The Times from Munster, Indiana • 36

TrtJE IMES Local C. R-2 Wednesday, June 30, 1993 Empress to add pyramid power iiy.Miiiafla ing positions, but the boats could accommodate up to 2,400 gaming positions in event the law is ever changed, said Empress president Kevin Larson. The project expects to create 300 construction jobs and 900 full-time positions at the complex. The gaming company currently employs 1,400 people at its Joliet complex. "This is not a case of people being hired from out of town," said Empress spokesman Jim Murphy.

"These are local people being hired by local investors." pharaohs. Inside this temple will be a nightclub, an expanded gift shop, a food court, two new full-service restaurants, four new bars, the Marrakesh Market Food Court, an off-track betting parlor and banquet rooms with 800-people capacity. Magicians and other entertainers will roam the palace halls. The temple will open by early 1994 to coincide with the December arrival of a second riverboat known as Empress Cruises will leave every 90 minutes. State law limits each licensee to 1,200 gam By ED BIERSCHENK Copley News Service "CHICAGO An Egyptian palace will rise on the banks of the Des Plaines River in Joliet this year as the Empress River Casino attempts to maintain its status as the area's premier gambling destination.

Empress Palace is a $40 million entertainment complex that rivals the glitzy castles of Las Vegas. Laser lights emanating from twin 60-foot obelisks will il-Juminate the sky over temples, colonnades and huge replicas of i sV i tV I did not attempt to flee during the alleged assault because Cross had been violent toward her in the past. Barbara Klaus, manager of the motel, refused to comment on the incident. A preliminary hearing has been set for July 14. Continued from Page B-1 a clerk called back to ffStermine what had happened, a 1 tttale voice told her nothing was JJSTOng and that no one had called the police, police said.

The clerk then called the South Holland Police Depart ment. Cross allegedly fled on foot after police arrived and told him he was being held for questioning. He was caught at 5:15 p.m. in the parking lot at 17170 Westview Ave. and taken to the police department.

The woman told police she Times photo by Todd Panagopoulos Lakecrest Nursing Home resident Geraldine Fessenden makes a final adjustment to her shoe Tuesday night before going on to win in the nursing home's first beauty pageant. Seniors shine in nursing home's first beauty pageant Ibllways MERRILLVILLE Geraldine Fessenden heard about the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" and promptly found a way to make them for her friends at the Lakecrest Nursing Home. And just as the nursing home patient in the movie helped a younger woman find a new path in her life, Fessenden became a symbol Tuesday for people of all ages. The 78-year-old Lakecrest resident was named Ms. Lakecrest 1993 from a field of nine candidates who were gowned in lace and chiffon and serenaded by the Sounds of Knight from the Monsignor Joseph S.

Ryder Council of the Knights of Columbus. "I'm shocked. I didn't expect it my best advice is to be kind to the less fortunate," said Fessenden, who is president of the Lakecrest Resi dent Council. Joining Fessenden in the pageant court were first runner-up Ora Berry, 87, and second runner-up Ann Bolock. Berry, who was also named Ms.

Congeniality, said winning made her feel wonderful, but she did fret over the pageant. "Did I think about it? Night and day," she said. "Fm going to be honest with you -1 did." Nerves aside, family members and pageant judges alike said the event was a rare jewel. "It was hard to keep the tears away. Fm sure others felt the same way," Hammond resident Barbara Whitehead said of her mother, Alma Scales, 85.

"My mother was very ill. I never thought I'd see her do this." -Kathy Julovich the project by insisting that the tollway authority take control of the Chicago Skyway and assume its debt. Sources say Madigan's willingness to agree to the tollway proposals is a nod of acceptance to the new clout now being wielded by suburban lawmakers -particularly Senate President James "Pate" Philip, R-Wood Dale. This year, Republicans assumed control of the upper chamber for the first time in 18 years. "I'm delighted (Madigan) is willing to talk about it," said Rep.

Larry Wennlund, R-New Lenox, who has been a long-time backer of the Will extension. Wennlund said he recently met with Illinois Department of Transportation officials and they indicated that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements for construction of the highway have been met. "Everything should be set," he said. The tollway is expected to travel along Black Partridge Forest Preserve near the Des Plaines River in Will County, he said.

