Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 21

HECKOUT College cash Tips for boomers GM posts disappointing sales figures for AprilC3 Compiled from staff and news service reports funding grandkids' educationThursday Questions or comments regarding this section? Contact Business Editor Scott Perry at 421-7976 II of mm agriculture safety progra have something extra to show potential employers, who have told the university that they value such training when hiring. "It's almost kind of funny we haven't had something like this sooner, being right here in the middle of farm country," said Jennifer Wheeler, who will complete her master's degree in agricultural education this spring. "Hopefully it will make the farm community more aware and decrease injuries." Agriculture continuously ranks agricultural injury causation," said Robert Aherin, who heads the program in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. While other universities offer degrees in occupational or industrial safety, Aherin said he is unaware of any other offering a specialty in agriculture safety and health. Illinois has offered courses in agriculture safety and health for the past three years.

Now, students who earn the certificate along with their bachelor's or graduate degree will URBANA (AP) The University of Illinois is looking for students who want to understand the risks associated with working in one of the nation's most hazardous occupations, agriculture, and identify ways to reduce those risks. Beginning this fall, the school's agriculture college will offer a certificate of specialization in agriculture safety and health. "Our hope is that we can develop better trained people to have a better understanding of the science of Fed holds rate steady The Federal Reserve held a main short-term interest rate at a 46-year low Tuesday in an attempt to keep the economy humming. Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan and his Federal Open Market Committee colleagues the group that sets interest rate policy in the United States left the federal funds rate unchanged at 1 percent, where it has been since last June. The funds rate is the Fed's primary tool for influencing the economy.

But Fed policy-makers dropped a pledge they made at their previous meetings this year in January and March to be patient in ordering any possible rate increases. Economists are likely to view that as another move by the Fed to begin to prepare Wall Street and Main Street for an eventual rate increase. DECATUR'S PAST i fW Ufa Herald Review photosCarlos T. Miranda Don Hall of Bodine Enviornmental Services Inc. sprays water Tuesday during the demolision of the WABIC interlocking tower east of the Wabash Depot.

Train aficionados watch history fall Switching tower at Wabash Depot had long since outlived its usefulness among the most hazardous of industries, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. In Illinois last year, eight people died and 67 others were injured in 265 accidents involving farm equipment, according to state transportation department records. "We felt there was a need to give students a stronger technical background in understanding agriculture injury issues," Aherin said. That was SAFETYC2 Panel: Action needed to avert power problems By MAURA KELLY The Associated Press CHICAGO A draft report by a state commission warns that Illinois could have power problems unless the state's electric utilities take action soon to improve tree trimming, embrace new energy sources and promote programs to reduce demand. "We're asking for trouble if we don't take these common-sense suggestions and implement them," said Lt.

Gov. Pat Quinn, 11 Quinn chairman of the special task force that wrote the draft. "It's like anything if the doctor tells you to do certain things for your health and you say, 'That sounds good, but I'm not going to do you're jeopardizing your health." The draft report was released Tuesday by Quinn, and a final version is expected to be finished in June. State task forces were created across the nation after an Aug. 14 blackout that left millions without power, mostly on the East Coast.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich asked the Illinois commission to recommend changes to prevent a similar failure here. Leigh Morris, director of corporate communications for Ameren said he was "surprised as anybody" by the early release of the draft. On Tuesday, he focused on the strength of the company's system as "one of the most interconnected in the U.S." "Our centralized location allows electricity to be transferred in any direction," he said, adding that natural barriers like oceans or lakes aren't issues. "We do believe that a lot more needs to be done to keep Illinois at the forefront of service reliability." Among the costliest of the recommendations is for utilities to increase tree-trimming maintenance the biggest line item in most utility budgets.

