Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 1

Page A 6 Central Illinois Decatur, Illinois, Thursday. April 15. 1982 continue operating Olney TV station By DANA CVETAN Herald 4 Review Staff Writer OLNEY Avoiding possible trouble with local contributors and the federal government, officials of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Wednesday decided to continue operating WWSI-TV, Channel 16. The existence of Channel 16, like many local public television stations, was threatened by cuts in the state and federal grants that provided the bulk of financial support. Channel 16 will stay on the air, but most of its operations will be carried out by remote control from sister station WSIU-TV, Channel 8 in Carbondale, the university's main broadcasting service studio.

There will also be layoffs and. use of more energy-efficient equipment, but no new purchases of equipment, according to Thomas Bush, assistant to SIU-C President Albert Somit. These economy measures are expected to cut $100,000 from the university's budget, which is being squeezed by state and federal cutbacks, Bush said. Currently, the university's share of WU-SI-TV's cost is $190,000, according to station manager Bill Criswell. Wednesday's announcment ended speculation that WUSI-TV would close.

Bush had said earlier this week it was possible the station could dose or lose all, or nearly all, of its local programming capability. But according to SIU-C officials, the Olney station must stay on the air until at least 1990 under an agreement with the federal government, which provided "hundreds of thousands of dollars" in grants for equipment. Criswell said a viewer who recently contributed to the station during its recent fund drive (which netted $71,000 for both stations) was upset over reports the stallion might close and asked if he could get his money back if the station went' off the air. Channel 16's viewing area encompasses roughtly a 40nile radius, with Mattoon to the north, Vandalia to the west, Carmi to the south and Washington, to the east. Bush said remote control operations will begin about July 1, at the end of the fiscal year.

According to Jim Moore, SIU-C director of broadcasting services, the new operating procedure will make very little difference in programming, and WUSI-TV will continue to broadcast 16 hours a day. Currently, there are two locally produced programs on WUSI the weekly public af-. fairs show "Forum 16" and the monthy documentaryfeature show "16's Community Camera." Local programming began only two years ago. From the time WUSI went on the air in 1968 until 1980, it was a "repeater" station forWSIU. The changeover to remote control will allow local programming to continue at WUSI, but probably on a limited basis, according to Moore.

He said a $317,000 federal Community Service Grant distributed by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and received by the 'station this year will shrink, to $190,000 next year. However, there is a possibility that local programming could get a much needed shot in the arm, Bush said. The univeristy is "investigating the possibility of working out a cooperative agreement with the Eastern Illinois Community College System to operate WUSI TV," he said. If an agreement is worked out, it could mean more locally produced programs and a sharing of operating expenses, according to Rebecca Fines, IECC director of communications. The station could become a laboratory for broadcasting students, with all four colleges in the system producing some programming, she said.

Users cf! otI 10 Discount miLrlL- You ftw Cash acquire Conrail section 12 Months Interest Free! iifflf jl 1 in in to 10 prn pening ltag )f Hip. 9 We, at Good's Furniture invite each and every one of you to come in diirfeofjtD CUSTOMERS' NIGHT for first choice in our ctoro-wide ANNIVERSARY SALE! By DAVE PETRINA Herald Review Staff Writer SHELBYVILLE A corporation of rail users purchased a two-mile section of abandoned Conrail track Wednesday for The deed to the track was presented to the users group, SIRS by Thomas Ramsey of Conrail during a town meeting Wednesday night conducted by U.S. Rep. Paul Findley, R-Pittsfield. Findley played a major role in arranging the sale and negotiating the price, which Conrail originally set at about $67,500 per mile, or 75 percent of the appraised value of $90,000 per mile.

State legislators, city officials and members of the Chamber of Commerce Industrial Development Committee also worked on the transaction. Grant sought SIRS (Shelby Industrial Rail Spur) paid for the track with a loan from Shelby County State Bank. The loan is repayable in six months. The ci of Shel-byville is applying for a state community development grant to use to repay tfie loan. The grant application also will include money to upgrade the track and purchase a large truck-style engine to move cars on the spur, said Robert Johnston, jjresident of SIRS and chairs-man of the industrial committee.

users group previ-l pusly intended to lease moving cars on the spur which will give the west-side businesses a link to the north-south Missouri Pacific Railroad Co. line. Upgrading planned 'Johnston said he didn't fkn'ow the cost of an engine yet and that SIRS will hire a- firm to appraise the cost the line. He said the line was below the slowest Class I railroad that upgrading it rwwquld require at least re-plajcing one out of every 3ive. ties.

rHe said that service on Jhe-spur probably wouldn't tart until about 30 days fter the city of Shelbyville its state grant. the grant is received, he truck-engine would be purchased and time also wmild be needed to train an operator. SThe spur is needed to Hwaintain rail service-to IJtSmtinental Bondware, k'ft'jMfg. Sta-Rite Ginnie tjou Inc. and Moultrie-Shelby FS Inc.

