Budget could mean fewer Ill. trains

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Associated Press
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov.
Bruce Rauner’s proposed state
budget would cut 40 percent
from Illinois’ funding for Amtrak
trains during a time when ridership has been climbing.
Passenger numbers and ticket
revenues have grown during the
past five years, according to an
analysis by the Springfield State
Journal-Register.
The Lincoln Service train
between St. Louis and Chicago,
for example, saw more than
633,000 passengers during the
most recent federal fiscal year.
That’s a 25 percent increase from
five years earlier.
Ridership on the Illini-Saluki
line between Carbondale and
Chicago went up 22 percent to
nearly 316,000 passengers during the same period. The Illinois
Zephyr between Quincy and Chicago saw nearly 215,000 riders in
the most recent year, up 6.2 percent from five years earlier.
Amtrak passengers are people
like Jacksonville residents John
and Barbara Fritsche, who waited
Thursday at a crowded station
in Springfield for a popular lateafternoon train to Chicago.
“We probably take it twice a
month,” John Fritsche said. “We
can read and work and not be
stuck in traffic.”
Rauner’s budget proposes $26
million in spending for Amtrak,
a cut of $16 million from the
previous year’s appropriation.
Frequency of passenger trains
depends on the final funding
approved by the Legislature, but
an Amtrak spokesman said the
Rauner budget likely would lead
to service reductions.
“We do not believe the current
funding recommended would be
sufficient to maintain the current
level of service,” said Amtrak
spokesman Marc Magliari.
Under a cost formula worked
out in 2013 between Amtrak
and some state transportation
departments, Illinois pays 85
percent of the cost of state corridor routes, with ticket revenues
paying 15 percent. The formula
stemmed from a change in federal law to make Amtrak funding
from states more equitable.
The Illinois Department of
Transportation released a statement on funding, saying the
agency “is working closely with
the governor’s office on finding
solutions to the serious fiscal
problems facing the state.” The
department said it would keep
customers “appraised as the
budget process moves forward.”
Peoria plans
to expand use
of gunshot
detection
Associated Press
Kenneth Messer
Deaths
Helen McNeeley
Helen Elizabeth “Betty”
McNeeley, 92,
of New London
died Wednesday, Feb. 25,
2015.
Born May 10,
1922, near Wayland, she was the
daughter of Lester and Roma Henss.
She married Gilbert McNeeley during the war. He died June 12, 1996.
Mrs. McNeeley was a secondgrade teacher in the New London
School District for 25 years.
She was a graduate of Wayland
High School and Iowa Wesleyan
College. She lived most of her life
in Henry County, aside from time
spent with her husband in Alabama and Colorado. In 2004, she
moved to Oxford, Ala., and then
moved to Strongsville, Ohio.
She was active in church and
community organizations.
She was a land developer;
world traveler; loving mother,
grandmother and great-grandmother; and friend.
Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Welshman and Martha Meeker; one son, Steven
McNeeley; eight grandchildren;
and 14 great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband of 50 years,
she was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters and one brother.
Visitation will be after noon
Friday at Elliott Chapel in New
London, with family greeting
friends from 5 to 7 p.m.
Funeral services for Mrs.
McNeeley will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the chapel, with the Rev.
James Roth officiating.
Memorials have been established for New London Methodist
Church and Dover Museum.
Barry Brecheisen/Associated Press
Actor Vince Vaughn, center left, and Special Olympics Chicago
President Casey Hogan take part in the Chicago Polar Plunge
Sunday at North Avenue Beach in Chicago.
Lady Gaga, Vince Vaughn
take charity polar plunge
Associated Press
CHICAGO — Lady Gaga and
Vince Vaughn plunged into the
icy waters of Chicago’s Lake
Michigan at a fundraiser for the
Special Olympics.
Special Olympics Chicago
President Casey Hogan said
Sunday Lady Gaga made the
plunge with more than 4,500 participants. Hogan said the singer’s
appearance was “a very nice surprise.”
