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SUNNY National a high of 41 The INSIDE trip Daily Four wrestlers to Eastern compete in Writer’s NCAA FRIDAY Eastern Illinois University national Charleston, Ill. 61920 tourney block March 13, 1998 Vol. 83, No. 119 over break University of Illinois 12 pages professor discusses writer’s PAGE block News PAGE 5 “Tell the truth and don’t be afraid” 12 Mid-semester stress reliever spending their free time in warmer Students seek regions of the country. Mark Winkelman, a senior psychology major, is traveling to warm temps Panama City, Fla., with 25 men from his fraternity. They are taking during break six to seven cars and driving approximately 12 hours to their By JULIETTE DE LOS REYES destination. The total cost for this and RYAN HILLIGOSS trip, including gas and the hotel, is Staff writers about $600 each, Winkelman said. However, like many other students, Today, some students will dart he is willing to pay that price to off to different getaways with hopes recover from mid-terms. of venting some mid-semester “I’m looking to relieve the stress frustrations. Others will reunite (that has) built over the past few with their favorite recliner. weeks from tests and papers and This week-long vacation gives work,” Winkelman said. ANNA BETZELBERGER/Associate photo editor students the opportunity to travel to While many college students Wrestling gala distant places, work for extra choose to hit spots like Panama money or just spend time at home. City, some prefer to go to less Dressed as “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, Jason Wargo, a sophomore history major, leads a group of wresting fans in a Even though there is a possibility crowded venues. cheer while Chris “Biff” Luke, a senior speech communication major, videotapes the Nitro Party Thursday night in Taylor of snow and cold temperatures in Wes Graves, a sophomore Hall lobby. The tapes are for a contest to bring the next Nitro party here to Eastern and hosted by the W C W. If they win Illinois, many students will be the contest, parts of the party will be broadcast from Taylor Hall. Over 100 people showed up throughout the night. See BREAK page 2 Mattoon man found guilty on two counts of murder By JAIME HODGE Lake Paradise on May 4. From her autopsy, City editor These aren’t the actions of a person who was so intoxicated; he had no no cause of death could be determined, reason. (McRill) went into the water thinking Shawn Majors wouldn’t although the congestive heart failure The man charged with the drowning death follow, but he did as she was crying rape. He knew it was murder.” discovered during McRill’s autopsy could of a Neoga woman Thursday was found “ have been caused simply by the act of dying, – Steve Ferguson, guilty on two counts of first-degree murder. according to Travis Hindman, a forensic Shawn Majors, 27, of Mattoon, was found Coles County State’s Attorney pathologist. guilty of Counts II and III of first-degree In the course of the closing arguments, murder for the May 4 death of Cheryl committed first-degree murder by holding Majors was found innocent of Count I of Public Defender Lonnie Lutz said Majors had McRill. The second count stated that Majors McRill under the waters of Lake Paradise first degree murder, which alleged that been in such a state of intoxication that he had committed the offense of first degree while committing the forceful felony of Majors had committed the offense of first- had acted recklessly, and without the intent to murder knowing that it created the strong robbery, in which Majors was accused of degree murder with the intent to kill McRill. kill. Ferguson argued that evidence presented probability of McRill’s death. stealing the $400 to $450 in McRill’s purse McRill had been missing since May 1 of on an audio tape produced by a wire tapping The third count stated that Majors had after he had killed her. last year and was found floating face down in See MAJORS page 2 Professor’s book tells life story By RACHEAL CARRUTHERS Lawrence Durrell conference. Staff editor Radavich said the mythic surroundings were amazing. He and his wife took a wooden boat Amazing experiences and ordinary life down the Nile River, visited a mosque and even experiences like falling in love are what ventured out into the desert for an afternoon. influences one author’s recently published book “It’s what you see in films,” Radavich said. of poetry. “I just wanted to absorb it all.” One of Eastern’s English professors, David When he returned to Charleston “a group of Radavich, recently had a collection of poetry he poems just spilled out,” Radavich said. has written over the last 10 years published in a Radavich said he tries to move beyond his book titled, “By the Way.” personal experiences to bring the audience into “By the Way” is a collection of poetry with his poetry even though poetry is very personal. topics ranging from relationships to questions “I almost always have an eye as to what the on the Phil Donahue show, as well as dealing audience has to say,” he said. “There’s a with more serious subjects such as cancer and responsibility an author has to a reader. politics. “I try to write poetry for average people who While the topics vary, one common trait all are of various walks of life,” Radavich said. of the poems do share is that they are all based He said he hopes that everyone who reads on inspiration that can strike at any moment. his poetry will be able to walk away with “I don’t plan. I never plan to write a poem,” something special from it, whether it be a ANNA BETZELBERGER/Associate photo editor Radavich said. “I just wait until it comes.” renewed hope in their battle against cancer, An example of this is Radavich’s trip to which is similar to his of 15 years ago, or a new Jam session Egypt, which is spelled out in a group of poems perspective on something like relationships. Members of the band Nothing Personal play Thursday night in Thomas hall lobby to a in a section of the book called “Egyptian “Poetry doesn’t sell. It doesn’t make money, crowd of about 100 people. The band was brought by Todd Levant and Art Munin, Days.” but it offers a way for people to come together,” resident assistants in Thomas Hall. Songs included “Old Apartment,” “Freebird,” Radavich said he did not plan on writing Radavich said. “Fight for your Right,” and some of the group’s original work. poetry from his 1996 trip to Alexandria for a See BOOK page 2 2 Friday, March 13, 1998 The Daily Eastern News Three more people hit President Clinton ‘blesses’ a with vandalism Police $1.50-a-pack cigarette increase Reporting campus and city BLOTTER WASHINGTON (AP) _ Hoping to prod McCain’s bill is modeled after the $368 billion crime every Tuesday and Friday Congress to move ahead on tobacco legislation, settlement reached in June between state attorneys President Clinton gave his blessing Thursday to a general and the tobacco industry that would settle The glass of his side mirror bill that would raise cigarette prices by $1.50 a 40 state lawsuits and shelter companies from future CAMPUS: pack and set an annual cap on the industry’s legal court action brought by large classes of plaintiffs. Three additional people was broken and on the pave- ment between 1 a.m. and 3:10 liability. Clinton praised the attorneys general for fighting reported damages to their “It is a good, tough bill,” Clinton said in a what once looked like a losing battle. “Be proud of vehicles this week. a.m. Thursday in the Blair Hall parking lot, according to speech to the National Association of Attorneys what you have done,” he said. “But bring all of They include: General. “I hope it gets wide support. This legisla- your influence to bear on the Congress.” ■ Andrew D. Klemens, 20, of a police report. ■ Douglas E. Buell, 37, of tion will save lives.” He said their efforts brought to light incriminat- 11 Giffin Building, reported But Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott already ing industry documents earlier than would other- the rear bumper of his vehicle 1700 Adams Ave. Lot #13, reported his rear windshield has picked a different bill and set a June 1 deadline wise have been the case. The documents showed damaged with a cracked fas- for a vote on it, according to that measure’s spon- that some tobacco companies lied for years about cia and light paint transfer, a wiper bent upward and away from his vehicle and his cellu- sor, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who chairs the their efforts to hook children on cigarettes. police report stated. Commerce Committee. “Thirty years of deception. Now Congress must The incident occurred after lar phone charger stolen from his vehicle worth $20, a “There’s only gonna be one bill that goes to the act to bring it to an end,” the president said.