The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 3

THE PANTAGRAPH, Sunday, July 5, 1987 A3 WTO 7 I -So" i ft jjUM1MMjJ1111jU1LajJ1)l Captain Rat, wearing a stars and stripes tank top, greeted fans yesterday at Normal's i Fairview Park. Captain Rat and his Blind Rivets performed during Fourth of July festivities at the park. I i Holiday egg drop cracks up Bloomington park's crowd Mathew Mundell, 7-year-old son of Mark and Darlene Mundell, 1305 Dalton Drive, Normal, picked this patriotic hat to wear yesterday in honor of the nation's birth. 4 Requests for 2 crossing guards go to council By JOHN WILLIAMS Pantagraph staff The Normal City Council will consider a proposal Monday night to hire two more school crossing guards. The recommendation is one bf several from City Manager David Anderson and a pair of police department reports.

In addition, the ouncil will be asked to approve several other changes to the crossing guard program, including moving a couple of the guards. A study of the program was prompted in February by a request that the city put a crossing guard at the corner of College Avenue and Grove Street. That drive wa led by Debbie Quintero, 1009 Porter Lane, whose son must cross College to get to Oakdale Elemen-, tary School. Mrs. Quintero will get wish, at least for the next year.

The city put a temporary guard at the in-. tersection while it studied crossings throughout Normal, and Anderson is recommending that a guard be hired there for the 1987458 school year. That crossing will have to be reviewed again for the 1988-89 school -year, as will crossings throughout the city. Two elementary schools are ex-. pected to open that year Parkside Elementary School at the corner of College and Parkside Road and North Point Elementary School at 2602 E.

College Bloomington and they will change attendance boundary lines. Anderson is also recommending that a guard be placed at School Street and Belview Avenue. The two crossing guards would cost the city $6,480 a year. Other recommendations include' the following: Installing a control button at the intersection of College and Towanda avenues. The button, would allow the crossing guard to turn the entire intersection red while children cross.

Moving an existing crossing -guard from Towanda and Lancaster Drive to Towanda and Hanson Drive. The police report-notes that the current crossing is at a hill crest, and the city has received complaints that drivers southbound on Towanda can't see' it. Moving the existing crossing at Summit Street and School to Summit and Bakewell Street, busier intersection. Pouring a corner apron at Vernon Avenue and Augustine Way so students can remain on the sidewalk instead of walking in grass or mud. The report also says the city would be justified in eliminating four existing crossing guards at in-; tersections that don't meet ac-; cepted standards.

Those intersections are Glenn and Fell Grove and College, College and Grandview Drive, and Ruston Avenue and Grove. Anderson, however, suggested that the city do more studies and, meet with Unit 5 officials before' eliminating those guards, because "history shows that removal of a' crossing guard from a specific Ioca-; tion creates an outcry from the parents of children in that area." Car damaged in incident Two Stanford men were hit and their car damaged early yesterday morning while they were waiting in the drive-up lane at Burger King, 405 S. Main Normal. According to Normal police, the two men had placed an order and. proceeded to the drive-up window; at 12:44 a.m.

yesterday. While they were Waiting in the car, three to five men approached the car and; slapped both men in the face. The group of men then threw rocks at the vehicle, breaking the rear passenger window, police re-; ports said. Neither of the Stanford men was injured, and there was $75 damage to the car, according to police. Peg Schad, 208 N.

Coolidge Normal, played percussion instruments in a neighborhood parade that marched through several blocks of Normal at noon yesterday. Organizers said they hope to repeat the event every Fourth of July. nastier. No longer are the delicate objects just gently dropped over the basket. Instead, each egg is heaved in a different direction, requiring the catcher to calculate the point of impact.

Many at yesterday's event never had to worry about such complications, however, because they miscalculated when preparing the proper catcher's mit. "Everyone thinks you need cotton, a garbage bag with cotton," Echevarria said, comparing this year's event with the first one held last Fourth of July. "But the one who won last year just used a shirt." "A few think they can catch it with their hands, which is pretty impossible," Echevarria said. Realizing the consequences if it doesn't work, few used that option this year. Instead, children of all ages and sizes lined up with everything from baseball hats with newspaper to a laundry bag with stuffing and a diaper.

