CITY NEWS USA, Inc.

Phone: 630-848-0750

3rd Our third year of service! CNSports ! Illinois WEATHER* Bud Price, Senior Editor News Directors Note: File your story City News Is Proud to Support the Illinois News Broadcaster's Association...INBA! . CN USA

Lou Boudreau Dead at 84

OLYMPIA FIELDS, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--Legendary Cubs broadcaster Lou Boudreau, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, died Friday due to complications of diabetes. He was 84. According to the Daily Herald, Boudreau was brought into St. James Hospital and Health Centers in Olympia Fields on Friday afternoon in cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead there, said hospital spokeswoman Julie Miller. The voice of the Cubs for nearly three decades, Boudreau teamed with Jack Quinlan and Vince Lloyd in the radio booth in addition to managing the North Siders in the 1960 season. He was also a member of University of Illinois Big Ten championship teams in both baseball and basketball. Memorial and funeral arrangements were not immediately available.

Weather Summary

LINCOLN, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--HIGH PRESSURE WILL CONTROL THE WEATHER ACROSS MUCH OF THE REGION FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. THE EXCEPTION WILL BE ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS...INDIANA AND NORTHERN KENTUCKY...WHERE WEAK LOW PRESSURE WILL MOVE ALONG A FRONTAL BOUNDARY...BRINGING MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES AND A CHANCE FOR LIGHT SHOWERS. OTHERWISE...COOL AND DRY CONDITIONS WILL PREVAIL.

LOW TEMPERATURES TONIGHT AND EARLY MORNING SUNDAY...WILL GENERALLY RANGE FROM 55 TO 60...WITH READINGS EXPECTED IN THE MIDDLE 60S TO AROUND 70 ALONG THE OHIO RIVER. HIGH TEMPERATURES SATURDAY AND SUNDAY...WILL BE IN THE UPPER 70S TO LOWER 80S.

Friday's Fair Results

SPRINGFIELD, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--The traditional ribbon cutting at the fair's Main Gate kicked off ten days of agricultural displays and competitions, carnival rides, rodeo, grandstand entertainment and fair food. The inaugural day tour of the fairgrounds had a bittersweet moment as Governor Ryan renamed Brown Avenue after Brian Raney, who died of cancer this year at the age of sixteen and had been volunteer at Kids Korner for much of his childhood.

(FOR LOCALIZATION: DAILY RESULTS FOR AUG. 10 COUNTY FAIR AND HORSERACING DAY)

MAINE ANJOU CATTLE SHOW

Bull

Grand Champion Fancy Creek Sherman, IL

Reserve Grand Champion Larrick Farms Shelbing, MO

Heifer

Grand Champion Thomas Nessler Sherman, IL

Reserve Grand Champion Nick Dwyer Roseville, IL

CHAROLAIS CATTLE SHOW

Bull

Grand Champion Latraise Farms Flanagan, IL

Reserve Grand Champion Nord Farms McClure Bloomington, IL

Heifer

Grand Champion Jeff Cagwin Dunlap, IL

Reserve Grand Champion Ashley Suttles Murrayville, IL

RED POLL CATTLE SHOW

BULL

Grand Champion Oakview Acres McLeansboro, IL

Reserve Grand Champion Oakview Acres McLeansboro, IL

HEIFER

Grand Champion Oakview Acres McLeansboro, IL

Reserve Grand Champion Oakview Acres McLeansboro, IL

BABY PHOTO CONTEST

Overall Contest Winner Dylan James Scarpa South Roxana, IL

Girls (less than six months)

1st Jessica Ann Murphy Channahon, IL

2nd Sydney Vivian Geyston Springfield, IL

3rd Carlyn Grenda Springfield, IL

4th (TIE) Gabrielle Kennedy Springfield, IL

Kennedy Kay Green Springfield, IL

5th Bailey Burris Buffalo, IL

Boys (less than six months)

1st Brandon Davis Springfield, IL

2nd Gavin Blome Springfield, IL

3rd Alexander Wood Chatham, IL

4th Mason Ross Springfield, IL

5th Colin Dvorak Stockton, IL

Girls (six months-one year)

