The Selma Times-Journal from Selma, Alabama • 3

THE SELMA TIMES -JOURNAL, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1997-3 Nation WASHINGTON (AP) Defying Republican threats of reprisal, President Clinton bypassed the Senate to name NAACP attorney Bill Lann Lee as the nation's civil rights chief Monday. GOP critics protested angrily and promised to closely monitor Lee on affirmative action. After two months of bickering with lawmakers, Clinton softened the blow by installing Lee as acting assistant attorney general for civil rights. While that gives Lee an indefinite hold on the job, it was considered less confrontational than invoking constitutional power for a recess appointment while Congress was out of session. In an Oval Office ceremony, Clinton said Lee would have "full authority and support" to carry out his duties but added: "I still look forward to striking the word 'acting' from his title." Lee was quietly sworn in a few hours later.

Lee's nomination wound up at the center of a name-calling battle about affirmative action between the White House and congressional Republicans. GOP foes argued that Lee's job as Western regional director for the NAACP's legal defense fund indicated he would enforce racial quotas, which are banned by federal law. Stymied by Lee's rejection in the Republican-controlled Judiciary Committee, the administration tried to exploit the situation to drive a wedge between the GOP and AsianAmericans and other minority voting blocs. Clinton brushed off Republican threats to slow down judicial nominations and hold up money for the Justice Department. "I can't be worried about retaliation," the president said.

"I have to what I think is right." Panel calls for greater gender separation WASHINGTON (AP) A Pentagon-appointed panel has concluded that the Army, Navy and Air Force should pattern themselves more like the Marine Corps and put male and female recruits in separate barracks and segregate the sexes in their earliest phases of basic training. It also called for toughening basic training and physical fitness standards for both men and women; increasing the number of trainers, and ridding the system of sexist and disparaging remarks about women from the training system. The report, commissioned by Defense Secretary William Cohen and due to be presented to him officially on Tuesday is certain to fuel the debate over the role of women in the military. named as acting Civil Rights chief Casino probe won't include Clinton WASHINGTON (AP) Attorney General Janet Reno rejected Republican requests Monday to expand her investigation of an Indian casino ruling to include President Clinton. She said they failed to cite evidence of any crime by him.

Reno noted that lobbyists representing Democratic contributors had raised the casino issue with Clinton at a political and a social event. She also said the Justice Department had found other evidence Clinton had inquired of the White House staff about the status of the Interior Department's casino decision. But "your letter does not identify any alleged conduct by the president that would warrant an inference that the president's unsolicited receipt of information from lobbyists and his subsequent expression of interest in the matter was potentially criminal, or part of any criminal conspiracy," Reno wrote Rep. Henry Hyde, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. -Nor, she said, had the department found such evidence on its own.

In July 1995, the Interior Department denied three Wisconsin Chippewa tribes a casino license, which had been recommended by the Bureau of Indian 'Affairs, an arm of Interior. Republicans charged the turnaround was engineered Clinton and his aides because tribes opposing the casino donated $300,000 to the Democratic National Committee and 'other Democrats. Nichols Prosecutors make closing arguments DENVER (AP) Backed by two huge photos of the Oklahoma City federal building before and after the bombing a prosecutor told jurors in closing arguments Monday that Terry Nichols all but abandoned his family, took up with Timothy McVeigh and set out on a "road to destruction." That road was illustrated in court with a picture of a two-lane blacktop marked with signs detailing each step the Army buddies allegedly took before the blast: hiding behind aliases, renting storage sheds, collecting bomb components and finally building the bomb that took 168 lives. "At each stop along the road, Terry Nichols made a choice, a choice to participate in the plot to bomb and kill," said prosecutor Beth Wilkinson. But Nichols' attorneys contended the government's case is "woefully lacking," and they attacked everything from the FBI's handling of evidence to the testimony of star prosecution witness Michael Fortier.

