The Pantagraph Bloomington, IL back issues from June 2005:
Relaxing on the lagoon
Jun 01, 2005 ... Libby Geison and Greg Higby, both of Bloomington, enjoyed theafternoon in a paddle boat Tuesday at ...
Government needs to stop unskilled builders
Jun 01, 2005 ... Unfortunately, the state of Illinois, the city of Bloomington andthe town of Normal need to take the reins on these constructioncompanies hiring day laborers to put houses together and then makingus hire attorneys to get things fixed. I am getting ready to file suit because of ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... Barbara Seegmiller ONARGA -- Barbara Jean Seegmiller, 76, of Cullman, Ala., formerlyof Onarga, departed this life on Monday (May 30, 2005). The funeral for Barbara Jean Seegmiller will be at 2 p.m. today atSt. Andrews United Methodist Church, with Brother Chuck CanterburyJr ....
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... Iona Seefeldt-Gilman LATHAM -- Iona K. Seefeldt-Gilman, 83, of Latham died at 10:55p.m. Monday (May 30, 2005) at Decatur Memorial Hospital, Decatur. The service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Fricke-Calvert-SchraderFuneral Home, Mount Pulaski. Burial will be in Lake Bank ...
It's a crime what state does to teacher pensions
Jun 01, 2005 ... I see in the papers that the General Assembly wants to steal moneyagain from the teachers' pension system to solve some of the state'sfinancial problems. They have done that for many years by not properly putting intheir share of the teachers' pensions the way every other ...
Washington festival begins
Jun 01, 2005; ... WASHINGTON -- The annual cherry festival will be today throughSunday in Washington at the John Bearce Commercial Property. The festival begins with a community dinner and ice cream socialsponsored by Heartland Bank and Trust. Also planned are an antiqueappraisal show, beer garden, ...
Delgado's restaurant closes after 24 years
Jun 01, 2005; ... NORMAL -- Tuesday proved a mixed bag for manager ChristinaDelgado, her 26 employees and numerous customers at Delgado's MexicanFood & Drink. It was the last day of business for the 24-year-old family-ownedrestaurant at 201 Landmark Drive, Normal. However, the restaurant isbeing ...
AA teams seek sectional success Normal West-Lincoln rematch 'anybody's ballgame'
Jun 01, 2005; ... If their March 29 doubleheader was any indication, the NormalCommunity West and Lincoln high school baseball teams are in for atense battle Thursday at 6 p.m. in the semifinals of the BloomingtonClass AA Sectional at Jack Horenberger Field. West won the opener 5-2 in 10 innings, ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... Venton Vernelle Riggs FARMER CITY -- Venton Vernelle Riggs, 78, of Farmer City died at5:30 p.m. Monday (May 30, 2005) at LeRoy Manor, LeRoy. Service: 2 p.m. Thursday at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home,Farmer City, the Rev. Steve Barrow officiating. Burial: Greenleaf ...
Why fix park when money needed elsewhere?
Jun 01, 2005 ... Everyone knows that the state of Illinois is broke and can't payall of its bills and obligations. The state doesn't have enough moneyto pay the claims for the state cars that are in accidents. The StatePolice are driving squad cars that have 150,000 miles on them becausethey can't afford ...
Forbes' esteem for B-N wanes Area timbles on list of best business cities
Jun 01, 2005; ... Success in the city Forbes magazine ratings of the best cities for business andcareers. Best Smaller Metros Top cities 1. Sioux Falls, S.D. 2. Rochester, Minn. 3. State College, Pa. 4. Fargo, N.D. 5. Bismarck, N.D. Illinois ...
A new class of Purple Raider alumni
Jun 01, 2005 ... Above: With ideal weather conditions and friends and relativesfilling the football stadium bleachers, Bloomington High School hadits commencement outdoors ...
AA teams seek sectional success What? BHS worry? Not with Ford's influence
Jun 01, 2005; ... NORMAL -- As Bloomington High School's only senior, Brie Fordcould be excused for worrying about some of her younger teammates'emotions heading into the Class AA Normal West Softball Sectional. That worry, though, hasn't crossed Ford's mind. "They get nervous sometimes, but the ...
