Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 1

LIFESTYLES: 'Chicago a critics' kind of movie. CI Mattoon A ourna azeite 50 Cents Thursday March 20, 2003 126th Year, No. S2 OUTSIDE 6845 Warm with showers and thunderstorms likely. Highs in the upper 60s. Full report on A12.

TOP THIS Sailor's sneaker wins rotten contest MONTPEUER, Vt. (AP) An annual rotten sneaker contest included a little international competition when an entry came in from the crew of the USS Montpelier submarine. The sneaker arrived double-bagged from an undisclosed location in the Persian Gulf where the submarine is currently deployed. But the shoe arrived with an unmistakable odor of fish. Contestants are required to be under the age of 15, but contest organizers still gave the military shoe an honorary title of "most rotten sneaker." "Thafs a weapon of mass destruction right there," said commenta- tor Dave Moody, who moderated the 28th annual contest.

The rotten sneaker contest began in 1975 as a way to help a local sporting goods store sell shoes. Coining up in Friday's Journal Gazette 5 run strongf after first strike The start of military action in Iraq did little to alter some resident's thoughts about the looming war. A Mattoon man, who supports the militarily strikes against Iraq, said he- was pleased with President Bush's decision to attack quickly after the deadline iv for Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq expired. I After hearing the presi- dent's speech, Sid Guill Jr. of Mattoon believes Bush's intentions of trying not to harm Iraqi citizens were real, and he was glad the president addressed the An FA-18 soars off the deck of the carrier Harry S.

Truman on Wednesday. F-14s and F-18s were launched from carriers hours after the first U.S. in Baghdad. The strikes used Tomahawk cruise missiles and precision-guided bombs dropped from Air Force stealth fighter-bomber F-117 Nighthawks, military officials said. Area soldiers' families on edge 3 2003 Mattoon Journal Gazette ASSOCIATED PHOTO nation about the situation.

"I think his intentions are to protect the United States and the world from terrorism," Guill said. "I hate to see us go to war, but I hope it is over as soon as possible." Guill said he thought the timing of the war was appropriate because the United States has waited long enough for Saddam Hussein to cooperate with U.N. inspectors. "You can play games with him forever," Guill said. "Who knows what would have happened." Guill has faith in the U.S.

See FEELINGS, A9 LICENSES FOR SALE ing the verdict. The seven-week trial focused a spotlight on endemic political corruption in Illinois where politicians maintain big armies of patronage workers and dozens of officeholders have been sent to prison for bribery and helping themselves to government resources to fuel their campaigns. Witnesses at the Fawell trial said state officials swapped official favors for campaign money, kickbacks and free trips to Costa Rica. The charges stemmed from the government's five-year Operation Safe Road investigation of corruption during the eight years Ryan was sec-, retary of state before his 1998 election as governor. Fifty-nine former state employees and others have been charged and 55 convicted with no acquittals.

Fawell and the Citizens for Ryan campaign committee were convicted Wednesday on all counts. Pallmeyer set June 26 for sentencing. Attorneys had See LICENSES, A9 BY KRISTA LEWIN AND DAVE FOPAY Staff Writers As President Bush announced military strikes had begun in Iraq, David Rauch of Mattoon said his nerves were on end. David and Robin Rauch are the parents of Army Private Todd Rauch, who is stationed in Kuwait. The Rauchs have not received telephone calls from their son for several days for security reasons because his unit was moved closer to the Iraqi border.

The announcement of military strikes Wednesday only increased the Rauchs' desire to hear from their son and tell him they love him, and were praying for him. "It is not just fear for our son, but also for other kids he "We all share the same hope that they will come back safely." David Rauch went to school with who are in the military," said Rauch. "We all share the same hope that they will come back safely." Paul and Darletta Drury of Charleston, who both have sons in the Army stationed in Kuwait, were hoping Wednesday night the war will end quickly. Paul Drury's son, Chuck Drury, is a second lieutenant Sec FAMILIES, A9 Explosions, air raid sirens heard in Baghdad By The Associated Press BAGHDAD, Iraq Antiaircraft tracers flashed across the skies of Baghdad and explosions sounded in the city at dawn Thursday as President Bush launched war against Saddam Hussein. Less than two hours after Bush's deadline for the Iraqi leader to leave the country, the U.S military attacked with Tomahawk cruise missiles and precision-guided bombs dropped from F-117 stealth fighter-bombers.

