Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 3

Community awareness Take Back the Night calls attention to child and sexual abuse Friday Local News from Central Illinois DECATUR 0pinionA4 Wayside, Ailphin street work Wayside and Ailphin avenues will be closed, weather permitting, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Friday, April 15, at Mitchel Road for Questions or comments regarding this section? Contact Night Editor John Reidy at 421-6973 Some Christopher Hamm, Austin Brown, and Kyleigh Hamm, 23 months. The children died after the car in which they were seated sank into Clinton Lake. The state seeks to prove LaGrone and his former girlfriend, Amanda Hamm, the children's mother, conspired to kill the youngsters.

"I'm concerned that opinions will be solicited from witnesses or, more importantly, that they will volunteer their opinions," Justice said. Special prosecutor Roger Simpson agreed witnesses will be interviewed in advance and instructed to By RON INGRAM Staff Writer CLINTON Prosecutors and attorneys for Maurice LaGrone charged with capital murder in the drowning of three children in September 2003, quickly reached agreement Wednesday during a hearing on motions to limit certain testimony at trial. Defense counsel Jeff Justice and Tom Griffith of Decatur filed motions that sought to exclude opinions expressed by two specific people, as well as lay witnesses in general, during conversations they had with law enforcement officers investigating the deaths of said the prosecution had no intention of calling as witnesses some of the people about whom the defense expressed concern The prosecution will call between 30 and 40 witnesses at trial, Parkinson said. The pretrial schedule in DeWitt County Circuit Court also calls for an April 21 hearing to determine admissibility of scientific evidence both sides seek to introduce, though the state will not have all of its necessary witnesses present that day. Ron Ingram can be reached at or 421-7973.

THE ISSUER Tracking the news Clinton drownings The latest Attorneys agree to limit certain testimony of witnesses at Maurice LaGrone triple murder trial. What's next A DeWitt County Circuit Court pretrial hearing is set for April 21 answer only the questions asked of them and not to volunteer their opinions, conclusions or information not pertaining directly to a question. "Anything witnesses see, they can testify to," said Circuit Judge Stephen Peters. "A witness cannot testify as to someone's state of mind." LaGrone's trial could start in June and will be in Champaign County, where Peters moved it in an effort to obtain an unbiased jury. Peters is expected to discuss setting the trial date at an April 22 hearing to set a date by which the names of expert witnesses for both sides will be revealed.

Special prosecutor Ed Parkinson said following the hearings that the motions applied to items the prosecution could not have gotten into evidence because of legal rules. He ILLINOIS AVIATION CONFERENCE crossroad culvert replacements. DECATUR Weekend bond court dosed The public will no longer be admitted to the Macon County Courts Facility on weekends and holidays to witness the proceedings in bond court, Sheriff Jerry Dawson said Wednesday. Security concerns caused Dawson to consult with Presiding Circuit Judge John K. Greanias, who concurred in the sheriff's suggestion the public be barred from proceedings where people who have been recently arrested come before a judge to have their bond set.

"I only had a sergeant and a correctional officer in the courtroom, and the people coming in weren't being screened in advance," Dawson said. "Anyone wanting to find out about a person's bond can go to the jail lobby on the second floor of the Law Enforcement Center." Notice of the policy will be posted today, and it will take effect Saturday, Dawson said. OfABUESTOtl City removes mobile homes City crews have begun removing vacant mobile homes from property across the street from the Coles County Fairgrounds. City Planner Jeff Finley said Matt Demolition of Charleston was hired to remove more than 20 trailers, many with siding stripped and insulation exposed, from the former Timberwoods Mobile Home Community, 125 St. Finley said the contractors began working at the site last week, and the city hopes to have most of the demolition work done by the end of this week.

DECftUR Gardening workshop A gardening workshop will be 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 16, at Rock Springs Center. Horticulturist Dave McLaughlin of Richland Community College will share techniques and tricks for a successful flower garden. The fee is $15. Call 423-7708 to make a reservation or for more information.

mount mu Sparkle and Shine Day The village of Mount Zion is hosting Sparkle and Shine Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Village residents can discard their large items at the township garage on North Main Street. No chemicals, tires, household garbage, fencing, wire or yard waste.

But appliances with Freon drained and removed will be accepted. A truck from the Salvation Army will be available from 9 a.m. to noon to pick up donated items. For more information, call 864-5424. DECATUR Hubbell fund-raiser A fund-raising dinner for Kathleen Hubbell will be from 5 to 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 16, in Prairie Avenue Christian Church. She was involved in a head-on auto accident Jan. 14, which left her wheelchair-bound with years of physical therapy ahead. Dinner funds will help build a wheelchair ramp and assist in paying medical expenses. Call 428-3327.

CORRECTIONS Information about eligibility for the Battle of the Bands was incorrect in Wednesday's page A3 story, "Spring Fling new fund-raiser for Celebration." All band members must be younger than 20. The newspaper erred. In a Sunday page B1 story titled "Car cruise sets up in Decatur," admission information was incorrect. The cruise-in is free. Admission to the performance by Barry Bolsen and The Broadway Boogie Band is $10 for spectators and $5 for cruisers who have registered.

The newspaper erred. Herald ReviewKelly J. Huff Michael Buss, marketing highway division representative for Fahrner Asphalt Sealers talks Wednesday with Brandon Beck, an engineer with Hanson Professional Services about surface materials for airport runways during the Illinois Aviation Conference at the Holiday Inn Select Hotel and Conference Center. Hanson contracts for work with the Decatur Airport. Nosediving udgets create competition School offers free health screenings By BETHANY CARSON Staff Writer DECATUR Families will not only learn about preventative lifestyles and access free health services at tonight's health fair at Franklin School, but their attendance will also help guide future family-oriented programs in Macon County.

