Harshbarg-er and Ivesdale and Lyndal's granddog, Sunshine, for being at Sue's side every step of the way. Sidener ALTAMONT Marcella Emily Berg Sidener, 77, of Altamont died Thursday (Feb. 6, 2003) in Lutheran Care Center, Altamont.

Services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday in Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Altamont, with the Rev. Mitchel Schuessler officiating. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Kull Funeral Chapel, Altamont and one hour before services in the church.

Burial will be in Sidener Cemetery, Wheatland Township. Memorials: Immanuel Lutheran Church Parish Hall Building Fund or donor's choice. Mrs. Sidener was born May 19, 1925, in Altamont, the daughter of Arthur UA.H." and Lorah Stuckemeyer Berg. She was a life communicant member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she had been active as a Sunday school teacher, home bible study leader, a member of Immanuel Ladies Aid Society and the Altar Guild.

She was a member of Altamont VFW Post 7676 Ladies Auxiliary. She had been employed by A.H. Berg Chevrolet Garage, A -Implement Company and Kull Funeral Home, all in Altamont. She married Willard E. "Porky" Sidener on July 2, 1949, in Melvin.

He preceded her in death March 15, 1986. Surviving are her sisters, Doris Wolf and husband Del-bert of Collinsville; Florence Beccue of Effingham; sister-in-law, Mary L. Berg of Altamont; several nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Kenneth Arthur Berg and nephew, Jeffrey Lynn Berg. VanDorn TUSCOLA Barbara Louise VanDorn, 70, Tuscola, formerly of Newman, retired from University of Illinois Building Services, died Thursday (Feb.

6, 2003). Services: 2 p.m. Monday, Hilligoss-Shrader Funeral Home, Tuscola. Visitation: 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Burial: Newman Cemetery. Memorials: Provena Covenant Hospice Unit, 1400 West Park Urbana, IL 61801. Interstate 74 in Piatt County and became lodged in the trailer's back bumper, according to DeWitt County coroner reports. The victim was identified as Wesley R. Weedman, 22, an employee of the Champaign Park District.

Charles Creighbaun, 63, of Holiday, was driving the semitruck and was not injured. An autopsy on Weedman was scheduled for Saturday. Toxicology tests and measurements to determine the cause of the crash will be done. An investigation continues in conjunction with the DeWitt County Coroner's office and Illinois State Police in Pesotum. DEGATUR Death penalty foes to speak at Millikin Representatives of two statewide organizations that oppose the death penalty will speak at 7 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 10, Pilling Chapel at Millikin University. The free public meetmg is sponsored by the Macon County Citizens Opposed to Capital Punishment. Jane Bohman, executive director of the Illinois Coalition Against the Death Penalty, and Robert Schultz, death penalty coordinator for the Midwest region of Amnesty International, will speak. They will discuss the recent gubernatorial pardons and commutations for convicts.

For further information, contact Sister JoAn Schullian at 877-4404 or Fred Spannaus at 425-2635. DECATUR Olympia team wins Mathcounts event A team from Olympia Mid dle School took first place in SHOOTINGS Continued from B1 group of people when an unknown man came in the front door and started shoot ing, causing the people inside to hit the floor, Chabak said. The girl did not realize she was wounded until after the gunman fled. Police returned to the Division Street house where four or five people were observed inside, but no one would come to the door when offi CHICAGO Continued from B1 one time. I'm based out of here, I have an office in Chicago," she said.

Larry Klugman, a political science professor at Richland Community College, said it doesn't matter where Blago-jevich lives and works, but what his policies are. "We have one of two choices. We are going to get a Chicago- or a DuPage-centric Klugman said, referring to the fact that Jim Ryan, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, came from the state's largest suburban county. Klugman said equalizing school funding and bringing jobs to downstate Illinois are some of the ways Blagoje-vich will be judged. He also noted that former Republican Gov.

James R. Thompson spent much of his time in Chicago. "The fact that he is making fewer appearances here than maybe a Governor (Jim) Edgar would, that's something we could write stories about. But we're going to have to see how that shakes out," Klugman said. Marion Mayor Robert Butler, a Republican who took office 40 years ago in the small city at the southern tip of the state, agreed policy is most important.

But he suggested that physical location does matter for people who want to talk to the governor in person. "Being in Springfield, you're pretty much centrally located," Butler noted. "I'm sure that there are people, organizations around the state that on occasion will need to talk to the governor directly. If they need a road map to keep track of him, to choose between paying their energy bills or putting adequate food on the table. Layoffs also are common after the holiday season, she said.

"The good news is donations are still coming in at a fairly good rate," Pelz said. "But the bad news is the need is growing at an even higher rate." Mike Frazier can be reached at or 421-7985. 2 Wheel Front Disc $40 Install New Front Brake Pads 00 or 2 Wheel Drum Type Install New Brake Linings $15.00 Extra on Metallic Brakes MARTY'S TIRE CENTER 2760 N. Main Ph. 877-4744 Stop By and Meet Cathy Reed Our Uniform Specialist! CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION 1-800-543-5436 decorating FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION 40-50 OFF CUSTOM DRAPERIES TOP TREATMENTS FROM OUR DESIGNER'S CHOICE COLLECTION year-old, who fled, he said.

As the would-be victim drove in the area of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Division Street, he told police he spotted the car with the shooter in it, Chabak said. The car was stopped in the middle of Division Street and he observed gunfire being directed at the same house where the girl was shot, Chabak said. Police are now seeking the 23-year-old driver of that car for questioning in connection with the girl's shooting, Chabak said. returned to Chicago where his 6-year-old daughter was suffering from a fever.

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