Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 3

Be prepared 50 Decatur ministers will preach Sunday about the importance of educationA4 Macon County readies for mass vaccination drillSunday Local I I tsau Questions or comments regarding (EDaoQulhf wamtfis i 421-6973 THE ISSUER Tracking the news Disaster fund The latest Macon County State's Attorney Jack Ahola raises concerns about spending guidelines for the fund. What's next The proposal has been tabled, pending further study by the Macon County Board. the full board on Thursday he was tabling the resolution until questions about it could be answered. Earlier Thursday, Ahola had issued a memorandum to board Chairman David Wolfe, D-Oakley, and Sampson, expressing concern that the resolution gives the board chairman "or his or her designee" Board chairman authority questioned By MARY 1ALLDN Staff Writer DECATUR The Macon County Board postponed voting on guidelines for a special disaster fund after State's Attorney Jack Ahola raised questions about the propriety of plans for how the fund could be spent. Earlier this month, the board's finance committee had approved a resolution specifying uses of the county's $500,000 Disaster Contingency Fund.

An opinion from the Illinois Attorney General's Office in August said a clarification for the intent of the this section? Contact Night Editor John Reidy at fund was necessary, because the county would be acting improperly if it used the fund for expenses other than disaster response, such as compensation for disaster victims. The county set up the fund using proceeds from the quarter-cent law enforcement and public safety tax. The resolution stated the fund should be used only for costs such as overtime pay, special equipment or other law enforcement and emergency management expenses associated with responding to a disaster. The resolution also stated the fund could only be spent after the chairman of the board declared a disaster situation exists in Macon County. But Finance Committee Chairman Bob Sampson, D-Decatur, told VETERANS DAY run -4 n't do that much for them," said Regan McKittrick, 9.

"I mean, we did a program, but they did so much. They risked their lives, and I'm very thankful for that." Every child wore a red T-shirt with "Got Freedom?" printed on the front, and on the back "Thank a Veteran!" For this, the sixth annual celebration, the gymnasium was full. Navy Air Corps veteran Sid Rotz told the assembly, "I can't tell you how much I appreciate you remembering us. Believe you me, we will never forget you." Lutheran School Association in Decatur also presented a Veterans Day unveils sculpture strong 1 .4 AT I Hi mi i ri -3 News from Central Illinois DECATUR Veterans ride buses free Veterans ride for free on the Decatur Public Transit System on Veterans Day. Veterans can ride on all buses and all routes today if they present proof of past or current military service.

Acceptable proof includes a DD214 discharge card, a discharge card issued by the county recorder, a Veterans Affairs health care card, a military ID card or a membership card from a veterans organization. Auxiliary cards are not acceptable. OECATUS Richland board nominations Nominating petitions for election to the Richland Community College board are available. The petitions can be obtained from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday the days classes are in session in the board secretary's office, Room N108 at Richland Community College. The papers can be filed Monday, Jan. 29, through Friday, Feb. 2, and Monday, Feb. 5, during business hours.

Feb. 5 is the last day to file petitions. A statement of economic interest must be filed with the Macon County Clerk's Office. The positions are two full six-year terms. The election will be Tuesday, April 17.

mmmm Blood pressure check St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital will be conducting blood pressure screenings 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at the Effingham Senior Center and 11 to 11 :30 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 15, at the Altamont Municipal Building.

For more information, call 347-1529. mmm Candlelight Tour canceled The annual Candlelight Tour at Homestead Prairie Farm scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 18, has been canceled due to ongoing restoration work. The circa 1860 Trobaugh-Good House, one of Macon County's oldest houses and the centerpiece of Homestead Prairie Farm museum at Rock Springs Conservation Area, is undergoing several restoration projects. The work should be finished by early spring.

DECA3TIR American Education Week Regional superintendents of schools John McNary and Dick Shelby announced American Education Week will be Nov. 12 to 18. Tuesday, Nov. 14, will be National Invite Parents to School Day, while Nov. 15 is will recognize education support personnel.

Friday, Nov. 17 celebrates substitute educators. mmm Brozio Lane to be closed Brozio Lane will be closed at Near-ing Lane from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov.

14, for crossroad culvert replacement, according to the Macon County Highway Department. Thanksgiving traditions Usually, Thanksgiving Day centers on family. The morning starts with watching parades, aromas from the kitchen fill the entire house and then there is football. The Herald Review would like to hear about your family's traditional Thanksgiving Day and what special things you do or preparations made before the holiday. Please contact Sheila Smith at or call 421-7963.

CORRECTIONS In Nov. 9 obituaries for CBS News correspondent Ed Bradley, The Associated Press erroneously reported the time of his heart bypass surgery. It was in April 2003, not in the past year. Tickets for the annual community Thanksgiving luncheon cost $18. The cost was incorrect in the story "Chamber to unveil new program at Thanksgiving" in Friday's Herald Review.

The newspaper erred. -pJ 1 Herald Review photosLisa Morrison ABOVE: Eighth-grader Josh Ryan had several parts Friday in the veterans Day observance at the Lutheran School Association. He played the tuba in the band and also read his award-winning essay on the theme 'Freedom isn't BELOW: Isabella Salefski receives an award for her Veterans Day artwork. All the children wore a flag on their clothing for the occasion. the authority to immediately spend from the fund during a disaster.