WTOEwrif raiE MUST FOR ORE -YEAR OR Save An 10 -When You Pay Cash! BEDDING SALE DINING ROOMS SOFAS SEALY POSTUREPEDIC SAVEyVO Broyhill Italia Previacial. Paiited bnished learn fiiisb. Oval $899 table wfomica top, 4 case back chairs. Reg. $1399 "Fan Hoise Treaswes" by' Sieger.

Grandns' cupboard, $1599 sieliehotse rand table, 4 peg-hacked side chairs. Reg. $1839 BirliigtM Hoese pecan traditional. Opei end lighted china, Oval $2399 table, 2 am chairs, 4 side chairs. Reg, $2999 Brookwood tradittoaal loose pillow-back.

Olefin covergreen pat- $299 tern 01 eggshell backgrand. Reg. $599 "Centnr Chan" by Maddeo. Center-matched totton printearth $499 hues oyster. Reg.

$910 Howe contemporary loose pillow-back, (tagged Herculoa $499 coverlist nlti-color stripe. Reg. $699 CHAIRS AND SWIVEL ROCKERS Accent ckairs by lewettes. Assortwrt of colors aid styles to ctoesefroi-'v Startiigat $97 i 'Swivel rockers. Several styles aad colors to choose from.

$199 Scotch Sum" fabrics. Reg. $299 Early American Swivel rocker. Hist nylon coverwood $139 Reg. $239 DINETTES Teaple Stat all-wood 5-pc set.

42" rand table with 1 leaf, 4 $299 side chairs, (one only) 5-Piece Rattai set krr Avers. Glass top pedestal table w4 padded $599 seat rattan chairs. Broyhill 48" rand pedestal table, 4 Captins chairs. Antique pine $799 fiiisb. (Floor saaple- one oily) Reg.

$999 SLEEPERS "Limited Edition" SERTA PERFECT SLEEPER III save 30 "Limited Quantities" "ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL" save 40 20 Year Warranty Twin Size Reg. $199.00 $118 ea. pc. Full Size Reg. $250.00 $148 ea.

pc. Queen Sets Reg. $660.00 $388 King Sets $488 PLUS FREE set of sheets and pillowcases Includes: Top Sheet Fitted Bottom Sheet Pillow Cases -Twin, Full, Queen and King (Upto69Value) With Purchase of "Anniversary Special" Sets 'lil Wdler" bv iaaisn. Ideal for aoadwits. Hvlom toco irmrfukKiataiviiiM Reg.

$499 Bassett traditiOBalMini pecan finish. Door dresser, mirror, 599 chest, fnMlttadboard with frane. Reg. $899 Broyhill Cilsnial Oak. Triple dresser, cwio shelf lirror, chest, $899 mile allbedcMvlete.

Reg. $1099 3 piece poop. Sleeper, love seat, chair. EartbtoM palidstripi $799 ylNCmr. (0M Ml j) La-avtay ptn size.

Wood trim coBteporary attached back $599 Instbrewi Hercilii stripe cover. Reg. $799 Tlnnasville "fJentry Door dresser, spMIe irror. $1499 an's chest, spindle headboard, (one only) Reg. $2599 also plans to buy an additional mile of track to i3dend the spur westward to "toe S.F.

Kennedy Industries -Slant and provide rail serv-" yise for an area zoned for development. The rjee for that section hasn't. Ipeen negotiated, Johnston $fe directors of SIRS Bracken, Mike 1 1. RECLMERS PIT GROUPS Carpel catartd acrylic velvfi by BeVille. Yew choice (nr $159 $279 uuvc, diuci ctnu stap ncliMT by FrawJin.

Sajv canted wnasd dnbil- fy. faisJbriiri vii wi3 yjaftrarrartY! Laz-biy Wall "He. 1 coilort and fktwi $299 ngahydo over. Easy can aad BainteBici. Reg.

$395 iK-hay RndBT-recliier. 100 lylon cover. Ceateaporary style rest twied color. (Me if naay styles ml ctlars chose $269 fTM.) Reg. $299 Twfrftot sectianl by Rowe.

Dnrable csvergeonetric design. ftQQQ TWIN SETS From $48.00 ea. pc. Forrest Wilson. Attorney Teflm treatedstain resistant In Stock Reg.

$1299 10 dsaiea "Oelnu" by BenchcrafL btediu krewi acrylic $1799 velvet UlthjBti coafert and style. Reg. $2399 Edward C. Eberspacher HI is.Jegal counsel for the users group. "We actually bought before we had the we had to strike while the iron was Johnston said, emphasizing that no Shelbyville tax dollars are FREE INTEREST FOR ONE YEAR Credit Approved 20 Down Minimum Offer Good Thru April 30th, 1982 ALL CARPETING IS EXCLUDED! Hours: Daily 9-5 Mon.

Fri. Closed Sunday MS4 Good's 1982 237 North Main 429-2441 involved in the transactions. "We have taken the first step, but now we have some additional work to do," he said, praising the people who have already donated long hours to the project. SI.