In 1987, the central Illinois town of Flora was competing, for the third time, to win a new state prison.

“When they awarded the second one, Governor Thompson said he did it because that town had gone all out and painted their football field so we thought if that`s what it takes to get his attention we`ll see if we can`t top that,” said Jack Thatcher, who was the newspaper editor at the time, and played a rapping member of the press in the video.

The video became an overnight sensation, featured on most network evening newscasts, Good Morning America, and the Joan Rivers Show.

A light footed flat foot was played by police chief Willie Thompson, who is no longer busting criminals but he can still bust a move.

“I dreamed up that move up myself,” said Thompson, who is seen the the video dancing down the streer while twirling a giant night stick.  He retired, and now lives in nearby Kinmundy, Illinois.  “(The director) said just go out and something and we`ll do a retake if we need to, and fortunately I did the right thing I guess.”

The video became so popular, the so called “Barbed Wire Choir,” also cut a record, sold t-shirts, and even held a televised “is we is or is we isn`t’” parade.

But despite all the hoopla, and maybe because of it, the answer to the question “is we is”, turned out to be no you isn`t.

“There was some disappointment of course because of our unemployment but overall we recouped and moved on,” Thompson said.

In the end, the publicity helped Flora attract businesses to an industrial park on the land that would have been the prison. The town’s unemployment rate was at 18% when is was bidding for the prison, because it had recently lost its two largest employers.

But now, 25 years later, the video is resurfacing on DVD, this time not as a pitch to build a prison but rather as a way to raise money to rebuild the city`s historic train depot, which has been under restoration for 18 years.

“We have been working on restoring this depot which is a three story brick building that is the largest depot between St. Louis and Cincinnati. The railroad is the reason Flora is here,” said Thatcher.

After 25 years, most of those in the video have either moved on or passed on, but the legacy lives on, thanks to 15 minutes of fame that has lasted a quarter of a century.

If you’d like to purchase the DVD, the price is $25. Send a check to FCDC, 223 West Railroad St., Flora, Illinois, 62839.  For more about the depot, visit www.Floradepot.com.

If you have seen Charles Roe or know of his whereabouts please contact the Madison County Police at  618-692-4433.

Jerome Taylor was being held inside the Washington Park Police Department on charges of possession of illegal drugs.

Taylor succeeded in getting out of the department as detectives were preparing to question him.

There will be everything from gardening demonstrations to examples of kitchen remodeling and more.

And for those interested in all things royal, there is a special exhibit about Princess Diana.

Some highlights are special dresses she wore through her time as a princess.  You also learn family secrets, like the relative that also dated Prince Charles.

Again, it runs at the Edward Jones Dome until this Sunday.

Police say Pierce went to the hospital in the Central West End, grabbing one woman by the neck on Sunday; then again on Monday with another female employee.

This one involved kids shot. A pair of kids. The initial radio call said one was nine. The other was ten. The only thing unusual was that it was a double shooting. In this town kids get shot all the time. Most of them are shot by accident. Some are on purpose. In those cases, the ones with the guns are usually other kids.

The centers for disease control estimate that around 3-thousand young people age 18 and under die from firearms in the United States every year. Another 17 thousand are injured. The trick is determining how many of those young people were involved in crime or were gang bangers, and how many were innocent bystanders. What we do know is 21-hundred were homicide victims. Four hundred were under age 15.

How does that happen? We know the answer. Kids are growing up without stable parents. Kids are being left on their own. Kids are hanging out with other kids who have guns. And it’s very easy apparently for these kids to get their hands on firearms. But the main thing here is not enough adults who care about the kids.

That’s our job. That’s what we’re supposed to do. We’re not supposed to let kids run wild or get hurt. We’re not supposed to let kids get shot or shoot each other.  But we somehow manage.

The kids who were shot didn’t die. I called home to check on my 11 year old. She was fine. And these days…that’s what passes for good news.

I’m Charles Jaco and that’s Jacology.

When Newt Gingrich threatened Romney in Iowa, Paul ran his first negative ad.

And now Rick Santorum is threatening to bat Romney in Romney’s home state of Michigan and here comes Romney’s BFF again with another negative ad to try and take out Santorum.

You may have noticed at the debates, Paul uses the ABR strategy, he attacks anybody but Romney.

He attacked Perry, then Gingrich, then Santorum and anyone who threatens Romney; Paul goes after him like a pit bull, leading to this analysis after a debate on ABC.

The website politico did a story on this special relationship of Romney and Paul and found that the two became good friends during the 2008 campaign and their wives have become great friends.

The question is what is in it for Ron Paul?  This is probably his last campaign, he may be looking for a spot in a Romney administration; but I think it’s more than that, more than being a good friend; I think Ron Paul is being a good dad.

