NEWTON COUNTY, Ind.
South suburban man faces charges, warrant
A South Chicago Heights man armed with a handgun and an assault rifle fired more than 60 shots and threatened to kill himself during a standoff Wednesday evening, police said.
Manuel Anthony Flores surrendered after about 30 minutes and was taken to Jasper County Hospital for treatment, Newton County police said.
Upon his release from the hospital, Flores will be held on charges stemming from the standoff and an outstanding warrant from Lake County, police said.
The standoff began when police responded to a burglary in progress at 4:23 p.m. Wednesday at 8573 N. County Road 600 West. A resident of the home told a dispatcher she was in her driveway and thought someone was breaking into her home.
Police said they found and confronted Flores, at which time he stated he was going to kill himself. Police said Flores was bleeding from a self-inflicted wound and took pills and alcohol during negotiations.
SPRINGFIELD
State workers union slams contract offer
Without giving specifics, leaders of the largest state government employee union are slamming a contract offer being made by the Blagojevich administration.
Anders Lindall, a spokesman for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration is seeking to shift significant new health care increases onto state employees and new pension costs while pay would fail to keep pace. He declined to offer further details.
Blagojevich spokeswoman Kelley Quinn said the administration is continuing good-faith negotiations with the union on a new contract.
The union contract with the state expires June 30. The two sides have been in talks since December.
CHICAGO
3 inmates stabbed at Cook County Jail
Three inmates were hospitalized after being stabbed Wednesday at the Cook County Jail, authorities said.
The violence occurred hours after five people, including three deputies, were hurt in a fight at the Cook County Criminal Courts Building.
Penny Mateck, a spokeswoman for the Cook County Sheriff's Department, said the courtroom fight started after a defendant in a murder case was acquitted. She said the families of the defendant and the victim were involved.
Six people are in custody.