The tollway authority is expected to hold off on extending the road to 1-57 until full authorization is given for Gov. Jim Edgar's plans to construct a third Chicago area airport in Peotone. With bipartisan support, the Senate has approved the south extension several times but it has been held up in the House. Continued from Page B-1 i- approve only construction of an estimated $264 million, 12.5-mile leg to 1-80 near New Lenox. Madigan wants Republicans to back off proposals to reform labor laws and cap awards on civil liability and malpractice suits, sources said Monday.

He also wants the GOP to agree to extending a series of city taxes worth $40 million. Daniels said if Madigan wants those taxes, he should agree to the toll roads. Madigan said Republicans might want to push the tollways-f or-taxes exchange but he wasn't sure if that Would be the final agreement. "They may be suggesting what may be a $600 million project be traded for a $40 million in taxes," he said. "I didn't do real well in math in school, but that doesn't sound too good to me." Edgar did not view the two proposals in a monetary light but more of a trade off on regional needs.

"You're talking about roads to be built that will be paid for by the people who drive them," he said. f'You're talking about in the case of Chicago, taxes that will be raised in Chicago Fm not sure Fd look at both and say one is going to cost so much money." Edgar said developing a tax source for Medicaid is still the major point of contention in negotiations -not the tollway issue. Madigan previously held up Retire Continued from Page B-1 principal of one of the state's largest high schools. "Twenty years ago you did hot see blacks and females in ad my appointment is they hired within the district." A total of 78 District 205 employees have taken advantage of the state's "5 5" early retirement incentive. ministrative positions.

This district provides equal opportunity for employee advancement. It says a lot for our district," she said. "What pleased me most about D.149 'Unsolved Mysteries' tries to crack Given case EAST CHICAGO Hollywood may help solve one of the most perplexing whodunits in Lake County's history the death of political kingpin Jay Given. "We always look for stories that are rich in complexities," said Jim Lindsay, segment director for "Unsolved Mysteries," whose crew is re-enacting the shooting this week. "We want stories with wrinkles, and this one has a lot of them." Lindsay quickly ran through the major wrinkles: Given, a powerful politico, is shot May 15, 1981, at a political rally with 400 people, but no one sees anything; the bullet used is tampered with at the police station; the prime suspect is John Cardona, former deputy police chief who fails one polygraph on the murder and then refuses one on the evidence tampering which costs him his job.

No one has ever been charged with Given's murder or the evidence tampering. And that's just the beginning. The "Unsolved Mysteries" crew has been filming since Monday, when it interviewed key investigators in the case, including Gus Flores, former police chief; Joseph Van Bokkelen, a special prosecutor hired a year after the murder; and Jeff Given, Jay's son. Cindy Eberting Tests show no link between Amoco, oily basements WHITING Three weeks after floodwaters gushed into several Whiting homes, carrying a smelly and oily mess along the way, state and Amoco Oil officials are not much closer to pinpointing the cause of the problem. Although residents remain skeptical, laboratory tests of water from their basements, oily dirt from their back yards and slimy residue that covered their floors, walls, stairs and appliances have so far failed to link Amoco directly to the mess.

Final test results are in for samples taken by the company, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and the Whiting Fire Department. Representatives of each agency said the tests picked up some levels of oil, but most were low. And even the higher levels could not be traced to Amoco's Whiting Refinery. Tests also showed high levels of fecal col-iform, which indicate that much of the problem could be due to sewage backup. When residents started reporting problems during a heavy storm earlier this month, Amoco said the cause might be sewage, which can be mistaken for oil.

Claudine Chamberlain Lawmakers compromise to end budget impasse INDIANAPOLIS Lawmakers reached a compromise on the state budget late Monday night that signaled an end to the lengthy impasse that threatened to shut down state government. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman B. Patrick BauerD-South Bend, said Sen. Morris II. Mills, R-Indianapolis, the Senate's top expert on school funding, agreed to a plan for distributing state money to local schools, the most sensitive remaining issue.

"It's the best we could do to improve the existing situation," Bauer said. "I think this is very good compromise language," said Rep. Samuel Turpin, R-Browns-burg. "It's time to go home." The House then passed a package of Medicaid savings, school spending and tax changes Tuesday that lawmakers hope will draw Republican Senate support to end the stalemate. Lawmakers applauded as the measure cleared on a 74-24 vote and went to the Senate.

