Tristate Regional News, Tuesday 4/24

Indianapolis Summary: South Bend Police Officer Killed (South Bend) -- A South Bend Police officer is dead and another hospitalized after a shooting at a motel near the border with Michigan overnight. WNDU reports the suspect was killed during the shootout, but police are not releasing any of the names. The officer who survived is in stable condition. --- Police Investigate Latest Indianapolis Homicide (Indianapolis) -- Indianapolis Police today are investigating the shooting death of a man late last night. Police say 22-year-old Christopher Lucas was killed at Temple and Michigan Street. Investigators say the attack happened at around 9:30 p.m. No arrests or motive have been found. --- Special Deputy Shoots Suspect (Indianapolis) -- A special deputy last night shot and wounded a suspect at a Village Pantry Store on the Indianapolis eastside. Police say Shane Nicholas was working security at the store in the 37-hundred block of North Franklin Road when he spotted two shoplifters. Outside a shot was fired from a car and Nicholas returned fire, hitting the driver. The suspect is listed in stable condition. Three arrests have been made in the case. --- Officials Searching For Second Victim In Helicopter Crash (Knox) -- Searchers Monday located the wreckage of a helicopter crash in a rural north Indiana lake, and are looking for the pilot. The body of a passenger, an unidentified Frankfort woman, was pulled from Bass Lake within hours after the Sunday night accident. The "Chicago Tribune" reports officials have confirmed the helicopter was owned by an unidentified Lynwood man, but have not said he was the pilot. The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating. --- Governor Signs Bill Requiring Weather Radios In Manufactured Homes (Indianapolis) -- Weather radios will soon be required in new manufactured homes. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels signed "C.J.s Law" yesterday. The bill requires the installation of weather radios in all new manufactured homes after June 30th. An Evansville woman who lost her two-year-old son and two other family members in an early-morning tornado in November 2005 pushed lawmakers to enact the change. Daniels called Kathryn Martin as he signed the bill yesterday to let her know the change she worked for had been made law. The November 6th, 2005 tornado in Southwestern Indiana killed 25 people. --- United Auto Workers Announce Endorsement For Governor (Indianapolis) -- The United Auto Workers have already announced its endorsement for Indianas next governor. The UAW has decided to endorse Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jim Schellinger, who says he fully supports collective bargaining. Current Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has been criticized by a number of unions for eliminating collective bargaining agreements for state workers on his first day in office. Schellinger is the president of CSO Architects in Indianapolis and says he worked at a tool-and-die shop in South Bend while in college. --- Three Alarmer Suspicious (Jeffersonville) -- A three-alarm fire destroyed a new office building in Jeffersonville Monday. Authorities say it broke out about 6 p.m. in the eight-unit building, which was not occupied. Roofs and walls collapsed, as 50 firefighters battled the blaze. Fire officials believe arson may be involved because owners talked to them about prior vandalism and recent wall graffiti. However, the fire is under investigation --- ACLU Sues Over "In God We Trust" License Plates (Indianapolis) -- A lawsuit has been filed against one of Indianas newest license plates. The ACLU of Indiana is suing the state over the "In God We Trust" license plate being offered to Hoosiers without an additional fee, unlike the states other specialty plates. ACLU of Indiana Legal Director Ken Falk says his group does not oppose the message, just the lack of an additional fee. The "In God We Trust" plates have been available since January 1st and have proven popular with thousands of Indiana residents. KentuckySummary: Domestic Partner Benefits Might Be Included In Special Session (Lexington, KY) -- Governor Ernie Fletchers running mate Robbie Rudolph says the administration is considering adding the issue of domestic partner benefits to a special session if its called. In the recent General Assembly session the Senate passed a bill to prohibit state agencies and public colleges and universities from offering the benefits, but the bill died in a House committee. According to the Courier Journal at a debate of Republican Lieutenant Governors on KET last night candidates Jeff Hoover and Dick Wilson indicated to reporters they also oppose domestic partner benefits. The UK Board of Trustees is to consider domestic partner benefits at a meeting today, the benefits are already available