FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2013
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VOL. 157, NO. 496
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HOMEOWNER WANTS INDUSTRY TO PAY FOR SEWER REPAIRS WESTERN ILLINOIS MAKES ALL THE PLAYS IN WIN OVER EIU INS IDE TO DAY
LOCAL, A3
SPORTS, B1
GOVERNMENT
Durbin makes stops across region COUNTY, A2
Hoyle responds after dismissal of charges in Roberts case OPINION, A4
U.S. senator tours Macomb Transit Center Thursday By Lainie Steelman lsteelman @McDonoughVoice.com
MACOMB — U.S. Sen. Durbin, D-Ill., made a stop in Macomb on Thursday afternoon for a brief press event and tour of the Macomb Transit Center, the epicenter of the McDonough County Public
Transportation Program and Go West bus system. The center on East Pierce Street was completed in the spring with $14.9 million in federal and state grants. The center, located in a former manufacturing facility, was renovated and houses administrative offices, a vehicle maintenance center, van and bus storage and a fueling center. The transit facility was first formally unveiled at
an April 1 event, during which it was toured by then-U.S. Transportation SecreDurbin tary Ray LaHood, Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider and other local officials. Go West Director Jude Kiah, in comments before Durbin's arrival Thursday, said the $12.8 See MACOMB — A2
Legislation to help career training topic of Sandburg visit By Dani Kinnison GateHouse News Service
GALESBURG — Sen. Dick Durbin visited Carl Sandburg College on Thursday to discuss legislation that would help community colleges continue to train students for career tracks that face gaps in unemployment
Patrick Stout’s latest column
The Final Frontier
RELIGION, A7
Annual science demonstration show blends facts with fun at WIU
Engelhorn: God is full of surprises IN THE KNOW
Holiday fun coming to Bushnell this weekend BUSHNELL — Folks in Bushnell looking to experience holiday festivities are in luck as a "Christmas Extravaganza" is slated for this weekend, according to submitted content. See FUN — A3
EXCLUSIVES
By Jackie Smith jsmith@McDonoughVoice.com
C
hildren within a full Currens Hall classroom earlier oohed and aahed this week as two buckets full of water were swiftly spun around. Western Illinois University junior Jamal Keaton clasped tightly to them amid jokes over the potentiality of a spill and a subsequently soaked front row. The experiment — meant to illustrate gravity in action — was one of many done before the
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due to a shortage of skilled workers available. In his travels throughout the state, Durbin said he sees many “good-paying” jobs available, but there is an absence of skilled applicants to fill those jobs. “What’s missing there is the training and education they need to fill those jobs.” Durbin toured the college’s electrical, diesel meSee DURBIN — A3
crowd Tuesday, as part of "Science: The Final Frontier," an annual community event hosted by the departments of chemistry and physics. In this case, Keaton spun first smaller cups of water, then the buckets, while WIU sophomore Nicole Szabo explained. "Most people think air pressure is why gravity works, which isn't right. So the question is—" she said, stopping mid-sentence. "Have you guys ever been on a ferris wheel?" See SCIENCE — A2
THE WEB
More photos!
Pictured is WIU sophomore Morgan Conrady.
■ Several more demonstrations were featured in Tuesday’s show. See a few extra images online.
Find these at www.mcdonoughvoice.com.
COMING IN PRINT
Local News ■ Macomb City
Council’s committee of the whole convenes on Monday with a full agenda. Find out more.
New Business
STATE GOVERNMENT
Colchester homes to be Quinn signs pension open for tour of decor overhaul into law Event will benefit CARE food pantry
■ Goodwill, which came
By Nick Draper
to Macomb this fall, will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting today.
ndraper@McDonoughVoice.com
Area Sports ■ Macomb takes on
Illini West, while Rushville-Industry comes to Bushnell in boys basketball tonight.
COLCHESTER — Colchester residents will welcome those willing to donate $10 into their homes to view decorations for the Colchester Area Relief Effort’s Holiday Tour of Homes. From noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, three homes will be open to tour to enjoy decora-
tions while giving to CARE, an organization that runs a local food pantry. “The way we decided to do mine was to do part of it in a 1940s theme,” said CARE member Frances Welch, who has decorated one of the three homes available to tour. “I still have the doll I got for Christmas when I was 6 years old, so that would be 1942. I also have a part of a set of dishes I got that same year.” Welch will also have her grandSee CARE — A2
Governor: ‘Illinois is moving forward’ By Sophia Tareen Associated Press
CHICAGO — Gov. Pat Quinn has signed landmark legislation Thursday to reform Illinois' massively-underfunded pension system, though the new law is certain to face threatened lawsuits by labor unions. The overhaul, approved by the
General Assembly this week after years of delay and inaction, cuts benefits for most employees and retirees. It has a June 1 effective date, but could be delayed by the legal challenges. Quinn, who often signs new laws in celebratory public events, signed the pension bill Thursday afternoon in a private ceremony. It was a mark of how politically sensitive the issue is in Democrat-controlled Illinois, with hunSee PENSION — A3
■ Preview of Saturday’s
WIU mens and womens basketball games.