Look for Ron Paul’s son Ran to pick up where dad left off and watch for president Romney or great fundraiser, rich and highly influential Romney to be there for the son of his BFF.

First, especially as to younger folks, their world is one where the f-bomb has replaced wit. Where scatology is premier and humor bleeds into attitude. They mean no harm but their harm is mean. Crude, rude. Look no further than the daily show, a man of Jon Stewart’s immense talent and intellect must deliver his writers` bleeped interjections or it’s not going to be a good night.

So when folks were throwing around their Asian Linsanity stabs at punny, some of the results were horrible, in some cases confusing Japanese with Chinese. Why? Simple, because they’re stupid. Look, Dorothy Parker, the Algonquin round table went the way of the Knights of the Round Table. And Trey ain’t Dorothy.

It’s our zeitgeist.

We live in a world where The Book of Mormon is a runaway hit. Why? Because of the South Park provenance. The jokes were juvenile, the humor marginal and if you and I would have tried that, we’d be run out of town.

But because folks ‘A’ confuse shock and awful with funny and creative and ‘B’ the spineless bandwagoneers wouldn’t dare go against the cool grain: it’s a hit! So don’t get too tough on some clumsy punsters as to Linsanity.

Next, it drives me nuts how no one takes into account the intent of the errant comedian wannabes, they didn’t mean any harm; they don’t hate anybody. And it’s all so sad, because I love ethnic humor, I admit it. But only if it’s not merely hateful and, most importantly, if it make sense. But today, we’ve lost our comedy chops altogether for the aforementioned reasons.

Let me ask you a question, if you took the original scripts of ‘all In The Family’ could you put that on TV today? Hell no. Reruns, yes. And only with Carroll O’Connor as Archie Bunker. Now, you realize this makes no sense, right? Archie Bunker was the bigot, he was made to look like an idiot but that makes no difference. Certain words were used and we tolerated and found them hysterical 40 years ago but not now.

And why? What’s happened to us? Simple, we’ve become schizophrenic. And we love to be hyper-sensitive. When the Linsanity bits started, I thought uh oh. Here we go. Someone’s going to get caught up in the momentum, and they did.

Remember humor died in this country in 1973.

Comment.

What stinks about that is the windows at my house will probably have to be closed during the nicest week of ten year.

But you know what.  Who cares?  Given the choice of sky high allergies or a warm winter…. Give me warm weather every time.

I’ve been able to go for walks in January, golfers have gotten the fix and my good friend and co-worker Kevin Marshall has worn shorts to work every day this winter.

Good for him.

It’s been a mental boost for a lot of us this winter so enjoy it while yup can and don’t even worry about what next month holds.

It can’t be any better than this,

I’m JB and that’s The Way It Oughta Be.

A wind advisory is issued when sustained winds are forecast to be 30 to 39 mph or gusts will range between 45 and 57 mph. Winds of these magnitudes may cause minor property damage without extra precautions. Motorists in high profile vehicles should use caution until the winds subside.

Many travelers will get back in town to find big repair bills and missing valuables.

Here are some of the trends for this years Prom:

Bold colors will be a popular fashion trend for prom dresses 2012. Bold colors like electric turquoise, bright purples and pretty raspberry are the hottest trends for 2012. Another prom trend is the white color – looks great especially against tanned skin.

Though the colors are similar to prom 2011, the style of the dresses is different. Forget about fairytale princess dresses. Long, sleek dresses will be the hottest fashion trend for 2012. Some of the dresses feature halters and deep V-necks. Strapless dresses with sweetheart necklines are also a popular look.

Dresses for prom 2012, even the long ones, reveal some skin. Some dresses feature a slit that goes up to mid-thigh, while other dresses have cut-outs on the sides or back.

Simple, plain, yet elegant floor-length gowns are in style as well. Another trend is the one-shoulder dress, adorned with roses at the waist or on the shoulder. Long, one-shoulder dresses are sophisticated and reminiscent of Greek goddesses. These goddess-like dresses are especially gorgeous in teal and turquoise hues.

Short dresses will be a great option, choose again one-shoulder and sweetheart styles. Stay away from short dresses with full skirts and instead choose a short, sleek dress.

Fun, floral patterns are also popular, especially for the silk, floor-length straight gowns.  Gradual color fading in and out of the fabric is an interesting look and allows you to pair colors together when you accessorize. Along with bold colors, bold accessories will be a hit in 2012.

To purchase the deal, click here.

Erin Bode often sings songs of the heart, but what you are about to hear is the actual sound of a heartbeat in her newest song.

“This song is for Katelyn and the story of her heart and is there a way we can include that and doctors told us right away we actually are able to record heartbeats,” said Bode.

