Regional Summary, Thursday 11/15

Indiana Summary: Colder Weather Hits Indiana (Indianapolis) -- Colder weather has hit Indiana after unseasonable temperatures this week. This morning, temperatures are in the lower 40s in central Indiana after feeling the mid 60s and colder up north. Some flurries have been seen in the Indianapolis area. Temperatures for the weekend are forecast to be around 50 degrees. --- Work Continues To Finish Up Super 70 Project By Deadline (Indianapolis) -- Drivers should be able to see completion of the Super 70 Project on the Indianapolis Eastside soon. A deadline is fast approaching meaning that crews need to get the job done by then or face a fine of 120-thousand-dollars a day. Most of the work is done in the areas that run along Interstate 70 east of downtown. Painting along with landscaping and clean up work will be ongoing until finished in the near future. --- Former Muncie Educator Arrested, Accused Of Indecent Exposure (Indianapolis) -- Police say a former educator in Muncie has been arrested for indecent exposure today. Investigators say that Dennis Gibson was found to have been touching himself at a public park. According to police files, an undercover vice officer saw the incident. Gibson is a former principal in the Muncie School District. Police say the incident happened last month in the middle of the afternoon as Gibson was sitting in his Jeep. --- Police In Carmel Today Investigate Rash Of Vehicle Vandalisms (Carmel) -- Carmel Police today continue looking for suspects in a rash of vehicle vandalisms. In many cases, the damages were done as cars were sitting in the owners driveways. Investigators say that the suspects stole several cars and used the vehicles to cause lots of damage to other property, including mailboxes. Police say they believe that several suspects were involved in the crime. Police ask that anyone with information that can lead to an arrest to call them. --- Latest Winning Numbers From The Hooseir Lottery Daily Three-Midday: 8-9-0; Daily Three-Evening: 8-0-5; Daily Four-Midday: 3-7-5-4; Daily Four-Evening: 2-2-5-6; Lucky Five-Midday: 12-17-20-29-31; Lucky Five-Evening: 4-5-9-15-25. Kentucky Summary: (Louisville, KY) -- A federal grand jury has returned a indictment on a former Louisville Police officer for receiving and possessing child pornography. Police found over 400 pictures and ten videos on 77-year-old Roy Derrys personal computer, after he took his computer to Radio Shack for repairs. If he is convicted he could face up to 30 years in prison and supervised release for life. The minimum penalties are five years in prison and supervised release for five years. (Louisville, KY) -- Officials say two pieces of evidence wanted for DNA testing in a 1979 murder case cannot be found. In September, Judge James Shake delayed requests to vacate Brian Keith Moores conviction because of missing evidence and gave prosecutors 60 days to look for the evidence. Prosecutors are now saying that the testing isnt necessary because witnesses have testified they saw Moore in the clothes before the killing, according to the "Courier Journal." A court hearing will be held on November 26th concerning the issues. Metro Police say the evidence could have been disposed of at some point over the last 30 years. (Louisville, KY) -- The United Auto Workers have ratified a four-year contract with Ford Motor Company. The move will set lower pay for some new workers and will put the companys huge retiree healthcare debt into a trust that the UAW will run. The union says 79 percent of its members voted nationally in favor of the contract. (Louisville, KY) -- The University of Louisville marching band now has a new practice field thanks to the crew from "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." The band was using an old practice field but now have a state-of-the-art practice facility. The Makeover crews were in town rebuilding U of L marching band member, Patrick Hughes a new home. Hughes was born without eyes and cant extend his arms or legs. (Frankfort, KY) -- The Great American Smokeout will take place today. Health organizations and local health departments are urging the public to stop using tobacco products for the day. Health officials say the event is to help raise awareness of the health risks in tobacco use and the many effective ways available to quit using tobacco. The event is in collaboration with the Kentucky Department for Public Health, the Governors Office of Wellness and Physical Activity, and the American Cancer Society. (Elizabethtown, KY) -- Marines from the 4th Tank Battalion will help host the 10th Annual Hardin County Toys For Tots Ride this Sunday. Anyone is welcome to attend the event, which will start at Staples at 1807 North Dixie Avenue in Elizabethtown and will end at the Veterans Park in West Point, Kentucky. Toy collection centers will be at the start and the end point of the ride. This is the 60th anniversary of the Toys for Tots campaign Illinois Summary: Fire Burning On Southeast Side (Chicago) -- Chicago Fire Department crews have been on the scene of a large fire on the citys Southeast Side. The fire broke out in a house on the 84-hundred block of South Buffalo Avenue near the old U.S. Steel Plant around 5 a.m. and then spread to two other houses. A