at the University of Louisville. New Poll On Governors Race (Frankfort, KY) -- Theres a new poll out on the Democratic governors race. The poll commissioned and released by the Jonathan Miller - Irv Maze campaign shows Miller making some inroads. According to the Herald Leader the poll shows Steve Henry with 22-percent, Miller and Bruce Lunsford tied at 15-percent, Steve Beshear at 12-percent, Jody Richards at 8-percent, Gatewood Galbraith at 2-percent and Otis Bullman Hensley at 1-percent, 26-percent remain undecided. State Senator Sentenced (Frankfort, KY) -- State Senator Johnny Ray Turner is to live for three months under home detention, and one year on probation. A federal judge sentencing Turner for non-willful vote buying. According to the Herald Leader federal felony vote fraud charges were dropped in exchange for Turners guilty plea to the misdemeanor violation. More Aid For Children (Frankfort, KY) -- The Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services says the state will provide almost 5-million-dollars in increased aid to private residential centers for abused and neglected children. According to the Courier Journal, about fourteen hundred children are in private residential centers after being removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. Second Fatal Accident In Month At Mercy County Power Plant (Burgin, KY) -- A Eubank man working for a private subcontractor was fatally injured at the E.W. Brown power plant in Mercer County. Coroner Sonny Ransdell says 48-year-old Tim Watson was working to change a boom section on a crane when it fell on top of him. Several weeks ago a worker was killed when he fell from a transmission tower. Sixteen People Die In Sixteen Separate Accidents (Frankfort, KY) -- Kentucky State Police report that sixteen people died in sixteen separate accidents on Kentucky roads last week. Fourteen of the fatalities involved motor vehicles and nine of the victims were not wearing seat belts. Six of the accidents involved suspected use of alcohol and two of the fatalities involved motorcycles and the riders were not wearing helmets. Some Counties Still Looking For Election Workers (Frankfort, KY) -- Secretary of State Trey Grayson says some counties still need poll workers for the upcoming May 22nd primary election. Grayson says the precinct poll officers are crucial to the process. To serve as a precinct election officer, Grayson says people should contact their local county clerk. Not only are workers making democracy possible, they get paid for their days work. Chicago Summary: Town Evacuated In Wake Of Chemical Spill (Seward) -- The entire town of Seward, Illinois was evacuated Monday night after a chemical spill. The anhydrous ammonia spill occurred during the loading of a truck at the Seward Agricultural Supply facility, according to Police Sergeant Aaron Booker. Some 20 residents have been treated at area hospitals and a few have been held for evaluation. The District-16 State Police Headquarters, located just three miles from the site, also had to be evacuated. Police say they hope they can do a door-to-door check of each home soon. --- Officials Still Searching For Second Victim In Indiana Helicopter Crash (Knox, IN) -- Searchers Monday located the wreckage from a helicopter crash in a rural north Indiana lake, but are still looking for the missing pilot. The body of a passenger, an unidentifed Frankfort female, was pulled from Bass Lake within hours after the Sunday night accident. The "Chicago Tribune" reports officials have confirmed that the helicopter was owned by an unidentified Lynwood man, but have not said he was the pilot. The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating. --- Obama Defends Ties With Rezko (Chicago) -- U.S. Senator Barack Obama has opened the floor for all questions relating to his ties with indicted political fundraiser Tony Rezko. Rezko is accused of taking money from a fund that benefitted those in affordable housing. On Monday, Obama said he only did a few hours of legal work on contracts that ultimately hired Rezko as the developer. Obama says he never oversaw the buildings-- nor did his firm-- and had no idea that the money wasnt being used for heating and repairs. Obamas previously said that he never had a hand in Rezkos business dealings. --- Gruesome Details Revealed Monday In Browns Chicken Murder Trial (Chicago) -- Grisly details about the 1993 murders of seven people were revealed Monday at the "Browns Chicken" murder trial. A former Cook County Medical Examiner took the stand, describing the stabbing and gunshot wounds allegedly inflicted by Juan Luna and James Degorski. During the testimony, the "Chicago Tribune" reports emotions ran high among family members in the courtroom. One person had to be escorted from the premises in tears. Lunas trial continues today. Degorski is being tried