Man accused of not returning daughter to mother
Jun 01, 2005; ... PONTIAC -- A Burbank man is facing charges of child abductionafter not returning a 6-year-old Fairbury girl to her mother. Michael Stephan Neuhaus, 24, was arrested on Thursday in CookCounty on a Livingston County warrant alleging he had his daughter,Anita M. Neuhaus, without her ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... James B. Pool CORNELL -- James B. Pool, 86, of Cornell, formerly of Ottawa, diedSaturday morning (May 28, 2005) at OSF Saint Francis Medical Centerin Peoria. Service: 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa,with Dorie Krischel officiating. Burial: ...
Lobby your legislators for parental notification
Jun 01, 2005 ... A Southern Illinois woman was recently arrested when she tried tostop her 14-year-old daughter from having an abortion. Her words: "My husband and I rushed to the abortion clinic wherewe saw our daughter's name on the roster and the time she had checkedin. I was told I could not ...
DailyDigest
Jun 01, 2005 ... NEWS IN BRIEF East Peoria man dies in Illinois 9 car crash MACKINAW -- A 43-year-old East Peoria man died in a crash onIllinois 9 near the Mackinaw bridge between Tremont and Mackinaw. John Delwin Davis was driving east when his vehicle ran off thesouth side of the road ...
Warm weather good for coliseum work Hotel proposal remains on hold
Jun 01, 2005; ... BLOOMINGTON -- Workers on the U.S. Cellular Coliseum are gainingground on a construction schedule delayed earlier this spring byweather, although hotel talks remain on hold. Bill Johnston, president of Johnston Contractors, said Tuesday therecent good weather has given workers ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... Mary Margaret Irwin NORMAL -- Mary Margaret Irwin, 87, of Charleston, formerly ofTuscola and the mother of Bloomington-Normal residents, died at 2:34p.m. Friday (May 27, 2005) at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center,Mattoon. Service: 10 a.m. today at Central Christian Church, ...
Illinois State lands Tremont discus star
Jun 01, 2005; ... TREMONT -- Class A state high school discus champion Sam Springerof Tremont has announced she will continue her career at IllinoisState on a partial scholarship. Springer's career best of 146 feet, 10 inches ranks second inPantagraph area history. Her shot put best of 43-4 1/2 ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... Treva G. Garl LONG POINT -- Treva G. Garl, 80, of Long Point, died at 4:15 a.m.Tuesday (May 31, 2005) at St. Mary's Hospital, Streator. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Winterrowd Funeral Home,Streator. Service: 10 a.m. Saturday at the Long Point United ...
Accountants applaud ruling
Jun 01, 2005; ... BLOOMINGTON -- Twin City certified public accountants laudedTuesday's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court overturning a 2002obstruction-of-justice conviction against the Arthur Andersenaccounting firm. Bloomington accountants Robert Lichty and Walter Stephens andNormal accountant ...
ARTS IN BRIEF
Jun 01, 2005 ... music Songwriting event NORMAL -- The Nashville Songwriters Association InternationalCentral Illinois Regional will have its monthly workshop at 7:30 p.m.Thursday in the group room at the Music Shoppe, 1500 E. College Ave.,Normal. Anyone with an interest in song writing is ...
Southwest Michigan hands Chiefs second straight loss
Jun 01, 2005; ... BATTLE CREEK, Mich. -- The Peoria Chiefs suffered their secondstraight Midwest League loss after managing just five hits and onerun in a 5-1 setback against the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays onTuesday night. The Chiefs struck first with a run in the second on AlbertoGarcia's RBI ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... Ernest Janssen BLACKSTONE --Ernest E. Janssen, 86, of Blackstone died at 2:12a.m. Tuesday (May 31, 2005) at OSF Saint James-John W. AlbrechtMedical Center, Pontiac. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Calvert & FroelichMemorial Home, Flanagan, with the Rev. Daniel ...
After injury in Iraq, ISU grad helps other soldiers
Jun 01, 2005; ... How to help What: Soldier Ride began in Los Angeles and riders plan to reachMontauk, N.Y., by July 19. Three riders, including two amputees, aremaking the entire trip. Others will join the ride in progress andcomplete portions of the route. To donate: Visit ...