EMMET-CHALMERS INDEX Weather Calendar Obituaries Opinion Lifestyle Religion Comics Astrograph Classifieds Sports
A2 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 & A7 B5 B7 B6 & B7 B1 - B8
Firefighters, Santa to collect items for needy families Donations can include food items, new toys, clothing Submitted Content
MACOMB — The Emmet-Chalmers Firefighters will collect items for needy families on Saturday, Dec. 7. Starting at 1 p.m., the firefighters will chauffeur Santa Claus on their fire trucks as he visits the Georgetown and Meadow-
AROUND TOWN
brook subdivisions. Santa’s arrival will be announced by the sirens of the fire trucks. He will greet everyone and stop for photos. During Santa's travels, firefighters will collect nonperishable food items, new toys and clothing to be donated to the Salvation Army. These items will then to be distributed to needy families in the area. At about 4 p.m., Fire-
fighters will take Santa to the firehouse, 3041 W. Adams St., for anyone else that missed Santa. “This will be the second year we have done this," said Fire Chief David Estes. "The response last year was tremendous. We collected a lot of food and everyone enjoyed it.” For more information and to keep track of Santa’s progress, visit www.ecfpd.org VOICE FILE PHOTO or Facebook.com/EmFirefighters wave to residents of the Georgetown metChalmersFire. neighborhood in December 2012.
To submit your town photos send to jsmith@McDonoughVoice.com.
Inside> Relay for Life participants spotted in this “Seen on Scene” - page A3
MACOMB GIRLS SECOND AT INVITE
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SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2014
Lessons in
SAFETY
Vol. 157, No. 581
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STREAMING WATERS
Yearly educational event mixes active demonstrations with tips to stay out of harm’s way on the farm, in life
UMC project ready for ‘spreading love’ April 21 deadline looms for those needing help with work at home By Nick Draper Staff Reporter
MACOMB — For members of the Wesley United Methodist Church of Macomb, the Streaming Waters Work Week is a mission. For the last five years, Streaming Waters has been an effort to connect the community through goodwill and small construction projects.
“There are a lot of church missions that are way away from home,” said Don Greer, who serves on the Streaming Waters committee and does construction work for the project. “We decided to do our mission right here in McDonough County … the need is there. The greater the need, the more we want to help out.” See LOVE — A2
MCDONOUGH COUNTY
Springtime brings some dog, cat issues Students react and watch on as hay flies Friday after a stuffed dummy was pulled into farm equipment during a safety demonstration at the McDonough County 4-H grounds. It was part of Progressive Agriculture Safety Day, an annual outing for students that entailed an array of activities in 15 areas, including several farming-related safety or informational demonstrations, as well as talks over first aid, water and utility safety, and a rollover demonstration. Activities were attended by kids from Macomb, Bushnell-Prairie City, West Prairie, St. Paul and Abingdon. RIGHT: McDonough District Hospital health educator Diane Tate holds up a flash card Friday while talking about how to protect your hearing. Of riding a tractor without a cab, she said, "You can only be on there for 15 minutes without damage done."
By Patrick Stout Correspondent
JACKIE SMITH/THE VOICE
MCDONOUGHVOICE.COM
See many more photos from Friday’s activities.
Schluter: Don’t let the terrorists win Editor
MACOMB — Keith Schluter believes if you let events like the April 2013 Boston Marathon bombings alter what you do in life, it allows terrorists to take away a piece of your freedom. And that's power that
A year after, Boston and its people heal
COMING IN PRINT
INDEX Calendar Opinion Business Lifestyle Comics Astrograph Classifieds Sports
A2 A4 - A5 A10 - A11 A6 - A7 B5 B7 B6 - B7 B1 - B8
WEATHER
Today HIGH LOW
79 59
Sunday HIGH LOW
70 37
By Denise Lavoie and Paige Sutherlund
Schluter, a Macomb resident who ran in last year's marathon, said he doesn't want to relinquish. "It was one of the reasons that I would like to go back (to race) because of the bombing," he said this week, reflecting on his experience in light of TuesSee RUNNER — A8
See COUNTY — A2
ANOTHER MARATHON: ‘THEY HAD TO DEAL WITH A TRAGEDY’
Macomb resident who ran in 2013 marathon reflects on Boston bombings By Jackie Smith
MACOMB — Dogs and cats that run free in the springtime are often caught and brought to the McDonough County Animal Shelter. The disposition of some of those animals was discussed Thursday by the county board's planning committee. The committee received a report indicating 11 cats were adopted from the shelter in March and that there were 10 cats remaining in the shelter at the
end of the month. The report also stated that 11 feral cats were euthanized. Dr. Karen Blakeley, county veterinarian, said some of those cats were being fed by a person who recently died, and that neighbors have been trapping them and taking them to the animal shelter. She also said non-feral cats pregnant with kittens are starting to show up at the shelter. The shelter report indicated that 17 dogs had been adopted and 14 were re-
Associated Press
KEN MCGAGH/GHNS FILE PHOTO
A firefighter carries an injured spectator after an explosion at the 2013 Boston Marathon finish line.