"The Marine Corps builds men. The FBI builds witnesses," said lead defense attorney Michael Tigar, recalling that Fortier initially lied to FBI agents, but changed his mind and implicated both McVeigh and Nichols. Tigar said Fortier's testimony was "bought and paid for," reminding jurors that Fortier testified under an agreement in which he may get a reduction in a sentence after pleading guilty to lying to the FBI and failing to warn authorities of the bomb plot. The defense began its argument late Monday afternoon, and was to finish Tuesday. Students shot in Arkansas STAMPS, Ark.

(AP) A sniper opened fire this morning, wounding two students standing outside their high school. before the start of classes. The shooter, who fired from woods next to the rural school, remained at large. The wounded students may have been specific targets of the sniper, and police did not believe anyone else was in danger, state police spokesman Bill Sadler said, declining to elaborate. The Stamps High School students, who were not identified, were listed as stable at a hospital in nearby Magnolia.

The shooting victims were among a number of students in the school parking lot when the shots were fired, said Pete Richardson of the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department. Lifesaver helicopter crash kills four LITTLETON, Colo. (AP) -A medical helicopter rushing a traffic accident victim to a hospital became snagged in power lines and crashed onto the fairway of a golf course, killing all four people on board. The accident Sunday night knocked out power to more than 15,000 people near this Denver suburb for two hours. The fourcar accident that prompted the rescue flight also killed a fifth person and injured nine others.

"There were sparks everywhere," said Susan Vogt, who saw the helicopter crash. "Then all the emergency people ran from here to there but of course, they couldn't help. I'm still shaking. We were so close." The Columbia AirLife helicopter was on its way to Denver Health Medical Center with a pilot, two nurses and the accident victim aboard, fire department spokeswoman Nancy Hoffman said. The pilot Pete Abplanalp, 50, had 20 years of flying experience.

Obituaries Robert B. 'Bruce' Gaston Robert Bruenell "Bruce" Gaston, 36, of Saraland, died Friday, Dec. 12, 1997. Services are at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec.

16, at Freeman Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Marcus A. Hobbs officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Saraland, with Freeman Funeral Services of Citronelle directing. Survivors include mother and step-father, Ann and Bobby Bragg, of Camden; daughters, Amanda Shawn Gaston and Victoria Noel Gaston, both of Saraland; brothers, Charles Clifton Gaston of Camden and Christopher Craig Gaston, of Atlanta, Ga.

Mobile murders Continued from page 1 officers including Steve Davidson, Mike Heath, Clyde Carter and Tommy Buford assisting in the arrests. Patrick, along with other officers and the Mobile district attorney, came to Selma Saturday after being notified by Selma PD and conducted a short investigation. They then transferred the men along with the vehicle back to Mobile. Weber said he had no idea of the events that were to occur that day. "I didn't know they were coming to Selma," said Weber.

Only two of the three men in the car at the time Burglaries Continued from page 1 ladies at the Safford Community Center to raise funds to buy food for the daily meals at the center. The community center has been hit several times, the sheriff said. It is within yards of the Wilcox County line. Alberta is a short distance from Safford over the Dallas County line into Wilcox County. Grant Sherry Dene Gaston Sherry Dene Gaston, 42, of Saraland, died Friday, Dec.

12, 1997. Services are at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, Freeman Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Marcus A.

Hobbs officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Saraland, with Freeman Funeral Services of Citronelle directing. Survivors include parents, Billy and Nadine Walker, of Citronelle; two daughters, Amanda Shawn Gaston and Victoria Noel Gaston, both Saraland; a brother, Bradford Hugh Walker Citronelle; and a sister Penny Walker Busby, Fruitdale. of the arrests were allegedly involved with the slayings in Mobile. Patrick said an arrest like the one made by Weber doesn't usually happen.

He commended both Weber and his dog Hero for their performance. "We couldn't do it any better," said Patrick. He said the Selma Police Department was extremely professional and the officers performed their duties by the book. Patrick said Hero was instrumental in making the arrest, seeing that Taylor didn't get away. "They are a tribute to the chief," said Patrick.

