The San Bernardino County Sun from San Bernardino, California • Page 3

California the OUTHLAND Rosemary McClure The Sun Managing EditorNight A3 (909) 386-3857 Monday Fax (909) 885-8741 April 28, 1997 In brief TDflesta' mraagonate Ecflwaiirafls oloes Obituary according to the box-office tracking firm Entertainment Data Inc. "He always seemed to be one step ahead of everybody else," Barton said. "Whatever was the best in equipment and sound, he brought it in right away." The company started with a $400 loan Edwards obtained from his father in 1930 to buy a bankrupt cinema in Monterey Park. Edwards did just about everything at the theater from selling tickets and popcorn to running the projector. In 1939, he built what is believed to be the first multiscreen theater in the country the Edwards Alhambra Twin Cinema.

There is a plaque commemorating it at the Atlantic and Main location, where the company now operates a 10-screen theater. In 1962, Edwards opened a theater in Costa Mesa, the Southland's first first-run theater oul- cleanliness of the restrooms to the quality of the movie presentation in the auditoriums. "At 90 you would expect some health limitations, but he still went to work every day," said Don Barton, Edwards' grandson and vice president and general sales manager of the company. The chain's most recent addition the $27 million, Ontario Palace 22 stands as a testament to his vision in the industry. Edwards endured complaints that the theater, which is across the parking lot from a 30-screen American Multi Cinema location at the Ontario Mills supermall, would oversaturate the movie market in western San Bernardino County.

But since the theater opened five weeks ago, several movies playing there, including "Liar Liar" and "Anaconda," have finished among the top 10 theater engagements in the country, side Los Angeles. And in 1995, he took the trend of giant megaplexes to another level when he opened a 21-screen, theater at the Irvine Spectrum. At the time, it was the nation's largest movie-house. "People love the excitement of the megaplex, the grandeur of it," Edwards said in a December interview with The Sun. "It takes them back to the early days when the movie theater was a palace." Besides his wife and son James, Edwards is survived by his daughters, Joan Edwards Randolph and Carole Ann Edwards Ruoff, both corporate officers; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Services were pending. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach fire Capt. Dave Mais said. After performing an autopsy Sunday, coroner's officials said more tests would be needed.

Edwards Theatres Circuit with 560 screens at 90 locations from San Luis Obispo to San Diego and San Bernardino County, is the dominant player in the Southland movie theater scene, arguably the most competitive in the country. Edwards played an active role in the company until his death. He and Bernice, who celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in November, would frequently catch a film at one of his theaters. During his visit, he would check on everything from the freshness of the popcorn to the James Edwards founder of Edwards Theatres Circuit dies at age 90. By Jerry Rice Sun Staff Writer Orange County coroner's officials Sunday were investigating the death of James Edwards patriarch of the Southland theater chain that bears his name.

They were trying to determine whether the 90-year-old Edwards suffered a heart attack or drowned Saturday afternoon as he was lowering a watercraft into the water behind his Newport Island home. His wife, Bernice, discovered him floating in the water just before 1:30 p.m. He was not breathing when paramedics arrived. They were able to restore a pulse, but Edwards was pronounced dead at El Toro finale soars By Jeff Wong The Associated Press EL TORO MARINE CORPS AIR STATION Crisp salutes, fluttering flags and jaw-dropping aircraft stunts marked the 47th and final El Toro Air Show on a nearly cloudless, sun-splashed Sunday afternoon. More than 1 million spectators are believed to have filed into El Toro Marine Corps Air Station over the weekend to watch the final act of an event that's attracted acrobatic pilots worldwide for nearly a half-century.

Last year, more than 1.6 million attended. A 20-month-old girl suffered head injuries after falling from the bleachers, base and hospital officials said. She was in serious condition at Children's Hospital in Mission Viejo. said a nursing supervisor who declined to be indentified. Base officials did not know how the girl fell.

Pentagon budget cuts in 1994 did what only space aliens in the hit movie independence Day" could do close El Toro permanently. The base is scheduled to shut down before 1999, and its Marines and more than 100 helicopters will be transferred south to Miramar Naval Air Station, which will become a Marine air station in October. County officials are considering converting the 4.500-acre El Toro facility into a major commercial airport. Over the weekend, civilian and military aircraft ranging from the menacing 2 Stealth Bomber to a docile hang glider sliced through the azure skies above El Toro. Spectators craned their necks as vintage World War II fighters twisted and turned during mock dogfights.