BOSTON — Every time Roseann Sdoia comes home, she must climb 18 steps — six stairs into the building, another 12 to her apartment. It is an old building in Boston's North End, with doors that are big and heavy, not an easy place for an amputee to
Easter egg hunts
AROUND TOWN
INSIDE TODAY
■ Photos from multiple egg hunts in Macomb and Bushnell this weekend
See something newsworthy? Submit your town photos to jsmith@McDonoughVoice.com
More than $104 in coupons and savings; MCPT talks rise in ridership, page A3
live. When she left the hospital, a month after the Boston marathon bombing, she had a choice: She could find another place to live, one more suitable for someone who wears a prosthetic that replaces most of her right leg. Or, she could stay. "Early on when all this See HEAL — A9
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TODAY
COMING IN PRINT
City council
LOCAL, A3
SPORTS, B1
Vol. 157, No. 345
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CITY OF MACOMB
AMUSED
Lobdell, Hill to be recognized by council
with music
— Find out what is to come of Monday’s regular meeting in Macomb.
Four aldermen will be sworn in Monday By Patrick Stout
IN THE KNOW
pstout@McDonoughVoice.com
Flood Warning
of Day Health, said the music therapy sessions help link students with an older population, which, because the program services elderly who live in their own home, also helps them relate to
MACOMB — Tim Lobdell and Kay Hill will be honored for their service to the city at the first of two Macomb City Council meetings scheduled Monday. Lobdell served as an alderman for 12 years and was the city's mayor pro tem, chairing the city council during the mayor's absence. Hill served for two years, after being appointed to the council in 2011. Both aldermen were defeated in their 2013 election bids. Prior to recognition of the outgoing aldermen, the city council will consider approval of a resolution to apply for a state public transportation grant. Aldermen are also expected to vote on the purchase of public works equipment, the sale of two city-owned properties on East Street and on a bid for janitorial services. The council will be asked to approve special trash pickups through May 2 to help people get rid of material damaged during the recent flood. Final action may be taken on the city's proposed contract agreement with Macomb firefighters. With the adjournment of the current city council, Aldermen Dennis Moon, Clay Hinderliter, Ryan Hansen and Steve Wailand will take the oath of office. Aldermen Dave Dorsett
See MUSIC — A10
See MACOMB — A2
A flood warning for small streams in West Central Illinois, including southwestern McDonough County and the city of Carthage, was reported in effect until 10:30 a.m. today. The notice was as of press time Friday courtesy of the National Weather Service. Continuous rains since early Friday morning in addition to thunderstorms moving over the area were expected to flood low-lying areas, and potentially roads. Caution and preparedness was encouraged.
Western grad weekend May 10-12 MACOMB — Ceremonies recognizing the academic and personal accomplishments of Western Illinois University students and alumni will be held Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11, in Macomb during Western Illinois' 2013 Spring Commencement Weekend. More than 2,400 students are eligible to participate in all commencement ceremonies, including those held Sunday in the Quad Cities, according to a news release. Nearly 452 graduate-level students are eligible to participate in the Friday, May 10, ceremony in Macomb, including one candidate who will graduate with a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree. That student is Curtis Simonson of Pittsfield, Ill. About 1,948 students are eligible to participate in the undergraduate ceremonies May 11 in Macomb and May 12 in the Quad Cities. DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
Two individuals will receive Western Illinois' Distinguished Alumni Award. They are John See WIU — A3
INDEX Weather Calendar Obituaries Opinion Business Comics Astrograph Classifieds Sports
A2 A2 A3 A6 & A7 A8 & A9 B5 B7 B6 & B7 B1 - B8
PHOTOS BY JACKIE SMITH/THE VOICE
Western Illinois University junior Ashton Driscoll beats a drum and leads a group of adult seniors in a favorite hobbies song Thursday at McDonough District Hospital for its Day Health Program.
WIU students have last therapy session at MDH Day Health By Jackie Smith jsmith@McDonoughVoice.com
M
ACOMB — Nearly a dozen adult seniors sat in a semi-circle in the lowest level of a McDonough District Hospital building Thursday, each with a small drum in their lap. Western Illinois University junior Ashton Driscoll stood at the center holding a drum under her arm.
Carlene Simpson, 86, (right) laughs during Thursday’s music therapy session at MDH.
"So we've done this a couple times," she told the group. "We've done it with favorite foods, and our new theme is going to be our favorite hobby — of sorts." Driscoll was one of three WIU music therapy practicum students there
sung in decisive syllables to the beat of their drums. Sewing, horse riding, taking care of flowers, drinking Diet Pepsi — the song grew longer and the list of hobbies more diverse with each participant's turn. Kathy Wyatt, director
to interact with seniors in MDH's Day Health Program. Thursday was the students' last day to work with them, as they had nearly every week of the semester. The activity Driscoll led had each senior offer their favorite hobby, which was
STATE GOVERNMENT
Strong tax collections help make dent in bills By Doug Finke GateHouse News Service
SPRINGFIELD — A surge in state revenue during April allowed Illinois to pay a “voluminous” amount of overdue Medicaid bills, a new report says. However, the Commission on
Government Forecasting and Accountability said the revenue surge appears to be a one-time occurrence sparked by changes in federal tax laws and not an ongoing improvement in state tax collections. See TAXES — A5
City will meet again on downtown revitalization Tuesday ‘an additional opportunity to gain public insight,’ mayor says MACOMB — The Macomb City Council Committee of the Whole will meet Tuesday for a special meeting to discuss the ongoing courthouse square revitalization project.
