The Decatur Daily Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 18

PAGE EIGHTEEN Decatur, Illinois, Saturday, June 16, 1979 Change denied Caterpillar officials express their concern to Gov. Thompson Judge postpones trial of Sangster Eisner trial and that some of their other motions should be heard before trial. The attorneys lost, however, at least for the time being, a request that the Eisner trial be moved outside Macon County because publicity here has prejudiced potential jurors against Sangster. Judge Steigmann said the best way to determine whether potential jurors are prejudiced is to call them in for questioning and find out. That will be done, he said, when the trial is rescheduled for either July or August.

Sf'r e-m kTft Judge Robert Steigmann Friday postponed the trial of Willie T. Sangster, 44, of 925 E. Whitmer charged with the 1977 robbery of the Cantrell Street Eisner Food Store. A hearing before Judge Steigmann on the date of the trial and a requested change of venue lasted almost two hours. Sangster, who also is awaiting trial in November in connection with the Citizens National Bank robbery-murder last December, was to have gone on trial on the Eisner charge Monday.

But his attorneys won a continuance from Judge Steigmann on grounds they have not had time to prepare for the officials. Donovan said he did not get the impression the company, which employs 55,000 statewide, is threatening to reduce its present operations. However, future expansion in Illinois could be threatened, the company has said. Caterpillar Chairman Lee L. Morgan told state officials, Caterpillar is actively considering sites for a new plant.

Some of these sites are in Illinois and some are in neighboring states, he said. The company is especially concerned about the replacement tax package which would raise the corporate income tax from 4 percent to 7 percent. Another issue raised concerned Illinois workmen's compensation. The officials said the company paid $9.7 million in the state last year, compared to $3.4 million in 1975. Caterpillar Tractor Co.

officials have warned top state officials that the firm's future expansion in Illinois is questionable because of pending tax proposals and workmen's compensation laws. The company is Decatur's largest, single employer with about 5,500 employees at the plant. A delegation of top company officials met this week with Gov. James R. Thompson to outline their concerns.

Decatur officials are apparently involved in the effort to warn lawmakers and the governor because one representative of the local office's public relations division contacted State Rep. B. T. "Tim" Donovan, D-Decatur, this week in Springfield. Donovan said the contact apparently was a "courtesy call" to express the company's intent in meeting with state Decatur Daily Review OCSL New WAND tower becomes operational Redding prison term is set aside by court Arts, crafts show Artists and craftsmen from much of the Midwest and elsewhere in the United States were at Northgate Mall today for an arts and crafts show.

Centerpieces and floral arrangements, as pictured, oil paintings, ceramics, macrame, driftwood art and various other art forms were on display. The show closes Sunday. (Staff photo by Ron Ernst) Human relations panel rejects inmate's request falsely imprisoned claimant with full knowledge of the claimant's innocence." Copeland says he plans to appeal his conviction and wants to establish a fund which could accept donations to pay for his legal expenses in the appeal and lawsuit. "I am an innocent man, falsely imprisoned," he said in a letter. "I would ask the commission to sponsor my drastic but justified attempt for freedom." Commission members agreed the action Copeland requested would not fall within their jurisdiction.

They directed their staff to reply to Copeland's letter and to refer him to the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. If it develops that the potential jurors are prejudiced, the judge said, the trial can then be moved to another county. eoort 'Rape victim' is charged Donna Hatchett Watkins, 24 of Springfield, who complained to police that she had been raped and robbed early Tuesday, has been charged with prostitution in Macon County Circuit Court. And the man she accused of robbing her, Rickie Ray Turner, 27, of 1705 S. Country Club Road, has been charged with patronizing a prostitute.

3 charged with prostitution Decatur police arrested three Springfield women Friday in the 500 Block N. Water St. after they allegedly offered their services as prostitutes. The arrests were made by officers of the police department's tactical squad officers working in informal clothes and driving private cars. Police have been trying to stamp out prostitution in the area for some time, and said Friday that a walking patrol of the area by uniformed patrolmen has been instituted.