1st Danielle Marie Dennis Sherman, IL

2nd Maggie Gilmore Springfield, IL

3rd Samantha Morris Springfield, IL

4th Bailey Lanae Johnson Springfield, IL

5th Madison Carver Springfield, IL

Boys (six months-one year)

1st Russell Crifasi Springfield, IL

2nd Niko Tavarius Williams Richton Park, IL

3rd Drew Fuiten East Peoria, IL

4th Chase McDermand Springfield, IL

5th Jonathon McKenzie Springfield, IL

Girls (one year)

1st Hannah Perkins Litchfield, IL

2nd Dayna Kopecky Springfield, IL

3rd Emily Elizabeth Springfield, IL

4th Anna Jeanette Pavelko Springfield, IL

5th Hana Malane Rebbe Springfield, IL

Boys (one year)

1st Dylan James Scarpa South Roxana, IL

2nd Zachary Zelnio Springfield, IL

3rd Aaron Fishburn Buffalo, IL

4th Jarod W. Robinson Greenview, IL

5th Lane Rahe Loami, IL

Girls (two years)

1st Mikayla R. Hamlin Springfield, IL

2nd Abbey Donoho Patoka, IL

3rd Hannah Puzey Springfield, IL

4th Abigail Woodson Springfield, IL

5th Kari Roemer El Wood, IL

Boys (two years)

1st Jesse A. Green Springfield, IL

2nd Nicholas Russell Staunton, IL

3rd Blake Harrison Sherman, IL

4th Braden Lewis Pletscher Springfield, IL

5th Kody Green Rochester, IL

Girls (three years)

1st Lauren Briney Springfield, IL

2nd Madison Brown Park Forest, IL

3rd Maria Chiaradonna Springfield, IL

4th Jordan Thweatt Tinley Park, IL

5th Alyssa Moffett Springfield, IL

Boys (three years)

1st John O'Grady Chicago, IL

2nd Shawn Haney Jr. Springfield, IL

3rd Brandon Alex Yazell Springfield, IL

4th Nathaniel Sarver Shelbyville, IL

5th Riley Nolan Hinds Springfield, IL

Twins (0-23 months)

1st Madison and Mackenzie Kokal Illiopolis, IL

2nd Damon and Dylan Ferguson Springfield, IL

3rd Courtney and Callie Jenkins Springfield, IL

4th Larrisa and Hannah Steffen Moweaqua, IL

5th Margaret and Elizabeth George Springfield, IL

Twins (2-4 years)

1st Zachary and Chelsea Marek Springfield, IL

2nd Eli and Isaac Brucker Sibley, IL

3rd Andrea and Breanna Peyton Springfield, IL

Chlorine Spill at Water Park

ROCKFORD, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--The wave pool at Rockford's Magic Waters park was closed yesterday after a pocket of chlorine gas was discharged into the pool. Three dozen swimmers were treated for minor injuries resulting from the accident. Police and firemen from several jurisdictions answered the hazardous materials alert. The incident occurred at 1:00 p.m. and was reportedly cleaned up by 3:00 p.m. Park officials say that repairs have been made and the park will open as ususal today.

Unions Clash

BLOOMINGTON, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--Two unions in Bloomington are fighting over work at the new Central Illinois Regional Airport. Picketers from the Millwright Local 1051 staged a protest outside the construction site of the $25 million airport Friday morning. Both the Millwrite and Ironworkers unions claim they have the right to install a conveyor system to handle Baggage. (CN Affiliate WEEK TV)

Schools Grant

SPRINGFIELD, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--Governor George H. Ryan has announced more than $732 million in state school construction grants to 110 school districts throughout Illinois, marking the state's continued investment in providing modern and improved learning facilities for Illinois school children. The grants will help fund construction of 45 new schools and additions or renovations of 161 other out­dated school buildings. The school construction program, authorized by the General Assembly in late 1997, is the first state building program to assist local school construction in more than two decades and is one of the largest such programs in the country.