Mayor Mike Inman said Friday that the entire meeting will give the city council an opportunity to discuss the project amongst themselves as a whole and with the engineers and consultants working on the project, as well as city residents. "Residents will be able to quesSee PROJECT — A2
Group hopes to restore historic Colchester barn Cost estimated at $60,000 By Lainie Steelman lsteelman @McDonoughVoice.com
COLCHESTER — A 1914 round barn on the National Register of Historic Places in need of structural repairs is getting a helping hand from a group of concerned residents. Jerry Roberts of Colchester organized an interest meeting Thursday night at Macomb's Old Bailey
House. The Clarence Kleinkopf Barn, located north of Colchester on the west side of Argyle Lake State Park, was placed on the National Register in 1982. According to minutes of the meeting released by Jerry Robert's son Cody, the group discussed what repairs the wood barn needs and possible fundraising avenues. The barn's roof needs to be replaced, some floor beams and shingles need replacing, and its exterior needs to be painted, and the cost is estimated to be
around $60,000. Jerry Roberts said Sherwin Williams has agreed to donate paint, Commercial Rental has offered to donate equipment and Macomb Glass offered to repair the barn's windows. The McDonough County Historic Preservation Society, a 501(3)C tax-exempt organization, has volunteered to accept donations for the barn repairs. The Colchester Area Historical Society's president and vice president, Alma Feathers and Gaylord MaSee BARN — A2
COURTESY PHOTO
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2013
www.mcdonoughvoice.com
VOL. 157, NO. 487
WIU GETS FIRST WIN OF YEAR IN HOME OPENER
$1.00
SPORTS, B1
MACOMB MAY SEND MORE AID TO TORNADO-RAVAGED TOWN INS IDE TO DAY
STATE EDUCATION OFFICIALS HOST HEARING
Area ag students a visible force COUNTY, A2
24 people signed up to speak Wednesday By Lainie Steelman lsteelman @McDonoughVoice.com
Police collect amenities for tornado victims
MACOMB — West-central Illinois residents had a chance this week to voice their concerns about education directly to the Illinois State Board Education. State education officials hosted a budget hearing
for fiscal year 2015 Wednesday afternoon at Macomb High School. Regional Office of Education #26 Superintendent John Meixner said it has been four years since ISBE last held one of its budget hearings in Macomb. "I've been trying to get this here for awhile," Meixner said about the
hearing. "I think the state board puts about six of these out statewide and the closest one to Macomb is in Champaign. And you just give people a chance to hear concerns about education funding." Meixner said ISBE officials take the testimony they hear very seriously. "The state board has
done a fantastic job of trying to advocate for more funding for schools, but it's just good to hear from different school programs," he said. "They have all the different regions that they try to go to in the state, and they get a feel for what the issues are in the state and what the priorities are." On Wednesday, 24 people signed up to speak See ISBE — A2
OPINION, A4
Take another walk with Patrick Stout in his latest column STATE, A8
Frese returns to politics — this time for state House
“ I couldn’t believe that this had happened. It was such a terrible thing, and I think history was probably changed in a matter of a second.”
"It's a good day for people to reflect on President Kennedy and the things that he did for the country, and the sacrifices his family made over the years."
—Mary Stipanowich, a 66-year Macomb resident
—State Rep. Norine Hammond, R-Macomb
50 Years Later Longtime Macomb residents recall the day JFK was assassinated
NEWS, A3
County board upholds chairman term limit By Patrick Stout pstout@McDonoughVoice.com
MACOMB — A more than 30-year-old rule limiting the McDonough County Board chairman to four two-year terms was upheld Wednesday when opponents could not muster the two-thirds majority needed to amend the county policy. There were 11 board members voting to repeal the term limit, six voting to retain it, and three members absent. See COUNTY — A2
$640,000 slated for lighting system at airport Capital investment expected to pay for itself in a decade
By Nick Draper
EXCLUSIVES
By Nick Draper
ndraper@McDonoughVoice.com
ndraper@McDonoughVoice.com
and Jackie Smith jsmith@McDonoughVoice.com
COMING IN PRINT
More on JFK ■ Columnist and historian John Hallwas delves even more into the president’s assassination from a local standpoint. Watch for it Saturday.
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Multimedia ■ Check out the latest
sports photo galleries and news videos posted this week. Find these at www.mcdonoughvoice.com.
I
t's been a common question uttered for decades: Where were you when John F. Kennedy was shot? And for many longtime residents of Macomb, some of whom were here on Nov. 22, 1963, the assassination of the 35th U.S. president has served as a tragic, but vivid memory. Fifty years ago today, JFK was killed by an assassin's bullets during his motorcade's trek through Dallas, Texas. He'd been the youngest president elected, and he became the youngest killed in less than one term. Mary Stipanowich, a Macomb resident of 66 years, was 41 when JFK was assassinated. A teacher and a homemaker, she was watching television when the news came on and said that the president had been shot. “My mother and my son, who was 4 at the time, were watching,” Sti-
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
See AIRPORT — A3
STATE PENSIONS
See JFK — A2
5
EXCLAIMER
Note to readers: The McDonough County Voice has experienced some recent issues with its phone system. Those calling in who face issues at 309-833-2114 are encouraged to call 309-833-2345.