Woman is rescued from lake An unidentified woman was retrieved from Lake Decatur near the Staley Bridge at approximately 10:15 a.m. today after a sailboat overturned. The woman, who was not injured, was assisted by Lake Patrol personnel who towed the boat to the Sail Fish Club. though who does the chasing no longer is an indication of sex), the bird was as big as a fair-sized chicken. "You feed him," Marc said, preferring a piece of bread.

There we made our mistake. We fed it and got on its diner's list. Its morning rounds meant a first breakfast at Marc's, a second at the bunkhouse to where he accompanied Marc, often riding on his shoulder, and a third at our cabin where he awakened us by hopping around on the roof or calling out in his most raucous voice. Soon, he was there very hour or two for a handout and it wasn't long before we just about welcomed the almost daily rain. After all, Caw Caw had to make room for his next meal and the rains kept our truck, cabin and outdoor chairs washed off.

Not being raised with its own kind was frustrating for Caw Caw at times. The raven didn't know if it was supposed to walk or fly. But in times of danger, its instinct to fly took over. It often hopped about among the dogs, picking food from their dishes and sometimes pecking at them until they woofed and chased it. Then it would zoom into a tall jackpine, raining down epithets, among other things, upon their furry heads.

Caw Caw loved bright things. It stole Andrea's screwdriver, tried to swipe our windshield wipers, almost made off with Marc's glasses, tried repeatedly to steal our chimney and wasn't above tipping over a beer or pop can for a little nip. Nothing shiny was safe. That's why we feel threatened. We need that train to get in and out of the village.

And the last we saw of Caw Caw, the bird was perched on the train station, casting greedy eyes at the shiny diesel engine and busily making room for it. Now that you've read Stray Scraps, join in the fun. Just send your item to Stray Scraps Editor, Decatur Daily Review, Box 311, Decatur, 111. 62525. Please include a telephone number.

Or call him at 429-5151. Scraps village trustee. Sandra O'Dell, an Assumption school teacher, will direct the program. Ad-cock said. She will organize special activities for children in the village park from 9 a.m.

to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. daily. Two new tennis courts are open, Ad-cock said, and tennis lessons are planned for adults on Saturday mornings. Fire damages Fobbs home An estimated $15,000 damage was caused in a 1:54 p.m. Friday fire of undetermined origin at the home of Annie Fobbs, 777 S.

Maffit St. While the cause is undetermined it is not thought the fire was of a suspicious nature. Truck drivei mvner aro nod A Logan County Circuit Court judge in Lincoln has levied $250 fines against the owner and driver of a truck which spilled scrap metal along Illinois 121 in Logan and Macon counties in January, causing more than 200 complaints of flat tires from motorists using the road. Logan County Assistant State's Attorney Milo J. "Jack" See said Karl Donley, owner of Earl Donley Trucking and Joseph W.

Bolin, a driver for the firm, were each fined $250 and costs after pleading guilty to a charge of unlawfully spilling a load on a public roadway. Donley's insurance company is making settlements for claims filed by the 'owners of cars and trucks which suffered flat tires, See said. Richland list has 147 names The list of persons to be considered for president of Richland Community College has reached 147, according to a school spokesman. A search committee is seeking to fill the position by the end of August when current president Murray Deutsch leaves. The list includes names of persons who have applied for the job and persons who have been nominated for it, said Macky Spurlock, secretary to Deutsch.

She said it's possible more applications or nominations could be in the mail. They must be postmarked by Friday to be considered. Mrs. Spurlock said applications and nominations have come from all parts of the country and at least one from abroad. The consultant in the search, Gerald Smith of Springfield, is expected to trim the list of applicants to less than 100 by the time the committee meets on Thursday.

the number of persons sentenced on felony convictions being assigned. Mitchell said the ratio of felony prisoners and the less serious misdemeanor offenders will vary, depending on which prisoners are nearing parole eligibility. Based on information forwarded to the State's Attorney's office, 39 percent of those assigned to the center are non-county residents. Once the center capacity of 50 is reached, prisoners from Macon and surrounding counties will be given priorities when vacancies exist, according to its center supervisor Gary Jacobson. NALC officials have met with Carter to encourage him to limit electronic mail to the postal service.