Other jets flew in precision formations, prompting "oooohs" and "aaaahs" from audience members both young and old, military and civilian, pilot and "ground-pounder." The Navy's famed Blue Angels appeared in thier FA 18 fighters to performed loops, climbs and other maneuvers in rigid formation. Other aircraft showed off abilities that seemingly defy physics and gravity such as the Marines' AV-8B Harrier "jump jets," which can take off and land vertically like a helicopter. But the glory wasn't reserved for just the pilots. SEAL commandos from the Naval Special Warfare School in Co-ronado. freefalled.

pulled their parachutes and 5 ir it f- 'o l- ir a ig 'S 11 'f i i n.a 1 'r 'V vV -I -r -A i s-' 2f 1 t- i 1 1 i I 4V -Vi 1 A i 3 Burglar strikes 22 churches SAN RAFAEL A burglar has victimized 22 Marin County churches since the beginning of the year, the Marin Independent Journal reported Sunday. "Disgusted is really the word for it," said Bob Smith a longtime member of the First Congregational Church in San Rafael, which was burglarized April 13. Novato police Cpl. Dave Bet-tin said the crimes seem to be the work of one person operating in much the same way for each crime. Striking in the middle of the night, the burglar has taken everything from petty cash to electronics equipment, authorities said.

More than half the break-ins have occurred in Novato, with others in churches in San Rafael, Mill Valley and parts of unincorporated Marin County. Lawyer: Media worked against Simpson NAPA The lawyer who convinced a jury that O.J. Simpson was liable for two killings said that he could not have found the key evidence against Simpson without the assistance of the media. Daniel Petrocelli said it was massive media coverage of Simpson's statements regarding a pair of Bruno Magli shoes that led two photographers to search their files and find pictures of Simpson wearing the type of shoe he said he never owned. "The fact that we were able to get the word out and let the public know and let the media feast on it was the reason we received this evidence," Petrocelli said Saturday.

"And we might not have been able to get it otherwise." Police seize marijuana plants YREKA Law enforcement officers seized more than 1.500 marijuana plants from two Siskiyou County residences. A spokesman for the county sheriffs department said warrants were served Thursday in the Yreka and Big Springs areas. A total of five people were arrested. One warrant resulted in the seizure of 342 plants and counter-surveillance equipment. A second warrant led to the seizure of 1.252 plants from three sites, firearms and numerous photographs of previous marijuana-growing operations, officials said.

All five suspects were being held various drug-related charges. Bail for each was set at $50,000. Blasting caps found in car trunk PALMDALE Some blasting caps found in the trunk of a car on a Palmdale street prompted the temporary evacuation of three homes Sunday, a sheriffs department spokeswoman said. Sheriffs arsonexplosives detectives rendered the charges safe after residents reported finding them about 11:45 a.m. in the trunk of a car at 374H0 45th St.

Deputy Benita Nichol said. "The vehicle had apparently been abandoned on another person's property, and that person gave the vehicle to the residents on 45th Street," Nichol said. The caps have an explosive charge used for setting off larger blasts, but it was unclear if they were detonated. It was unknown how they got into the trunk, she said. Study finds Mormons live longer LOS ANGELES Mormons live longer, and it probably because those who are devout in their religion don't smoke or take drugs, a new study from the University of California, Los Angeles says.

Devout Mormons also avoid alcohol, coffee, or tea and practice premarital chastity and post-marital monogamy. These factors according to the UCLA study scheduled to be published this summer helps explain why they are among the healthiest and longest-living people in the country. Conducted by UCLA epidemiologist James E. Enstrom. the research tracked the mortality rates and health practices of nearlv 10.000 California Mor-mons'whose church rank is called high priest.

Wives also tracked in the 14 year study. The studv found that Mormons who follow religious mandates barring smoking and drinking have one of the lowest death rates from cancer and cardiovascular diseases about half that of the general population. Moreover, the healthiest Mormons enjov a life expectancy eight to 11 years longer than that of the general white population in the U.S. According 1905 statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the life expectancy for an American White male is 73.4 years, while it was 65.4 vears for Black men, 79.6 years for White women and 74 years for Black women.

From Sun News Services Police examining unsolved murders Agencies are looking for links between those cases and a former Twentynine Palms Marine. The Associated Press Police agencies in Southern California planned to scour their unsolved murder files in hopes of linking some cases to an alleged Chicago-area serial killer, authorities said Sunday. Meanwhile, the parents of a woman stabbed 11 years ago say the arrest of Andrew Urdiales has left them stunned. "I looked at his picture in the paper this morning and I thought, 'This is the man who murdered our child. This is the man who destroyed our Genelle Iteilley said Saturday.