In 2002, Illinois utilities spent about $80.5 million on vegetation management, the draft said. It recommends that lawmakers pass legislation to specify the amount of clearance that should exist between trees and power lines. Illinois Power spokeswoman Shirley Swarthout said the company P0WERC2 Chicago (AP) Futures trading on the Chicago Board ot Trade: Open Hkjh Low Sana Chg. WHEAT 5,000 bu minimum- cents per bushel wiayu sou 4uz aeu 4U3V2itm Jul 04 387 413 395 411V1 14 Sep 04 Dec 04 Mar 05 May 05 Jul 05 402 418 401 41613V2 411V4 427 410 4244M-13V5 416 429 415V5 42912V4 419 419 419 419 3 395 400 394 395 1VS Men's satas 22,107 Hons open Int 133509, down -181 CORN 5,000 bu minimum- cents per bushel May 04 317 319 315 317 v. Jul 04 323 328 321 Vz 323 -1A 319VS 323 31814 321 318 322V4 317 320 Vt 320V2 325v Sep 04 Dec 04 Mar 05 May OS 322V2 328 322V2 324VK Jul 05 324V? 32SV? xxiv, aunt taw 79524 Mon open 658,006, up 1 886 OATS 5,000 bu minimum- cents per bushel May04 170 173 189 171 Jul 04 177V.

180V. 176 177 V2 Sep 04 Dec 04 Mar 05 May 05 184 184 182V! 182 V. 190 188 189 193 Vj 195 198 9 188 Jul 05 Monti Mont open int 12335, down 431 SOYBEANS 5,000 bu minimum- cents per bushel May 04 1040 1052 1033 1038V. -3V. Jul04 1018 1031 1011 1021 962 963 948 9563 Sep04 835 843 830 838 7V Nov 04 780 777 758 77613 JanOS 760 775 759 77413 MarOS 752 784 750 764 11 wontaalss 67,999 Mont open i -l depot to watch the the tower operator let him come up for a bird's-eye were 15 "diamonds," where the various crossed.

The switch was in charge of so that there conflicting signals didn't coUida said at one tower controlled at Merchant Street College as well. the switching house Engleton said, the directly depot, is next on list, followed crossing guard tower of blocks away on Luther King Jr. don't let the fact the are going you. thinks the dying," Engleton the railroad is can be reached at or vwells Coke names CEO The Coca-Cola Co. named a former top official for one of its bottlers as its chairman and chief executive Tuesday, ending months of speculation over who would be the next leader rf tho unrlH'e largest beverage maker.

The Atlanta-based company said the board of directors has tapped E. Neville Isdell to succeed Doug Daft, who announced in February that he would retire at the end of the year. The change is expected to take place by early summer. An Irish citizen, Isdell, 60, joined the Coca-Cola system in Zambia in 1966. After holding positions in South Africa, Australia and the Philippines, he was named president of the company's Central European Division in 1985 and restructured the German bottling system to 30 franchises from 106 in just over three years.

Help for job seekers A free networking opportunity for Decatur-area job seekers is taking place each Monday through May 24. The Focus on Success Network meets from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Illinois Employment Training Center, 757 W. Pershing Road. It will include information about job opportunities, employment strategies and community resources.

Attendance is by reservation only. Reserve a seat by calling 875-8750, ext. 230. Stress dangers Need a vacation? Do you ever think, "Man, this job is killing me!" A Toronto doctor says you may be right. In his book, "Go Away: Just for the Health of It," Dr.

Mel Borins contends that our hard-charging ways are increasing our stress, assaulting our health and leading us early to our graves. Borins says people need to make it a goal to take a week or more off for vacation, to reduce stress and to restore healthy behaviors. But, because of a tenuous labor market or tight personal finances, most of us are working more than ever. According to figures cited by Borins, Americans took 10 percent less vacation time last year than in 2002. I-? Terre Engleton, left, Mike Harris, center, and Richard Ward wait for the demolition of the WABIC interlocking tower Tuesday afternoon.

By VALERIE WELLS Staff Writer DECATUR Richard Huckaba calls himself a "ferroequinologist." Roughly translated from its Latin roots, that means "student of the iron horse," or railroad buff. Huckaba and several of his fellow train fans spent Tuesday afternoon next door to the Wabash Depot Antique Center, watching as the old interlocking tower was torn down. The men couldn't agree on the exact year the building was erected but think it was 1952 or 1953, when the Wabash tracks ran east and west, the Illinois Central ran north and south and the depot was a hub of activity. The tracks are still in use, but the passenger trains are gone, and the interlocking tower had fallen into disrepair. "We're just here to watch it go down," said Richard Ward.