However, the president's final decision has been delayed by private lobbying efforts, Morell said. "The hardware for electronic mail exists, it's just a matter of implementing it," he added. Establishing the estimated $800 million electronic mail system would eliminate about 80 percent of the mail clerk jobs in post offices, Morell said. Most jobs though would be lost through attrition, he added. A strengthening of the broadcast signal and an enlarging of the reception area were expected today as Decatur television station WAND began using its new transmitting tower in Ar-genta.

According to Mike Cheever, promotion director for the station, approv At a glance al for operating the tower came from the Federal Communications Commission Friday. The new facility replaces a tower on the same site that was destroyed in the March 1978 ice storm. WAND broadcasts on Channel 17. Canoeing class starts Monday A three-week canoeing class will be offered starting Monday by the Macon County Chapter of the American Red Cross. The class will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

To register, call 428-7758. City, police union to meet Representatives of the City of Decatur and the police union will hold a contract negotiation meeting with a federal mediator at 1:30 p.m. Monday. The city and Local 765 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, representing police, will be trying to reach agreement on terms of a new contract to replace one which expired May 30. Live-in deputy plan proposed Macon County Sheriff Stephen D.

Fisher Friday proposed a plan for reactivating the residential deputy sheriff program to serve the Village of Oreana and Whitmore Township. The village and township had the service for two years, when federal funds were available to pay most of the cost. But when the federal grant expired on March 31 the service ended. Fisher is proposing the village and township pay from their own funds the cost of $65,144 for the 34-month period covered by the proposed contract, from Aug. 1 through May 31, 1982.

Under the proposal, Oreana would pay 65 percent of the cost and the township 35 percent. The services of the deputy sheriffs assigned to work under the contract would be divided between the village and township on the same ratio. Rec program begins Monday Oreana's summer recreation program will begin Monday and continue through Aug. 17, according to Darrell Adcock, rector. Gayle Franzen and that it is believed the anticipated proportion of non-county residents was not misrepresented.

Franzen is expected to respond to a letter from City Manager Leslie T. Allen which voiced the concerns of the City of Decatur. Allen, Police Chief Harold G. Lind-sten and Macon County State's Attorney Patrick M. Walsh said it appears a high number of non-Macon County prisoners are being assigned to the center.

Lindsten also voiced concern about ities to deliver it," Morell said. "But big business is against it (postal service delivery) and if they get their way it could mean the end of the postal service as we know it." At issue is whether information should be sent from one computer directly to another private computer or whether it should be send by postal service computers and then delivered to the receivers. "The postal service is guarded and guaranteed. Who else can take this on?" Morell said. The Decatur Human Relations Commission decided Thursday night to reject the request of a Logan Correctional Center inmate who wanted it to act as trustee of his defense fund.

Clyde Jeffrey Copeland, formerly of 720 W. Forest was convicted in October of the burglary of a home at 2519 Lost Bridge Rd. He also was convicted of striking Albert Vieth, who lives at the residence, during the burglary. Copeland is serving a 4 1 2-year sentence, but he has filed suit in Macon County Circuit Court, claiming he was wrongfully imprisoned. The $500,000 suit alleges that Vieth and State's Attorney Patrick M.

Walsh "engaged in a course of conduct which Melissa Moody, plans surprise on A seven-year-old Decatur girl will have a special surprise for her father on Sunday. Melissa Moody, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Courtland Moody of 47 Woodhill Court, has won the Harry Applebaum Store Father's Day essay contest. Melissa won a $100 gift certificate for her two-sentence essay, which recalled her father's help during a bout with the "chicken pops (pox)." Mrs.

Moody says that Melissa, fear- Tvvo Head Start teachers are certified Two teachers at the Anna Waters Head Start Center have been certified by Child Development Associates Consortium Inc. of Washington, D.C. They are Ana Trauernicht of 3253 Reas Bridge Court and Ruth Cliff of 333 S. Main St. They are the first two in the county to earn the CDA certificate, which will be required of all head teachers at Head Start centers around the country in 1981.

The two women have been in training two days a week since September to get the child-care certificates. 7, wins prize; Father's Day ing she might lose, did not tell her father about the essay. Second place, a $50 gift certificate, went to Nancy A. Whiteman of Mount Zion, who wrote about her father, Howard M. Votaw of rural Decatur.

