Regional Summary, Friday 11/30

Indiana Summary: --- Woman Sought After Wallets Stolen From Hospitals In Hendricks County (Hendricks County) -- A woman is sought by police today as a suspect after wallets were taken from two Hendricks County hospitals recently. Both Hendricks County Hospital in Danville and Health Track Immediate Care in Avon were targets. Investigators say the suspect entered the hospitals on her alone. She has been seen on video tape with a young boy when she entered a store and went on a shopping spree using stolen credit cards. Police say they suspect she is familiar with the hospitals and believe she is a pro when it comes to lifting wallets and using peoples credit cards. Detectives say she appears to be very confident in what shes doing. Anyone who has information that can help lead to an arrest is asked to call Danville Police at 745-2486. --- Police Chase Ends In Crash (Beech Grove) -- A police chase last night ended with an arrest and some police cars smashed up. Beech Grove Police say an officer spotted a black pick up truck operating erratically near St. Vincent Hospital and tried to pull it over. The driver sped off and the officer and other law enforcement from two police agencies joined in the chase. Police say speeds reached 50-miles-an-hour through some residential areas. The truck struck several police cars in the process before being pulled over and an arrest made. Investigators say there were no injuries. --- Police And ATF Make Heroin Raids In Indianapolis (Indianapolis) -- Indianapolis Metropolitan Police and ATF agents this week have made what they call significant raids as they bust heroin operations. Investigators say arrests were made and drugs, drug paraphanalia and large amounts of cash were retrieved. The Marion County Prosecutors office says the raid at 34th and Capital Avenue will help make a dent in the drug world and help to reduce more serious crime such as murder. Police also say that not too far away, a raid netted high powered weapons in connection with the heroin case. --- Colts And Jags Battle For First-Place In The Division (Indianapolis) -- First-place in the AFC South will be on the line this week when the Jaguars battle the Colts at the RCA Dome. The Colts come in at 9-and-2 and have a one-game lead over the 8-and-3 Jaguars. Jacksonville won its third straight game after beating the Buffalo Bills 36-14 in Week 12. David Garrard tossed for 296 yards and a touchdown for the Jags. After a brief two-game skid, the Colts have won two in-a-row. Indianapolis posted a 31-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Thanksgiving night. Peyton Manning completed 22-of-32 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns for the Colts. The Colts have won four of the last five meetings between the two clubs, including a 29-7 victory at Jacksonville in Week Seven. --- Here Are Thursdays Winning Numbers From The Hoosier Lottery Daily Three-Midday: 5-1-2; Daily Four-Midday: 5-6-0-0; Lucky Five-Midday: 12-14-19-26-31 Kentucky Summary: (Louisville, KY) -- Two well known Wildcat basketball players from the past have died. Ralph Beard and Tommy Kron died Thursday in Louisville, the 79-year-old Beard, died of heart failure, the 64-year-old Kron lost his battle with cancer. Beard was a member of Adolphs Rupps "Fabulous Five" on the championship team in 1948 and Kentuckys 1948 Olympic Gold medal team. Later he was implicated in the point shaving scandal and banned from basketball. Kron was a starter on "Rupps Runts" one of the most popular teams in the storied programs history. (Ft. Mitchell, KY) -- The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is pushing for a smoking ban. The chamber is pushing for a smoking ban in most public places and an increase in the cigarette tax. Tough smoking ordinances are in effect in Lexington, Louisville and a number of other Kentucky communities but have been rejected by northern Kentucky communities. (Lexington, KY) -- Most hospitals prohibit smoking inside the hospital, but now a group is banning smoking totally from hospital property. A group called the Tobacco-free Healthcare Collaborative says its committed to going smoke free within the next year. The group includes hospitals in Paris, Versailles, Maysville and Georgetown along with Central Baptist, St. Joseph, UK and UKs Good Samaritan in Lexington. The group will eliminate outdoor smoking areas and totally ban smoking from hospital property. (Morehead, KY) -- Morehead Police are searching for a suspect in connection with a violent home invasion. A grand jury has indicted 23-year-old Brandon W. McWain. Morehead Police say McWain is to be considered armed and dangerous. Police say he has changed his appearance in the past but has a scorpion tattoo on his neck and a joker tattoo on his left upper arm. (Frankfort, KY) -- Representative John Draud has sent a letter to legislative leaders resigning his General Assembly seat. The northern Kentucky Republican says "I think Ive accomplished a lot. But its a unique opportunity for me to do something really important." Selected by the State Board of Education as Kentuckys Education Commissioner Draud will begin his new position on Monday. (Frankfort, KY) -- First lady Glenna Fletcher launched a campaign months ago to renovate the Governors Mansion from its aging infrastructure to its cosmetic covering. Now, as she prepares to move out, Mrs. Fletcher says shes proud of what has been accomplished to preserve the "peoples house." With over two-million-dollars in donations and over one-million-dollars in state funds, numerous issues have been addressed in the 1914 building. She says a new heating and air conditioning system was installed along with double pane windows to control the interior environment and eliminate moisture problems. There is new plaster, paint, window dressing and refurbished furniture, along with rugs and lots of paint. (London, KY) -- The Kentucky Racing Authority is considering whether to grant a private group a license for a