Tristate Regional News, Wednesday 4/25

Indianapolis Summary: --- Indiana DOC Officials Release Details About Prison Riot (New Castle) -- Indiana prison officials say hundreds of inmates were involved in yesterdays large-scale riot at the New Castle Correctional Facility. The Indiana Department of Correction says in a news release that the incident began yesterday afternoon when inmates being escorted to and from lunch began resisting orders from staff. Prison officials say a demonstration erupted involving 500 of the facilitys more than 16-hundred inmates. Prison and state corrections officials say offenders from Arizona took their shirts off in a protest over prison rules. Two guards suffered what are being described as non-life-threatening injuries. Seven inmates suffered minor injuries, mostly from tear gas used to disrupt the riot. DOC officials say offenders from both Indiana and Arizona were involved in the incident. Arizona began shipping hundreds of inmates to Indiana last month as part of a deal reached with Indiana to help Arizona alleviate its prison overcrowding issues. DOC officials say the riot was contained in a little under three-hours. The two states have halted further inmate transfers in the wake of the incident. The riot caused some damage to the prison, mostly from broken windows, smashed furniture and graffiti. No inmates escaped the medium-security prison during the incident. --- Indianas Governor Calls Prison Riot "Relatively Minor" (Indianapolis) -- Indianas governor says hes grateful that yesterdays riot at the New Castle Correctional Facility "turned out to be relatively minor." Two guards and seven inmates were injured during the riot yesterday afternoon at the privately-run medium security prison. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels says in a statement that "plans and protocols are in place to respond to just such an incident, and they were carried out well." Authorities spent more than two-hours working to stop the disturbance yesterday. The incident began when some prisoners that had been transferred to the facility from Arizona began protesting some of Indianas prison rules. Indiana and Arizona signed a multi-million-dollar deal earlier this year to transfer more than 12-hundred inmates from Arizona to Indiana. Further transfers have been at least temporarily halted in the wake of yesterdays incident. --- Indiana Democrats Continue Criticism of Privatization Following Prison Riot (Indianapolis) -- Indianas Democratic party took less time to criticize the states Republican governor than it took authorities to end yesterdays prison riot. The Indiana Democratic Party sent out a press release about 45-minutes after the riot began at the New Castle Correctional Facility yesterday afternoon. In the release, Indiana Democratic Party Chairman Dan Parker pointed to the riot at the privately-run prison as "further evidence that Governor Mitch Daniels push for privatization has drastic consequences." Daniels signed a contract with the Florida-based GEO Group to take over management of the prison in 2005. Parker says Daniels should "answer to every person and every family affected by this riot, especially those who have been injured." --- Lawmakers Get Bad News About Property Taxes (Indianapolis) -- The issue of property taxes is likely to get even more heated at the Indiana Statehouse following news yesterday that taxes could go up even higher than originally thought. State Representative Jeff Espich warned lawmakers yesterday that property tax bills are going up an average of more than 23-percent this year alone, much higher than the already-politically-grim figure of almost 15-percent forecast earlier this session. Lawmakers have been engaged in an often-heated debate this session over the best way to reduce the growth in property taxes. A handful of property tax proposals are currently being considered in a House-Senate conference committee. Yesterdays announcement by Espich brings even more tension to the debate as lawmakers work to hammer out their political differences before the end of the session on Sunday. --- Governor Signs Legislation Giving Lawmakers A Raise, Different Retirement Health Benefits (Indianapolis) -- Lawmakers will soon get a raise. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels signed legislation yesterday to give lawmakers a base pay of more than 20-thousand-dollars starting in 2009, up from the current base salary of 11-thousand-600-dollars. However, lawmakers also get daily per-diems and other bonuses that the "Indianapolis Star" says creates an average current yearly pay for lawmakers of more than 40-thousand-dollars. The legislation also gives lawmakers a raise whenever judges and other state employees get a raise. Daniels has also signed legislation to create a new health insurance and pension plan for lawmakers that is similar to plans offered to other state employees. --- Republican Lawmaker Tries To Revive Gay Marriage Ban In Committee (Indianapolis) -- A Republican lawmaker says a key House committee abruptly adjourned rather than consider his plan to revive a resolution to put a gay marriage ban into the Indiana Constitution. State Representative Ralph Foley says he presented a motion to the House Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee yesterday to allow SJR7 to be given a vote in the full House before the end of the session