It’s the heartbeat of Katelyn Jackson of Oakville. She had six surgeries before the age of three.

Mom/ She was born with a condition called a complete a-v canal, so basically there’s a giant hole right in the center of her heart,” said Katelyn’s mom. “She really struggled to survive those first four months.”

Today at age 10, Katelyn is healthy and strong thanks to the doctors of St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

The hospital contacted Bode and asked if she would write a song about Katelyn’s journey as a way to promote heart health for children. The result is Bode’s new song, ‘The Space Between.’

“It’s an amazing song it has a very good inspiration that came from it and so it really gives hope to other families,” said Katelyn.

“When you listen to the words right at the beginning Erin says we’re surrounded by angels,” said Katelyn’s mom. “We have a number of angels in our lives that have touched us that didn’t make it through this challenge and this struggle.”

“I was really excited to be able to share that opportunity and give hope to families,” stated Katelyn.

Katelyn not only provided the beat to the song but she provided her voice as well. “I sang back up in it with a bunch of other kids,” she said.

Bode said “We wanted to kind of involve her and represent young people in the song. So we gathered some young kids that we know including Katelyn and we taught them a little part of the song, ask them to be part of the recording cause it just kind of has a nice life to it at the end of the song with those young voices.”

Bode and band member Adam Maness wrote “The Space Between’ they met with Katelyn and her mom gathering information, in a couple of weeks they had written a moving message of challenge and hope.

It’s such a beautiful sing along song with such an emotional message that radio stations are taking notice. BBC London radio is playing “The Space Between”

Across the globe or across south St. Louis County where the Jackson’s live, the space between is filling with more love everyday…

Bode said “Whenever you can give a voice with music to a particular issue or story its more meaningful its very powerful. Music is an international language that speaks to everyone.”

Katelyn’s mom said “I think it’s a universal message and universal song that we can take beyond even the heart that people go through challenges and go through struggles and you see this dark period of time. But if you just hold on you’ll end up on the other side looking for the light and seeing it.”

“I want to help other people because they have helped me and I want to give back,” said Katelyn.

(Also read: GRAPHIC: Red Light Camera Video Shows Seconds Before Fatal Crash )

Travaughn Wilkes drove by this crash on Natural Bridge and Grand Saturday afternoon.

“I knew somebody was dead,’ Wilkes said.  ‘I knew more than one person was dead.  I didn’t know it was my sister.”

Wednesday morning, he helped family find the $5,000 needed to give Daionsha Scott a funeral.

“If anybody feels, they can come through and help us,’ Wilkes said.  ‘We’re just trying to bury her.”

The owner of the Quick Stop –  just up Natural Bridge from where the 19-year-old died — hosted the family’s barbecue fundraiser.  Morris Adams and Monica Robinson lost their 21-year-old son Morion Robinson after the crash.  They came.

“That`s senseless,’ they both said.

“That’s somebody’s daughter, somebody’s sister,’ Adams pointed out.

They are frustrated, wondering why the driver was released from jail after running a light with his friends in the car.

“They haven’t told us anything,’ Adams said.  ‘No one has contacted us.”

“She’s actually gone,’ Wilkes tried to convince himself.  ‘Like, I didn’t want to believe it.  But, I actually saw it.  So, I can’t do anything but believe it.  It hurts.”

Wilkes is did the best he could to handle his emotions: sadness, confusion.  But, there was one that he tried to tamp down right now until he learns more about his sister’s sudden death: anger.

“That’s why I just actually just really need to talk to him,’ Wilkes said.  ‘To really find out what happened or what caused you to crash.’

Visitation and funeral services for Daionsha Scott will start at 1 p.m. Saturday.  They will start at the Ronald L. Jones Funeral Chapels, 2161 East Fair in North City.

Visitation and funeral for Morion Robinson will also be Saturday.  Services start at 10 a.m. at Reliable Funeral Home, 3856 Washington Avenue.

One of the passengers survived.  Lesha Little is still recovering from severe head trauma.  Her cousin told us Lesha’s mother asked the young woman, ‘If you can hear me, squeeze my hand,’ and Lesha did.

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He is calling for prison closures, layoffs and cuts to health care for the poor.

While addressing the general assembly, Quinn talked about the need to reform the state’s Medicaid system and state worker pensions.

Quinn blamed previous governors and past general assemblies for not funding the pension system over the years.

Teacher pensions are some of the hardest hit and the governor says pension payments take up 15 percent of the state’s pay roll.

Quinn is forming work groups consisting of members of his staff and lawmakers to tackle the pension and Medicaid problems.

He is giving them an April 17th deadline to submit the cost saving recommendations.