The Associated Press Continued from Page B-1 but to the community and getting their support." The School Report Card showed that 13.4 percent of the district's students are white, 82.2 percent are African-American, 4.1 percent are Hispanic and .4 percent are Asian. At Dirksen Middle School, 154th Street and Michigan City Road in Calumet City, Ray Warner was named associate principal and Tracy Smith, assistant principal. Warner was an assistant principal at Dirksen for six years. Smith previously was a teacher at Dirksen tor two years. "One of the most challenging parts of my job is 'getting out to the community the message that Dirksen is a good, safe school," Warner said.

"I want the public to now that when they send their kids here, we are going to give them the best quality education in the south suburbs." I "Both my colleagues and myself are going to feel Jhe impact of these changes," said Smith, who is moving from being a teacher to an administrator, fit's going to be a challenge it will be a different world for me. My colleagues will have my support as they have in the past." In addition, John Jones was hired as an assistant to the superintendent. He wul serve as the district's hearing and truancy officer and will oversee special programs. Jones previously was a principal at the Cook Elementary School in Chicago. "I feel the experience Tve had will be extremely valuable in this district.

I feel extremely confident I can be an asset," Jones said. "I feel very positive and I think we have good people in this district. I feel we're going to be one of the best districts in the state of Illinois. I think it's vital a sense of unity prevail throughout the district and everyone be focused on our goals," he said. "We have five dedicated people here; they are called to excellence.

They desperately need the support of the community, the parents and staff," said District 149 Superintendent James Cunneen. "We had a great administration, even before this," said school board President Thomas Cannon. "These changes are certainly going to make this a better district." Entertainment Express Academy Monday after he allegedly stole a pair of $66 jeans from Marshall Field, One River Oaks Center. Nickson allegedly put the stolen jeans on under a pair of jeans he Man charged with theft CALUMET CITY Eric Nick-son, 18, 4400 W. 13th Gary, was charged with retail theft Dance and Performing Arts School Presents Swingin' Thru Summer CrimclVatch (rchways To Education DAYCARE CENTER 2530-42 STATE ST.

BURNHAMJL Family Fun For All Ages Clog Dance Lessons 8 Week Beginner Classes Easy to Learn No Special Shoes Needed Casual Dress "Decent Dancin'" (Not Dirty Dancin') plice pried open the locked car door with a screwdriver, peeled the steering column with the screw driver and started the car with the screw driver, according to Cherry's statement. After the car was running, Cherry drove it away from the scene, police said. A police officer 1atrolling the parking lot alleged-y observed the car traveling at a high speed around the mall's perimeters, police said. Cherry allegedly ignored the officer's efforts to pull him over, police said. The car eventually was blocked in by the squad car, police said.

In a last-ditch effort to flee, Cherry allegedly drove straight into the squad car, police said, and caused an accident. Police recovered a screw driver from the front seat of the car, police said. Cash taken from machine CALUMET CITY Unknown vandals pried open a Pepsi machine in the 100 block of River Oaks Drive Monday and took an undetermined amount of cash, police said. Sea CRIME WTCH, Page B-3W '') Supervised Field Trips Qualified Camp Counselors Sports Games Craft Classes Lunch Snacks Taught by Hammond's Award Winning Dance Clog Team Bekah and Tlmmer 'NEW BEGINNER CLASSES was wearing, police said. Alleged car thief caught CALUMET CITY An 18-year-old Chicago man was charged with possession of a stolen car Monday after police allegedly caught him in the act of fleeing the River Oaks Center with a stolen car, police said.

Walter Joe Cherry, 11530 Wallace allegedly stole the car with the help of a friend who allegedly offered Cherry $50 to help steal a 1986 or 1987 Oldsmo-bile from the mall parking lot, police said. Cherry, in a written statement to police, said he and the unnamed accomplice went to the parking lot and found a tan 1987 Oldsmobile 98 parked near the movie theater" The accom Discount for more than 1 child! Accepting children up to 12 years of age WHITING jane Berland's 1346-1 19th St. Wednesday, July 7 p.m. St p.m. Miss janie (219)659-0095 EAST CHICAGO Anna's Studio 1419 Carroll Tuesday, July 6 p.m.

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