What's next -- a dinosaur?
Jun 01, 2005 ... First came news that an ivory-billed woodpecker, long thought tobe extinct, had been discovered in a wild area of Arkansas. Now there is a report of a wildflower, also believed to havebloomed its last bloom, alive and well -- though still rare -- onMount Diablo, Calif. It's called ...
Lawmakers OK state budget Governor expected to sign it
Jun 01, 2005; ... SPRINGFIELD -- Fueled by more than $2 billion diverted from statepension funds, Illinois lawmakers approved a budget late Tuesday thatboosts spending on schools and health care, as well as sprinklesdozens of special projects in the districts of Democratic lawmakers. With Tuesday's ...
Surveys can be beneficial when given favorable spin
Jun 01, 2005; ... Quality of life and quality of business surveys can help a citysell itself, unless the ratings come out unfavorably. It doesn't really flatter people to say: A survey found the citywas acceptable. Or, a study shows this town is way better thanCesspool, U.S.A. One can question ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... E. Joan Hill BLOOMINGTON -- E. Joan Brown Hill, 66, of Glen Ellyn, formerly ofBloomington, died Saturday (May 28, 2006) at Winfield. Service: noon today graveside at Park Hill Cemetery, ...
Redbird pair to play volleyball in Argentina
Jun 01, 2005; ... NORMAL -- Illinois State's Savannah Knowles and Kari Staehlin havebeen selected to play for the USA Select Volleyball Team, a nationalteam of collegiate players who will tour Argentina and competeagainst teams in the Argentine Federation from June 7-19. ISU coach Sharon Dingman ...
Give superstar billing to the real robot heroes
Jun 01, 2005 ... When it comes to robot superstars, C-3PO and R2-D2 are getting allthe publicity with the release of the final installment of the "StarWars" movie saga. But two real robots are putting in star performances on a planetfar, but not-too-far, away. The Mars rovers Spirit and ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... Leonora C. Gilson BLOOMINGTON -- Leonora C. Gilson, 74, of Sioux City, Iowa, died at8:47 p.m. Friday (May 27, 2005) at the home of her daughter inBloomington. Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday graveside inurnment service atMemorial Park Cemetery, Sioux City. Memorials: The ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... Minnie Funk LINCOLN -- Minnie Funk, 97, of Lincoln died at 1 p.m. Sunday (May29, 2005) at St. Clara's Manor. Service: 1 p.m. today at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home,Lincoln, the Rev. R. Anthony Lee officiating. Burial: Holy Cross Cemetery, ...
June is month of gratitude for dairy delights
Jun 01, 2005; ... The numbers are in and dairy products are winners.That'sespecially good news this month, which stands officially every yearas June Dairy Month. The celebration, which began more than 70 years ago, originallyattempted to stabilize dairy demand through grocery store promotions.June ...
Huppert, Koerner receive third honors
Jun 01, 2005; ... PAXTON -- Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School's Bob Huppert andLeRoy's Kyle Koerner both earned their third nomination to theSangamon Valley all-conference baseball first team. Both were unanimous selections in the West Division. Players named to the team for the second time ...
Lack of spring rain prompts drought warning Dry weather also means fewer tornadoes
Jun 01, 2005; ... BLOOMINGTON -- Jim Erdman probably won't have to mow his yard thisweek. When he walks over it, there's a slight crunch. That's not a good sign for the Chenoa corn and soybean farmer. "If you need to mow the grass once a week, the corn will be fine,"he said. Instead, the ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... Manitia B. Chrispen CLINTON -- Manitia B. Chrispen, 89, of Clinton died at 2:48 a.m.Sunday (May 29, 2005) at Hawthorne Inn, Clinton. Service: 10 a.m. Thursday at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, theRev. C. Don Ferrill officiating. Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, ...
Don't include universities in sponsorship legislation
Jun 01, 2005 ... State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie's bill on sponsorships and namingrights for state property is an overly broad solution in search of aproblem. Having procedures and restrictions on how state buildings andprograms are named or sponsored is a good idea -- especially withGov. Rod ...