Some have tried a plastic foam cooler, "but the eggs just drop right through those things," Echevarria said. One youngster, desperate to join the fun, could not find anything other than a sock to use. "This ought to be good here. Good luck, partner," Randy Ralston of Bloomington Parks and Recreation said as the boy bravely took his place under the in parts of Friday night. The first incident involved a porch fire that occurred at 1:48 p.m.

yesterday at 610 West Jefferson Street. Bloomington firefighters were sent to the scene where firecrackers are believed to have ignited the porch of a home owned by Winfield Bates, 2025 E. Lincoln Bloomington. Fire reports said a motorist passing through the area noticed the fire and drove to the station to report it. There was no one home at the time of the fire and no witnesses to the incident, reports said.

By SUSAN MARQUARDT Pantagraph staff All eyes were turned toward the sky, and anticipation grew with the crowd. From a distance, it appeared the group at Miller Park in Bloomington yesterday afternoon waited for a fireworks display that was still hours away. Instead, parents and children alike hustled to get in on an equally intriguing and sometimes colorful display from the sky an egg drop. The activity was one of many that made for an enjoyable and relaxing Fourth of July holiday, both in Bloomington and Normal's Fairview Park. Crowds gathered in each city for traditional picnics and reunions, with many partaking in simple pleasures that seemed to bring the most fun.

The egg drop was such an event. "They see the truck and start running," Orlando Echevarria said. An employee with the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department, Echevarria explained that eggs are dropped from about 60 feet up on a truck with a "cherry picker," and participants must try to catch them. A raw egg captured whole qualifies the participant for Round Two, which becomes more difficult because the tosser becomes Wet Fourth By SUSAN MARQUARDT Pantagraph staff Yesterday's Fourth of July celebration was a little too quiet for many people in Central Illinois where plans for an evening of fireworks were washed out at the last minute by rain. For local and area police officers and rescue workers, however, the subdued holiday was a welcome relief from the hectic schedule that was anticipated.

Both Bloomington and Normal police officers reported a quiet Fourth that brought only two minor accidents locally. A' third accident occurred in East Peoria on same thing" every holiday. Others in the crowd had the same idea. Ron and Barbara Rob-bins came from Lowpoint to visit relatives and described the day as "great" because it offered something for everyone. For Keith and Barb Anderson of Champaign, this Fourth of July provided an opportunity to hear one of their favorite bands and The PantagraphMAUREEN O'CONNOR basket.

1 The crowd cheered for the youth, who was almost pelted on the head by the egg that shat tered at his feet. Such a hazard is part of "the thrill of having fun," which Echevarria said involves adults, too many of whom are out to show the youngsters how it's done. Anyone interested in mastering the art should talk with Max Miller of McQuady, Ky. Winner in the adult category, Miller said he started getting into the event about two years ago. He took time out from visiting with relatives yesterday to fill a plastic basket with numerous sheets and blankets.

The combination worked, as he caught the winning egg on the run. "You just have to keep your eye on the egg," he said with a smile. There were plenty of smiles in Normal's Fairview Park, as well, where a crowd of about 300 stretched out to hear Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets perform. The band is based in Champaign but has many faithful followers in the Twin Cities. "They're excellent.

We've been having a good time getting sun," said Vicki Thompson, 115 N. Orr Drive, Normal. "We had a picnic and came out to listen to the music. We usually do about the area quiets The blaze was extinguished quickly. Damage is estimated at $200.

The second accident occurred at 6:46 p.m. yesterday in Miller Park, Bloomington. Nickalus Whitmer, 8, of Gibson City was injured when he fell off a swing. Bloomington rescue reports said the boy broke his arm in two places. He was taken to Men-nonite Hospital where he was treated and released.

A fireworks display in East Peoria's Fondulac Park Friday night injured one Tremont child. Natalie Heynen, 6, was list in fair condition at St. Francis Hospital Bloomington man jailed after attack By SUSAN MARQUARDT Pantagraph staff A 37-year-old Bloomington man was being held without bond in the McLean County jail last night pending charges of attempted murder after an early morning stabbing in the city yesterday. The victim of the stabbing is The-otis Streator, 19, of Clarksdale, Ottawa man is found dead in Vermilion River STREATOR The body of a 25-year-old Ottawa man was pulled from the Vermilion River in Streator yesterday afternoon. Terrance J.

