Regional Summary, Monday 3/3

Indiana Summary Springtime Weather In Indiana This Morning (Indianapolis) -- Springtime weather has arrived in Indiana with warm and dry conditions. In Indianapolis, temperatures are around 60-degrees. Heavy rain is forecast for later today and the rest of this week with some sunshine. Temperatures are to drop back into the 30s through Saturday. There also may be some snow but no heavy accumulation is forecast now. --- Indiana Homeowners Gather Sunday Night For Property Tax Debate (Indianapolis) -- Concerned property owners got together Sunday night in Indianapolis for a property tax debate. It was held as part of the Open Door Series where citizens and lawmakers, including House and Senate members, could discuss the issue. It remains the top priority with just two-weeks remaining for the short session. State Representatives Cindy Noe and David Orenticher joined Senator Teresa Lubbers saying that now is a critical time and people need to be informed on what the lawmakers are doing. --- Police End Standoff In Westfield Peacefully Over Weekend. (Indianapolis) -- It took close to four-hours, but police safely ended a standoff in Westfield over the weekend. The situation started around 1:30 Sunday afternoon when officers responded to the Centennial subdivision after hearing of a man who called 911 making threats to harm himself. Officers arrived on the scene and tried to talk to the man, however, he wouldnt communicate with them. SWAT teams were brought in to negotiate. The man finally surrendered to them. He was taken to the Hamilton County Jail on a preliminary charge of intimidation. --- IMPD Shoot And Kill Man After Gun Is Displayed (Indianapolis) -- Indianapolis Metropolitan Police say they had no choice but to shoot a motorist after a gun was aimed in their direction over the weekend. A routine traffic stop on Saturday night found a driver at odds with police at 38th Street and High School Road. Investigators say the car was stopped because police could see no visible license plate. After police pulled the driver from his car, a fight erupted as the man pushed back officers. Police say the man pulled a handgun and he and officers struggled over it. The suspect was able to pull the gun away and aimed it at officers, who acted. One of them fired one shot, killing the man. The victim has been identified as Juan Arreola. --- Father Shot In Front Of His Children (Indianapolis) -- An Indianapolis father was shot and killed in front of his children over the weekend. Police say the shooting happened around 2 a.m. Sunday in a residence on North Kenwood Avenue. Thirty-one-year-old Cory Tennon was was found struck with bullets in his face. Investigators say the attack happened during a home invasion. Police say Tennon will be okay. So far, no arrest has been made. --- Sundays Winning Hoosier Lottery Numbers (Indianapolis) -- Daily Three-Evening: 8-9-0; Daily Four-Evening: 3-5-9-1; Lucky Five-Evening: 11-15-17-25-35. Kentucky Summary (Frankfort, KY) -- House Democratic House leaders met into the night, marking up the budget and crafting a plan to generate 800-million-dollars in additional revenue. The plans include an increase in the cigarette tax of at least 25-cents, but not the 70-cents some have proposed. The lawmakers hope to find the additional revenue to prevent some of the funding cuts to education and a number of other programs. (Jackson, KY) -- State Police now have Clarence Tester in custody. Troopers arrested Tester last night in Wolfe County. They have been searching for Tester since Friday when a shooting at the Hardees in Jackson sent his wife Donna to the hospital. At last report shes listed in critical condition at the UK Hospital. (Cave City, KY) -- Kentucky State Police have discovered a meth lab in a home in Clay City. One of the officers on the scene was taken to a hospital in Richmond for treatment of exposure to the hazardous fumes and released. Two teenagers have been removed from the home, decontaminated and placed with relatives. Their parents face charges. (Bowling Green, KY) -- Bowling Green Police and the Internal Revenue Service say they have had reports of a tax rebate scam. People are being contacted by e-mail, that looks very official, but is not sent by the IRS. The email directs people to a website where they are asked for personal information. The IRS says its inquiries would be by official mail, never by email. (Frankfort, KY) -- It would make things more convenient for wine drinkers. A bill is being proposed in the House that would permit wine sales in grocery stories. Kentucky is only one of 16 states where that isnt permitted. The bill by Louisville Democratic Representative Larry Clark would stipulate that the store would have to meet certain size and sales requirements, to ensure the wine is sold only at bona fide groceries and not at service stations and convenience stores. (Frankfort, KY) -- Sirens will sound and radio and television stations will run test messages tomorrow morning. The statewide "tornado drill" will be held at 10:07 a.m. EDT. Its part of Severe Storm Preparedness Month across the state. Families and individuals are urged to take some time and review their emergency plans. (Lexington, KY) -- FEMA mobile disaster centers are open for business today in five counties. Centers are opening in Christian, Monroe, Meade, Fayette And Hart Counties. The centers are opening so people in those counties can learn more about possible disaster assistance for damages suffered in tornadoes and straight line winds several weeks ago. Illinois Summary --- Jury Selection In Rezko Trial Starts Today (Chicago) -- Expect the names of two prominent Illinois politicians to come up as the fraud trial of political fundraiser Tony Rezko gets underway. Jury selection begins today. Rezko is accused of demanding campaign contributions from companies wanting state business. Prosecutors say that money was for the campaign of one "Public Official A." The judge in Rezkos case disclosed last week that "Public Official A" is Governor Rod Blagojevich, but he continues to deny any involvement in the alleged scheme. Rezko also worked to raise money for U.S. Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. But neither Blagojevich nor Obama has been charged with any wrongdoing. Obamas campaign says its donated any money raised by Rezko to charity. --- Former Alderman Claims Excessive Force In Alabama Arrest (Montgomery, AL) -- Former Chicago Alderman Dorothy Tillman spent more than an hour and a half in a Montgomery Alabama jail yesterday morning. Tillman took her 86-year-old aunt to Jackson Hospital, but wasnt happy with the treatment there. She got in an argument with a nurse over her aunts medical records, and the nurse called the cops. Tillman says the officers used excessive force as they arrested her for trespassing. She claims they knocked her down, threatened to Taser her, and knocked off one of her trademark hats. She also says officers also put her in leg chains and shackles. Tillman is back in Chicago after a Montgomery pastor posted her bond. Shes scheduled to appear in court there on March 31st. --- Pilgrim Baptist Leaders Question Governors Payments (Chicago) -- Leaders of the historic Pilgrim Baptist Church are wondering why Governor Blagojevich has yet to make an offering. Shortly after the 106-year-old church on Chicagos South Side was gutted by a 2006 fire, the Governor promised one-million dollars in state funds to help rebuild it. But that money was given to a private school that leased space at the church, and nothing has gone toward the office and classroom building most heavily damaged in the blaze. A spokesperson for the Governor tells the "Chicago Sun-Times" there may have been some miscommunication between all the parties involved. Abby Ottenhoff says the administration wants to work with the church to resolve the issue. --- Battery Charges Lead Chicago Police To Fire Officer (Chicago) -- An off-duty Chicago police officer was arrested and charged with four counts of aggravated battery in suburban Forest Park this weekend. Police spokeswoman Monique Bond says the as-yet unnamed officer is still in custody there, and has been relieved of his duties with the city. Hes charged with two counts of aggravated battery to a police officer and two counts of aggravated battery to a paramedic after a disturbance at a restaurant. Superintendent Jody Weis says Chicago Police will have "zero tolerance" for any officer who violates the departments integrity. --- Casimir Pulaski Day Observed (Chicago) -- Festivities honoring Polish culture were held at Navy Pier Sunday as Chicago and Cook County prepared to celebrate todays Casimir Pulaski Day. Sundays events featured Polish food, music and dance. Chicago has more Polish people than any city other than Polands capital, Warsaw. Today, Chicago Public Schools and some suburban schools will be closed. Chicago public libraries will also be closed, as will all city and county offices and Cook County courts. Federal and state courts and offices will be open, as will financial markets and most banks. There will be regular mail delivery. CTA, Metra and Pace will run on their normal weekday schedules, and parking meters must be fed. --- Cook County Commissioners Still Considering Parking Tax (Chicago) -- It appears that a one-percent increase in the county sales tax is not enough for Cook County commissioners. The "Chicago Sun-Times" reports that a parking tax increase was one option on the table as the Friday night budget deadline approached. While they didnt act on the measure, commissioners said they would revisit the idea, which calls for doubling the tax. Tax for monthly parkers would likely jump from 20 to 40-dollars. Officials with the Civic Federation call talks of the increase, "arrogant, inconsiderate and illogical," saying an increase is an undue burden on Cook County residents. Commissioners could take up the proposal this week. --- Fort Sheridan Army Reserve Unit Phased Out (Fort Sheridan) -- Soldiers, veterans and their families saluted the 336th Transportation Group flag for the final time yesterday morning. An ongoing Army Reserve reorganization forced the closure of the Fort Sheridan-based group. Soldiers in the group had kept supplies moving for 60 years. The 336th was at times based in Chicago, Forest Park, and Milwaukee, but settled in Fort Sheridan over three decades ago. Another Army Reserve unit will replace the 336th. The 371st Transportation Detachment is tasked with improving efficiency and response time overseas. Many soldiers have transferred from the 336th to the 371st, but not all. --- Event Raises Money To Help Fund Search For Stacy Peterson (Merrionette Park) -- Family and friends of Stacy Peterson are not giving up their search for the missing Bolingbrook mother. They held a concert and fundraiser Sunday in southwest suburban Merrionette Park. Supporters wore T-shirts and bid on auction items, and several bands performed. The money generated will also be used to raise the reward for information leading to Stacy Petersons whereabouts and to set up a trust fund for her children. The current reward is 25-thousand dollars for information to help find Stacy. She was last seen October 28th, and her husband Drew remains the only suspect in her disappearance. Sundays fundraiser also focused attention on missing Plainfield mother Lisa Stebic and a missing man. Brad Olsen was last seen leaving a DeKalb bar last year. --- Chinese National Disappears At OHare (Chicago) -- Chicago police are trying to figure out what happened to a Chinese national who disappeared at OHare Airport last week. Video footage shows 38-year-old Sumei Hu checking in at customs on Tuesday afternoon after returning from a visit with her family overseas. She apparently made it through, but did not reach the terminal and has not been heard from since. Hu met her husband, Steven Frasch, through an internet dating service. The two live in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Authorities say she could have left on another flight, but theyre still analyzing video from elsewhere in the airport. --- Old Orchard Bomb Scare Unfounded (Skokie) -- Authorities say the man who caused a security scare at a north suburban shopping mall was not planning to hurt anyone. The Macys and Nordstrom stores at Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie were evacuated after suspicions were raised Saturday evening. Police tell ABC-7 1/81/8 WLS 3/83/8 they have questioned the man who was seen on security video with his face covered. Some shoppers reported that the man had been acting suspiciously. The Cook County Sheriffs bomb squad responded to Old Orchard around 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The Skokie Police Department got the call reporting the suspicion at about 6 p.m. Bomb-sniffing dogs searched the stores but did not find anything suspicious. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-03-03-08 0555CST