Regional Summary, Tuesday 3/11

Indiana Summary --- Bloomington Police Investigate Body Found Near Road (Bloomington) -- Police in Bloomington are investigating the death of a man whose body was found near a road yesterday. Officers were called to an area near 10th Street and West Cottage Grove Avenue where they found the body of a black male between-40 and 50-years-old. An autopsy is expected today in Terre Haute. --- Fishers Police Chase Suspect Right To Their Door (Fishers) -- Fishers Police tried to make a routine traffic stop when the driver sped off, leading police on a chase that ended at their door. Sergeant Gerry Hepp of the Fishers Police Department says one of their officers tried to pull the car over neat 116th Street and I-69 when the driver took off. During the pursuit, the driver found himself trapped but not for long as he managed to elude police again. The car eventually drove into the lawn adjacent to the Fishers Police Department where the vehicle became stuck in mud. Thats where police surrounded the car and arrested the driver after he ran from the car. Also in the car was a 17-year-old minor and an 18-month-old baby girl who was in a car seat but not restrained. Police say none of the people was injured. The driver, 24-year-old Roderick Kelvin Hill, faces numerous charges. Police say that drugs and alcohol were also found in the suspects car. --- No Injuries As Building Facade Falls In Johnson County (Greenwood) -- There were no injuries yesterday but scary moments as a buidling facade collapsed at an eyeglasses retailer in Johnson County. The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. Monday outside of the Eyeglass World. Several vehicles parked outside were damaged by the crushing facade. The cause of the collapse is being studied. --- Here Are The Latest Winning Numbers From The Hoosier Lottery Daily Three-Midday: 1-9-7; Daily Three-Evening: 6-8-1; Daily Four-Midday: 4-3-4-6; Daily Four-Evening: 3-2-1-7; Lucky Five-Midday: 13-15-16-17-19; Lucky Five-Evening: 7-12-16-22-33. Kentucky Summary (Frankfort, KY) -- This week should be a key one for the 2008 Kentucky General Assembly as final house action is expected on the new state budget. House Speaker Jody Richards says the House will stick with its budget plan despite some new proposals from the governor in recent days. Richards says the budget is expected to include a cigarette tax increase, but not the governors 70-cent proposal. The Senate continues to wait for a budget with just three-weeks left in the session. The Senate is expected to act this week on government ethics, booster seats, animal torture and possibly a bullying bill. (Louisville, KY) -- A briefcase caused a scare at the federal courthouse yesterday. Authorities say a federal employee went outside for a break and found the briefcase, got suspicious and called for help. Police closed two blocks of Broadway during rush hour and brought a robot in to blow up the briefcase. Metro Police say only papers were found inside of the briefcase. Police say they praise the worker who turned in the briefcase. Federal and local authorities are now hoping to track down the owner of the briefcase. Its not clear if that person will face any charges. (Starlight, IN) -- Joe Huber, known best for his family farm business in Starlight, Indiana has died. Officials say Huber passed away yesterday morning from complications from an infection after battling cancer. His children will continue to run the family business, which includes a farm, market, and gift shop. He is survived by his wife Bonnie, five children, and 12 grandchildren. (Louisville, KY) -- Metro Sewer District officials say five pumping stations are currently in use as snow continues to melt and rivers continue to rise. The Ohio River is expected to crest today at just less than 21-feet at the upper locks of the McAlpine Dam. MSD officials say the crest could be as high as 22-point-five-feet. Anyone with information about flooding is asked to contact 311. (Louisville, KY) -- The parent company of Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom lost around 132-million dollars in the final months of 2007. Company officials say the net loss was smaller than a year earlier. Event attendance was around 24-point-nine-million visitors. Company officials say Six Flags could earn 270-million-dollars in 2008 due to new sponsorship efforts. (Louisville, KY) -- The three Democratic candidates for Mitch McConnells Senate seat will hold their first debate tomorrow night at the Metro Democratic Club. Bruce Lunsford, Greg Fischer and Mike Cassaro have been invited to participate. The debate will take place at the clubs monthly meeting at the UAW Hall on Fern Valley Road. