Middle East change topic of discussion

NORMAL - "Continuity and Change in Middle East Politics" will be the subject of a presentation by Jamal Nassar at noon today in room 401 Stevenson Hall, Illinois State University.

The event is free and open to the public, and a free lunch will be provided.

Sale begins Sunday for rare German gun

BLOOMINGTON - A rare German gun that experts believe may have been Adolf Hitler's will be put up for auction Sunday at Midwest Exchange.

Engraved with the initials A.H., the Krieghoff Drilling shotgun/rifle was given to Hitler as a gift by the Krieghoff company during the years leading up to World War II, said Wes Lane, owner of the pawn shop.

Bidding on the gun, which is in good condition, will start at $10,000 and will run from 7:30 p.m. Sunday until the same time Feb. 9 at www.Superfastcash.

Midwest Exchange also will hold public viewings of the gun between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday.

Nominations sought for Route 66 honors

PONTIAC - The Route 66 Association of Illinois is seeking nominations for its Hall of Fame.

Nominations can include anyone with in interest in the highway, or those who have worked along it.

Letters should be no more than four pages and include the nominee's history and connection to the road. Photos and other memorabilia are welcome, but not required.

Past winners include business owners, police officers and landmarks.

Nominations need to be submitted to the association by Feb. 25. Winners will be installed during the group's annual Motor Tour in June.

Mail nominations to Route 66 Association of Illinois, Attn: Hall of Fame Committee, 110 W. Howard St., Pontiac, IL 61764.

Central Catholic teens march in D.C.

BLOOMINGTON - A group of Central Catholic High School students and teachers joined thousands of people Monday in Washington, D.C., for an anti-abortion march.

About 45 Twin City students and faculty members returned Tuesday after walking with other activists protesting the 33rd anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision. The ruling legalized abortion in the United States.

A Rally for Life and Youth Mass preceded the larger March for Life.

Participants in March for Life listened to speakers at the National Mall, and then they marched on to Congress and the Supreme Court.

Location moved for joint council meeting

NORMAL - A joint meeting between Bloomington and Normal city councils to discuss a proposed public place smoking ban will take place at Heartland Community College Community Room on Monday.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the community room of the college's Community Commons Building, 1500 W. Raab Road. The meeting originally was slated for Normal City Hall.

Police, fire, rescue

Police: No foul play suspected in death

STREATOR - Authorities said no foul play was involved in the death of a Streator woman whose body was found in her yard over the weekend.

Patricia Wilkerson, 55, was found in the snow at her Carriage Lane Estates home Saturday morning. Livingston County Sheriff's Capt. John Johnson said there was no reason to treat the death as anything but normal. He is awaiting the results on an autopsy.

In court

Businessman faces 15-year prison term

OTTAWA - A Granville businessman will face up to 15 years in prison when he is sentenced March 31 for solicitation of burglary, a charge bargained from solicitation for murder.

Weekend negotiations brought the plea to a lesser charge, said First Assistant State's Attorney Brian Towne. It would have been difficult to prove Don Gibson, 65, wanted four people, including his ex-wife, harmed or killed when he arranged for an undercover agent to break into a residence, said Towne.

He faced up to 30 years in prison on the original charge.

Gibson owns a company that goes to the scene of railroad accidents to repair the damage. The plea was announced just before jury selection was to begin Monday.

Setting it right

Sports

BHS basketball - Bloomington High School's Brandon Holtz averaged 20.1 points per game in the 2003-04 season. A story in Tuesday's Pantagraph incorrectly stated BHS' Justin Bocot's 19.2 scoring average was the Purple Raiders' best since Corey Anders' 22.9 mark in 1993-94.

The Pantagraph values accuracy. If you see something that is inaccurate, report it to the editor of the section. All corrections will run in this space, except Sundays. If you are not sure whom to call, contact Editor Terry Greenberg at (309) 820-3230 or tgreenbergyayaypantagraph or Managing Editor Mark Pickering at (309) 820-3252 or mpickeringyayaypantagraph.