on Sunday. The resolution failed to pass in the same committee earlier this session on a vote of 5-5. Foley says since the bill did not get the six votes needed to die, the measure can be reconsidered this session. The gay marriage ban will head to voters in a 2008 referendum if House lawmakers pass the resolution either this session or during the 2007 session. --- Will Pacers Carlisle Stay Or Go (Indianapolis) -- Will Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle stay or go after a rather dismall season? Thats a big question today being asked by players and fans of the team. Carlisle met yesterday with CEO Donnie Walsh and president Larry Bird about the concerns. Team officials havent commented since the season ended, but its possible Carlisles direction could be determined soon. There are cases for and against him right now. He is considered a brainiac because of his vast "Xs" and "Os" knowledge. On the other side, players have criticized his people skills. Its a waiting game now. ChicagoSummary: Local Prosecutors To Talk Today About ID Fraud Bust (Chicago) -- Chicago federal authorities are expected to release details this morning about a Tuesday afternoon raid in the Little Village community that led to several public protests. The news conference is set for 10 a.m. in the Dirksen Federal Building. The federal operation took place yesterday in a strip mall on the citys Southwest Side targeting people suspected of selling fake Social Security and green cards. Hundreds of residents protested the raid. Up to 20 people were arrested and are expected to appear in federal court today at 11 a.m. --- Immigrant Rights March News Conference Today By Labor Groups (Chicago) -- A news conference is scheduled for this morning by a number of labor groups who say theyre supporting an upcoming march for immigrant rights. Several organizations, including the Chicago Federation of Labor and the Services Employees International Union, are voicing support for the Tuesday, May 1st march in downtown Chicago. Organizers have previously said this years march will call for a moratorium on workplace immigration raids. Todays media event scheduled for 10 a.m. at Des Plaines and Randolph in Chicago, comes following yesterdays federal raid in Chicagos "Little Village" neighborhood targeting people suspected of selling fake identification. --- Ten-Year-Old Girl Hit by Accidental Gunfire (Vernon Hills) -- A ten-year-old girl remains hospitalized after she was accidentally wounded by a gunshot last night in north suburban Vernon Hills while crossing the street with her mother. Police say a 34-year-old security guard, who happens to be a neighbor, was unloading his weapon when it accidentally discharged and shot the girl in the abdomen. She was reportedly taken to Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, then transferred to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. The security guard called police after the shooting and he faces no criminal charges. --- Rally Follows Release Of Report Against Probe Of Police Brutality (Chicago) -- Dozens of protestors say they may embarrass Mayor Daley if he doesnt address their concerns about an investigation into police brutality in the 1970s and 80s. The demonstrators staged a rally on Tuesday outside City Hall threatening to inform Olympic officials of the citys track record of police abuse, which they feel can jeopardize the mayors efforts to gain the 2016 Summer Games. The group gathered shortly after the release of a report that criticized the probe into police torture under former police Commander Jon Burge. About 200 organizations have signed a report saying the investigation of alleged police torture failed to charge crooked cops and soft-pedaled major mistakes by law enforcement officials. More than 140 people claim they were tortured by Burge and officers under his command. --- Former Girlfriend in Browns Chicken Murder Testifies, Prosecution Expected To Wrap Case (Chicago) -- The prosecution is expected to wrap its case today in the trial of Juan Luna, one of the alleged Browns Chicken murderers. In court on Tuesday, the former girlfriend of co-defendant James Degorski testified that her guilt is what ultimately caused her to come forward in 2002 about the 1993 murder of seven people at the Palatine restaurant. Anne Lockett told jurors specific details about the murders. Lockett was Degorskis lover at the time of the killings. He will be tried separately. --- Serious Crash on Tri-State Blocking Northbound and Southbound Lanes (Alsip) -- A serious crash involving three trucks is causing trouble for drivers this morning on the Tri-State Tollway in suburban Alsip. The accident happened in the northbound lanes near Cicero Avenue, just before 3:30 a.m and at one point was blocking several northbound lanes and southbound lanes as at least one of the trucks went through the dividing wall. There are no reports of injuries. --- Gunfire Kills South Side Man (Chicago) -- Chicago Police are investigating a deadly overnight shooting on the citys south side. News Affairs Officer David Banks said the victim, identified by the Cook County medical examiners office as 22-year-old Anthony Trotter, was shot in the chest around 5:45pm near 91st Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. He was pronounced dead a short time later at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. The