Under the school construction program, local school districts must receive a project entitlement and secure the required local share of construction funds before receiving any state grant funds. The grants range from 35 to 75 percent of eligible construction costs. Enhancements such as swimming pools, gymnasiums and auditoriums are not considered eligible project costs and are excluded from any grant calculations. By law, the Chicago Public Schools receive 20 percent of all grant funds. Currently, only those projects that address emergency needs, crowded classrooms and old buildings are being funded.

ADM Announces Board Changes

DECATUR, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--Decatur's Archer Daniels Midland Company has proposed changes to its Board of Directors in anticipation of the filing of its annual proxy statement next month. The slate of Directors to be recommended by the current Board for nomination for election at the Annual Stockholders Meeting scheduled to be held on November 1st reflects substantial changes streamlining the Board and focusing on key ownership and farming constituencies. For the first time in over 30 years, the slate does not include Chairman Emeritus Dwayne O. Andreas, the man principally responsible for building the Company into the world's largest processor of soybeans, corn, wheat and cocoa.

Andreas called upon the Board to review current structures and propose a slate to "reflect the most important constituencies of our Company: our owners, the stockholders of ADM, and the world's farmers, whose produce we process into high quality food, feed, and industrial products at the lowest possible cost and in a manner that is responsive to appropriate ethical, legal, institutional and social priorities." The goal was to streamline the Board and focus on building long-term shareholder value. In supporting the recommendation of the Nominating Committee, Chairman Allen Andreas said, "Those retiring from the Board have contributed over 75 years of service. We are grateful for their assistance in keeping our Company focused on its future."

Blagojevich to Announce

CHICAGO, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--Illinois Congressman Rod Blagojevich will kick off a month long gubernatorial announcement tour of the state at announcement rally tomorrow at A. Finkl and Sons, a specialty steel company on Chicago’s Near Northside where his father worked when he was growing up. “I want to build a state where every citizen has the same opportunity to succeed,” said Blagojevich, 44, a three term Congressman who also served in the Illinois House of Representatives and as a prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office.

Campaign officials expect over 4,000 supporters will jam Finkl Steel’s distribution center on Sunday, a crowd that will dwarf the handful of people who have attended his opponents’ announcement events. This comes on the heels of reports from the State Board of Elections that shows Blagojevich has over $3 million cash on hand, more than double the amount of all of his potential Democratic challengers combined.

FTN, "Why Ryan Can't Win"

CARPENTERSVILLE, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--Jim Ryan may run into the same treatment from the conservative right of his party that dogged George Ryan during his term in office. Jack Roeser, President of the Family Taxpayers Network says that he met recently with Jim Ryan and was not pleased with some of the candidate's views. "He made it clear that he considered hate crime legislation necessary, that present laws prohibiting violence against any citizen were not sufficient. In short, he goes beyond “equal protection under the law” to give special consideration to this selected “sexual orientation” group," Roeser said.

(More for expanded coverage)

Yesterday, Roeser released a list of the "Top Ten Reasons Why Jim Ryan Can't Win." Among the items of contention are:

Legislative Map Deal?

CHICAGO, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--House Speaker Michael Madigan confirmed rumors this week that Senate President Pate Philip reached out to him last week about cutting a deal on a new legislative map. According to Rich Miller's Capitol Fax, "Neither chamber of the General Assembly approved a map last spring, kicking in a state constitutional provision that creates a bipartisan redistricting commission. The evenly split commission's deadline to submit a map proposal is today, but Madigan and other legislative leaders say they actually have until September 5, just before Secretary of State Jesse White draws a name to tip the balance on the commission to one party or the other."

U of I and Argonne Participate in Super Computer Project

CHAMPAIGN, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--The National Science Foundation has named two Illinois Institutions among the recipients for the new Distributed Terascale Facility (DTF). The Foundation has awarded the DTF to the collaborative proposal lead by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Argonne National Laboratory. The DTF's hardware and software will include the world's fastest unclassified supercomputers, ultra-high speed networks, and high-resolution visualization environments. Transporting data 16 times faster than the fastest research networks now in operation, the $53 million DTF network is the largest and most comprehensive infrastructure ever assembled for scientific research.

