Regional Summary, Thursday 1/31

Indiana Summary: Father And Daughter Dead After Murder-Suicide (Indianapolis) -- A father and daughter are dead after what police say was an argument that led to a murder-suicide in Indianapolis yesterday. Detectives say that 28-year-old Dwayne Johnson had argued earlier in the day with his wife, Ginger at the residence where they lived at 3928 Fletcher Avenue. She later left the residence and when she returned she found her daughter, nine-year-old Jordan Johnson shot to death and Dwayne Johnson dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators say that there were no records that indicated any problems at the address before the incident. --- Investment Pool Expected To Attract Local Governments (Indianapolis) -- Local governments in Indiana will be able to buy into an investment pool for the first time starting on Friday. TrustINdiana is being touted as a safe choice for governments to secure better returns. State Treasurer Richard Mourdock 1/81/8 merr-dock 3/83/8 announced the details which include a 250-million-dollar contribution from the state. Mourdock says localities will have more access to the money they invest. The fund will be managed by New York-based MBIA Asset Management. There are no sign up fees or minimum investments. Mourdock is hoping for 50-percent participation from local entities within a couple of years. Trust INdiana will be limited primarily to investments such as securities guaranteed by the U.S. government, Indiana banking financial products, and triple-A rated commercial paper. Mourdock added that there are safeguards, including state commitment, which prevent risks associated with a similar fund in Florida. --- Salvation Army Most Successful Fundraising Campaign In History (Indianapolis) -- The Salvation Army finished its annual Tree of Lights fundraising campaign with historic success. More than two-point-75-million-dollars was raised during this years campaign which runs from November 15th through January 31st. The two-point-75-million-dollar goal represents a 14-point-five-percent increase over last years goal and the highest ever in the organizations history in Central Indiana. The money raised will go to fund after school programs, homeless, and domestic violence shelters, drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs and summer camp. --- Wednesdays Winning Hoosier Lottery Numbers Daily Three-Midday: 1-3-9; Daily Three-Evening: 3-5-8; Daily Four-Midday: 1-7-6-9; Daily Four-Evening: 7-6-3-8; Lucky Five-Midday: 5-6-7-21-25; Lucky Five-Evening: 2-11-12-30-33. Kentucky Summary: (Louisville, KY) -- The National Weather Service in Louisville confirmed yesterday that during the severe thunderstorms and high winds that the Louisville and Southern Indiana area experienced Tuesday night, several tornados did occur. Six tornados have been confirmed. Out of the six, three hit Louisville. One was near the University of Louisville, another in St. Matthews and in Anchorage. The other tornados were in Clark County, Indiana and Washington County, Indiana. (Louisville, KY) -- Kathryn McCoy, who is accused of delivering a baby in a Bellarmine University dorm room and then leaving it to die, was back in court yesterday for a hearing. McCoy allegedly told police she "freaked" when she delivered the baby and then threw it away because she though it was dead. A transcript of her interview with police shows she claims to have hidden her pregnancy because she couldnt bring herself to tell her parents. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and tampering with physical evidence. McCoy has been free on a 50-thousand dollar bond since October 26th. (Louisville, KY) -- ESPNs College Gameday will make a visit to Louisvilles Freedom Hall next weekend and fans have been invited to attend the telecast. The move will mark the Cardinals game against Georgetown. Doors will open at Freedom Hall at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, February 9th for fans to attend the event. Free donuts and beverages will be available and award contests will be held for the best dressed and best banner. Students attending the event may ride one of the free shuttle buses. Pickup locations will be held at Papa Johns Cardinal Stadium, the bus stop near the Student Activities Center, and near the Community Park at Fourth and Brandeis Streets. (Frankfort, KY) -- The Senate has approved a bill to prohibit government agencies including public universities from providing domestic partner benefits. Benefits are now offered at the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. The universities have said they need to be able to offer the benefits to be competitive in hiring. A similar bill is already before a House committee. Last session a bill to ban domestic partner benefits never left committee. (Frankfort, KY) -- The Kentucky Medical Association unveiled plans yesterday to work with legislators to address the states doctor shortage. The move is also to help widen access to the states healthcare. The Kentucky Institute of Medicine conducted a study last year that showed the state needs almost 23-hundred doctors to meet national standards. The plan is called the Patient Physician Partnership and is designed to increase support for Kentucky medical schools, and to support medical liability reform. (Frankfort, KY) -- Governor Steve Beshear has signed an executive proclamation making February 3rd through 9th Earthquake Preparedness Week in the state. The Governor and Kentucky Division of Emergency Preparedness officials say they recognize the need to be aware of the risks and to be prepared for all natural and man-made disasters. Officials say Kentucky schools will participate in an earthquake drill on Tuesday, February 5th. (Louisville, KY) -- A description of teenager Kaitlyn Lasitters version of what happened the day her feet were severed on a ride at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom has been released. The version was released in court records yesterday. Her version of the incident was released as part of a civil lawsuit her family filed against Kentucky Kingdom on July 12th. The lawsuit claims the theme park failed to maintain the ride and ensure riders safety. (Frankfort, KY) -- Tomorrow marks the annual observance for womens heart disease and the Kentucky Department for Public Health is encouraging all Kentuckians to wear red. The move is to show support for National Wear Red Day, an observance to highlight the dangers of heart disease among women. In Kentucky, more women die each year from heart disease than men. Officials say more women die of heart disease than all cancers combined. (Frankfort, KY) -- Those who would like