Wheeler was dead at 1:35 p.m. yesterday, according to LaSalle County Coroner Marion festive atmosphere see his old college roommate. Anderson described his afternoon as fitting into what is typically planned for the holiday, with a barbecue set for last night. The relaxed schedule left him content, as he said "It's nice to sit out here in the sun, have a cool drink in your hand and just enjoy the birth of our country." Clinton and Farmer City in De-Witt County and some communities near Champaign. All of the fireworks in Logan County were postponed, with Lincoln planning to have the display tonight.

Hopedale, Clinton and Farmer City will also have the fireworks tonight. Mount Pulaski's display has been scheduled for next weekend, with no rain date set yet for Atlanta or Middletown. There were no problems reported in Livingston County or in Bloomington and Normal, where rain started to fall just shortly before the fireworks began. out the back door of the building. Rescue workers picked him up at 608 W.

Monroe Bloomington. Information on the arrest docket at the Bloomington Police Station stated the Bloomington man was not injured when he was arrested. In addition to attempted murder, charges of armed violence, aggravated battery and home invasion are pending. The Pantagraph does not use the names of people arrested until complaints are signed. Felony complaints in McLean County are signed only by the state's at-' torney's office, which is closed during the weekend.

Streator. Wheeler's body was pulled from the water by sheriff's deputies and taken to St. Mary's Hospital for examination by the coroner, who said Wheeler had not been seen since late Thursday night or early Friday morning. Specifics of the death are still under investigation by Osborne and the Sheriff's Department, but no foul play is suspected. An inquest will be held.

in Peoria last night. She was injured when a piece of shrapnel from the fireworks landed on her lap and caught her clothes on fire, according to rescue workers in East Peoria. Spokesmen from sheriff's departments all across the county reported a quiet holiday, with weather conditions posing the greatest problem. A late-night shower that cov-. ered much of Central Illinois' forced the postponement of fireworks displays in many communities, including Washington in Woodford County; Hopedale and Pekin in Tazewell County; Miss.

He was originally listed in fair condition but was upgraded to good condition last night at Men-nonite Hospital. City police officers made the arrest at 2:44 a.m. yesterday in the 600 block of West Monroe Street, Bloomington. There were no reports available on the incident late last night, and police said the officers who handled the stabbing would not be available to discuss it until Monday. Rescue reports at the Bloomington Fire Department said Streator, who was stabbed in the right side of the chest, walked into headquarters at 310 N.

Lee then ran TL supporters favor new leader FORT MILL, S.C. (AP) About PTL contributors marched, lanted and prayed yesterday for greater role in the troubled min-try's affairs, many of them calling the ouster of the Rev. Jerry ilwell. "Today we want a revolution at rL," George Trakas, treasurer of Association of PTL Partners, Id the cheering crowd before the ile-long march through the eritage USA Christian theme irk began. The group of partners, as PTL's gular contributors are called, les not support any particular ader officially.

But a majority of people marching yesterday emed to favor Falwell's ouster, id some chanted "Farewell, dwell." "Falwell go home," one of their read. "Jesus First," and "Let partners vote," were others. Defrocked evangelist Jim Bakker turned the PTL ministry over to Falwell and a new board of directors in March after admitting to a sexual liaison with a church secretary in 1980. But Bakker and his wife, Tammy, now accuse Falwell of wrongfully taking over the organization. Trakas said the group's first priority is representation on the board of directors, and the association is ready to take the battle to court.

"It's a shame we have to fight legally but we have no other recourse," he told the crowd. The group also will fight to maintain the charismatic nature of the ministry and will urge PTL supporters to withhold donations, he said. Charismatics like the Bakkers believe in such practices as faith healing and speaking in tongues; Falwell, a fundamentalist Baptist, does not. The Pantagraph Published dally and Sunday by Evergreen Communications 301 W. Washington Bloomington, IL 61701.

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The Sheriff's Department was called to the scene by an Aurora man who was visiting relatives in the Streator area for the Fourth of July holiday. Police did not release the name of the man, who said he walks the river bank as a form of enjoyment every time he is in r-.