The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page B2

Time: 01-04-2007 22:40 User: lhack PubDate: 01-05-2007 Zone: KY Page Name: 2 Color: Htapbnta B2 I FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2007 I THE COURIER-JOURNAL METRO I New details released on missing Indiana woman she had last been seen walking to an Indianapolis fast-food restaurant to apply for a job. But yesterday Ben Dattilo said the family has learned she later met an Indianapolis man at her apartment complex, went on a rowboat ride with him on a lake at the complex, and then went to eat dinner with him at a nearby Taco Bell. Then, he said, the pair went to a gas station, where Molly Dattilo tried to phone a friend. But the call was disconnected when the friend answered, he said. "We have every reason to believe she placed her last phone call in (the man's) presence from this location," Ben Dattilo said.

"We do not know what happened after this phone call, but it's our family's sincer-est hope that others may have information about what happened that night, what happened to Molly or where she is now." The Courier-Journal is not naming the man because he has not been charged with a crime or named by police as a suspect. Dattilo declined to comment on whether the man is considered a suspect and would not say whether police have interviewed him. Yesterday Scott Robinett, the deputy chief of investiga- Family hopes it will bring leads By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener The Courier-Journal INDIANAPOLIS The family of a Madison woman who disappeared from Indianapolis more than two years ago released new details yesterday about the day she was last seen. The hope is that the information will spark new tips to police. Ben Dattilo, the brother of 23-year-old Molly Dattilo, appeared at a news conference without police and named some of the people with whom he said she spent her last hours before going missing.

Molly had been a student at Eastern Kentucky University, where she had a scholarship to run track. But she had come to Indianapolis in the summer of 2004 to attend classes at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. She was living with another brother in an apartment complex on the city's west side when she disappeared on July 6, 2004. There is a $100,000 reward for information about the case. Originally, the family said By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener, The Courier-Journal Ben Dattilo, brother of Molly Dattilo, of Madison, told reporters yesterday that he believes his sister had met a man at her apartment complex in Indianapolis shortly before she disappeared.

HOUSE Democrats lay out Molly Dattilo, shown in a family photo, disappeared July 6, 2004. She had been a student at EKU. leave of her own free will," Ben Dattilo said. He said the family has "lost all but a glimmer of hope that she's alive." At the time of her disappearance, Molly Dattilo was described as being about 5 feet tall and 100 pounds, with an athletic build, shoulder-length, light brown hair, green eyes and a dime-size birthmark on the outside of her upper right arm. The family has a Web site www.dattilofamily.org to collect and distribute information about the case.

Reporter Lesley Stedman Weidenbener can be reached at (317) 444-2780. of 2654 Magazine St. He was 43. He died Dec. 28 at the hospital.

Anyone with information can contact Social Services at 562-3008. Adoption Fair planned on of Shelby campus Wednesday's Child Inc. and local adoption agencies will hold their annual Adoption Fair this month on the Shelby campus of the University of Louisville. The fair, from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan.

21, will teach the public about various types of adoptions, with workshops on domestic and international adoptions, as well as the basics of the adoption process. Fourteen agencies will have booths at the fair, and representatives will be available to answer questions. For more information, call Lynda Price, executive director of Wednesday's Child, at 551-9419. ceipt in her car showing that she had purchased supplies for classes and her hobbies, as well as a child's toy that they believe is evidence she meant to attend her nephew's birthday party later that month. "Molly's activities the day she disappeared and in previous weeks clearly point to the conclusion that she did not METRO BRIEFS The building, at 2221 Frankfort is owned by Frank Fa-ris, the owner of Genny's, who wants to tear down the building and use the site for parking.

But Clifton neighborhood preservationists oppose that plan. Faris put the house and the restaurant on the market in August, saying he was tired of the dispute. Despite the latest damage, Brown said the building won't be torn down. Next of kin sought for Robert Bagley, 64 Jewish Hospital is seeking next of kin for Robert Bagley, of Northfield Manor Health and Rehab. He was 64.

He died yesterday at the hospital. Anyone with information is asked to contact Renee Mitchell at 560-8419. Relatives sought for Joshua Truitt, 43 University Hospital is seeking next of kin for Joshua Truitt, til THE: already been filed, and the other bills were expected to be filed yesterday, Richards said. Williams, R-Burkesville, previously said the Senate would support the effort to restore projects vetoed last year by Gov. Ernie Fletcher.

Yesterday, Williams said he was willing to entertain proposals on booster seats, school bullying and energy independence. But Williams said the minimum wage is a federal issue best addressed by the state's congressional delegation. He called drug re-importation a "bogus issue," saying there aren't enough people in Canada to attract enough prescription drugs to be exported back to solve the America problem with high drug prices. tions for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, said the Dattilo investigation continues. But he said police are not prepared to name or discount any suspects.

"We still consider this a missing-persons case," Robinett said. "The family considers it more than that." The Dattilo family, which agenda And he flatly refused to consider the university bonding authority proposal, saying it would be a "bad idea" because such bonds would still have to be backed with the state's full faith and credit. Williams said he supports equal pay for women and diversity on boards and commissions, but he said Democrats tend to be "litigious." "They can introduce what they want to, and we'll introduce what we want to, and we'll try to work together to reach consensus," Williams said. Senate leaders are not planning a similar public rollout of their agenda, he said. Reporter Elisabeth Beardsley can be reached at (502) 875-5136.

said she was pleased that her party voted unanimously for a president for the first time since 2003. "It's a wonderful day for us," she said. Kathy Hereon was re-elected clerk on a unanimous vote. Reporter Joseph Gerth can be reached at (502) 582-4702. Stoppers at 582-CLUE.