When he first moved to Decatur years ago, said Terre Engleton, he used to 52-t Hi Lo 52-wk Hi Lo Name last Chg. Name Ctig. 17.65 5.50 2318 16.00 44.19 35.08 24.95 1655 46.16 34.55 5896 30.63 48.34 40.74 AMR AMLab Airgas 11.75 -25 17.09 41.78 22.38 4621 56.32 43.55 51.09 -20 26.14 JJ7 39.35 .13 17.36 413 -21 86.05 -228 53.50 22 50.42 .57 ir7 22 53.59 46.25 38.60 5.43 Z70 20.96 6.95 47.80 37.72 69.79 53.68 43.97 34.90 6.20 262 44.13 31.46 56.97 30.98 34.65 27 J6 17.34 9.45 34.57 26.88 55.55 32.84 32.90 14.11 1157 4.49 4i75 26.55 26.30 1660 3739 27.85 1529 5.82 1325 6.75 73.56 4126 34.60 1651 5.80 3.06 100.4378.73 45.01 3531 65.44 3959 19.70 13.95 48.99 3554 50.38 30.70 60.42 3820 5.00 159 29.98 16.58 46.01 38.07 63.50 40.57 64.89 40.17 DuPont 43.57 Dynegy 4.01 EnPro 19.41 Eqtftesc 4751 Exekn 66.75 ExnmMH 43.52 FafconPdh 4.95 Fart 32.04 52 -21 56 .05 53 .10 .14 .14 -55 59 23 .13 .43 24 50 24 .14 58 51 .13 54 AJtrta Ararat 54.10 48.27 Anteusr 29.58 14.75 42.83 27.66 AppleC Fastenat FMMBc FordM GenElec GnMotr 54.02 3357 15.41 30.44 47.94 Apptetees ArtftDan AsdBnc 17.95 10.77 45.73 34.80 103.5373.80 54.72 39.17 57.49 36.08 34.70 21.75 62.70 3331 34.37 23.00 42.07 31.31 23.81 11.61 36.29 28.80 35.60 24.92 18.95 12.54 85.70 50.19 94.16 65.76 52.88 38.09 53.50 40.30 13.89 5.46 34.40 19.15 49.85 2935 74.93 42.61 28.41 17.45 23.40 14.87 3250 20.40 4422 2981 AutoZone BP PLC BankOne Goodrich 28.94 Goodyear 8.61 Hanson 39.10 HewtettP 1958 HomeOp 35.36 IMCGb 1Z69 konOnSol 11.00 IngerRd 66.00 BooEvn CBRLGfp CPI CSX Cabot Caseys Catap ChevmTex Citigtp CocaCI Coning Crane DattnttC Deere Disney DoiarG DonleyRR DowCtat 31.11 37.36 14.75 -28 30.96 34.46 .49 16.93 -JO 79.01 -J6 93.08 4834 28 5027 -J5 1151 26 31.06 .18 45.67 .56 69.31 .39 23.02 16.84 -SSL 29.18 -m 40.38 .57 Intel InUiietC IBM IntPap Kohls Kroger LeeEnt LrcNat 2628 4.19 89.00 4033 41.08 1753 4722 44.13 LowesCos 51.75 Lucent 344 McDnMs 27.61 MerctlBk 4349 Merck 47.85 Menilyn 5525 .14 29 .15 .43 FOOTNOTES: -New 52-week tow. Loss in last 12 mos. Preferred.

-SpW or stocKoSvktendof 25 percent or rnore in go to the trains, and would in the tower view. There tracks operator the interlocks weren't and trains Huckaba time, the switches and Brush After is gone, boiler house, behind the the demolition by the a couple Martin Drive. But old buildings down fool "Everyone railroad's said. "But thriving. Valerie Wells 421-7982 1 DOW (Industrials) Grain markets Decatur area prices supplied by ADM Growmark-Taoor Co.

