Van pulls in front of truck in fog; woman killed\nATWOOD, Ind. -- A van carrying 15 people collided with a tractor-trailer in heavy fog Thursday, killing one passenger and injuring seven others.\nIrena Soto, age and address unknown, was pronounced dead at Kosciusko Community Hospital from injuries suffered in the crash, Sheriff C. Aaron Rovenstine said. She was a passenger in a van driven by Antonio Rivera Torres of Madison, Wis., who was not injured.\nThe collision occurred on U.S. 30 near Atwood, about 35 miles west of Fort Wayne, at about 7:30 a.m. Thursday when the van pulled out in front of the tractor-trailer.\nThe truck swerved to miss the van but caught the rear portion, spinning and flipping the van onto its top. At least two people were ejected from the van, authorities said.\nFifteen people ranging in age from 14 to 37 years old were in the vehicle. Two others were brought to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, one was in critical condition and another in serious condition Thursday evening.
Bacteria found in test leads to boil order for Martinsville\nMARTINSVILLE -- City officials were telling residents to boil their drinking water after bacteria was found during routine testing.\nThe city hoped updated test results expected Thursday would have normal levels of the bacteria so the boil order could be lifted, said mayoral administrative assistant Vickie Buskirk.\nWater for drinking, brushing teeth, making ice, washing dishes and preparing food needed to be boiled for five minutes and allowed to cool before using.\nRoutine testing found coliforms, a bacteria that suggests that other bacteria could be in the water, city officials said. Coliforms are a sign of possible problems with the treatment or distribution system in the city of about 12,000 people some 25 miles southwest of Indianapolis.\nCity officials also asked residents not to water their lawns because the water system's two working wells were low.
Documents allege vote-buying in 1999 East Chicago election\nEAST CHICAGO, Ind. -- Some city residents told investigators five years ago that representatives of a mayoral candidate paid them money, gave them crack cocaine or helped them fill out absentee ballots during the 1999 campaign.\nThe allegations were contained in police reports, transcripts of interviews and other evidence sealed from the public until Wednesday, when Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez ordered they be released because the statute of limitations had expired.\nMore than a dozen East Chicago residents told Lake County police detectives about alleged violations of state election laws involving absentee ballots cast in their name for county Democratic Chairman Bob Stiglich, who was challenging longtime Mayor Robert Pastrick.\n"I didn't know what the workers were doing," Stiglich said. "I don't know whether the allegations were true."\nStiglich said he was the victim of a massive conspiracy by Pastrick's administration, which authorities have claimed provided new sidewalks, concrete patios and tree trimming services for free in return for votes. That has led to some city officials being charged in federal court.\nThe Indiana Supreme Court ordered that the 2003 Democratic mayoral primary be run again because it was riddled with voter fraud by Pastrick's campaign. Pastrick has denied any wrongdoing.\nIn 2000, Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter asked a judge to send the investigation into the 1999 election to a special prosecutor.
