Tristate Regional News, Monday 4/30

Indianapolis Summary: Lawmakers Pass States Next Budget In Final Hours Of Legislative Session (Indianapolis) -- Lawmakers scrambled through the weekend to hammer out their differences on the states next budget. Lawmakers in the House and Senate passed the next two-year spending plan in the final hours of this years legislative session late last night. State Representative Robert Kuzman echoed the sentiments of many House Democrats who say the next budget will go a long way toward reducing hefty property tax hikes in the next two years. The budget requires homeowners to pay what could be an average of 24-percent property tax hikes this year, but those taxpayers would get rebate checks in the mail sometime after November to partially offset those payments. House Republicans widely criticized the rebate proposal, saying Hoosiers will have a difficult time paying their property taxes and waiting for a rebate. The 26-billion-dollar budget also includes more funding for education and sets up a grant program to allow schools to voluntarily opt into full-day kindergarten programs. --- Former Eli Lilly And Company Head Resigns (Washington, DC) -- A former head of Eli Lilly and Company has resigned from his post with the Bush administration after his name surfaced as a client of a Washington, DC-based escort service whose owner faces federal charges. Randall Tobias served as the chairman, president and CEO of Lilly from 1993 until the end of 1998. He came to Washington to serve as President Bushs global HIV-AIDS czar in 2003 and became the director of United States Foreign Aid last year. Tobias resigned on Friday, one day after he admitted to ABC News he had used the services of Pamela Martin and Associates to secure massages. Tobias told ABC News no sexual activity had taken place. Pamela Martin and Associates owner Jeane Palfrey faces federal charges for allegedly running a prostitution ring. Palfrey denies the charges and says she is willing to call Tobias and other prominent Washington, DC, clients to testify at her upcoming trial. --- IMPD Investigating Body Found In Trunk Of Car (Indianapolis) -- Police in Indianapolis hope an autopsy determines the identity of a body found in the trunk of a car yesterday. IMPD Lieutenant Doug Scheffel says officers were called to 2524 Stockbridge Drive yesterday afternoon after someone smelled a bad odor coming from the trunk. Officers say they found a badly decomposed body in the trunk of the red 2000 Chevy Monte Carlo. Scheffel says the vehicle was registered to a 32-year-old Indianapolis man who was reported missing March 4th by his fiance. He says an autopsy will be conducted today to determine the identity of the body and the cause of death. --- One Man Dead, Two Injured After Stabbing At Night Club (Indianapolis) -- One man is dead and two others injured after a stabbing at an Indianapolis night club. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officials say officers were called to Club Industry at Wabash Street and East Street around 3:30 yesterday morning and found two men and one woman stabbed. Police say 24-year-old Patrick Williams was pronounced dead after being taken to Wishard Hospital. The other man is in serious condition while the woman is in good condition. Police say they have not made any arrests but believe the victims were stabbed by someone they knew and had been arguing with. --- Man Drowns In Eagle Creek Reservoir While Playing With His Children (Indianapolis) -- An Indianapolis man drowned on Sunday at Eagle Creek Reservoir. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police say that the 26-year-old victim died at the hospital after he was pulled from the water around 4 p.m. Investigators say Dennis Harmon of Indianapolis was playing with his children in the water, just a few feet from shore. When he tried to stand up, the water was over his head and he went under. --- ISP Conducting Enforcement Patrols For Move-Over Law (Sellersburg) -- Indiana State Police will continue conducting enforcement patrols directed toward motorists who fail to move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles. The combined statewide effort will run through the end of this week. Police remind drivers that Indiana law requires motorists to approach cautiously when an emergency vehicle is stopped on two or four-lane roadways with emergency lights flashing. Violations of the law can result in a fine and a license suspension of up to two-years for doing damage to emergency equipment, injury or death to an emergency worker. April 25th marked the ten-year anniversary of the death of ISP Trooper Andrew Winzenread, who was struck and killed while assisting a motorist on I-74 near Greensburg. --- Indianapolis