Region

The few, the proud, the independently owned

By Robert Mixner · Wednesday, July 2,2003 10:23 p.m.

Fireworks and books. They don't seem to have much in common: fireworks are a loud spectacle best appreciated with others; books, on the other hand, are enjoyed quietly, and alone. One produces sparks, the other is highly combustible. Yet they have closer ties to each other than it might seem. This Friday, fireworks will commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence; books fed the spirits and inspired the minds of many of those signers.

The power of 'The Hours'

By Jessica Smith · Wednesday, July 2,2003 10:21 p.m.

"The Hours" is a deliberately jarring and masterful examination of the lives of three women on the edge of one of the most extreme cliffs one can face in life: the choice to live or die. Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore, along with an incredible supporting cast including the talented Ed Harris, string this intricately woven plot along with acting so intense that even a mere glance expresses more emotion than "hours" of dialogue. All three women are alive during different time periods and live eerily parallel lives brought together by Virginia Wolfe's book, "Mrs. Dalloway."

'Love' shines as movie, fails as DVD

By Abhi Kumar · Wednesday, July 2,2003 10:20 p.m.

"Punch-Drunk Love" is about a man, his harmonium, his emotions and his search for that thing that's missing from everyone's life. The music, cinematography, direction and acting come together in a quirky and unconventional harmony to form this emotional rollercoaster of a movie.

Purdue plans degree expansion

Wednesday, July 2,2003 9:58 p.m.

SOUTH BEND -- Purdue University plans to expand its degree programs at two northern Indiana sites to include as many as 500 students annually over the next five years. Administrators also plan to add undergraduate degree programs in the next two to three years, with eventual plans of adding master's degree program, said David W. Frantz, interim director of the Purdue University School of Technology at South Bend/Elkhart.

IUPD Blotter

Wednesday, July 2,2003 9:58 p.m.

The IU Police Department reported the following activity: June 25 • A female student residing on campus reported an indecent exposure by an unknown male at the intersection of Jordan and Jones avenues. The investigation is pending.

FBI warns of hacker attacks

By Ted Bridis · Wednesday, July 2,2003 9:57 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- The government and private technology experts warned Wednesday that hackers plan to attack thousands of Web sites Sunday in a loosely coordinated "contest " that could disrupt Internet traffic. Organizers established a Web site, defacers-challenge.com, which was shut down early Wednesday evening.

DePaul librarian gets court position Court post

By Megan Reichgott · Wednesday, July 2,2003 9:56 p.m.

CHICAGO -- When a lawyer argues in front of the Supreme Court, he or she must stand up in front of some of the most intimidating legal minds on the planet. Imagine having to face some of the same people for a job interview. Judith Gaskell did, evidently impressing Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist introduced her last week as the 10th librarian in the history of the Supreme Court.

New editor named at alumni magazine

By Joe Grace · Wednesday, July 2,2003 9:55 p.m.

Judy Schroeder has covered everything from limestone to tree trunk tombstones, from clinical trials in medicine to the death penalty to teaching evolution in the classroom. Next she'll be focusing on her upcoming marriage and teaching as she retires as editor of the Indiana Alumni Magazine, a position she held for 16 years and 99 issues. Elizabeth "Lissa" Hunt will replace Schroeder as editor of the publication July 7.

Alumna dies in porch collapse in Chicago

Wednesday, July 2,2003 9:48 p.m.

EVANSVILLE -- An IU alumna and Indiana native who died in a weekend porch collapse in Chicago that killed 12 was described as an outgoing woman who moved to Chicago to pursue a business career.

'Let freedom ring'

By Aaron Uslan · Wednesday, July 2,2003 9:37 p.m.

As summer temperatures heat up, local organizers are preparing excitedly for Fourth of July festivities in Bloomington. Highlighting the celebration is the annual Monroe County Fourth of July Parade in downtown Bloomington. The parade is a "good example of the variety of interests in Monroe County," said Talisha Coppock, director of the Downtown Bloomington Commission. "It is a longstanding tradition of community spirit and an overall great day for the entire community."

Trustee will return to office

By Jenny Davis · Wednesday, July 2,2003 9:37 p.m.