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. (Louisville, KY) -- The University of Louisville will hold a public forum about its regional biosafety lab next week. The event will take place on March 20th from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on the Shelby Campus. U of L received a 22-million-dollar grant from the National Institution of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 2005 to build the Center for Predictive Medicine. The vaccines, which are developed new, will be to fight bioterrorism and emerging infectious diseases. (Frankfort, KY) -- Kentucky State Police say 14 people died on area roadways last week. Officials say the 14 died in 12 separate incidents and 12 of the fatalities were traveling in motor vehicles. One of the motor vehicle fatalities was a result of the suspected use of alcohol, one was a pedestrian, and one involved a motorcycle. Officials say a triple fatality crash occurred on I-65 in Hart County involving a tractor-trailer and a minivan. Illinois Summary --- "Client-10" In Prostitution Ring Allegedly From Chicago (Chicago) -- There may be a Chicago connection to the alleged high-priced prostitution scandal involving New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. Law enforcement sources tell the "New York Times" that Spitzer is the so-called "Client-9" in court documents indicting the organizers of Emperors Club VIP. Those same documents identify "Client-10" as an unnamed Chicago person. FBI agents intercepted a February call between "Client-10" and one Temeka Rachelle Lewis, who is charged in the indictment. "Client-10" asked about whether a woman named "Chrissy" would be available to fly in for a date on March 4th. Text messages intercepted by the FBI also show that a flight was booked from Los Angeles to OHare for that date, with a return flight set for the next morning. It is not clear whether she actually flew to Chicago. --- Sources: Cop In Bartender Beating To Plead Guilty (Chicago) -- A Chicago police officer accused of beating a female bartender while off-duty will likely enter some guilty pleas today. "ABC-7" 1/81/8WLS3/83/8 reports Anthony Abbate will also have some charges reduced or even dropped. Abbate is charged with 15 felony counts, including aggravated battery, intimidation, conspiracy, and official misconduct. He is accused of beating a West Loop bartender last year in an incident caught on videotape. The maximum sentence Abbate faces is five-years behind bars. He was suspended without pay by the Chicago Police Department. --- New Gary Police Chief Likely Named Today (Gary, IN) -- The Mayor of Gary, Indiana is expected to make several changes to the top of his citys police department today. Sources tell the "Northwest Indiana Times" that Rudy Clay will appoint Patrol Division Commander Lawrence Wright the departments acting chief at a news conference this morning. He replaces Chief Thomas Houston, who was indicted last week on allegations of misconduct stemming from a break-in at his own home. The newspaper reports Houston will retire, and two others charged in the case will be re-assigned. Neither Deputy Chief Thomas Branson nor Sergeant Thomas Decanter are likely to resign. The two lower-ranking officers will plead not guilty at a Friday hearing. Houston has still not hired an attorney. --- Rezko Fraud Trial Continues With Several Blagojevich Officials (Chicago) -- Another former member of Governor Blagojevichs administration testified yesterday in political fundraiser Tony Rezkos corruption trial. Jill Hayden directed the Office of Boards and Commissions from 2003 until 2006. She said that Rezkos recommended candidates for state boards were "generally" approved. Hayden also testified that Rezko once urged her to speed up the process of re-appointing Stuart Levine to the teachers pension board. When Hayden told Rezko shed have to check with Blagojevichs chief of staff, Lon Monk, Rezko said it was fine, and Hayden took that to mean it was a "done deal." Levine has pleaded guilty to working with Rezko to shake down companies who wanted pension business. Blagojevich has not been charged with any crimes. Prosecutors also yesterday questioned Jennifer Thomas, who once served as assistant to Blagojevich patronage chief Joe Cini. The trial resumes this morning. --- Trib Considers Wrigley "Ticket Tax" (Chicago) -- Cubs