INDEX Weather Calendar Obituaries Opinion Lifestyle Religion Comics Astrograph Classifieds Sports
A2 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 & A7 B5 B7 B6 & B7 B1 - B8
BEST BETS THIS WEEKEND p.m., Sunday, First Presbyterian Church, 400 E. Carroll St. Soup & More is an ecumenical food ministryaddressing food insecurity in the McDonough County area. Open food pantry during dinner hours.
1
Macomb Prairieland Chorus presents “Celebrate Harmony” 45th anniversary show, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Fellheimer Auditorium, Macomb High School. Tickets are $10 at the door. All proceeds will go to the Macomb High School Choral Program.
2
Book discussion and signing off Bruce Morton’s book of art photography, “Forgottonia,” 10:30 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m., Saturday, New Copperfield’s Book Service, 120
4
VOICE FILE PHOTO
Volunteers at the July Soup and More free dinner. N. Side Square, Macomb. After showing his awardwinning work around the world, Morton has returned to west-central Illinois, where he grew up. “Forgottonia” records everyday life and
AROUND TOWN
MACOMB — A $640,000 capital investment into a construction project at the Macomb Municipal Airport will update the airport’s 25-year-old lighting system. The new system will upgrade the old lights to a state-of-the-art LED system that is estimated to pay for itself in around 10 years, according Bill Butcher, co-chairman of the Macomb Airport Authority. “This will also bring our lighting up to present federal standards,” Butcher
surroundings of endangered small towns and rural life-style of the surrounding area known satirically as Forgottonia.
3
Soup and More free dinner, 4-6
YMCA of McDonough County/Senior Center, holiday bazaar and bake sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., today, YMCA Senior Center at 400 E. Calhoun St. Door prizes. Bake sale proceeds benefit the senior center’s hot meal program. Western Illinois University Women’s Basketball versus Loyola-Chicago, 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Western Hall.
5
To submit your town photos send to jsmith@McDonoughVoice.com.
Unions plan 'emergency days' for lobbying lawmakers By Kerry Lester Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois' biggest public employee unions are planning a concerted lobbying push to oppose a developing plan to deal with the state's $100 billion pension crisis. The "We are One Coalition," which represents the state's major public employee unions, sent an email to members Tuesday about "emergency call-in days" next week and Dec. 2-3.
See UNIONS — A8
SOUTH FULTON FACES ARCOLA IN FIRST ROUND
SPORTS B1
CLARIFICATIONS SOUGHT FROM TOPINKA’S FORMER NONPROFIT
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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2014
INS IDE TO DAY
Vol. 157, No. 721
NEWS, A9
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The bug you
LOCAL, A3
won’t see coming
Final vote scheduled on Outskirts liquor license
As the Emerald Ash Borer inches toward Macomb, officials urge prevention
OPINION, A4
By Nick Draper Staff Reporter
Hallwas: Our place, my quest, and the novel ‘Raintree County’
IN THE KNOW JACKIE SMITH/THE VOICE
Cross opposes income tax hike extension By Doug Finke GateHouse Media Illinois
SPRINGFIELD — Republican state treasurer candidate Tom Cross said Thursday that he remains opposed to an extension of the state income tax hike or a new sales tax on services, despite recent statements by Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce See CROSS — A9
EXCLUSIVES
COMING IN PRINT
Weekend features ■ Watch for photos and
feature coverage of this weekend’s WIU Zombie 5K at Spring Lake.
ONLY ON THE WEB
WIU instructor Paul Blome (middle) displays the "opposite leaf arrangement" ash trees have. He said being able to identify ash trees is important to prevent its arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer. Also pictured are samples of bark killed by the borer. Larvae feeds upon ash trees from the inside first, leaving a trail on the inside of the bark (top) and a D-shaped hole visible from the outside (bottom).
MCDONOUGH CO. — With the recent appearance of the Emerald Ash Borer in Warren County, the migration of the pest to McDonough County will inevitably happen soon, according to local officials. However, Macomb Forester Tim Howe said the city has done well to brace for the impact by implementing programs to counter the pest since as early as 2002. “In Macomb, we’re in pretty good shape,” Howe said. “That’s not to say the ash borer won’t come to Macomb, because it will. I don’t think the impact will be as great as some of the other communities. … In 2002, we stopped
planting ash trees and as a result of that we have a comparatively low number of ash trees along our city streets.” The ash borer, or A. Planipennis, is an Asian beetle that feeds upon ash trees during its larval stage. An infestation is fatal to ash trees, Howe explained and, in some communities around Chicago where ash trees make up nearly 40 percent of the tree population, there can be large budgeting impacts. Ash trees are desirable for their adaptability in soil as well as its beautiful fall colors, Howe said. Macomb’s ash trees make up less than 9 percent of its population and less than 7 percent of its
videos and photo galleries from both news and sports events around town. Find these at www.mcdonoughvoice.com.
