The Daily News-Journal from Murfreesboro, Tennessee • 1

ft: If Warriors rolling' inTSSAA playoffs Indiana man makes I history in state Shuttle drag chute could pop open today sV 151 st Year-No. 151 Saturday, Nov. 7, MURFREESBORO, TENN. 506 7Ti Nfi 1A AOAOir 0 "Oil If l-'i I I 1 -71 DBDSJDfl (p(s)DTl U.L House speakerswon't seek third term WASHINGTON (AP) Constitution places second- Newt masterminded GOP comeback See story, page 2A In a stunning end to a tumultuous career as House in-line to the presidency. Rep.

Bob Livingston of TV' speaker, Newt Gingrich A- abruptly dropped plans to seek a new terra Friday after Republicans lost five seats in this week's election. "We have to get the bitterness he told fellow Republicans in a conference call. "It is clear that as long as I'm around that won't happen." Gingrich dropped his bombshell three days after his party was blindsided in mid-term elections. Already, one lawmaker had stepped forward to challenge him for his powerful post, and others were weighing candidacies, as well. Gingrich's departure is likely to set up a wide open succession struggle for the post that the Louisiana announced his effort to dethrone Gingrich during the afternoon, and Rep.

Bill Archer, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, was canvassing support even before Gingrich broke the news to his staff, fellow GOP leaders and then the rank-and-file in a series of conference calls. "I am appreciative of Newt Gingrich for bringing us to the majority and even more thankful that he understands that for the Republican Party to go the distance, we need a new leader," said Rep. Michael Forbes, In his conversation with the rank and file, Gingrich several times referred to cannibalism (See Gingrich page 2 A ft. JL il GINGRICH MADE CONTRACT WITH AMERICA IN 1994 AP photo Shooting scene Nashville Police Officer Willy Merrill, right, photographs a bank robbery suspect who was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer. Landscapes burn with color Fall leaves expected to stay only a few more days here d(p.

By Chad Gillis Staff writer C5" ,.1 MM A 1 5 I A ''J I a I I 1 i -e i i places fre where your colorful species grow." He also cited downtown A- A Murfreesboro as an excellent place to view fall col- ors. Often the species of tree determines the color it will turn Middle Tennessee is virtually littered with vibrant fall colors; but leaf watchers would be wise to make the most of the next few days because the amber, crimson and daisy-colored trees will soon turn The hills, Creeks-, and other mtmd damp places are where your colorful species grow." Esrnelt Tennccsss fcrsstsr Nashville bank the target NASHVILLE (AP) An off-duty police officer working security at a Charlotte Avenue bank was shot in the chest by a robbery suspect Friday but returned fire and killed the man. Meanwhile, outside the NationsBank branch, a second suspect was shot and wounded as he attempted to drive away in a stolen Oidsmobile. The man apparently was unarmed, police said. The wounded police officer, 11 -year veteran Robert A.

Bristol, 43, was in fair condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center with a single gunshot wound to the upper chest. "He's going to be OK. We're very, very grateful for that," Assistant Chief Charles Smith said. The wounded suspect, who had not been identified, was listed in critical but stable condition after being shot once on the right side of the face, hospital spokesman John Howsersaid. Police and FBI agents were staking out the NationsBank branch because of three recent robberies at another nearby bank.

Police spokesman Don Aaron said the surveillance team noticed the Oidsmobile when it drove into the parking lot at about 10 a.m. because one of its windows was smashed, an indication it was stolen. As officers watched, the car stopped in front of the bank and a passenger got out. He pulled a ski mask over his face and walked into the bank with a pistol in his hand, Aaron said. (See Robber page 2A brown and shrivel.

"It's not going to last much longer with freezing temperatures," said Dwight Barnett, staff forester for the Tennessee Agriculture Department. "I think this is going to be a quick fall another week, maybe." Barnett, who moved to Murfrees-boro from the coast of Oregon 13 years ago, said early colors begin to show up during the first week of October. Generally, the season peak occurs around Halloween, with leaves staying on the trees until mid-November. The key to colorful leaves is plenty of sunlight and water, Barnett said. "As a general principle, look in the better watered areas he explained.