Being an IU trustee is no small task. They're responsible for keeping college accessible and affordable, recruiting and retaining capable students, and shaping IU policy. One of these trustees is Cora Breckenridge, who was re-elected to a third term Tuesday, which will last for another three years. She received her position by election from IU alumni rather than by governor appointment, like two-thirds of the board.

IU's 'Brain Drain' solution

By Stephanie Balunda · Wednesday, July 2,2003 9:37 p.m.

The Lilly Endowment announced a $40 million solution to Indiana's "Brain Drain" problem June 24. The foundation is seeking proposals from Indiana's universities and will choose recipients for a portion of the $40 million based on these proposals. The money will help fund future programs that will seek to keep Indiana residents in the state after graduation.

Bush says constitutional ban on gay marriage not necessary -- yet

By Deb Riechmann · Wednesday, July 2,2003 9:37 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- President Bush said Wednesday that a constitutional ban on gay marriage that has been proposed in the House might not be needed, despite a Supreme Court decision that some conservatives think opens the door to legalizing same-sex marriages.

Barnes selected as assistant coach

By Zack Eldridge · Wednesday, July 2,2003 9:29 p.m.

The IU women's basketball program added a new piece to the puzzle in hopes of securing a successful future for the team. Former IU player Quacy Barnes was tabbed an assistant coach to the team Monday. Barnes starred for the Hoosiers from 1994 to 1998 and was the first Hoosier ever to play in the WNBA. Barnes highlighted the intangibles she will utilize in her new job. "I feel I bring two things to the IU women's basketball program," Barnes said. "First, my experience gained when I played at IU. Second, we have ten young players and I feel I will be comfortable working with them. I can help them greatly with all the experience I've gained both professionally overseas and in the WNBA, and especially with playing at IU." Barnes was drafted by the Sacramento Monarchs in the 1998 WNBA Draft with the 22nd overall pick. Barnes also played for the Seattle Storm for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. The first-team All-Big Ten honoree in 1998 finished her WNBA career with the Phoenix Mercury in 2002. She said she left the WNBA because she really wanted the opportunity to get into coaching and added that she did not want to be a part of the business side of the league anymore.

Economy putting more children on the streets

Wednesday, July 2,2003 9:27 p.m.

The economic downturn in northwest Indiana is putting more children out on the streets, as some flee troubled homes and others find themselves homeless along with their families.

Officials may store VX in Newport

Wednesday, July 2,2003 9:06 p.m.

NEWPORT, Ind. -- Officials are considering temporarily storing at the Newport Chemical Depot nearly 1 million gallons of a chemical produced by the destruction of the deadly VX nerve agent. Parsons Engineering, the company the Army hired to build and operate the VX disposal plant, has obtained military approval to explore building a tank farm to store the byproduct, hydrolysate, said Jeff Brubaker, Army site project manager.

Council not forcing resignation

Wednesday, July 2,2003 9:06 p.m.

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. -- A split City Council rejected a resolution Wednesday that called for the mayor to resign following his arrest last week on charges he roughed up his girlfriend after a concert. The council voted 4-3 against the resolution seeking Mayor Dennis Redick's resignation.

Teen opens fire in class

By Juergen Voelkerling · Wednesday, July 2,2003 9:05 p.m.

COBURG, Germany -- A 16-year-old student armed with a pistol and a revolver opened fire in his classroom Wednesday, wounding a school psychologist and fatally shooting himself. Two students were slightly injured in the rush to flee the public school in this Bavarian town at about 9 a.m., state police said. One pupil jumped from a first-floor window but landed unhurt.

Missing basketball player feared threats

By Angela K Brown · Wednesday, July 2,2003 9 p.m.

WACO, Texas - Before he disappeared last month, Baylor basketball player Patrick Dennehy and his roommate were so worried about threats to their safety that they armed themselves for protection, a longtime friend said Wednesday.

Beware: sobriety check ahead

By Alyson Brodsy and Marc Samardzija · Wednesday, July 2,2003 8:59 p.m.

As I was driving on College Avenue near its intersection at 17th Street, I came across a billboard with the message "Sobriety Checkpoint Ahead." My curiosity grew; this wasn't the first time I'd seen this sign -- they are practically plastered all over the state of Indiana. I decided to ask my roommate what the deal was with them, which led me to do some research on the Internet. It turns out there is an interesting story behind it all.