Lady
Gaga
recently
announced her engagement to
“Chicago Fire” actor Taylor Kinney. Photos show her and a barechested Kinney going into the
water together.
Vaughn also made the plunge.
The native of the Chicago suburb
Lake Forest was dressed in a
Chicago Blackhawks jersey and
jeans. The actor went in up to his
knees, then eased himself down
backward in the water.
Last year, comedian Jimmy
Fallon jumped in wearing a suit
and tie and helped raise more
Barry Brecheisen/Associated Press
Pop star Lady Gaga, top, gets a
piggy back ride from her fiance, Taylor Kinney, as they and
members of the “Chicago Fire”
cast take part in the Chicago
Polar Plunge Sunday at North
Avenue Beach in Chicago.
than $1 million.
The air temperature was a
frigid 20 degrees at the time of
the plunge, according to the
National Weather Service.
Kenneth W. Messer, 78, of Hillsboro died Sunday, March 1, 2015,
at Pleasant Manor Care Center in
Mount Pleasant. Arrangements
are pending at Murphy Funeral
Home in Mount Pleasant.
Emmett Messer
Emmett G. Messer, 88, of Yarmouth died Sunday, March 1, 2015,
at Prairie Ridge Care and Rehab in
Mediapolis. Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel in New London.
Obituary policy
Mary McGhghy
The Hawk Eye publishes
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Mary E. McGhghy, 88, of Salem
died Sunday, March 1, 2015, at her
home. Arrangements are pending
at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of
Life Centers in Keokuk.
Michael Kennedy
Michael
Craig
Kennedy, 66, of
Yarmouth died
at 9:46 a.m.
Friday,
Feb.
27, 2015, at his
home.
Born Feb. 18,
1949, in Burlington, he was the
son of Donald
and Harriet Dotson Kennedy.
On March 12,
1983, he married Debbie Mellinger in
Pleasant Grove.
Mr. Kennedy was a lifelong farmer.
He was a 1967 graduate of
Mediapolis High School.
He was a U.S. Marines veteran,
serving during the Vietnam War.
He received the National Defense
Service Medal.
He attended Mediapolis United
Methodist Church.
He enjoyed antique tractor
rides, guns, watching westerns,
especially John Wayne, playing
cards, Shiner’s breakfast club and
time spent with family and friends.
Besides his wife, survivors
include one son, Michael Kennedy
of Yarmouth; three daughters,
Cherish Carlson and Gina Maupin,
both of Mediapolis, and Brooke Van
Winkle of Muncie, Ind.; 10 grandchildren; his mother of Yarmouth;
one brother, Rob Kennedy of Russell; two sisters, Dawn Talley and
Lori Andrews, both of Yarmouth;
and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his
father and one brother.
Visitation will be from noon to
7 p.m. today at Thielen Funeral
Home, with family receiving
friends from 5 to 7 p.m.
The funeral service for Mr. Kennedy will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday
at Mediapolis United Methodist
Church, with the Rev. Jeff Kodis
officiating. Full military honors
will be rendered by the HamiltonWalters Marine Corps League
Detachment 616. Burial will be in
Kossuth Cemetery. A time of food
and fellowship will be in the church
fellowship hall following burial.
Memorials have been established
for Southeast Iowa Renal Dialysis
and Mediapolis Ambulance Service.
Paid Notice
Shirley Willson
Mrs. Shirley Anne Willson, 78, of West Burlington died Saturday, February 28, 2015, at
Great River Klein Center in West Burlington.
Born June 9, 1936 in Burlington, she was the
daughter of Vernon L. and Dorothy E. (Behtz)
Johnson. On July 1, 1955, she married William
(Bill) D. Willson in Burlington at the West Hill
United Methodist Church.
Shirley was a housewife, or like she would say
“a domestic ENGINEER”. She loved taking care
of her family, pets and flowers.
In 1976, she bowled a 704 series and at that time, she was only
the third women to have a 700 series in Burlington.