"The hills, hollows, creeks and other wet and damp before shedding its leaves for the winter months. Sweet gums usually turn purple. Maples turn yellow or orange, depending on the amount of sunlight the trees are subjected to. Hickory trees provide the landscape with bright yellows. And dogwoods develop a pinkish-red hue.

One of the unique things about the fall foliage in Tennessee is the mixture of dozens of species. "In Vermont you can go through an entire forest of sugar maples, but you'll only see the one color," said Lorene Lambert, creative services manager for Tennessee Tourism. "Within one area in Tennessee you can have as many as 50 species, and I think that is what the people come to see." (See Colors page 2A A DNJ photo by JJntintoli Fall foliage East Main Street in Murfreesboro is one ofThe most popular spots to see the beauty of fall leaves, as displayed by this maple towering beside the First Church of Christ, Scientist. Inside, Discovery House project cut back Fund-raising goal now set at $1 'I siiEoairspeed way plain By Clint Confehr Staff writer Commission to consider matter Dec. 21 By Keith Talley Staff writer dirt track and a drag strip.

"We're pleased to have this milestone cleared," Don Stansbury, vice president of the Dover, company, said after the Planning Open-air market bombing delays pssce sgemsnt in Kiddle East Suicide bombers targeted a crowded open-air market Friday, setting off blasts that killed the two assailants, injured 21 shoppers and postponed a Middle East peace accord. tor Billie Little. Plans have been developing for years to move the Children's House museum from 503 N. Maple St. to a site just off Southeast Broad Street at Maney Avenue where Murfreesboro's former water treatment plant and power house are to be demolished.

The site is near the restored Bradley Academy, Holloway High School and a larger campus-styled redevelopment planned for Patterson Park. A new Discovery Center is to be linked by a rustic green-way-like trail through Tower Swamp, named for the WGNS-AM radio tower, with downtown and Lytle Creek Greenway. "The total project is more than building a Discovery Center," Vaughan said, "It's developing a wetlands park with boardwalks, trails and, hopefully, exhibits to (See Project page 2A Children's Discovery House Museum expansion plans have been reduced considerably, but a new environmental education center remains in the works. Originally planned to be 30,000 square feet, a new Discovery Center has been cut back to 17,000 square feet, with a possible addition of 6,000 square feet years later, project manager Paul Vaughan said. Children's Discovery House President George Gardner explained, "We cut back because we were having trouble raising the funds and we realized we could realistically raise $1.5 million." Building documents will be ready for bidding by the end of April 1999, with groundbreaking Anticipated soon thereafter, said Discovery Houde executive direc iL Wilson vCounty .0 Lebanon Courthouse.

Dover Downs must now get approval from the Wilson County Commission. The company plans to seek the County Commission's approval for the racetrack during a Dec. 21 meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at the Lebanon Courthouse. But planning commissioners advised Dover Downs representatives to work out a plan before the Dec.

21 meeting to have sewer ser LEBANON A Delaware company's proposal to build a $124.5 million motorsports complex cleared two hurdles Friday as Wilson County officials approved a rezoning request and a site plan for the project. The Wilson County Planning Commission unanimously approved a request Friday to rezone 1,146 acres between state Route 840 and U.S. Highway 231 North (Lebanon Highway) as a planned commercial development. The county's Board of Zoning Appeals also on Friday unanimously approved Dover Downs Entertainment site plan for the motorsports complex, which includes a 1.25-mile superspeed-way, a road course, a short track, a INDEX Classified 3, C4 .....6 A Opinion Sports B1-8 6B Public C6 NASCAR 14B Auto Saturday. vice available for the sue.

"The sewer question is oing to be the big Wilsc County Planning Director Rick Gregory (See Racetrack page 2A VVV lf;.