The spending is "subject to later approval by the Macon County Board," but Ahola wrote to Wolfe and Sampson that this aspect of the resolution required further study. "What happens if the County Board disapproves of the action, but payment has already been made based on the County Board chairman's authorization?" Ahola wrota "Do we ask for a refund?" Ahola also said study was necessary to determine if giving the board chairman the power to both declare disaster and spend from the disaster fund was any violation of the law or a "business judgment rule." Mary Tallon can be reached at mtallon or 421-7984. Beating nets mob action charges Attack allegedly tied to shooting By RON INGRAM Staff Writer DECATUR Four Decatur men are charged with one count of felony mob action in Macon County Circuit Court in connection with their alleged beating of three other males on Sept. 20 at 16th and Vander-hoof streets. The assault allegedly is connected to the Sept.

7 shooting of Jeremiah Maclin, 19, who died the next day from a bullet wound to the base of his skull. Charged are N'taka L. Bobbitt, 18; Gregory D. Kennedy, 18; Selly X. Tulli-son, 17; and Stashaun L.

Wheeler, 19. Wheeler failed to appear Nov. 1 for arraignment on the charges, and a no-bond arrest warrant was issued for him. Bobbitt is jailed under a $50,000 bond and Kennedy under a $15,000 bond. Tullison is free after posting $750 cash bail on his $7,500 bond.

All but Wheeler have had their preliminary hearings on the charge. Associate Judge Timothy Steadman said he found probable cause to believe they could have committed the alleged acts. He set Bobbitt and Kennedy's pretrial hearings for Nov. 20 and Tullison's pretrial hearing for Dec. 18.

In a sworn statement filed in court, police detective Frank Hubbard said the three beating victims, ages 20, 18 and 17, told police they were punched and kicked by a group of men who drove up in a green van and a tan car in what they believed was a coordinated attack. He said the victims identified Bobbitt, Tullison and Wheeler as among those who attacked them. A male juvenile also was among the assailants, the victims said, and that person fired what appeared to be a revolver into the air while shouting something similar to "On my dead cousin Jeremiah Maclin," Hubbard said. The 20-year-old victim said he was punched in the head by a man wearing brass knuckles, Hubbard said. Although that man and the 17-year-old complained of pain, both declined medical treatment, he said.

Ron Ingram can be reached at or 421-7973. Blue Mound, Lutheran School students thank heroes program on Friday, with readings from student essays, performances from the choral and instrumental groups, a dramatic choral reading from the drama club and guest speakers. Frank Whitehead, a Vietnam War Air Force veteran who was introduced by his first-grade grandson, Jacob, said he was "just an average guy" who served his country alongside many others just like him. "Prayer was important to us," he said. "We always knew the Lord was our companion everywhere we went." Mayor Paul Osborne told the veterans they're his heroes.

Sometimes, he said, everyone has a hard time connecting patriotism and Veterans Day with real people, but he wears a flag pin on his lapel to honor his son, Lt. Col. Fred Osborne, who is serving in Baghdad, Iraq. "Nothing irritates me more than someone who would demean the service of our veterans," Osborne said. "You are the bravest and the brightest we have.

On this Veterans Day, we need to remember the fight goes on." Valerie Wells can be reached at vwelb or 421-7982. Feelinffs By VALERIE WELLS Staff Writer BLUE MOUND As Meridian Intermediate School fourth-graders sang their closing number, "God Bless the USA," at their annual Veterans Day event on Friday, members of the audience rose to their feet spontaneously at the line, "I'll stand up next to you and defend her still today." "Our favorite song was the last one," said Dalton Collins, 9. "We really meant it when we sang it." More than one person in the audience was touched to tears by the children's presentation. "I never get tired of hearing that song. Never," said Principal Paul Carlton.

The four fourth-grade teachers, Gay Clark, Linda Sargent, Cyndi Selby and Christina Field, organized the breakfast and program. Veterans and those currently serving in the military were invited to be honored and personally thanked by the children, who served breakfast and presented each veteran with a thank-you gift. "I felt heart-joyful, because the veterans did so much for us and we did- Mi. Zion Township By MARY TALLON Staff Writer MOUNT ZION Just in time for Veterans Day, a sculpture depicting a soldier created by a local art teacher was put on display Friday. Bob Dondeville, a Vietnam veteran and Mount Zion High School teacher, has been working several years to create a series of wax relief sculptures for a veterans monument and raise funds for their display.

Dondeville initially had planned to donate the project to the school, but a conflict with the school board in March resulted in Mount Zion the work the existing at streets. Spence workers a pillar in sculptures The plan to be central scenes World War, the the Gulf Owner the at vets monument Dondeville said having the first piece of his project, which depicts a Vietnam veteran, in place for Veterans Day made the accomplishment that much sweeter. He said he hopes the sculpture helps those who visit it to get a better sense of what military service means. "It makes me proud to be an American and to be a veteran helping these young people and older veterans tell the story for those who can't," Dondeville said. Mary Tallon can be reached at or 421-7984.

on the original monument at the site a few years ago and cooperated with Dondeville to incorporate his sculptures seamlessly into the granite memorial. Mount Zion Township Trustee Ron Johnson said no taxpayer money was put toward the project, but he and the board were thankful Dondeville had chosen to share his art with the community. "We feel very blessed and honored that he selected us to be able to display that," Johnson said. "And we just thought it was a really good fit with the existing veterans monument." Township receiving instead. The township board agreed to display project around an veterans monument Main and Bell Monument Co.

on Friday erected containing the first Dondeville's series of cast in bronze. is for five pillars placed around the monument depicting from World War War II, the Korean Vietnam War and War. Dan Spence said company had worked.