INDEX Weather Calendar Obituaries Opinion Lifestyle Business Comics Astrograph Classifieds Sports
A2 A2 A3 A4 - A5 A6 - A7 A10 - A11 B5 B7 B6 - B7 B1 - B8
street tree population. The city has been proactively removing ash trees for the last two or three years that were in poor condition or in poor locations. With the EAB so close to McDonough County, officials say the removal will be accelerated. For those that cannot be removed, for historical, sentimental or aesthetic reasons, a
See EAB — A8
Race for state treasurer
Frerichs: End political budget gridlock, audit office By Jackie Smith Editor
MACOMB — In the final days of what has been a reportedly tight race, the Democratic candidate for Illinois treasurer is carrying the same tune over what he says his actions in office would be starting on day one. State Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Champaign, mingled with McDonough County Democrats Thursday night at local party headquarters in downtown Macomb with a short list of primary goals in tow — to audit the treasurer's office, make that study public and end the state budget gridlock. A recent Chicago Tribune poll put Frerich's opponent, Tom Cross, a House Republican from Oswego with 20-plus years in office, mar-
McDonoughVoice.com — Frerichs’ GOP opponent Tom Cross was tentatively expected to talk with media today in Macomb. Check online this weekend for more to this story.
ginally over the downstate Democrat with a respective 38 and 34 percent of choice from those surveyed. The two have engaged in somewhat contentious rhetoric over multiple areas of the position of treasurer, left vacant this election by Dan Rutherford, who'd unsuccessfully run for the GOP gubernatorial spot in the March primaries. Frerichs said his opponent "likes to grab headlines" in reference to Cross' previous comments on his willingness to sue the state legislature and governor to See RACE — A12
JACKIE SMITH/THE VOICE
John Miller, an associate communication professor at Western Illinois University and University Professionals of Illinois, Local 4100, union president, speaks to local residents at McDonough County Democratic headquarters Thursday while state Sen. Mike Frerichs (left), state treasurer candidate, watches on.
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SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2014 Vol. 157, No. 591 $1.25
e-regulating? As laws ramp up, much may be left to discover about electronic cigarettes By Nick Draper Staff Reporter
T
he Food and Drug Administration has imposed regulations on electronic cigarettes following pressure from Congress. Under the new regulation, sale of ecigarettes would be prohibited to those under the age of 18, and would require identification to purchase the products, regulations already imposed in several states, according to the Associated Press. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D. Ill., revealed the results of a congressional investigation into the marketing of electronic cigarettes on April 14. During his unveiling, Durbin referred to the devices as “a candy-flavored addiction, which is dangerous to our young people across America.” Durbin called upon the FDA to up regulation regarding tobacco use, including e-cigs, citing this report as evidence that the companies behind electronic cigarettes are attempting to lure children into
nicotine addiction. The report, produced by the efforts of 12 democrats including Durbin and U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., found that companies offer a variety of flavors, advertise during kid-friendly events and pay celebrities to be seen with the product. Steven Dworkin, a professor in the Department of Psychology at Western Illinois University, has been heavily involved
CITY OF MACOMB
New plan of action recommended for Adams Street work By Patrick Stout Correspondent
MACOMB — The city council's public works committee voted Friday that Macomb go ahead with its own money and reconstruct West Adams Street from Lafayette to Johnson Streets. The Illinois Department of Transportation turned down a request for an additional $1.3 million that would have paid for the work to extend from
Lafayette to Charles streets. Alderman Dennis Moon, the public works chairman, said this week's announcement of funding for a performing arts center at Western Illinois University makes it even more important to improve Adams Street as a community gateway to the campus. In addition to a second phase of construction from Johnson to Charles streets, See MACOMB — A2
STATE GOVERNMENT
See E-CIGS — A2
Term limit issues may be tricky for Quinn Republicans step up efforts to cap lawmakers’ time By Sophia Tareen Associated Press
CHICAGO — Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn distinguished himself early in his political career as a fighter for term limits, but this election year it's Illinois Republicans who are championing efforts to cap lawmakers' time in office. The proposals — including a legislative one this
week — have put Quinn in a tricky spot ahead of November when he'll ask voters for a second full term after rising to the office from lieutenant governor. Over the years he's painted himself as outsider and known for embracing such populist ideas but Republican businessman Bruce Rauner has seized the issue and criticized Quinn's commitment. At the same time, term limit proposals don't have backing from top Democrats and Quinn has
Student pathologist Jennifer Cockshott observes patient Phil Bell through an exercise meant to practice cognition this week at the WIU SpeechLanguageHearing Clinic.
Meeting ‘a necessity’ Finding adult patients a challenge for WIU clinic By Nick Draper Staff Reporter
MACOMB — Patient Phil Bell scanned the staggered lines of a sheet made to practice cognition one day this week, reading carefully and deliberately as he went. Formerly a pastor, Bell suffered a stroke in January 2012. The damage
affected the left side of his body, making speech extremely difficult and giving him a mild case of aphasia. “What I found with my stroke, everything you do is a lot of work,” Bell said. “You take it for granted, talking and drinking and eating. But when you’ve had a stroke like mine, in the right hemisphere of my brain, everything becomes work. So you really have to concentrate on it.” Bell’s insurance had a cap on the
Arbor Day events COMING
■ Notice newly-planted
IN PRINT
trees? We’ll have more from Friday commemorations.
