Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 1

VJ fcd The ethanol debate Weekend wrestling At the Mattoon Invitational, the host Green Increasing demand for ethanol has livestock while Charleston's producers and others questioning the overall value of the corn-based alternative fuel. Nation World, Page D1 Wave takes first place, grappling irojans Dring Mattoon zette oornai Cents 129th Year, No. 303 KEEPING KIDS SAFE ON THE INTERNET iminsrs IVIOJ 1 rin nome secona. Sports, Page C1 50 Meeting set to help parents with online questions By ROB STROUD Slat) Wnter CHARLESTON Dateline NBC's investigative reports about sexual predators targeting teens online have caused many local parents to worry about their own children being at risk. Deputy Chief Mark Jenkins said these parents have approached the Charleston Police Department during the last six months with concerns and questions about the risks of their children's Internet usage.

Monday January 8, 2007 fr A J. f2007 Mattoon Journal Gazette online is just as important as knowing their friends and the places they go in the real world," Jenkins said. "Unless 0NLINEA2 JTN. Ji .7.. rCs Ken TrevarthanStaff Photographer Charleston Police Department patrolman Mike Lenart asks young library patron Quade Paddock about the online computer game he is playing Thursday afternoon in the young people's area of the Charleston Carnegie Public Library in Charleston.

Consequently, Jenkins said, the police department plans to offer tips for protecting children online during a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Charleston ouse votes to freeze electric rates Madigan was playing politics by for an extension of the decade-long that ended Jan. 1. Senate is a responsible body. It in a responsible manner," "All this other political stuff, involved in that." D-Chicago, urged Gov.

Rod to put pressure on Jones to RATESA2 By KURT ERICKS0N JGT-C Springfield Bureau SPRINGFIELD Illinois' top leaders continued their high-stakes jousting over rising electric rates Sunday, but it appears consumers will still face higher power bills when the dust settles. Meeting in a rare Sunday session, the Illinois House approved a plan to freeze electric rates for three more years. The 71-29 vote came despite claims by utility company officials that the move will send them spiraling into bankruptcy, resulting in service cuts and possible blackouts. As expected, Senate President Emil Jones again signaled that the proposal would go nowhere in the Senate. Jones, D-Chicago, earlier muscled legislation through his chamber that would phase in the rate hikes over a six-year period.

He suggested that House Speaker OUTSIDE Party chance of light snow. light See page A4. WEDNESDAY YV 1 CrY 'L ffH J' iJT S' A.l IllFOCUS See what JGT-C camera lenses capture this week. -r -V- mm vj LOCAL Students get back in the swing of things Eastern Illinois University's campus is buzzing again as students return from break to dig into the spring semester. Page A3 nation Embryos aren't only source for stem cells On Sunday, scientists reported that they have found a plentiful source of stem cells that gives another avenue for research beyond the controversial use of embryos.

Page A6 NATION Study: Girls more likely to gain weight as tweens Between age 9 and 12, girls are more likely to become overweight, moreso than in their teenage years, according to researchers who published a report in The Journal of Pediatrics today. Page A6 NATION Did NASA probes land on Martian microbes? One scientist theorizes that the Viking space probes of 1976-77 may have inadvertently killed alien microbes on Mars. The researcher says the exploring machines were looking for the wrong kind of life and possibly didn't recognize what they found. Page D1 TOP THIS School officials KO students wearing PJ pants WEST FARGO, N.D. (AP) High school wrestler Dusty Holmes used to wear pajama bottoms to school, saying it helped him stay relaxed on the day of his matches.

Not anymore. Administrators at West Fargo High School decided to ban all PJs after a teacher complained last month. The students have been circulating a petition to reverse the decision. "We just wanted to be a little more casual; more down-to-earth," said Holmes, a junior. Principal Gary Clark said the school is not strict about what its 1 ,600 students wear, but trying to decide which pajamas are proper weufd be too difficult.

"It's just what's appropriate for in schools," Clark said. "It just makes more sense to us for pajamas to be worn at home." Sharon Holmes said her son's pajamas were anything but offensive. "I've seen the way some of those kids come in and out of that school, and believe me, (pajama pants are) the least offensive thing," she said. High School library. Community members from Charleston and beyond are welcome to attend.

"Knowing the places and people your children visit ELECTIONS uu BUYING VOTES SUNDAY: Political party leaders control legislative campaign funds Where the money might go when you give to a candidate Fund-raising is a big part of running for office TODAY: An examination of the types of proposals on tap to change the way Illinois funds its elections. t3 Michael pushing freeze "The does things said Jones. I am not Madigan, Blagojevich ILLINOIS 1 nothing happened. Upcoming elections had loomed over reform talks in the past two years, making it difficult for lawmakers to change the rules late in the game. In 2008, lawmakers will be campaigning again.

After that, the 2010 governor's race will already be a hot topic. But now, after another year of heavy spending bought nasty television ads and bitter mailers, campaign finance REF0RMA2 if, IP Li Green Party needs to go after more 'green' By MIKE RI0PELI JGT-C Springfield CARBONDALE Rich Whitney didn't have a lot of money to spend on his bid to be Illinois governor as part of the Green Party. With about four months to go before the November election, he had about $860 in the bank. Compare that to the $1.5 million Republican Judy Baar Topinka had or even the $12.3 million Democrat Rod Blagojevich had. In the months that followed, Whitney picked up several thousand more dollars, but his two opponents brought in several million.

It was an obvious disadvantage. Looking back, the Carbon-dale lawyer said while money wasn't the most important part of his campaign, he wishes he would have put more effort into finding some cash. Still, he finished the election with about 10 percent of the vote, assuring the Green Party a spot on the ballot in 2010. Lee News Service talked with Whitney about his campaign finances in early January. His answers are edited for clarity and length.

Most would say you 6REENA2 Lee News Service Surrounded by a swarm of media, Rod Blagojevich waves to supporters during ceremonies leading to his first inauguration as governor in 2003. See page A3 for more on Blagojevich. 2007 may be the year for campaign reform By MIKE RI0PEU JGT-C Springfield SPRINGFIELD For lawmakers and observers who want to change state laws that govern campaign giving and spending, 2007 could provide their best hope for change in the next several years. Gov. Rod Blagojevich pitched a campaign finance reform plan in 2005 that stalled.

His office says he's going to push it again this year. Others pressed their own versions before that, but INDEX Advice B2 Classifieds D3-6 Comics D2 Community B1 Entertainment B5 Local A3 Mini Page Obituaries B3 Opinions A5 Pipilf ONLINE at www.jg-tc.com or CONTACT US at 1-800-453-2472.