Aurora Foods Moves Into Illinois

ST. ELMO, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--In an effort to expand its distribution capabilities and increase production efficiencies, Aurora Foods announced it has purchased a 252,000-square-foot facility in St. Elmo, Illinois, from Kraft Foods Inc. The site will become the Company's first wholly owned integrated distribution and operations center. When fully operational, the new facility is expected to provide annualized cost savings of over $8 million, with about $5 million expected to occur in 2002. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. "This new facility is a key part of our strategy to improve efficiencies and achieve our objective of becoming a low-cost producer in our business categories," said James T. Smith, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

U of I at State Fair

SPRINGFIELD, IL. August 11, 2001 (CN)--Visitors to the Illinois State Fair who stop by the University of Illinois tent can get free Dreamsicles or temporary Illini tattoos and learn how to use the Library Gateway to access materials from the UI’s collections. Other features in the UI tent this year will include the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Wildlife Clinic, featuring hawks, owls and some of the other animals cared for at the clinic, and "Fishing for Information," a game sponsored by the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program and designed for children to learn about exotic aquatic species and how they affect the environment. University faculty, staff, students and alumni will greet fairgoers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, today through August 19th, in the UI tent, located in the Agri-Expo area, just off Main Street at the Springfield fairgrounds.

State Fair Activities

SPRINGFIELD, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--On tap for tonight at the Illinois State Fair, 98 Degrees will perform their hits "Give Me Just One Night" and "My Everything." Bob Dylan's Sunday evening show, Aug. 12, will kick off a week of classic performances by veterans of the music industry. Diva Patti LaBelle will take the grandstand stage on Monday, Aug. 13, followed by An Evening With Chicago on Tuesday, Aug. 14 and Willie Nelson on Wednesday, Aug. 15.

Miss Champaign County, Jenn Scheitlin, will reign over the 2001 Illinois State Fair as the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen. Scheitlin was crowned by Illinois State Fair Manager Harold "Bud" Ford after being selected from a field of 68 county fair queens. The Champaign resident, daughter of Dave and Denise Scheitlin, is a sophomore at the University of Illinois majoring in Elementary Education. This is the second year for Champaign County to take the crown.

Valedictorian Day

SPRINGFIELD, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--Governor George H. Ryan will recognize more than 250 high school valedictorians and their families from high schools across the state. The special ceremony will begin at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow in the Director's Lawn tent at the Illinois State Fair. "As valedictorians and leaders of their high school classes, these students have laid a strong foundation for launching into life's adventures," Gov. Ryan said. "They deserve to be recognized for all their hard work and dedication." Following Gov. Ryan's congratulatory remarks, each student will be awarded a certificate and invited to pose with the governor onstage for a photo. Illinois Valedictorian Day is an annual event sponsored by AT&T and supported by the Illinois Principals Association.

WIU Ag Dept. Heads Oversees

MACOMB, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--Western Illinois University's agriculture department will take its programs overseas as part of a project funded by the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education. WIU, along with partners Arkansas State University, Southeastern Community College (Iowa), Jackson State Community College (Tennessee), the Universidade Estadual Paulista (Brazil) and Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa (Brazil), received the four-year, $208,602 grant for the Consortium for International Advancement and Achievement. According to WIU agriculture chair and consortium director Danny Terry, the consortium will bring together agricultural students and faculty from the six universities, as well as farmers, agribusinesses and service organizations to share technology and curriculum.

Mickey Rooney & Wife

GALESBURG, IL. August 11, 2001 (CN)--Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney will perform Aug. 12 at the Orpheum Theatre. Rooney, 80, began performing with his parents’ vaudeville show. In 1926, he appeared in his first film, "Not to be Trusted." He would go on to act in more than 300 films and garner several Academy Award nominations. In 1938, Rooney received a special Academy Award for his work as a child actor. In 1982, he received an honorary Academy Award for his years in film. Tickets cost $15 for seats on the main floor and lower balcony. Seats in the upper balcony are $12. For more information, call the Orpheum at 342-2299. Rooney will perform with his wife, Janice Chamberlin-Rooney, in "The One Man, One Wife Show," which consists of songs and anecdotes about Rooney’s long career in show business. The performance will begin at 2 p.m.