fans may have to part with a couple of extra quarters whenever they head to Wrigley Field this season. The "Chicago Sun-Times" reports the Tribune company is looking into the possibility of a ticket tax to help fund a complete overhaul of the venerable stadium. The 25-to-50-cent tax would be used to help retire renovation bonds if the stadium is sold to the state. The Cubs raised ticket prices as much as 35-percent over the winter. --- Council Okays Settlement Weeks After Saying No (Chicago) -- Chicago City Council members who called a Stateway Gardens mans claims of brutality one of the weakest cases theyve seen in years have now changed their minds. Finance committee members yesterday agreed to a 195-thousand-dollar settlement with Lloyd Haywood, just five-weeks after rejecting the same deal. Haywood claims three police officers threatened him with a chain saw, used racial slurs, and downloaded pornography onto his computer during a 2004 drug raid. Committee members said at the earlier hearing his claims were unsubstantiated. But yesterday, Haywoods attorney showed evidence of a track record of abuse complaints against the three officers. He also claimed the Internal Affairs division did not do its job. Haywoods attorney fees have already exceeded the amount of the settlement. --- Panel Fires Former Kane County Jail Chief Accused Of DUI (Geneva) -- A sheriffs disciplinary panel has fired a Kane County lieutenant facing DUI charges. The "Daily Herald" reports that a three-member merit commission followed the recommendation of Sheriff Pat Perez in dismissing 47-year-old Todd Exline. Perez made the suggestion in part for Exlines actions during the traffic stop which led to his suspension, and for on-the-job conduct which, according to the sheriff, portrayed the department in a bad light. Exline formerly served as the head of the Kane County Jail. He was charged with drunken driving and other offenses after a traffic stop last June in west suburban Geneva. Exline has pleaded not guilty. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 18th. --- Students, Activists Hold Peace Rally Outside Crane High (Chicago) -- Community leaders yesterday called for an end to violence among Chicago teens. Reverend Marshall Hatch and others from the anti-violence group "CeaseFire" met Crane students after classes were dismissed. The group then marched to the spot where 18-year-old Ruben Ivy was shot to death Friday. Fifteen-year-old DeVonte Smith is charged as an adult with first-degree murder for Ivys death. Smith has been denied bond. More police were present around Crane Monday as students returned to class for the first time since Ivys death. Officers cited a number of students for truancy after they were found loitering around the school. Grief counselors were available to students who attended classes Monday. --- Sexual Assault Suspect Arrested In Germany (Chicago) -- A military member accused of sexually assaulting an Ottawa, Illinois child is now in custody in Germany. Justin Sparlin was arrested over the weekend after an incident in a Heidelberg bar. The 48-year-old faces charges for the alleged assault of a 12-year-old girl on February 7th, while Sparlin was on leave from the U.S. Army. He is already charged with one federal count of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. The FBI was part of a search for Sparlin February 9th at the Congress Hotel in downtown Chicago. Federal agents searched the hotel along with members of the military and the U.S. Secret Service, but Sparlin was nowhere to be found. Police had some contact with Sparlin shortly after the incident, but he did not turn himself in. Investigators later determined that Sparlin may have boarded a flight from OHare Airport to Rome. U.S. Military Police are arranging for Sparlin to be returned to Fort Hood in Texas. From there, authorities plan to send him to LaSalle County. --- Gas Station Owner Robbed While Making Bank Deposit (Chicago) -- A South Side man was robbed of about 23-thousand-dollars yesterday afternoon as he tried to make a deposit. Chicago police say the gas station owner was carrying the money through a parking lot at the TCF bank branch on West 87th Street near the Dan Ryan Expressway. The victim told police a man in his early 20s tried to take the bag, and when the gas station owner resisted, the robber showed a gun. Police say the victim then let go. No one is in custody, but police are continuing to investigate. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-03-11-08 0630CDT