U.S. government officials said the strikes targeted Iraqi leaders in what the president called the opening salvo in an operation to "disarm Iraq and to free its people." Bush emphasized the war was not against the Iraqi people but their leadership. American messages broadcast on Iraqi airwaves to the population declared, "This is the day you have been waiting for," according to Al-Jazeera TV. At about 5:30 a.m., air sirens blared in the Iraqi capital and yellow and white antiaircraft tracers streaked through the sky. A number of strong explosions could be heard.

Most seemed to be at locations outside the city, but one was followed by a rising ball of fire toward the southern part of the capital. Frequent sonic booms and the sounds of aircraft could be heard in northern Iraq above the city of Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdish autonomous enclave. In Baghdad, the initial firing stopped after about a half-hour, and the capital returned to the hush that reigned there as the deadline neared. The only sounds during the brief lull was a mosque's muezzin making the call for dawn Islamic See IKAQ, A9 Fortunate discovery Visitor spots only known original photo of Sarah Bush Lincoln BY HARRIETT GUSTASON Freeport Journal-Standard FREEPORT A photograph of a tremendously influential person in the life of Abraham Lincoln has turned up at the Stephenson County Historical Society in Freeport. The only known original photograph of Abraham Lincoln's step-mother, Sarah Bush Lincoln, has been found at the society's local museum.

Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln was the Second wife of Lincoln's father, Thomas Lincoln. She married Thomas on Dec. 2, 1819, when the future president was 10 years old. Tom Vance, former site superintendent at Lincoln Log Cabin state historic site in Lerna, said that it was "absolutely the first he's heard" of the photo. He said that the discovery is very exciting for historians and others interested in the his- ONLINE Fawell, Ryan campaign guilty of corruption IBS I I I Results rem tzzX Western Kentucky CLASSIFIEDS To place a Classified Ad, call 235-5656 Inside I ji II NT By The Associated Press CHICAGO A top aide to former Gov! George Ryan was convicted Wednesday along with Ryan's campaign committee of using tax dollars and state employees to run what prosecutors called a corrupt, ruthless and all but unstoppable "political machine." Scott Fawell, 45, was also convicted by a federal court jury following a seven-week trial of lying to a federal grand jury, failing to report income for three years and conspiring t6 destroy evidence.

U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald said the verdict marked the first time ever a campaign committee had been convicted of racketeering. "We think it sends a clear message that such corruption and obstruction of justice should not be tolerated and will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted," Fitzgerald told a news conference. U.S.

District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer ordered the Citizens for Ryan campaign committee to forfeit $750,000 an amount worked out in a deal between defense attorneys and prosecutors follow- 5656 KEVIN E. SCHMIDTTHE JOURNAL-STANDARD This photograph of Sarah Bush Lincoln was recently discovered In the collection at the Stephenson County Historical Society In Freeport. It Is the only know original photo of her. tory of Abraham Lincoln. son's life.

"It is very significant," "His step-mother was a Vance said. "That would person who understood double the number of known Abraham Lincoln," said Kim pictures (of Sarah Bush Bauer, Lincoln curator at the Lincoln)." Historians say she was a leading influence in her step- See LINCOLN, A9 Advice C2 Classifieds C6-10 Comics C4 Lifestyles Local A3.7.12 Lotteries A12 Markets A5 Obituaries A12 Opinion A4 TVBstlngs C5 at www.jg-tc.com or CONTACT US at (217) 235.