to increase support for Alzheimers patients and their families rallied at the capitol yesterday. The Alzheimer Association are recommending steps to help the 80-thousand people in Kentucky with Alzheimers. One proposal is for "Golden Alert" system similar to the "Amber Alert" system. Among those speaking at the rally former Kentucky first lady Phyllis George who lost her mother to Alzheimers. (Elizabethtown, KY) -- A benefit will be held tomorrow for the Tony York, the man who was burned earlier this week at the Depot Restaurant in Glendale. The event will be held at 576 White Mills Glendale Road in Glendale. A BBQ dinner will be served and donations of 20-dollars per person is asked. More information about the event can be obtained by calling Jeff at 502-457-4183. Tomorrow is Tony Yorks birthday. Illinois Summary: --- Get Out Your Shovel: Winter Storm Warning In Effect (Chicago) -- Chicagoans have spent the past few-days shivering and might spend the next few-days shoveling. After enduring temperatures in the single digits, temperatures in the Chicago area are on the rise, but snow is also on the way. The National Weather Service says a winter storm warning is in effect from Thursday evening until Friday evening and includes Cook, Lake, DuPage, Grundy and Will counties. Several-inches of snow are expected in the Chicago area with more expected downstate. The snow is expected to cause trouble for Friday mornings commute in the Chicago area. --- Drew Peterson Reportedly Wants Divorce (Chicago) -- The former Bolingbrook Police sergeant who is suspected in the disappearance of his wife reportedly wants to get divorced. The "Herald News" reports Drew Peterson as saying he would like to divorce his missing wife, Stacy, but says, quote: "First we have to see if she shows up...Then I think we have to wait for a year." Peterson insists his wife left him for another man, telling the newspaper, "She ran off with another guy...Its that simple." Stacy Peterson is Drew Petersons fourth wife. --- Prosecutors Say Snowmobile Driver Drunk In Crash That Killed Randy Salerno (Sayner, WI) -- Investigators say Scott Hirschey, who was driving the snowmobile which crashed last weekend in Wisconsin, killing Channel 2 news anchor Randy Salerno, had a blood alcohol level almost three-times the legal limit. Hirschey has been charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. Investigators say the 44-year-old did not agree to a test until nearly four-hours after the accident and that test was against his will. Salernos funeral was held in his home town of Crystal Lake on Wednesday. Salerno had just turned 45. --- Charges Possible In Deadly Carjacking (Gary, IN) -- Gary Police say there is a "50-50 chance" they will file charges against the father of a toddler who was shot to death during a carjacking Monday night. Police also say they do not believe the shooter acted alone. The "Northwest Indiana Times" reports 34-year-old Terry Bethel of Portage is being held as a "person of interest" in connection with the shooting that killed 13-month-old Josiah Shaw and critically wounded the childs mother, 29-year-old Kwana 1/81/8kuh-WAHN-uh3/83/8 Shaw. --- Naperville Murder Trial Starting Today (Wheaton) -- Opening statements are scheduled to begin Thursday afternoon in the trial of accused quadruple-murderer Eric Hanson. The 31-year-old Naperville man is charged with killing his parents, Terrance and Mary Hanson; his sister, and her husband in September of 2005. Hanson could face the death penalty if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty. --- Students Accused Of E-mailing Bomb Threats (Mundelein) -- Two juniors at Mundelein High School are accused of e-mailing a bomb threat to the school. Authorities say Dylan Britt and James Voss, who are both 17, are charged with making a false terrorist threat, and each faces up to 15-years in prison if convicted. Prosecutors say the alleged threats happened last Friday. Investigators say the first e-mail was traced to a computer inside the school. --- Seven-Point-Two-Million Voters Sign-Up For February Primary, McCain Coming To Chicago Area (Chicago) -- Illinois early primary is now just five-days away. The Illinois State Board of Elections says seven-point-two-million-people have registered to vote in Illinois. Thats more than in 2004, but actually a bit less than the total number in 2006. The man now considered the Republican frontrunner in the race for the White House, Arizona Senator John McCain, will host a rally and fundraiser in Villa Park on Friday. The latest polls have McCain a favorite to win the Illinois primary. On the Democratic side, Illinois Senator Barack Obama remains in a tight race with New York Senator Hillary Clinton. Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy will be campaigning for Obama at rallies today in New Mexico and tomorrow in California. Obama and Clinton will meet in a debate tonight in Los Angeles. --- Illinois Consumers Can Save Hundreds On Their Phone Bill (Chicago) -- Illinois consumers can now save hundreds-of-dollars on their phone bills. An agreement negotiated by the Citizens Utility Board gives a 20-dollar credit to customers who switch to a low-cost long distance plan offered by Pioneer Telephone. CUB unveiled the new credit Wednesday at joint press conferences across the state with Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn. To obtain the 20-dollar credit from Pioneer, consumers must sign up for long-distance service with the company. --- Chicago Hosts Borrower Outreach Days (Chicago) -- The City of Chicago is trying to help homeowners caught in the mortgage foreclosure crunch. Mayor Daley says more than 600-Chicagoans received personalized counseling and other assistance during the first three of nine Borrower Outreach Days organized by the city. Figures from the National Training and Information Center indicate that about 14-thousand foreclosures started in Chicago last year, up more than ten-thousand from 2006. Five more Borrower Outreach Days will be held between now and March 20th. The next one is Saturday, February 9th. --- Elgin To Join DUI Task Force (Elgin) -- Elgin Police are joining a long-established task force aimed at stopping drunken drivers. Police say the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists has expanded its "Drunk Busters" program to include Kane County. Communities in DuPage, Lake, Will and McHenry Counties also participate in the program. Citizens who report an impaired motorist to police are eligible to receive 100-dollars. Drunk Busters has given out more than two-thousand such awards since its inception in 1990. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-01-31-08 0644CST