racetrack in Laurel County, it would be the states ninth. A public hearing will be held on December 10th at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington on the proposal. (Frankfort, KY) -- Many National Football League fans upset because theyre cable system doesnt carry the NFL Network are taking their complaints to the Kentucky Public Service Commissioner. But PSC Chairman Mark David Goss says by federal law the PSC has no authority over cable television content or rates. Goss urges upset fans to contact the Federal Communications Commission, or the cable companies. Illinois Summary: --- New Chicago Police Superintendent Comes From FBI (Chicago) -- Mayor Daleys choice to lead the Chicago Police Department comes from out of town. The Mayor has named 49-year-old J.P. Weis 1/81/8 WEESS 3/83/8, a 22-year veteran of the FBI, to be superintendent. Weis 1/81/8 WEESS 3/83/8 most recently ran the FBI field office in Philadelphia. His nomination now goes to the City Council. Dana Starks, who served as interim superintendent since August following the retirement of Phil Cline, will become chairman of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations. Weis 1/81/8 WEESS 3/83/8 will be the highest paid person on the citys payroll, making 300-thousand-dollars-a-year, even more than Mayor Daley. The Mayors office says thats because Weis 1/81/8 WEESS 3/83/8 will also fill the job of chief emergency officer that has been vacant since Cortez Trotter retired this year. --- Hyde Remembered For Years Of Service (Chicago,IL) -- Chicago, state and national figures are all remembering Henry Hyde. The longtime Republican Congressman who represented the 6th District, which included suburbs such as Elmhurst, Addison, Carol Stream and Wheaton, died on Thursday morning at Rush Hospital at 83-years-old. Mayor Daley remembers Hyde as a very respected and caring man. White House Press Secretary Dana Perino read a statement from President Bush on Thursday saying Hyde, quote, "always stood for a strong and purposeful America." Hyde retired last year after 16 terms in the U.S. Congress. --- Obama In The Big Apple: Meets With Bloomberg, Sharpton (New York, NY) -- Illinois Senator and Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama is in Senator Hillary Clintons territory, meeting with some of New York Citys most influential people. Obama is scheduled to have coffee this morning with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Obama has a private breakfast fundraiser event slated for this morning as well. Last night, Senator Obama held a sold-out campaign event at Harlems Apollo Theatre and shared a meal with the Reverend Al Sharpton. --- Here It Comes...National Weather Service Issues Winter Storm Watch (Chicago) -- December is coming with a chance for a messy winter storm. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for tomorrow afternoon and evening. Snow possibly mixed with sleet is expected to develop across Northern Illinois late Saturday morning. Forecasters say the precipitation will turn to freezing rain late Saturday afternoon into Saturday evening. A quarter-inch of ice accumulation is possible. Areas near the Wisconsin border could see two-to-four-inches of snow. --- Overnight Winter Parking Restrictions Begin (Chicago) -- If you park your car on a Chicago street tonight, check the signs because the citys overnight winter parking ban is about to begin. Youll get a ticket if youre parked on one of the citys major streets between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m., starting Saturday morning, regardless of snow. Violators will face a 150-dollar towing fee, in addition to a 50-dollar ticket. --- Parking Rates At OHare And Midway Going Up (Chicago) -- As the holidays approach, the cost to park at Chicagos airports is going up. OHare and Midway are raising some of their rates effective tomorrow. The increases range from two to 20-dollars. The price changes affect the daily, main valet, international, and economy parking areas at OHare and the daily and economy areas at Midway. The hourly parking rates at both airport garages will not change. --- Speed Limit Drops On Portion Of Lake Shore Drive (Chicago) -- Its time to slow down on Lake Shore Drive. Starting Saturday, the speed limit between Hollywood and Oak drops from 45-miles-per-hour to 40. Thats in order to protect the landscaping from de-icing spray. The speed limit goes back up to 45 on April 1st. --- Blagojevich Says More Special Sessions Possible (Springfield) -- Governor Blagojevich says hell meet with top lawmakers again early next week as they continue trying to come up with long-term funding for Chicago-area mass transit and discuss a statewide building plan. The Governor says he may push for more special sessions if talks break down and will even call legislators back everyday until Christmas if he has to. --- Alderman Brookins Being Sued Over Back Rent (Chicago) -- A Chicago alderman might lose his law office and campaign headquarters due to non-payment of rent. The "Chicago Sun-Times" reports 21st Ward Alderman Howard Brookins and his former law partner, Judge Thaddeus Wilson, are being sued by their landlords at 100-North La Salle Street. The suit alleges their 17th-floor office owes nearly 42-thousand-dollars in back rent. The lawmaker is also being sued by an office supplier for allegedly failing to pay just over 50-thousand-dollars in overdue copy machine rental fees. Brookins is running to succeed the outgoing Dick Devine as Cook County states attorney. --- Public Service At Holy Name Cathedral For John Drury (Chicago) -- Many people who watched John Drury on TV for years will get a chance to say goodbye, today. A public memorial for the long-time Chicago newsman is scheduled for 2 p.m. today at Chicagos Holy Name Cathedral. Drury died on Sunday at 80-years-old and had battled ALS late in life. A private service was held for family and friends yesterday. (Copyright 2007 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-11-30-07 0635CST