separately. Both men could face the death penalty, if convicted. --- DNA Evidence Lets One Man Clear His Name, Implicates Another Man (Chicago) -- DNA evidence has allowed the exoneration of one Chicago man in a 25-year old rape and it has implicated another man in the case. Forty-eight-year-old Jerry Millers record was wiped clean of the crime Monday. Prosecutors say the DNA indicates the crime may have been committed by 45-year old Robert Weeks, who is already doing time for another rape. But the "Chicago Tribune" reports Weeks will not be charged with the 1981 offense, because the statute of limitations has expired in the case. --- Man Pleads Not Guilty In Mothers Death (Chicago) -- Despite implicating himself in an earlier confession, a Willowbrook man has pleaded not guilty to charges he killed his mother last month and left her body in a car along the Eisenhower Expressway. Twenty-four-year-old Jae Harrell is facing multiple murder charges in the death of his mother, 59-year old nurse Ruth Harrell. Police say he gave them a statement, admitting he beat his mother with a hammer and left her body in the car. Jae Harrell is being represented by a public defender, since a judge ruled he may not use any of his mothers money for his legal defense. The "Chicago Tribune" reports he could get up to 70-years in prison, if convicted. --- Chicago Police Superintendent Chases Down Suspect, Makes Arrest (Chicago) -- Chicagos "Top Cop" came to the rescue of a local restaurant owner Monday. Police Superintendent Phil Cline was eating at Cafe Bionda when two bar patrons allegedly skipped out without paying their 23-dollar tab. Cline got into his car and chased one of the men down five blocks away. He personally handcuffed and arrested the suspect, who is now charged with theft of service. --- Mayor Says "No" To Inspector Generals Request For More Help (Chicago) -- Mayor Daley is scoffing at Chicagos Inspector Generals request for more manpower. David Hoffmans office assumes responsibility for checking any allegations of patronage-related abuse in city government, starting June 1st. Hoffman says he needs more than the current 40-inspectors to do the job. Mayor Daley stated Monday he believes there are "more than enough" personnel now to do the job. But the "Chicago Tribune" reports some officials are concerned that Hoffman may be right. If there arent enough investigators, they say it could affect the unfair hiring practices litigation against the city. --- Tribune Company Announces Layoffs (Chicago) -- Tribune Company has announced 250-layoffs in Chicago and Los Angeles as it continues to deal with declining newspaper advertising revenue. The "Chicago Tribune" reports the loss of 100-Chicago jobs, while the Los Angeles Times will cut some150-positions. Officials say theres a chance some of those layoffs may be avoided if qualified employees agree to a contract buyout plan. Tribunes financial picture has become even more complicated as a result of the sale of the company earlier this month to Chicago billionaire Sam Zell. --- Chicago CTA Users Will Soon Be Able To Track Their Bus By Computer (Chicago) -- The Chicago Transit Authority is going ahead with a system that will let customers track buses with their own mobile devices. CTA has been testing the GPS-based system on a limited basis for a few months. Twenty-five-million dollars has been allocated to equip the entire 1900-bus fleet with the devices. Some North Side routes should be on-line this summer. The "Chicago Tribune" reports full deployment will take place somtime in 2008. Chicago will will be the first city to use the technology system-wide. --- DuPage Theatre Gets Temporary Lease On Life (Lombard) -- The illness of a judge means Lombards DuPage Theatre will live for a few more days. Demolition of the building had already begun when a preservationist group succeeded last week in getting a temporary court order stopping it. The order was set to expire today, but an extra two days were granted when the judge hearing the case became ill. The "Chicago Tribune" reports lawyers for both sides will present their cases Thursday morning at 10:30. "The Friends of DuPage Theatre" claim the historic building is worth preserving, but many say the building is an eyesore. --- County Cooking Up New Formula For Asphalt; Old Tires A Key Ingredient (Chicago, IL ) -- The Cook County Highway Department will be testing a new asphalt road surface this summer that uses ground-up old tires in its mixture. The "Chicago Tribune" says the department began experimenting with the material last fall. Officials say its believed the mixture will yield longer-lasting, quieter roads. The surface will be tested on the South Side on Central Avenue and on 175th Street and on Bateman Road in the Northwest suburbs. (Copyright 2007 by Newsroom Solutions/Regional News Service) RNS-04-24-07 0649CDT