Shirley was a graduate from Burlington High School class of
1955, and had been a member of Moose Lodge since 1981. She
enjoyed singing, dancing, playing bingo, cards, bowling and being
with friends and family. Shirley especially looked forward to when
her brother came to town. They would stay up to the wee hours of
the morning playing gin-rummy. She wrote poetry which was published in 2005.
Shirley is survived by her daughter, Kari Potter of West Burlington; brother, James (Kay) Johnson of Bedford, IA; nephew, Steve
(Sherry) Johnson of Clarinda, IA; and niece, Jill Johnson of Urbandale, IA.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, husband, many aunts and uncles and a special nephew, Michael Johnson of Bedford, IA.
Shirley was a wonderful wife, mother, sister and beloved friend
to many. She leaves behind many wonderful memories and will be
missed.
A heart warm thanks to the staff at Klein’s for the loving care given
to mom.
Friends may call after noon on Wednesday, March 4th, at Lunning
Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.
The funeral service for Shirley Anne Willson will be at 11:00 a.m.
Thursday, March 5th, at Lunning Chapel, with Rev. Dean Graber officiating. Inurnment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery at a later date.
Cremation will be accorded following services.
A memorial has been established for the Alzheimer’s Association
Greater IA Chapter.
Paid Notice
For the Record
Arrests/citations
Reports are taken directly from
the daily logs of area law
enforcement agencies. Some
agencies do not differentiate
between arrests and citations.
Burlington
Sunday
1:31 a.m. 410 Summer St. David
Charles Champagne, 43, same
address: domestic abuse assault.
Crime watch
Reports are taken directly from
the daily logs of area law
enforcement agencies.
Burlington
Sunday
1300 block of North Seventh
Street. Fight reported at 6:20 a.m.
Gas Land, 1204 N. Eighth St.
Theft reported at 6:07 am.
Casey’s General Store, 501 E.
Mount Pleasant St. Burglary
reported at 2:53 a.m.
13th and Dodge streets. Reckless driver reported at 12:24 a.m.
1:05 a.m. 609 S. Main St. Benjamin David Wolfe, 20, 5276 Madison Ave.: public intoxication
and possession of a controlled Saturday
substance.
Circle K, 1012 Maple Street.
Saturday
Disorderly conduct reported at
7:49 p.m.
10:11 p.m. Angular and Summer
U.S.
34. Reckless driver reported
streets. Robert Roy Clay, 57, 628
at 6:43 p.m.
McKinley Ave.: public intoxication.
Circle K, 1012 Maple St. Theft
reported at 6:31 p.m.
Friday
1300
block of Osborn Street.
5:56 p.m. Shopko, 313 N. RooVandalism
reported at 6:12 p.m.
sevelt Ave. Camden Matthew
Baxter, 16, 1325 Fulton St., Great Western Bank, 1010 N.
Roosevelt Ave. Burglary reKeokuk: fifth-degree theft; Dilported at 3:13 p.m.
lon Joseph McCarty, 16, 376
Messenger Road, Keokuk: fifth- Great Western Bank, 1010 N.
degree theft; Sean Michael McRoosevelt Ave. Burglary reCarty, 14, 376 Messenger Road,
ported at 2:51 p.m.
Keokuk: fifth-degree theft.
600 block of Denmark Street.
Vandalism reported at 2:22 p.m.
2:25 p.m. Burlington High School,
421 Terrace Drive. Kiona Jaye 1500 block of Lincoln Street.
Lee, 17, 816 Linden St.: disorderly
Theft of vehicles reported at
conduct and assault with intent
12:43 p.m.
to do injury.
Cathmar and Terrace drives.
West Burlington
Reckless driver reported at
11:01 a.m.
Sunday
1700 block of Olive Street. Van3:54 a.m. Broadway and Wheeler
dalism reported at 9:34 a.m.
streets. Darius Lee Porter, 57,
100
block of Leffler Street.
1515 Oakdale St., Burlington:
Vandalism reported at 7:23 a.m.
possession of marijuana and
300 block of Maple Street.
warrant.
Theft reported at 1:27 a.m.
PEORIA, Ill. — Peoria police
have plans to expand use of a
gunshot detection system officers said makes them more efficient.