Colts Hold Draft Party For Fans (Indianapolis) -- Colts fans eager to hear about the teams first draft pick on Saturday came down in droves for a special "draft party" in Indianapolis. The event in downtown Indianapolis gave fans the chance to take their picture with the Lombardi Trophy, meet players and cheerleaders, and have fun with games and other events. The team also used the "draft party" to sell personalized bricks that will be put into the under-construction Lucas Oil Stadium. "Brick Chick" Julie Souers says the team has sold about half of the 15-thousand bricks available so far. Each brick costs 150-dollars, with all the money going to the team. The event was almost over yesterday by the time the Colts got the chance to pick up wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez in the first round of the draft. Kentucky Summary: Arrests Made In Boston Shooting Of Danville Woman (Boston, MA) -- Two Boston men are to be arraigned today on murder, assault and weapons charges in connection with the death of a Danville woman. Twenty-two-year-old Chiara Levin was fatally wounded early on the morning of March 24th outside of an after hours party in Boston. Levin, who lived in New York, was in Boston for a family celebration. The "Boston Globe" reports police say Levin was apparently struck by a stray bullet when two men got into a gunfight. Lot Of Leads, But No Lead Suspect (Stonewall, KY) -- Scott County Sheriffs detectives sift through clues in a double murder investigation. Friday morning, the bodies of Jim and Vivian Gray were discovered inside their northern Scott County home. State Police say they were fatally wounded. Investigators tell the "Georgetown News," "Were getting lots of leads and were following those leads, but theres nothing substantial to lead us to a suspect yet." Canine Credited With Quick Arrest (Frankfort, KY) -- The Department of Corrections is crediting a new canine unit with a quick arrest. Officials say Sean Lee Southerland was transferred to the minimum security Bell County Forest Camp last week, but only stayed a matter of hours before escaping. Despite a severe storm and heavy rain, prison bloodhounds escorts by their handlers and the Corrections Emergency Response Team tracked Southerland and took him into custody on three miles from the prison. New Poll Shows Fletcher Leads, "Courier" Endorse Northup (Frankfort, KY) -- A new poll commissioned by the Friends of Governor Fletcher Committee shows 51-pecent of likely Republican voters favor Fletcher. The Tarrance Group says its telephone poll shows Anne Northup with 29-percent, Billy Harper with seven-percent and 14-percent undecided. Meanwhile, the "Courier Journal" is endorsing Anne Northup. In its Sunday edition the newspaper says "Mrs. Northup brings a strong resume to the race," while Governor Fletcher is wounded politically. Mine Rescue Teams Complete Tough Tests (Pikeville, KY) -- The Kentucky Office of Mine Safety reports 20 mine rescue teams have completed a very realistic week of training. The teams trained in former coal mine in Pike County. The scenario, an explosion and trapped miners, was made more realistic by a machine that filled the mine with thick smoke. Breast Cancer Survivors Honored (Frankfort, KY) -- Dozens of breast cancer survivors are expected to join Glenna Fletcher for tea this afternoon in a special party tent set up at the Governors Mansion. Its the Celebration of Hope, established ten-years ago as a way to honor Kentuckys breast cancer survivors for winning their fight against cancer and for their dedication to raising awareness about the disease. Lexington Woman Opens On Broadway (New York, NY) -- Lexingtons Laura Bell Bundy is soaking up the limelight on Broadway. The 1999 graduate of Lexington Catholic High School opened in New York last night as the star of "Legally Blonde." This is the stage version of the 2001 Reese Witherspoon movie. According to the "Herald Leader" Bundy has appeared in Broadway productions, movies and a television soap opera, but this is her first starring role. Chicago Summary Hundreds Gather In Prelude To Tuesdays Immigration Rights Event (Chicago) -- Hundreds gathered Sunday night at a Chicago church for a "unity summit," a kickoff for a week of immigration reform events. Hundreds of thousands were on hand for last years immigration march in Chicago, and organizers feel a similar number could turn out this Tuesday. The march begins in Union Park at 1:30 p.m. and will culminate in a 3 p.m. rally at Daley Plaza. --- Officials Call Teachers Response To Students Violent Essay "Appropriate" (Crystal Lake) -- The teacher who saw the disturbing essay written last week by a Cary-Grove student as a "red flag" acted as she should have, according