The icing on the cake Wedding dessert comes in many shapes and sizes
Jun 01, 2005; ... Picking the right cake Brides are looking for something different but also want cakesthat taste good and fit their budget. Theknot.com, a wedding planningsite, offered these tips on getting started. * Sample the cake. When you set up an appointment, ask for asample of the ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... Yvonne K. Westwood STREATOR -- Yvonne K. Westwood, 92, a former Streator resident, ofWinter Haven, Fla., died at 7:53 a.m. Dec. 15, 2004, at Winter HavenHospital, Winter Haven. Service: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday Celebration of Remembranceat Elias Funeral Home, Streator ....
Mosier, Runge named to first team for third time
Jun 01, 2005; ... PAXTON -- LeRoy High School's Cassie Mosier and PBL's DanielleRunge have been named to the Sangamon Valley all-conference softballfirst team for the third year in a row. Mosier was one of six unanimous selections in the West Division,and Runge was one of seven unanimous picks in ...
Police investigating death; girlfriend charged with lying
Jun 01, 2005; ... BLOOMINGTON -- A 30-year-old Honduras native remained in jailTuesday on charges she lied to police about her boyfriend's deathlast week on Bloomington's east side. Guadelupe Medina of the 1200 block of Orchard Road, Bloomington,was held in lieu of $5,000 on a charge of obstructing ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... Betty I. Chaudoin CLINTON -- Betty I. Chaudoin passed away at 11:20 a.m. Monday (May30, 2005) at the Dr. John Warner Hospital in Clinton at the age of82. She was born in 1922, the daughter of Harriet and Lloyd Wood. Shewas married to ElRey Chaudoin, her husband of 47 years, ...
25 students earn scholarships from State Farm
Jun 01, 2005; ... BLOOMINGTON -- Twenty-five high school students whose parents workat State Farm Insurance Cos. in Bloomington have received Foundationscholarships worth $3,000 to $8,000 for four years. The students, their parents, high school and college of choiceare: * Jennifer Anderson, ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... Luther W. Spearman GIBSON CITY -- Luther W. Spearman, 74, of Gibson City, formerly ofLoda, died Feb. 25, 2005, at the Care Center, Champaign. Service: 1 ...
Two Roanoke players named baseball all-stars
Jun 01, 2005; ... EUREKA -- Roanoke-Benson High School seniors Ben Mullins and JoshSauder were named to the Tri-County all-conference baseball firstteam on Tuesday. Roanoke's Chris Anderson was named to the second ...
Death dismays acquaintances Fast-food worker was killed last week
Jun 01, 2005; ... Editor's note: Pantagraph reporter Kate Arthur and photojournalist Carlos T.Miranda were working on a story about Alberto Ramos before he waskilled last week. The idea came from a reader who felt the Guatemalanimmigrant's life would make a touching story. This story is based ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... Marilyn Cable EL PASO -- Marilyn L. Cable, 74, Peoria, Ariz., passed away at1:45 p.m. May 25, 2005. Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Eastlawn Funeral Home,Bloomington. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at thefuneral home. Burial will be in Eastlawn ...
Anti-smoking group targets policy making
Jun 01, 2005; ... BLOOMINGTON -- An Illinois Wesleyan University student hopes astatewide anti-tobacco group she's launched will encourageaccountability among state lawmakers. "Most groups target the tobacco industry. What makes us differentis that we hold the public policy arena accountable," said ...
Haberer moves up in minors
Jun 01, 2005; ... The homecoming had been set for later this month. The Midwest League schedule mandated that June 16 through 19 wouldbring Bloomington High School graduate Eric Haberer back to CentralIllinois when his Swing of the Quad Cities met the Peoria Chiefs atO'Brien Field. Those plans ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... Robert Del Raney I BLOOMINGTON -- Robert Del Raney I, 64, of 31 RonaldDrive,Bloomington, died at 3:07 p.m. Friday (May 27, 2005) at his home. A Celebration of Life service will be at 11 a.m. today at theSalvation Army Church with a luncheon immediately following. Bob ...
Hey, Buddy: Why seek out Royal treatment?
