Battle Creek Enquirer from Battle Creek, Michigan • Page 3

3U ENQUIRER Fugitive charged with killing wife on Monday and arraigned in Branch County District Court on charges of first-degree murder in the August 1992 slaying of his estranged wife, Lois Krantz, 39. Krantz, 42, also was charged with the willful killing of an unborn child. Lois Krantz was about seven months pregnant when she was taken at gunpoint to a wooded area near the St Joseph-Branch county fine and shot once in the head, police said. Her body was found four days later near Dean Lake, west of Sherwood. Before fleeing the state, Krantz told friends and relatives he had killed his wife and ed where he had dumped her body, police said.

Branch County man was found studying to be security guard The Associated Press COLDWATER A man who eluded police for 13 months after his pregnant wife was shot to death was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder. Joseph A. Krantz, who was arrested in Texas in September, was extradited to Michigan Tree of Lights raises $20,000 in early going One week after the start of the Tree of Lights Campaign the annual fund-raiser for the Salvation Army $20,197 of the $200,000 goal has been raised. The campaign provides more than one-third of the group's annual budget and will bring Christmas food, toys, clothing and personal items to more than 12,000 people. With Tree of Lights money, the Army has served more than 41,000 meals through its hot lunch program and helped more than 15,000 people through its food pantry or by assisting them in paying utility bills or giving them rent assistance.

The Salvation Army's Christmas Clearing Bureau already has received hundreds of applications for assistance. Before distribution of Christmas baskets begins, more than 3,000 applications are expected. Besides donating money to the Tree of Lights, residents are able to select an "angel" from the Angel Trees at Lakeview Square, Target, Kmart on Beckley Road and Anderson Fashions in McCamly Place. Donors purchase gifts for distribution by the Salvation Army to designated children. Felpausch Food Centers in Battle Creek also have Angel Trees near their entrances from which shoppers can select families to receive Christmas dinners.

Christmas toys also can be delivered to any local fire station for distribution by the Salvation Army, and non-perishable food items can be taken to any of its Christmas Kettle locations. Those needing assistance should apply at 265 Capital Ave. S.W., behind Horrocks, 9 a.m. to noon and p.m. Monday through Friday.

Volunteers to help take applications and assist in distribution of food and toys can call 964-4411. Volunteer bell ringers to raise funds for the Tree of Lights campaign should call 963-3640. the International Bridges in Laredo, officials said. Krantz was ordered held without bond in the Branch County Jail pending a Dec 10 preliminary hearing. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

Friends and family of the victim said Lois Krantz was planning to divorce her husband of 14 years after enduring years of physical and verbal abuse. At the time of the slaying, Krantz was on parole after serving time for larceny. Friends say she grew fearful when, days before the slaving, he rented an apartment that overlooked her own. Canada enforces news ban The Associated Press DETROIT Border officials escorted a driver trying to deliver copies of The Detroit News to Canada back to the U.S. side of the border because of a ban on news of a sensational murder trial.

In addition to the incident at the Detroit Windsor, Ontario border, the News said Tuesday that border officials confiscated newspapers being brought Monday from Buffalo, N.Y., into Canada by Canadians. The Mews said an independent Detroit driver was forced to turn back to the U.S. side of the border as he tried to deliver about 1,700 copies of The Detroit News. Canadian authorities also said they would black out U.S.-side television news coverage of the case if it broadcast on Canadian stations. The news blackout was imposed by an Ontario judge in the case of a husband and wife from St Catharines, Ontario, accused of kidnapping, sexually molesting and killing two teen-age girls.

The wife, Karla Homolka, 23, pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges last summer in a plea bargain. She was sentenced to 12 years. She is expected to testify against her husband, Paul Teale, 29, who will not go Window magic 1 1 I -A LV.J- r0 Mas h' li- Whaf next Joseph A. Krantz is being held in the Branch County Jal pendhg a Dec. 10 preiminary hearing.