Sponsored by Project Success and Franklin School, the health fair is considered a pilot project of the Macon County Community Health Foundation, said Linda Kehart, community health consultant. "This is offering a variety of services and information for parents about exercise, diets, asthma, to see if there's interest in family-type health fairs," Kehart said. "Most health fairs are geared toward adults. This is the first shot out of the gate." She said the foundation will then review what worked, what didn't and what people liked. Services available will include family emergency kits, blood pressure screenings, body fat content, immunizations and dental exams.

If parents bring their medical cards and their children's immunization records, Kehart said, the children can have their first- and third-grade dental checkups and their immunizations at no cost. "Right there on the spot," she said. Information about Kid Care, YMCA, YWCA, biking, stress reduction, nutrition, the five senses, allergies and asthma also will be available from local stores and agencies. Members of Franklin's "Mileage Club" will also be able to show off their physical activity to parents, said Principal Rebecca Johnston. The Mileage Club includes students who earn stickers by walking during their lunches or free time.

Their parents are encouraged to walk with them tonight. "Parent involvement is a strong theme at this school," Johnston said. "We know if parents are involved, children will do better academically." Parents will also be able to join their children in making their own recipe booklet of healthy, cheap snacks. The underlying themes of the health fair and of the Macon County Community Health Foundation are prevention and access to health care regardless of ability to pay. Bethany Carson can be reached at or 421-6968.

Transportation director says aviation industry must demonstrate importance ference to talk about the future of aviation. Cecelia Hunziker, regional admin mm istrator for the Federal Aviation Lakes Region, said funding is the toughest issue facing the aviation industry. "How are we For more information on the Federal Aviation Administration, go to www.faa.gov. ports have. Jim Coyne, president of the National Air Transportation Association, said he flew into Decatur on a private plane with 30- to 39-knot tail winds coming from the east.

He then joked about how there must have been a lot of hot air coming from Washington, D.C. Coyne said Congress' plans to fund the FAA will be "a catastrophe." He also talked about expensive security improvements being proposed at airports that will become an economic burden for smaller facilities. "Aviation safety last year was at its best in history," Coyne said. "Nevertheless, the media has focused on the accidents (a rash of charter airplane crashes). We have to do a better job with the media and with programs to reduce aviation accidents." Sheila Smith can be reached at sheilas or 421-7963.

By SHEILA SMITH Staff Writer DECATUR Aviation interests are going to have to play better defense to keep their industry from being grounded, a state official told visitors to the Illinois Aviation Conference. "People in aviation have to change their argument and why money is necessary. That federal pot of gold is gone," Tim Martin, director of the Illinois Department of Transportation, told the audience. "Even now, you're competing on the state level with education and health care. You're competing for dollars for a new taxiway that helps economic development or dollars that will go toward a child's education." Nearly 300 people from around the state poured into the Holiday Inn Select Hotel and Conference Center for the conference.

For the past two days, people in the aviation industry and a host of state and national government officials attended the con- going to fund the infrastructure that is an aging infrastructure? How are going to do new technologies, new procedures and do them more safely? How are we going to capitalize on airports and the needs of airports with cuts in funding?" she said. Hunziker said challenges will come from an aging work force of air traffic controllers, retiring mechanics, getting youth interested in aviation and educating communities about the economic impact air Airports help businesses go global 11? S3BID QQI asset in Central Illinois and can help create more jobs and build prosperity," he said. The Farm Progress Show, coming to Decatur on Aug. 30, 31 and Sept. 1, was cited as a case in point.

"Decatur Airport will be instrumental in providing aviation transportation for the upcoming Farm Progress Show. So we're excited to be able to preview our facilities' capabilities to aviation representatives from across the state and around the nation," said Gene Marcinkowski, director of Decatur Airport. Sheila Smith can be reached at or 421-7963. ness Wednesday during the Illinois Aviation Conference at the Holiday Inn Select Hotel and Conference Center in Decatur. "The airport infrastructure is always a primary concern the runway, fueling requirements and transportation for our passengers is important when arriving at our destination," said Flaugher, director of aviation for ADM.

Though ADM aircraft fly executives and clients around the world, few destinations are within Illinois. "But Illinois does have an excellent airport structure," Flaugher said. Flaugher said corporations have to deal with rising insurance costs. He said since 911, ADM's insurance coverage for aircraft has increased by 100 percent about $115 million for insurance coverage per aircraft. Brian Siems, chief pilot for Caterpillar Inc.

in Peoria, said he mainly flies into Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. But when the company's planes have to make stops at smaller airports, fueling and security issues become a priority, he said. "We have to look at airports to promote our region," said state Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, who spoke during the opening ceremony of the aviation conference. "The airports are a tremendous Companies expect certain services at all facilities By SHEILA SMITH Staff Writer DECATUR Specific services are needed when a corporate jet touches down at an airport.

That was the corporate perspective from Gerald Flaugher and Bob Harms with Archer Daniels Midland Co. and Brian Siems and Gene Stage with Caterpillar Inc. They talked about aviation needs critical to their busi A family-oriented health fair will be 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at Franklin School, 2440 N. Summit Ave.

If parents bring medical cards and immunization records, their children will receive shots and dental exams at no cost Adults can receive immunization at discounted prices..