The Peoria Police Department
has been using ShotSpotter technology in a 3-square-mile area
of South Peoria since November
2013. The department is preparing to expand coverage into the
North Valley, East Bluff and Central Peoria.
The system promises near
instantaneous notification of gunfire through communication technology and audio triangulation.
“It’s been embraced by the
officers,” Assistant Chief Mike
Eddlemon said.
Peoria spent $405,000 on a
three-year contract with ShotSpotter in 2013 for the South Peoria
area. Last month, the Peoria City
Council approved doubling the
coverage area at a cost of $459,000
for three years. Police hope to have
equipment installed in the new
areas in the next three months.
Statistics show officers have
located evidence of gunfire in
71.4 percent of cases when a
citizen has called 911 along with
a ShotSpotter alert. Without an Saturday
alert, police confirm gunfire 3:10 p.m. Walmart, 324 W. Agency Friday
complaints in 8.9 percent of
Road. Jessica Marie Breiner, 16, White Horse Lounge, 504 S.
Adam St. Disorderly conduct
cases. Numbers are less clear on
1020 N. Seventh St., Burlington:
reported at 11:32 p.m.
false positives, or alerts issued
fifth-degree theft; Taylor Geoffor sounds that aren’t gunfire or
frey Anderson, 17, 400 May Ave., 800 block of South Ninth Street.
can’t be confirmed.
Theft reported at 11:10 p.m.
Burlington: fifth-degree theft.
Paid Notice
Betty McNeeley
The Funeral Service for Mrs. Helen Elizabeth “Betty” McNeeley,
92, of Strongsville, Ohio and formerly New London, will be held at
11:00 a.m. Saturday at Elliott Chapel, New London. Pastor Jim Roth
will officiate with interment being held in Burge Cemetery, rural New
London. Visitation will begin at noon on Friday at Elliott Chapel, with
the family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorials have been
established for the New London United Methodist Church and the
Dover Museum.
Mary Lou Wilson
The Memorial Service for Mrs. Mary Lou Wilson, 77, of New London, will be held later in the spring.
Emmett Messer
Funeral services are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London for
Mr. Emmett Messer, 88, of Yarmouth.
Entrusted to
Elliott Chapel’s Care
New London
Shirley Anne
Willson
The Funeral Service for
Mrs. Shirley Anne Willson,
78, who died Saturday, February 28, 2015, will be 11:00
a.m. Thursday, March 5th, in
Lunning Chapel, with Rev.
Dean Graber officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date
in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
Cremation will be accorded
following services. Friends
may call Wednesday, March
4th, at Lunning Chapel, from
noon until 8:00 p.m., where
the family will receive friends
6:00 until 8:00 p.m. A memorial for the Alzheimer’s Association Greater IA Chapter
has been established.
Send a sympathy message at:
www.LunningFuneralChapel.com
Remembrance Picture Tributes
and Funeral Services may be viewed
at the respective obituaries
of participating families.
Paid Notice
3940 Division St.
Burlington, Iowa 52601
(319) 752-2828
Toll Free 1-877-752-2828
Bonnie Raid
T h e
Funeral
Service
for Bonnie Raid,
93,
will
be 10:00
a.m. today,
at
Thielen
Funeral
Home, with Pastor Denny
Coon officiating. Burial will
be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Memorials have been
established for Hope Haven
and Grace United Methodist
Church.
Michael Kennedy
T h e
Funeral
Service
for
Mic h a e l
C r a i g
Kennedy,
66,
will
be 10:30
a . m .
Tuesday,
at Mediapolis United Methodist Church, with Reverend
Jeff Kodis officiating. Full military honors will be rendered
by the Hamilton-Walters Marine Corps League Detachment 616. Burial will be in
Kossuth Cemetery. Visitation
will be from 12:00 p.m. until
7:00 p.m., with the family to
receive friends from 5:00
p.m. until 7:00 p.m. today, at
Thielen Funeral Home. A memorial has been established.
Condolences may be sent from
www.thielenfuneralhome.com.
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