suspect remains at large. --- Security Guard Charged In Restaurant Hold Ups (Chicago) -- A Chicago man accused of being a serial fast food robber now faces criminal charges. On Tuesday, local authorities charged 32-year-old William Sanders with one count each of armed robbery and attempted armed robbery. He allegedly held up a Wendys and a Burger King restaurant Monday night on the citys south side. No one was hurt in either incident. Sanders, who works as a security guard for BGK Security Services, has been placed on paid leave pending the investigation. Detectives are trying to determine if the suspect is linked to other robberies in the area. Sanders is expected in Cook County Bond Court today at 1 p.m. --- Vote Fraud Alleged by Losing Candidate in 49th Ward (Chicago) -- The candidate who lost a close runoff election in the 49th Ward last week says the results should be thrown out. Don Gordon has filed a lawsuit, saying his loss to incumbent Joe Moore by a mere 247 votes was because of fraud. Gordons suit wants votes thrown out in precincts in which its alleged votes were cast from vacant buildings. Gordon also says elderly voters received too much help when voting. --- Bulls Up Two Games To None (Chicago) -- The Bulls are up two-games-to-none in the opening round of the NBA playoffs after beating the Miami Heat 107-89 at the United Center last night. The Bulls led by three points at the half, but used a 14-3 run to open the third quarter to grab control of the game. Ben Gordons game-high 27 points led the Bulls, who shot over 55-percent from the field in the game. Luol Deng added 26 points and Kirk Hinrich 1/81/8 HINE-rik 3/83/8 chipped-in with 14. The Bulls and Heat play game three of the best-of-seven series in Miami on Friday. Kentucky Summary: Domestic Partner Benefits Approved At UK. (Lexington, KY) -- The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees have voted to extend employee benefits to same and opposite gender partners. This makes UK, along with the University of Louisville, the only two public universities in Kentucky to adopt the domestic partner benefits. Trustees also expanded UK employee benefits in other ways, including the building of two new daycare facilities near campus, expansion of educational benefits for employees and more career counseling and supervisory training. Governor Signs Executive Order For Relief For Somerset Water (Frankfort, KY) -- Governor Ernie Fletcher has signed an executive order to send 565-thousand-dollars to help the City of Somerset defray the cost of modifying its public water intake at Lake Cumberland. The city depends on Lake Cumberland water for over 100-thousand people. But the water intakes will have to be extended to reach the lake if the Army Corps of Engineers lowers it again as they make repairs to the Wolf Creek Dam. Wolf Creek Dam Emergency Notification Now Accepting Numbers (Frankfort, KY) -- Kentucky Homeland Security officials say residents and visitors to communities below Wolf Creek Dam may now input their cell phone and e-mail information into the emergency notification system. The reverse 911 system has been set up to warn people if an emergency develops concerning the dam. People may register their information by logging on to homelandsecurity.ky.gov and clicking on the icon "Wolf Creek Dam Reverse 911." Landmark Business Destroyed (Natural Bridge, KY) -- A landmark business has been destroyed by fire near Natural Bridge State Park. A fire broke out Tuesday afternoon at the Red River Outdoors Store. WKYT TV reports firefighters from Powell and three other counties battled the blaze. There were no injuries. The owners of the business also lost their home. They live in the same building as the store. Drug Round-Up Continues (Richmond, KY) -- Kentucky State Police and Madison County Sheriffs deputies are carrying out indictment warrants for 12 suspected drug dealers. Authorities have taken nine people into custody on charges of trafficking in cocaine, methamphetamine and prescription drugs. Special Session May Come This Summer (Frankfort, KY) -- Governor Ernie Fletcher remains determined to call the General Assembly into special session, but not date has been set. Governor Fletcher says "I think its a matter of when, not if," he says there are pressing issues "I think need to get accomplished." The governor says it looks more and more like the session will be called soon after the May 22nd primary, probably for early June. Senator Unsure Of Attorney Generals Future (Washington, DC) -- Senator Jim Bunning says "I dont know how long Alberto Gonzales can survive as Attorney General." In a conference call with Kentucky reporters, Bunning was asked about Gonzales recent appearance before Congress. Bunning says it was "Kinda weak, not as strong, I think his testimony should have been stronger than it was." But Bunning says Gonzales can still lead, as long as the president has confidence in him. Summit To Deal With Courts And Children (Frankfort, KY) -- Chief Justice Joseph Lambert announces his plans to call a special "summit" this summer. According to the "Courier Journal," the summit will bring together judges, social workers, foster parents and public defenders to address ways to improve the way the court system deals with children. (Copyright 2007 Newsroom Solutions, LLC) Delivered by Newsroom Solutions/Regional News Service RNS-04-25-07 0719CDT