Hammer-in Blacksmith Gathering

SPRINGFIELD, IL. August 11, 2001 (CN)-- The annual Blacksmith Hammer-in and Craftsman Gathering is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 11 in Chautauqua Pavilion at Kitchell Park in Pana. Demonstrations will include blacksmithing, tinsmithing, wood carving, broom making, rope making, willow furniture making, basket making and chili smiths. Items also will be available for purchase.

An old-time tractor show is a new event this year. There will be antique tractors and equipment from 1976 or older in classes of restored and unrestored, steam engines, stationary gas engines, antique lawn tractors and mowers and pedal tractors. All of the entries will be on display and demonstrated. Jim and Joni Deere, the International Chili Society's Illinois chili champions, will serve samples of their prize-winning chili from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., or while the food lasts. Food concessions will be operated by the Tri County 4-H Kids and the Pana Explorers group. The event is sponsored by the Illinois Valley Blacksmiths Association and the Pana Area Chamber of Commerce.

REALL Meeting Concerns Houdini

SPRINGFIELD, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--The life and times of Harry Houdini will be explored through anecdotes and stories at the August meeting of the Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land (REALL) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Springfield's Lincoln Library. Making use of rare footage and audio clips, Massimo Polidoro, who has written two books on Houdini, will tell the story of Houdini's life and of his battle against psychic fakery.Polidoro is one of today's leading experts on the paranormal and fringe sciences.

He has become an expert in the psychology of deception and in the duplication of apparent psychic phenomena. Author of 13 books and about 200 articles dealing with science, pseudoscience and the paranormal, Polidoro frequently acts as a consultant on science projects for university departments, TV programs and multimedia productions. His first book in English, "Final Seance: The Strange Friendship Between Houdini and Conan Doyle," was published this spring. REALL is a local nonprofit educational and scientific organization that rationally examines claims of paranormal and fringe-science phenomena.

Bows and Arrows Program

LEWISTOWN, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--At Dickson Mounds Museum come enjoy More Than Bows and Arrows on Sunday, Aug. 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. At this day-long outdoor program, experts demonstrate fire-starting; fiber, cordage, and pottery making; as well as gourd and quill-work. There will also be cooking demonstrations, storytelling; and hands-on spear-throwing, pressure flaking, and corn grinding. At 2 p.m. the Kahok Dancers of Cahokia Mounds give a Native America-style interpretive dance performance.

I-72 Road Work Slated

SPRINGFIELD, IL. August 11, 2001 (CN)--The Paris District Office of the Illinois Department of Transportation announces another project from Governor Ryan's Illinois FIRST program. Work is scheduled for I-72 in Piatt County from the Macon County line to the Champaign County line, I-74 in Piatt & DeWitt Counties from the McLean County line to the Champaign County line, US 51 (northbound lanes) in DeWitt County from north of Wapella to south of Wapella, US 36 in Macon County from Sunnyside Rd. to Oakland Ave. in Decatur and West Eldorado St. in Decatur from Fairview Ave. to US 36. The project consists of routing and sealing pavement cracks. Work will begin tomorrow, weather permitting, and is expected to be completed in November.

Weather Summary

CHAMPAIGN, IL August 11, 2001 (CN)--It was another typical August week in Illinois with hot and dry conditions in place. Relief was felt Friday as near normal temperatures reached the upper 70's to lower 80's along with the accompaniment of showers and thunderstorms. Traci Westfall with the Midwestern Regional Climate Center in Champaign says, "The models are indicating that the passage of the cold front will continue to bring much more pleasant temperatures across the state over the next few days." Dry conditions are expected through Monday, with possible showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday and Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to slightly increase during the latter half of the week, but will probably seem cool compared to this week!

Weather

Go to: Illinois WEATHER*

Go to: CITY NEWS ILLINOIS SPORTS ! _____________________________________________________________________