roof has collapsed on one of the structures. There is no word yet on injuries or what caused the fire. --- Two Officers Injured In Collision (Chicago) -- Two Chicago Police officers were hospitalized in good condition after being injured in a car accident early this morning. Chicago Police say the officers were in a squad car which was struck by another car at the intersection of Madison and Kilbourn on the West Side about 1 a.m. Both officers were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and were expected to be okay. The driver of the other vehicle was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition. There is no word yet on charges. --- Hastert Expected To Officially Announce Retirement Thursday (Chicago) -- Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois is expected to officially announce his retirement today, effective in December or January. The 65-year-old Hastert has been rumored to be retiring for months. "The Politico" reports Hastert is expected to tell the House Republican Conference of his decision this afternoon, and then make his final floor speech sometime after that. Hastert is a Republican who represents the states 14th District which covers several western suburbs and other towns. --- Still No Solution To Transit Woes, More Meetings Expected (Chicago) -- State and local lawmakers are expected to meet again this morning to discuss a long-term funding solution for Chicago-area mass transit. Mayor Daley left a meeting with Governor Blagojevich and legislative leaders after only an hour Wednesday. State House Speaker Michael Madigan said the meeting deteriorated into "non-productive shouts and threats." The Governor is predicting a solution by Thanksgiving, and called for another meeting Thursday morning. CTA, RTA, Metra and Pace officials have scheduled a press conference for Thursday morning. --- United Reportedly In Talks To Merge With Delta (Chicago) -- Chicago-based United Airlines is reportedly considering merging with Delta Airlines. Various reports surfaced on Wednesday that Delta and United are considering joining ranks to create the worlds largest air carrier. However, both airlines deny taking part in merger discussions. --- Police To Canvas Areas Where Women Were Found Dead, First Victim Was Pregnant (Chicago) -- Chicago Police today will be canvassing South Side neighborhoods to distribute fliers where two women have been found dead and on fire this week. Both women had been strangled. Police have not found direct evidence of a link in the deaths. The first victim, whom police say was pregnant, was found late Monday at 61st and Prairie Avenue. The second victim was found Wednesday just before 1 a.m. behind Reavis Elementary School in the 800 block of East 50th Street. --- Peterson Appears On "Today" Show, Grand Jury Calls Witnesses (Chicago, IL/Bolingbrook) -- In some of the latest developments in the Drew Peterson case, the former Bolingbrook Police sergeant went on national TV to proclaim his innocence in the disappearance of his fourth wife and in the death of his third wife. Also yesterday, a Will County grand jury called two witnesses regarding the Peterson case. Reports say a neighbor who found Petersons third wife, Kathleen Savio, dead in a bathtub in 2004 appeared in court yesterday and said he expected to return to testify next week. A Bolingbrook Police Officer also appeared in court but its unclear whether he testified. Drew Peterson has not been charged with any crime. --- Former Hispanic Democratic Organization Member Gets 15-Month Sentence (Chicago) -- A former member of Chicagos Hispanic Democratic Organization has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for perjury. Forty-nine-year-old John Resa pleaded guilty in August to lying to a grand jury about helping other HDO members get jobs in Mayor Daleys administration. Mayor Daleys former patronage chief, Robert Sorich, was convicted last year for hiring based on political clout. Resas sentence begins January 8th. --- The Return Of Rex: Bears Say Grossman Will Start Against Seattle (Chicago) -- The Rex Grossman era in Chicago isnt over yet. Bears coach Lovie Smith says Grossman will start at quarterback against the Seahawks in Seattle on Sunday in place of the injured Brian Griese 1/81/8 greesy.3/83/8 Grossman, who lost his starting job to Griese earlier this year, came off the bench last Sunday when Griese got hurt against the Oakland Raiders and eventually threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian to lead the Bears to a 17-6 win. Smith, however, isnt committing to Grossman beyond this Sundays game. --- Lace Up Your Skates: Millennium Rink Open (Chicago) -- In another sign that hot chocolate and snowball weather is here, the ice rink at Millennium Park is now open for business. The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink officially opened for the season on Wednesday and will be open through March 16th, weather permitting. The rink is free and open to the public and skate rentals are available for nine-dollars. The rink is open every day from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. except on Christmas Day and New Years Day when its only open from noon until 8 p.m. (Copyright 2007 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-11-15-07 0643CST