If convicted, he faces up to ife in prison. Authorities say Krantz moved among Florida, Texas and Mexico before he being arrested in Laredo, Texas, at a community college where he was studying to become a certified security guard. Last summer, Krantz, using an alias, worked as a security guard at two of reason I can think of to have a many bills." Rep. Deborah Whyman, R-Canton Under the 1913 law, fortunetelling for a price is subject to a fine up to $100, up to 90 days in jail or both. Fortunetelling for no charge isn't a crime.

There was no debate on the bill, but some lawmakers who voted "no" said it was frivolous. "I never believed in fortunetelling," said Rep. Vincent Porreca, D-Trenton. "I think it's silly and foolish. Why would I want to legalize something silly and foolish?" 'It's a ridiculous bill," said Rep.

Deborah Whyman, R-Canton. "It's the best reason I can think of to have a part-time Legislature. We pass too many Kevin HareEnquirer Christine Saunders paints a Santa Claus mural on the front windows of Walters Plumbing and Heating Supply in Springfield. Saunders is a store employee and an art student at Western Michigan University. repeal of law against fortunetelling House OKs Raid on Sambino's among cases cited Enquirer Staff, Wire Reports LANSING A bill that ensures the legality of weather forecasters, stock market analysts and Chinese fortune cookies won approval Tuesday in the House.

House debates schools of choice. 1A The House voted 78-24 to repeal a 1913 law that makes it illegal to charge a fee for trying to tell the future. The Ml now goes to the Senate. Some attempts have been made to enforce the old statute. Sambino's restaurant of Battle Creek offered a "Psychic Night" three times a month before being raided by police in July.

The restaurant is suing the city for more than Area towns may get recycling service Emmett considering mandatory trash pickup on trial until 1995. Whaf next The bill revamping the fortunetelling statute goes to the Senate, fl A hearing on Sambino's lawsuit will be held by Judge Conrad Sindt Jan. 10. Allen said the issue is not about whether fortunetelling is fake or not, but if the constitution protects people's rights to practice such beliefs, regardless of what other people think of them. "It ends a discrimination process," Men said of the bil "The rights of these people have been denied a long time under this law." Rep.

John Llewellyn, R-Fremont, said he opposed the bill because he worried that un-i scrupulous fortunetellers could use their trade to bilk customers out of money or property." At a glance What Recycling service to Waste Management of Michigan customers. Where: Athens, Union City, and Buriington. When: Starting December if at least 100 customers sign up. a Cost: $2 per month for every-other-week pickup on Tuesdays. For information: Call 962-4048.

fered in the Battle Creek metro and Marshall areas since June 1991. Local rates and services differ according to separate contracts with municipalities. Battle Creek customers get weekly pickup for $2.25 a month. About 70 percent of customers participate." "It's been a good program since day one," Sharbutt said. "People basically take the material and put it together in the bin, and we do the sorting after collection." Waste Management provides residential and commercial service in Calhoun Branch, St.

Joseph and Kalamazoo counties. It has about 35,000 residential customers in those counties. Federal grant will fund Quaker Park renovations If you live near Quaker Park, the city wants you to help spend $68,000. A federal grant will help fund park renovations. Quaker Park, formerly called Fremont Park, is at Groveland and Fremont streets.

The city and Neighborhoods Inc. will host several meetings this week for residents. Time, day and location of the meetings vary with the street or area in which residents Kve. Their ideas and concerns will be used to come up with a park plan in January. A survey of residents also will help decide what to do with the park.

The Federal Community Development Block Grant Program provides money for projects in areas defined as having a majority of residents in low- to moderate-income ranges. For more information, call Linn Kracht at 966-3431. Surveys are available at the Parks and Recreation Office, 124 E. Michigan Ave. membership promotion introduces friend to fitness "Do a Friend a Favor" is the theme of Center of Battle Creek's membership promotion through Dec.

31. "We are probably the best-kept secret in town and this is incentive for members to share what they have found with a friend," said Marilyn Tupper, membership director. By introducing a friend to fitness' and family fun, members will be given a sweat-! shirt when their friend buys an annual adult or family membership. i Members also will get $20 in "fitness bucks" for each additional friend who buys annual membership. "Fitness bucks" are to be redeemed for merchandise in Jan-! uary by local sporting goods stores or at the Center for programs or memberships.