INDEX Calendar Opinion Lifestyle Business Comics Astrograph Classifieds Sports
A2 A4 - A9 A6 - A7 A10 - A11 B4 B7 B5 - B7 B1 - B8
WEATHER
Today HIGH LOW
76 50
Sunday HIGH LOW
76 61
See LIMIT — A12
NICK DRAPER/ THE VOICE
See CLINIC — A5
AROUND TOWN
INSIDE TODAY
See something newsworthy? Submit your town photos to jsmith@McDonoughVoice.com
More than $125 in coupons and savings; State grant offered to protect trees, A3
Watch our video! ■ Gov. Quinn stopped at WIU
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this week. Watch his address.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2013
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VOL. 157, NO. 479
STOUT ON MCT’S ‘CEMETERY CLUB’
$1.00
OPINION, A4
PAISLEY RUNS PERSONAL BEST IN ALL-STATE
SPORTS, B1
INS IDE TO DAY
MACOMB ALTRUSA BAZAAR
LIFESTYLE, A5
Reasons to shop vary for attendees Area residents look over variety of booths By Jackie Smith jsmith@McDonoughVoice.com
Blandinsville native honored for military promotion EXCLUSIVES
MACOMB — For as many vendors that set up shop at this weekend's Macomb Altrusa Bazaar, there were reasons for attendees to come and peruse their booths. Many of individuals walking at Macomb Junior-Senior High School on Saturday maintained they
were "just browsing," as did Beth Lindsey, who hurried through the halls passed a variety of tables with her mother and daughter. One of the tables they passed was sprawled with colorful ornaments, most of which were holidaymade by themed, Blandinsville craftswoman Peg Calvert of A Long Came a Spider. Within the
last hour of the bazaar, Calvert said she'd done well that day. "It's all polymer clay. There's some beads for the eyes and wire, and that's it," she said waving her hand over rows of her ornaments. "(Customers) like to have them personalized so it fits their (theme)." Standing by her table See BAZAAR — A2
JACKIE SMITH/THE VOICE
Pat Miller (center) and her granddaughter Avery Eddington look over crafted ornaments during Saturday’s Macomb Altrusa Bazaar.
COMING IN PRINT
City Council ■ Macomb aldermen meet for their committee of the whole meeting today. Find out more.
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Multimedia ■ Watch for our Veterans
Day video and photo galleries from weekend sporting events.
More than just words
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IN THE KNOW
Desperate survivors seek to flee typhoon zone Associated Press
TACLOBAN, Philippines — Thousands of typhoon survivors swarmed the airport here on Tuesday seeking a flight out, but only a few hundred made it, leaving behind a shattered, rainlashed city short of food and water and littered with countless bodies. Four days after Typhoon Haiyan struck the eastern Philippines, only a trickle of assistance has made to affected communities. Authorities estimated the storm killed 10,000 or more across a vast swath of the country. Millions are without shelter or food. Tacloban, a city of about 220,000 people on Leyte island, bore the full force of the winds and the tsunami-like storm surges. Most of the city is in ruins, a tangled mess See FLEE — A8
INDEX Weather Calendar Obituaries Opinion Lifestyle Agriculture Home Improve. Comics Astrograph Classifieds Sports
A2 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 B5 B7 B6 & B7 B1 - B8
Local services share gratitude for veterans By Jackie Smith jsmith@McDonoughVoice.com
and Nick Draper ndraper@McDonoughVoice.com
G
ratitude wasn't a concept easily expressed in words on Monday. Rather, it was something shown — in moments of silence, with the mounting of flags or a round of "Taps" — at Veterans Day services across the area. Services were held at Western Illinois University, at the Macomb VFW and in Bushnell's VFW Park, among other community events. "Veterans do not take life for granted. They know and understand the 'duty' and 'sacrifice' are more than just words," Calvin Smith, president of WIU's Veterans Club, told a group gathered in front of Sherman Hall. "Veterans love this country more deeply than anyone else can understand, they know the true cost of freedom, and they know and remember the names and faces and the hearts of the men and women that have paid for it." As Smith, a WIU senior, and others spoke, across town VFW ComSee VETS — A2
Goodies for vets DAR chapter passes out 65 bags at local nursing homes By Lainie Steelman lsteelman @McDonoughVoice.com
MACOMB — The General Macomb Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on Monday afternoon passed out 65 bags of goodies to veterans in eight McDonough County nursing homes. Chapter Treasurer Barbara Stein said it was the second year the chapter has
AROUND TOWN
handed out the bags, which contained candy and a few useful items such as soap or shampoo. "It was so rewarding last year," Stein said. "We always take up a collection each year for the Quincy Veterans Home, but I thought it would be nice to keep some money in the county." Along with giving out the bags on Veterans Day, the General Macomb Chapter of the DAR continued its tradition of making a donation to the Quincy Veterans Home.
To submit your town photos send to jsmith@McDonoughVoice.com.
Betty Kasper (left), regent of the General Macomb Chapter of the DAR, and member Joan Mapes give a treat bag to Wesley Village resident Harold Horwedel, 84, who served as a U.S. Army master sergeant during the Korean War.