If you call, you don't have to give your name. Crime Stoppers will pay cash for information that leads to an arrest and indictment in any felony. Readers can also call Louisville Metro Police and leave an anonymous tip. That has hired several private investigators to help them search, has said repeatedly that they believe Molly did not simply leave Indianapolis on her own to start a new life. She left behind her car, money, cell phone, bank card and identification.

They say that she attended classes the day she disappeared. Also, there was a re State to fund four gates for rail crossings Four Louisville railroad crossings will soon get railroad gates, Gov. Ernie Fletcher has announced. The amount the state will contribute and the locations are: $190,350, CSX crossing on Manslick Road, Ky. 907.

$208,100, crossing on Deering Road. $189,200, crossing on Bernheim Lane west of Seventh Street. $189,800, CSX crossing on Ky. 1065 east of Third Street (Ky. 907).

"The new gates combined with the existing flashing lights will enhance safety," Transportation Secretary Bill Nighbert said. Installation is expected to begin as early as next month, state officials said. Fire in house next to diner is ruled arson A fire in a vacant house next to Genny's Diner on Frankfort Avenue has been ruled an arson. The fire Tuesday marked the second time in the past year that the house had been intentionally set ablaze, said Capt. Ronel Brown of Louisville Fire Rescue.

A fire last March also was ruled arson. number is 574-LMPD. Anyone interested in the status of a jail inmate may call the Louisville Metro Corrections Department at 574-VINE. The automated system tells callers when the inmate will be released or next appear in court. I Democrat leads council OATTJMAN CQLLEiCTIQN STOREW1DE CLEARANCE 30-60OFF FurnitureLightingAccessoriesRugs Continued from Bl to be re-imported from Canada.

Others proposals include expanding state hiring prefer-ences for veterans, giving bonding authority to public universities and developing an energy-independence plan for Kentucky. Pay equity for women and gender equity on state boards and commissions also are on the agenda. House leaders also said they would push for three proposals that failed to clear even the House last year bills to strengthen the merit hiring system, raise the minimum wage and impose "accountability" on the governor's pardon powers. Some of the legislation had BLACKWELL Continued from Bl "I am a Democrat, and I feel I should vote for a Democrat if I can," Tom Owen, D-8th, said Wednesday. Hawkins, whose southwestern Jefferson County district adjoins BlackwelFs, said he crossed party lines because he believes Blackwell is more attuned to his issues.

CRIME REPORTS ROBBERIES First and Kentucky Streets. A man said someone punched and kicked him and took a cell phone and prescription medicine about 1 p.m. Dec. 23. He lost consciousness and woke up in the hospital.

Blockbuster Video, 2422 W. Broadway. An employee said a gunman walked behind the counter toward her while another man kept watch over two customers about 9:30 p.m. Dec. 24.

The gunman ordered the employee to back away from the register, then took the cash and started toward the front door. He then turned around, pointed the gun at the employee and told her to open the safe. When she said she couldn't, he again ordered her to open it, and she repeated that she couldn't. Both men then left on foot. Dixie Highway and Millers Lane.

A man said he was walking when three men assaulted him from behind, punching and kicking him repeatedly, then took his cell phone and $20 about 2:30 a.m. Dec. 23. Taco Bell, 8602 Dixie Highway. A gunman came in through the back of the business and ordered four people to the floor about 7:30 a.m.

Dec. 23. When he demanded the business cash, the employees said they didn't have access to it and the gunman ran off. O'Reilly Auto Parts, 5117 Preston Highway. An employee said another worker took out the trash and returned with a gunman about 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 21. The gunman ordered the first employee to the floor, then grabbed AI On ADVERTISEMENT FOR ADULT SMOKERS New Year's Resolution Sale! Shelbyville Road riaza 4600 Shelbyville Rd. LOUISVILLE 502.259.9699 MON-SAT10-6 SUN 1-5 TOBACCO CO Skoal is a registered trademark of U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co.

or an affiliate. 2007 U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. Hawkins, usually one of the most partisan members of the council, noted that he represents the only Republican district west of Interstate 65. "I have a hard time explaining my issues to my caucus," he said.

"Rick understands them because they are his issues too." Mary Woolridge, D-3rd, ON THE WEB To see additional crime reports, go to www.courier-journal.com crime him by the collar, put the gun to his neck and forced him into the office. The gunman turned the victim toward the safe and demanded all the money from it and from the registers. After he got that, the gunman demanded the victims' cell phones, forced them to lie facedown and left. 5500 block of Preston Highway. A man said people who indicated they had a gun took $300 about 10 p.m.

Dec. 23. Dairy Queen, 611 Winkler Ave. A manager and another employee said someone came into the kitchen, put a gun to the manager's back and said, "Put all the money in the bag," handing the manager a backpack, about 9 p.m. Dec.

23. The gunman then ordered both employees into the office and demanded the money from the safe. The manager complied and the gunman left. A customer at the drive-through window tried to follow the gunman, but another vehicle pulled up behind him and its driver blew his horn. The customer pulled over and as the vehicle passed him, three men inside put their heads down.

BREAK-INS 1400 block of Baxter Ave. Video games. Dec. 23. 900 block of Central Ave.

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