Matt J. Moore, 12, of Roselle, who frequently visits his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Moore of 1515 W. Melrose Court, was third (a $25 certificate).

Dave Peppercorn, merchandise manager for the store, said 75 entries were received. The Fourth Appellate Court in Springfield has set aside a four- to eight-year prison term imposed last year "on Beryl D. Redding 24, of 1225 E. Pershing Road, for a charge of drug delivery. Redding had pleaded guilty to the charge, one of five filed against him.

The Appellate Court ruled that one of Police, COlirt report the other four, purporting to charge a criminal drug conspiracy, did not actually do so. But the fact that Redding felt he was charged with conspiracy, and liable to a heavier prison sentence, helped induce him to plead guilty to the drug delivery charge, the court said. It sent the case back to Macon County Circuit Court for the a new trial, which is scheduled July 16. Redding was freed this week on $1,000 cash bail pending the trial. ISiantic man is injured Franklin C.

Brannock, 22, of NIantic, was treated at Decatur Memorial Hospital after his car went out of control and struck a parked vehicle about 11:40 m. Friday at North and Church streets. We made a friend in the North Woods last year and are kind of hoping he won't be around this year when we return. It's a bird that isn't trained but may end up "trained," so to speak. Its name is Cocoa or Caw Caw, depending if you're Canadian or American.

It's a raven. Not a crow. A raven. Like in Poe's tale, and this one became just about as welcome as Poe's. Caw Caw arrived on the scene when the section gang of the Algoma Central Railway had to cut down a tree which housed a raven's nest.

When the tree fell, the nest was smashed, killing the mother and one chick (if that's what one calls a little raven). But a second chick still was alive, although it had a stick stuck in one wing. Two unmarried members of the gang took it to a bunkhouse to raise. But soon feeding Caw Caw got to be a hit or miss proposition, a proposition the always-hungry bird wanted no part of. Our friend and foreman of the gang, Marc Smedts, took to taking food to the bird every morning.

One day after work, Marc looked back and saw the bird hopping from tie to tie right behind him, apparently determined to get close to the source of his regular food supply. As with a motherless bear cub one time, a cat another and a couple of baby loons on another occasion, Marc and his wife Andrea, adopted the bird, fed it, and protected it till it could fly. Not one to give up a good thing, the opportunistic bird stayed anyway, flying high but seldom out of sight of the house. When Marc, a Belgian whose English is spoken with a French and Flemish accent, and Andrea, whose English is flavored by her native French, told us the jet black bird's name we weren't sure if they were saying Cocoa because of the bird's color (even though cocoa isn't black) or Caw Caw because of its voice. We opted for Caw Caw.

It seemed more appropriate. When we met it (we don't know if Caw Caw is a boy or girl type but we think it's a boy because it was chasing another bird among the clouds, al Stray Franzen reply to Allen expected soon Big business wants private firm The director of the Illinois Department of Corrections plans to respond to local officials' concerns that too many non-county prisoners are being assigned to the recently opened pre-release center at 2175 E. Pershing Road. A spokesman of the state agency said he believes local leaders "have lost sight of the fact" that the state always has said the center would be used to serve some prisoners from surrounding counties. Russ Mitchell, a public information officer, said he had talked with state di State Association of the NALC at the Holiday Inn.

About 600 postal workers from around the state were expected to attend the convention through today. Commenting about issues facing the NALC, Morell said several large communications firms are trying to convince President Carter to allow private industry to take over electronic mail. He said the business mail that would be sent electronically is the bulk of the revenue-producing mail carried by the postal service. "Electronic mail is here, and the postal service has the ability and facil lectronic' mail concerns postal union By Al Miller A postal union official said Friday the nation's postal workers are quite concerned with the possibility of "electronic" mail sent by computers and satellites instead of stamps. Anthony Morell, a national official for the National Association of Letter riers, said the jobs of thousands of U.S.

Postal Service employees and most of the postal service's revenue will depend on who controls the electronic transfer of mail. Morell was in Decatur to attend the 79th annual convention of the Illinois.