"But I fell numb. I don't think it's sunk in yet. I really don't." Urdiales, a 32-year old former Marine, was ordered held without bond on Saturday by Judge Willie B. Wright in two Chicago-area killings. Police said he has admitted to eight slayings in California and Illinois.

The California cases included the death of Reilley's 23 year-old daughter, Bobbin Brandley. She was stabbed to death on Jan. 18. 1986 as she returned to her car at Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo. Iteilley and her husband.

Jack, said they had virtually abandoned hope of finding their daughter's killer after more than 700 police interviews and a $50,000 reward offer failed to provide many clues. "We were so glad it wasn't somebody who knew her and who we might have been dealing with for the past 11 years," said Jack Reilley. "I was also hoping it wasn't somebody who went through the criminal justice system and was back on the street." Orange County sheriffs homicide investigators flew to Chicago late last week and questioned Urdiales about the Brandley case, Lt. Fred Lisanti said Sunday. In addition, a task force created in March lo review unsolved homicides plans to examine the hundreds of cases to see if there may be a connection to Urdiales.

Homicide investigators also want to question Urdiales about 17 unsolved killings of prostitutes, transients and hitchhikers that also occurred in the 1980s, he said. Urdiales was stationed at Camp Pendleton, in Orange County near the San Diego border, during that time period. Palm Springs police also are investigating Urdiales. who was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat ('enter at Twenlvnine Palms from 1987 to 1989. The base in San Bernardino County is about 30 miles north of Palm Springs.

Booth said police searched a storage locker in Twentynine Palms on Friday and found a gun and knife that they suspect were used in the killings IS SOMETHING IMPORTANT MISSING FROM YOUR LIFE? ARE YOU HAPPY ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? Come to The Quest! A sale place to ask questions, Wednesdays 7:30 p.m. April 30, May 7, 14 21 Call 882-5013 for a brochure. The Lutheran Church of Our Savior 5050 Sierra Way. San Bernardino More than 1 million spectators are believed to have filed into El Toro attend the final air show. Above: A vintage plane takes part in flying Crowds climb aboard military transport and combat aircraft.

stacker into evp-nonnmi for- I "trm 'il'int stacked into eye-popping formations as they floated to the base's tarmac. Since 1950. the El Toro Air Show has been held on the last weekend of every' April. Spectators have never been charged. The show has never been canceled despite two fatal crashes that killed a total of three people over the years and a third crash that was nearly fatal.

Even after threats of terrorism after the 19H6 Libya bombing and during the 1991 Persian Gulf War prompted many bases to cancel their air shows. El Toro commanders insisted that the show must go on. I 1 "ui AP WIREPHOTO Marine Corps Air Station to exercises on Sunday. Below: McKcan had suffered several deaths in her family recently, including the loss of a daughter and brother to illness and a grandson lo a shooting. "There were always a lot of children over there." the neighbor said.

"It will be sad not to see them." WOOD FLOORS, REFINISHINGPERGO MIKE FLOOD'S REDLANDS FL00RH0USE INC. 799 P6A4 fftFt ESTIMATES 41'j GHANr.F ST Officials probe possible arson in fire that killed 9 The bodies were found in hallways, bedrooms and closets. In addition to those killed by the blaze, seven people, including three firefighters, suffered injuries. O'Keefe said all were recovering Sunday. Among the injured was the home's owner, 78 year-old Verna McKcan.

who escaped from the home with her face and arms burned, and a singed nightgown. She screamed to neighbors. "Call the fire department; my house is on fire and everyone is in there." Quoting a neighbor, the San Jose Mercury News reported that "It was six in the morning No one was out there working in the carport area, no one hud a barbecue going." O'Keefe said investigators were examining evidence taken from the carport to determine if an accelerant had been used. Neighbors and victims' relatives were also being questioned The victims, including five small children, were trapped Insecurity bars on windows. Firefighters' rescue efforts were thwarted by a burning car near the front door and two pit bulls and a 60 pound Rottweiler at the rear of the dwelling.

The Associated Press EAST PALO ALTO Investigators began sorting through evidence Sunday in connection with a house fire that killed nine people, mostly children, and said they had not ruled out arson as the cause. The probe into the blaze that began early Saturday in a carport and quickly engulfed the home was being treated as a homicide case, said San Mateo Countv sheriffs Sgt. Donald O'Keefe. "It's being listed as suspicious because of the origin." he said. I.