Jun 01, 2005; ... Tough to say exactly what a "bench coach" does on a Major Leaguebaseball team. Presumably, the bench isn't going anywhere, nor arethe players sitting on it unless the manager says so. Thus, the bench coach likely tosses out suggestions during a game,leaving the manager to weigh the ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... Helen Josephine Hurt FAIRBURY -- Helen Josephine Hurt, 77, of Fairbury died at 1:25p.m. Thursday (May 26, 2005) at ASTA Care Center, Pontiac. Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Duffy-Pils MemorialHome, Fairbury, the Rev. Scott Archer officiating. Burial will be ...
FLICK FACT
Jun 01, 2005; ... QUESTIONWhenBloomington first was settled 175 years ago and thefirst streets were carved around what is today the Downtown Square,from which direction did the city's first visitors come?ANSWERThesouth, ...
Education Exodus Bloomington-Normal schools losing many teachers to retirement
Jun 02, 2005; ... By the numbers 500 Number of applications received for 10 elementary teachingpositions in District 87. 400 Current number of teachers in District 87. 30 Number of teachers expected to retire from Unit 5 this year. 26 Number of teachers retiring from District 87 ...
National City to add new banks
Jun 02, 2005; ... BLOOMINGTON -- By year's end, National City Bank will open twoadditional branches in the Twin Cities -- one on Bloomington's westside and a second in northeast Normal. Upon completion, the bank will have eight branches. The first newbranch will open around Oct. 1 at the corner of ...
WEEKEND'S BEST BETS
Jun 02, 2005; ... Have you herd? If it's the first weekend in June, it must be time for the annualGrand Village of the Kickapoo Pow Wow, the Native American culturalcelebration returning for its eighth time around at LeRoy's GrandVillage of the Kickapoo Park (The Emmett Farm). So get ready ...
DEATHS
Jun 02, 2005 ... Noble J. Webster Sr. LINCOLN -- Noble J. Webster Sr., 73, of Lincoln died at 8 p.m.Tuesday (May 31, 2005) at Maple Ridge Heathcare Centre, Lincoln. Service: 10 a.m. Saturday at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home,Lincoln, the Rev. Clyde Shreve officiating. Burial: Zion ...
Eureka council violated act
Jun 02, 2005; ... EUREKA -- The Illinois attorney general's office says Eureka cityofficials violated the Open Meetings Act three times earlier thisyear, but no fines or sanctions will be sought. The violations stem from the City Council's Administration andPersonnel Committee meetings in ...
Study may offer insights to living wage
Jun 02, 2005; ... BLOOMINGTON -- A long-term study on the living-wage concept in LosAngeles may offer a few insights into how it would affect Bloomingtonif the City Council approves an ordinance that would set such aminimum pay for city workers. The study, released today through the University of ...
DEATHS
Jun 02, 2005 ... Alan P. 'Pud' Hart MINONK -- Alan P. "Pud" Hart, 74, of 626 Johnson St., Minonk, diedat 1:55 p.m. Feb. 9, 2005, at his residence. His graveside service will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at DavisonCemetery, rural Minonk. The Rev. Harry Sanders will officiate andmilitary rites will be ...
Twin City FBI agent injured
Jun 02, 2005; ... QUANTICO, Va. -- An FBI agent assigned to a Twin City field officehas been hospitalized after falling during a training accident May 25in Quantico, Va. A family friend identified the man as Rob Hardesty. Marshall Stone, a special agent at the FBI's Springfield office,declined ...
Gasoline prices jump
Jun 02, 2005; ... BLOOMINGTON -- Connor Alisson pumped $10 worth of gas into his carbut wasn't feeling good about what he got for his money. His regular unleaded cost $2.15 per gallon. That's about 26 centsmore per gallon than it would have just a day earlier in Bloomington-Normal. "It's ...
DEATHS
Jun 01, 2005 ... Andrew Neitzer MACKINAW - Andrew "Andy" Neitzer, 18, Mackinaw, passed awayWednesday (May 31, 2006) at OFS Saint Francis Medical Center inPeoria. Born March 25, 1988, in Joliet, Andy is a son of Tom and LorraineHobbs Neitzer. He was a 2006 graduate of Dee-Mack High School and ...