to education officials. Allen Lees essay made references to necrophilia, sex, drugs and school shootings. After reading it, teacher Nora Capron decided to notify her department head, who turned it over to the schools principal. Police were then notified and Lee was eventually charged with disorderly conduct. While Capron is being praised for her handling of the situation, the "Northwest Tribune" reports that at least one education official says she did make one mistake. Dr. Janice Neuleib at Illinois State University says the teacher should have added a disclaimer when giving the assignment to keep students from writing anything that might "endanger public safety and public morality." The local school board will decide Monday if Lee is to face any school discipline. --- Animal Rights Group Pursues Criminal Charges Against Alleged Dog Torturer (Joliet) -- A national animal rights group is looking to pursue criminal charges against a Joliet man accused of the severe torturing of a dog. The pit bulls bloody body was found buried in a shallow grave a month ago. An autopsy showed a fractured skull, brain damage, many broken bones and internal injuries. The "Daily Southtown" reports there is also evidence the dog was buried while still alive. The People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals has asked top prosecutor James Glasgow to pursue the criminal case against the suspect, who is still at large. --- Investigtaive Errors Chronicled In Browns Chicken Murder Trial (Chicago) -- As the Browns Chicken murder trial wears on, stories of police incompetence continue to give hope to the defense. Juan Luna and James Degorski -- who is being tried separately -- are accused of killing seven people at the Palatine restaurant in 1993. The "Daily Herald" reports testimony just last week highlighted dozens of incidents of investigative errors in the 13-year-old case. Witnesses testified that police lost Lunas original statement, mishandled evidence and even threw some away. Police are under a gag order and cannot comment. The trial resumes Monday. --- No Word On Cause Of Fire That Destroyed Warehouse (Chicago) -- Chicago fire officials have not yet determined what caused a Sunday blaze which destroyed a warehouse and another building in the 2100 block of Carroll Avenue. Hundreds of firefighters battled the blaze which was first reported at around 6:30 a.m. and was still smouldering late into the evening Sunday. ABC 7 1/81/8 WBBM 3/83/8 reports the warehouse contained recording and rehearsal studios and a few offices. Damages are expected to run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. There were no injuries in the fire. --- Suburban Home Catches Fire After Lightning Strike (Streamwood) -- A Streamwood family was forced from their home early Monday morning after a fire which was caused by a lightning strike. The fire started just after midnight. The "Chicago Tribune" reports firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the second floor of the home and had the fire extinguished by 2:30 a.m. There were no injuries reported. --- Company Paid Two Million Dollars, Apparently For Nothing (Chicago) -- A company with ties to indicted businessman Tony Rezko has reportedly done no work, four years after receiving a two-million contract from Cook County. Minority-owned Crucial Communications is an AT&T subcontractor, headed by the son of former Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad. Records show the company has also failed to pay the county one-point-two-million-dollars it was due from phone fees received by AT&T. The phone company has now agreed to pay the amount. The "Chicago Sun-Times" reports County Board President Todd Stroger wont be renewing Crucial Communications contract when it expires in July. --- Governor Announces Plans To Secure Universities (Springfield) -- Governor Blagojevich has announced three initiatives which he says will enhance safety for students and visitors at Illinois colleges. They include the creation of a task force to help colleges prepare for emergencies; and over 300-thousand-dollars in grants to purchase radios. Some states, such as Utah, allow concealed weapons on their campuses. But a new Utah state allows residential students to request a roommate who does not have a concealed weapon permit. --- Francis Cardinal George Resuming His Schedule (Chicago) -- Francis Cardinal George has recovered well enough to allow him to resume his public schedule. ABC 7 1/81/8 WLS 3/83/8 reports the Cardinal was attended mass at St. Ignatius parish Sunday morning. Hes getting around on crutches. The Cardinal fractured his femur in an Easter weekend accident. (Copyright 2007 by Newsroom Solutions/Regional News Service) RNS-04-30-07 0555CDT