Com Chicago (AP) Futures trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange: Open High Low Santa Chg. CATTLE 40,000 per lb. May 04 B7.2O1.S0 Jun04 82.45 84.70 82.25 84.57 2J7 Jul 04 86.00 8750 8600 8730eOO Aug 04 84.05 85.40 83.95 8525 .98 Oct 04 84.10 84.67 84.02 84.45 33 Dec 04 83.77 8420 83.75 84.02 35 Feb 05 84.85 86.17 84.60 85.17 .12 Hon tales 16,054 Mai's open mt 128.800, up 303 FEEDER CATTLE 50,000 cents per lb. May 04 99.80 100.35 99.60 100.12 .37 Aug 04 9922 99.90 98.60 99.55 .33 Sep 04 98.10 98.45 9750 98.00 -30 Oct 04 97.85 98.30 97.30 97.65 -32 Nov 04 98.00 98.30 9730 97.70 -30 Jan 05 94.70 94.75 S450 94.70 Mar 05 91.65 .10 Mon'ssatoa 3,049 Mont open Int 15,823. up 24S HOGS-Lean 40,000 cents per lb.

May 04 74.85 74.80 74.02 7457 Jun04 74.65 74.70 73.65 Jul 04 75.35 75.40 74.60 7437 -58 Aug 04 72.80 7230 72.00 7232 Oct 04 60.60 80.90 8030 60.70 -22 Dec 04 5720 5725 56.75 56.77 -25 Feb 05 58.80 5830 58.65 5835 Mon' 12,056 Mon's Open Hit 79,189, up 992 PORK BELLIES 40,000 cents per lb. May 04 11630 117.00 115.00 116.85 -15 JUI04 111.70 11275 110.70 11210 -37 Aug 04 106.10 10750 10525 10525 Feb 05 90.30 .10 Mar 05 87.00 35 Mont sales 1,757 Mod's open Int 4)68, up 18 52-wk HI Lo Last Ctig, 30.00 23.60 17.41 754 6253 41.78 20.89 759 37.10 2953 52.95 25.00 24.99 18.00 64.60 46.55 36.77 16.16 55.48 42.38 38.89 28.82 107.3986.51 3624 2225 27.73 21.16 15.79 7.49 56.06 26.00 1253 926 21.90 12.00 5201 3651 88.70 6050 3026 1550 3454 2724 1655 9.65 7458 61.17 4155 31.10 48.13 36.35 6131 5050 37.42 28.90 80.00 5156 49.95 36.62 Mcrosoft MtenChm MorgStan Motorola Natmy 26.33 16.75 52 52.48151 18.62 .40 3458 4620 .60 24.01 52 59.11 34.08 .45 54.39 36.61 .39 106.30 31.10 .10 25.41 .18 1437 .18 39.96 -57 11.96 NorflkSo PPG Penney PepsiCo Pfizer ProctG Index Name Close RactoSr SBC Com Saks Sears Svomtr SteaknSnk Stncyde 3MCos TycokM UPlanters Unisys UPSB VBrizonCm ViacomB WaMart Dow Jones Industrials NYSE Composite Amex Index NASD Composite NMS Composite Value Line Arithmetic Value Lite Geometric WilshireSOOO 1031720 653124 1229.65 1950.48 880.56 111955 157251 365.91 10913.83 18.89 49.12155 86.50 -53 29.07159 2852 27 13.20 .18 7024 3759 20 3857 .09 56.00 -54 35.02 .01 65.05 3852 .12 Key barometers in the Treasury Yield 1.00 0.99 155 4.57 5.34 Wakjm Federal Funds 3-monthb 1-year bi 10-year rate 30-year bond Wtirtpl Wyeth New issue in past 52 weeks, r-" 52 waete. New K-week htfl. $10,124 Hogs Prices supplied by USDA Eastern Combett Negotiated Price Range $62.16 to $76.48 Weighted Average $71 .78 Cattle Volume Top Peoria 0 Chg. 320 42.49 13.86 11.76 531 206 10.13 227 23.64 Spot commodity prices: Prev.

Year Close Day Ago Aluminum 76.0 752 615 Copper 130 127 75.0 Gold 39125 386.9034285 Silver 6115 6070 4515 Spot commodity prices Prev. Close Day SaudArabanight 33.91 33.42 No Sea Brent 3638 34.71 IMstlensL 38.96 3823 MaskaUMCos 3753 3758 market Prev. 1.00 0.96 155 4.50 528.