Center facilities include four basketball courts, a game room for children, two in-Idoor swimming pools, free racquetball court rental on six indoor courts, six indoor tennis courts, indoor running track, Nauti-', his, Icarian weight equipment, aerobics and i step aerobics classes and free child care. For more information, call 962-7551. American Red Cross slates blood drive to boost supply i A blood drive has been scheduled 10 to 3:45 pjn. Friday by the County Chapter of the American Red Cross 'at 162 W. Van Buren St 1 For the past several months, Red Cross 'officials have warned that donations have IfeDen off, challenging the ability of the or- ganization to meet blood needs.

Donors must be more than 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good hf-alth. For more information or to make an appointment, call 962-7528. Walk-ins are 'It's a ridiculous bill. It's the best part-time Legislature. We pass too $5 million in damages and to overturn the law.

Sambino's owners Lee and Jane Wilkinson recently closed the Italian restaurant Their attorney, Jean Marie Hansen, said the business lost $7,000 a week since the July 21 raid. In November 1992, a woman was ticketed for fortunetelling at a party in Bay City. The old statute was aimed at fortunetellers, but was written so broadly it could make illegal newspaper horoscopes, stock market analysis and weather forecasts, said bill sponsor Rep. Dick Men, R-Caro. "I tried to point out the total absurdity of this law," Allen said.

Whaf next The Albion City Council will discuss trash pickup at a workshop session at 6 p.m. Monday. The meeting win be at the Albion Public Library. The Emmett Township Solid Waste Committee wifl meet to discuss the trash issue at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec.

13, site to be named. condition. "They want the garbage service, but they want to pick their own service," Doud said. Trustees say they don't want to have the same situation as Albion, where putting trash service up for bid and making the service mandatory caused a recall drive against the mayor and one city council member. "If you really want to make people mad, give them one hauler," Doud said.

"If you're paying money, you have to have a choice," Parks said. Other alternatives discussed were setting up dump and recycling sites in the township for residents to take their trash. "We want to get the garbage up the best way the easiest way," Parks said. By Bill Miller Regional Editor Trash recycling pickup will start this month in Athens, Union City and Burlington if at least 100 customers sign up for it. The Springfield-based Waste Management of Michigan-Southwest took over trash collection routes in those towns in September.

"We've run fliers to see who wants it," said Don Sharbutt, division president and general manager. "A lot has to do with the number of requests we get When the smoke clears, we'll make a decision." Bill Baak, company recycling coordinator, said a minimum of 100 customers are needed to justify sending a special truck to the communities every other Tuesday. So far, 40 households have signed up. "We did the mailing just last week," he said. "Hopefully, the other ones will follow suit" After the sign-up minimum is met, customers will be notified when service will start.

Each residence would be given an 18-gallon recycle bin for curbside pickup. Items may include certain plastic, glass and tin cans, and newspapers, magazines and catalogs. The cost is $2 per month. It's similar to the recycling pickup of- By Anne Mcllree Staff Writer Emmett Township is beginning to talk trash. Trash pickup, that is.

About 10 residents met with the township's Solid Waste Committee on Tuesday to discuss solutions to a problem that is causing trash to be dumped all over the township. There is no mandatory trash pickup in the township, and about 3,400 of its 4,000 households contract for pickup from independent haulers, said Joyce Fondale, the township's blight ordinance enforcer. The township does have a blight ordinance, but the process to cite an offender "is very cumbersome," Fondale said. Having mandatory trash service might help prevent situations like trash dumping on River Road, of a residence spotted by township trustee Wayne Parks that had 35 tires in the yard. "It's sad, but you have to bird-dog people," Parks said.

No decisions were made Tuesday, and the committee will hold several more meetings before it makes a recommendation to the township board, said Parks, who is also chairman of the committee. Both Fondale and trustee Richard Doud Sr. have received calls on the issue. Most favor mandatory trash pickup, but with one II.