No Groung Given On Iraq Plan Standoff

THE MONROE More arrests made in 1999 murder of former Monroe woman Sports, Page B1

STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

No ground given on Iraq plan standoff Bush urges Congress to give policy a chance, but

Democrats not buying it By David Espo AP Special Correspondent

WASHINGTON — President Bush's push for a new immigration policy and his acknowledgment of global climate change as a serious concern won praise from presidential candidates in both parties Wednesday even as they split on

partisan lines over Iraq. Bush appealed to Congress in his State of the Union speech to give his Iraq strategy a chance' to work, running into a wall • of skepticism, especially from Democrats who control the House and Senate. That response carried over into the morning talk shows, where Democratic presidential aspirants Barack Obama and Bill Richardson voiced firm opposition to Bush's troop escalation. "He has not made the case," Obama, an Illinois senator, said on CBS' "The Early Show."

Two Republican presidential hopefuls — Arizona Sen. John McCain and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani — countered that there is no choice but to give Bush's plan a chance to succeed. "It's the only game in town," McCain said on the same program. Giuliani, on NBC's "Today" show, said: "I believe we should give the president the support to do this." Bush also urged lawmakers in his speech Tuesday night to send him legislation helping more Americans afford

See IRAQ, page A6

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Energy Reduce gasoline usage by up to 20 percent by 201 7. Increase fuel economy for new cars.

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; Education ! I Allow poor i ! children to i ; transfer to ; j private i : schools. ; ; Extend the : i No Child Lett i : Behind I i program, i

War on terror/ Iraq/Military The war in Iraq threatens Americans' safety. Increase Army and Marines by 92,000 soldiers by 201 2.

Showcasing Talents

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Budget/ Medicare, Economy : Medicaid, Balance Social Security the federal i'• Keep these budget i entitlements by 2012 i sound so Ameriwithout \ cans can avoid raising ; taxincreases, taxes. i huge deficits and

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: Immigration i Comprehen! sive reform i that toughens I border security : and creates a I temporary j worker I program.

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MONROE

Roth Kase to pay back wages, fine Labor Department rules on what company calls'minor infractions' By Brian Gray [email protected] MONROE — Roth Kase USA was ordered Tuesday to pay more than $50,000 in back wages to 111 employees and a $2,640 fine for a youth employment violation. In a news release, the United States Department of Labor said between November 2004 and November 2006 the company failed to pay the employees for changing in and out of their uniforms at the start and end of their shifts. The

company also allowed a 16-year-old employee to drive a company vehicle and on several occasions work on or about a roof in violation of the youth provision portion of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Scott Allen from the Department of Labor Public Affairs Office said ,;_Roth Kase paid the fine and is in the process of paying the back wages to the Labor Department which will then distribute the money to the 111 employees. Allen said it's not uncommon for the oversight to occur. "This occurs more often than we believe," he said. However, he added, employers should know the laws and the

See ROTH KASE, page A6

MONROE

Bears fan nickels and dimes his wayto Miami

Times photos: Brenda Steurer

ABOVE: Olivia O'Dea, left, and Katie Miller belt out "Tomorrow" from the Broadway musical "Annie" Monday 1^ night during rehearsal for the Showcase of Talent at the Monroe Arts Center. Seventy-five talented individuals will be performing at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 26 and 27 at the MAC: Reserved seat tickets are available for $10 by calling 325-5700 or visiting monroeartscenter.com. NEAR RIGHT: Tashona Brown practices singing her solo for the weekend performance. FAR RIGHT: Tracy Bristow ends her solo on a high note while performing a comical song.

By Shannon Green [email protected] MONROE — It's been a long 15 years, but Tom Novak is finally cashing it in. Novak, an avid Chicago Bears fan, has tossed his daily pocket change into a bucket for 15 years to save up for a trip to the Super Bowl, in the hope that his beloved team would finally get there. On Sunday, Novak's dream came true. Tuesday morning, Novak, 45, took his collection to Woodford State Bank in Monroe. It came in five 40pound, one-gallon plastic pails that

WHAT'S IN

WEATHER . TONIGHT: Decreasing clouds with a few flurries. Low around 11. THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. High around 20. •

ftill forecast • page A6

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WHAT'S UP Monroe Plan Commission to discuss Wal-Mart Supercenter plans at City Hall.

Black Hawk school board to discuss the upcoming referendum at the Gratiot library.

Today, 5 p.m.

Today, 7 p.m.

Monroe's Mat Rats program uses high schoolers as mentors in their climb to success.

THURSDAY • LIFE

THURSDAY • SPORTS

David A. Dickison • 63, Orfordville, 01/22 Kevin Simplot • 48, Brodhead, 01/23 Norma J. Wilkinson • 60, Monroe, 01/22 Carrie M. Zimmerman • 88, Juda, 01/22

See FAN, page A6

BREAKING

A look at the options available for residential Internet service in Monroe.

DEATHS

took Novak several trips to and from his truck to bring in. Customer Service Representative Tern Thompson spent more than 10 minutes pouring the heavy change into the counting machine. Finally, she gave him the total: $2,102.55. Novak was pleasantly surprised at the amount. "I figured it was around $1,500," he said. Novak, co-owner of Monroe Heating and Sheet Metal, is a Monroe resident, but he was bom in Chicago.

328-4202 Editor: Jeff Rogers News: Jifli Whiter Sports: Mike Leverton Ads: Laura Hughes Delivery: Judy Price

Doyle wants smoking ban MADISON (AP) - Smoking will cost more, but there will be fewer places where you can light up under a proposal Gov. Jim Doyle announced Wednesday, Doyle wants to ban smoking statewide in all public places, including restaurants, bars and workplaces. He also wants to increase the tax on cigarettes by $1.25 per pack, up from the 77 cents now charged. • Story on Page A3