LAINIE STEELMAN/ THE VOICE
More
than
$1O4UP3ONS
Inside > — WIU Fallen Soldiers 5K set for Oct. 18, page A6
IN C VINGS A AND S TODAY E INSID
DOWNTOWN OFFICE SUPPLY STORE TO CLOSE
THE WEEKENDER
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2014
BUSINESS, A12
Vol. 157, No. 697
$1.25
Shifting
Ill. Supreme Court
Arguments over third trial for Belknap considered
standards Districts grapple with adapting to Common Core By Lainie Steelman Reporter/Lifestyle Editor
MCDONOUGH COUNTY — Just as Illinois school districts are starting to get relief from the federal mandate No Child Left Behind in the form of a state waiver, they are grappling with a new imposition: Common Core. Since Common Core learning standards were adopted by the Illinois State Board of Education, the impact has touched everything from curriculum to instruction to school district budgets. "As a district our teachers are in a constant state of flux trying to respond to the never-ending mandates implemented at the state and federal level, all while the needs of our students increase," Superintendent Kathy Dinger said of the impact on BushnellPrairie City Schools. "The CCSS, while promoting great instruction and skills for students, are straining already diminished district resources." West Prairie Superintendent Jonathan Heerboth also said teachers are working harder than ever before, but the curriculum material being used
Counsel again debates alleged judicial error, balance of evidence By Jackie Smith Editor
Galesburg kindergartner Jacob Leonard (left) uses scissors to cut out numbered squares during the math portion of class on Wednesday. STEVE DAVIS/GATEHOUSE MEDIA
GOP lines up against new standards By Marty Hobe GateHouse Media Illinois
Teacher Sandra Teel (center, main) works with second-graders Wednesday at West Prairie North Elementary School. ABOVE: Informational material for parents sits on Teel's desk.
GALESBURG — Illinois has entered its second school year with the new Common Core standards in place, and because of a broken state education funding formula, it appears it’s here to stay. Republican local lawmakers are concerned about the implications of the new system. Democrats say the law was just put in place, and it needs time to gain momentum.
LAINIE STEELMAN/THE VOICE
See CORE — A10
See SHIFT — A2
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Supreme Court is mulling over arguments — heard eight years nearly to the day this month since a local 5-year-old girl was first hospitalized with fatal injuries — over whether the now twice-convicted former boyfriend of the girl’s mother should get another trial. Daniel Belknap was found guilty of first-degree murder in the September 2006 beating death of thengirlfriend Erin Yocum's daughter, Silven, before an appellate court overturned the second conviction in November last year for the same alleged procedural error as the first — that jurors hadn’t been properly been informed of reasonable doubt for lack of compliance with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 431 (b). At the end of 2013, the state appellate prosecutor’s office, with McDonough County's state’s attorney See BELKNAP — A3
BWP team reflects on 'the winning side of things' By Lainie Steelman Reporter/Lifestyle Editor
BUSHNELL — When the West Prairie and BushnellPrairie City high schools formed a sports cooperative last year, student voting resulted in a new mascot, the SparClone. The controversial mascot, which features the B-PC Spartan twirling out of a West Prairie Cyclone, provoked ridicule and two petitions demanding the BWP sports coop rethink the idea. But the joke's on the haters: Pre-Homecoming, the SparClones were 3-1 this season. With their first win, 19-6 against West Central, the BWP
COMING IN PRINT
INDEX Calendar Opinion Lifestyle Business Comics Astrograph Classifieds Sports
A2 A4 & A9 A6 - A7 A12 - A13 B5 B7 B6 - B7 B1 - B8
WEATHER
Today HIGH LOW
82 54
Sunday HIGH LOW
82 54
SparClones ended West Prairie's 38-game losing streak and B-PC's 25-game losing streak. The SparClones beat Beardstown 34-6 on Sept. 20. That win didn't sit well with Beardstown coach Tyler Buhlig, who after the game confronted BWP Coach Roy Gully III and accused him of "running up the score." Friday they were set to take on the Elmwood-Brimfield Trojans at Western Illinois University's Hanson Field. But win or lose, one point still stood out. No one's laughing now. "Honestly, we didn't think about it when we were prac-
ticing or anything like that. I know there's even guys on the team that were like, 'Our mascot's dumb,' but nobody's laughing now," Gully said of the SparClone backlash during a practice on Wednesday afternoon. "They really aren't. The first couple places we went to on the road and you get people, 'What is a SparClone?,' but when you associate any mascot with people who are winning, then they respect it. So bottom line is everybody respects it now, so we don't even think about it." Varsity running back Chase Malott, 17, a B-PC senior, characterized this season as "exSee BWP — B3
Inside> —Results of Friday’s BWP loss at Hanson Field.
LAINIE STEELMAN/THE VOICE
A SparClone-themed float makes its wait through Friday’s Homecoming parade in Bushnell.
Corn husking!
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INSIDE TODAY
Homecoming
■ We’ll have coverage of Sunday’s state contest just south of Roseville.
See something newsworthy? Submit your town photos to jsmith@McDonoughVoice.com
Hallwas talks local medical heritage, A4; Man offers to match $1K for HSMC, A11
■ See more photos than above from the parade.
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