Burglaries over the past four weeks, included the community center, businesses and several residences. The Dallas County investigators conducting the investigation also discovered about $500 in crack cocaine in a third suspect's pocket. That information will be presented to a Wilcox County grand jury, the sheriff said. He did not Mildred Berry Patterson Mildred Berry Patterson, 79, of Selma, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997 at her home.

at Services are at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, at the Chapel of Lawrence Home with Dr. Robert Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in the New Live Oak Cemetery with Lawrence Funeral, Home directing.

Survivors include her sister, LaNelle Berry Dunlay, of Selma; son, William J. (Betty Frances) Patterson of Selma; daughter, Margaret of Weller, of Las Vegas, and granddaughter, of Hannah Patterson, of Selma. of Family visitation will be from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, at Lawrence Funeral Home.

Chief L.E. Tate said he too was proud of the actions of Weber and awarded him with a letter commending his work. A portion of the letter reads, "Once. again, thank you for a performance that far exceeds the expectations of a police officer." "He's a good officer and he did what he was trained to do," said Tate. Weber said he was fortunate to make the arrest and said it was lucky that no officers were hurt while making the arrests.

Taylor and McMillan have been charged with three counts of murder. release the man's name. Wilcox County falls under the Fourth Judicial District Attorney's office as does Dallas County. The patrol unit made the offense reports and turned them over to the investigative division. Chief Investigator Roy Freine and Investigators Bert Allison and Brett Howard investigated these cases and made the arrests, the sheriff said.

Continued from page 1 program for children. anticipating what their needs will be. "We don't sit, we anticipate," said Williams. Williams said they appreciate whatever "We go looking for programs that will benefit He said they try to make funds they acquire amount of funding they receive from the state. our community," said Williams.

last, but it's never enough. However, he said the organization also tries to. He said along with grant writers who assist "We make due with what we have," said supplement and generate funds while them, the agency has all types of resources. Williams. Police Continued from page 2 Broad Street.

violence. arrest for assault in the third was reported in the degree was made in the 1300 block 2100 block of Church Street. of Alabama Avenue. assault was reported on the of property was reported in corner of Lawrence Avenue and the 2000 block of Eisenhower Small Street. Street.

alarm activation was alarm activation was reported in the 2000 block of reported in the 1200 block of 10th Citizens Parkway. Avenue. assault, family violence, and arrest for assault in the third criminal mischief was reported in degree was made in the 2000 block the 2000 block of Woodrow Estates. of Eisenhower. 40-year-old male was arrested arrest for reckless for assault, family violence.

endangerment was made on Selfield 26-year-old wa arrested Road. for failure to obey a police officer. arrest on a juvenile pickup was reported at Jones order was made in the 1300 block of Park. Alabama Avenue. family violence, arrest for theft of property in was reported in the 1000 block of the third degree was made at.

K- Thornhill Avenue. Mart. person, ungovernable of property was reported in behavior, was reported in the on the 1300 block of Highland Avenue. West Dallas Avenue. arrest for harassment, family 45-year-old male was arrested violence, was made in the 1300 for public intoxication.

block of Alabama Avenue. alarm activation was missing person was reported reported in the 100 block of Gary in MBA Homes. Avenue. arrest for theft of property in mischief was reported the third degree was made at K- in the 1200 block of Griffin Street. Mart.

trespass was reported of property was reported at in the 300 block of Henry Street. the K-Mart Shopping Center. of property was reported in sick person was reported at the the 2800 block of Citizens Parkway. Selma City Jail. activated alarm was reported communications were in the 1100 block of Union Street.

reported on Landsend Avenue. arrest for on a reckless SATURDAY driving warrant was made in MBA was reported in the 300 Homes. block of King Street. was reported in the assault, family violence, was 900 block of 1st Avenue. reported in the 600 block of arrest for C.H.I.N.

was made. Ravenwood Drive. at Rangedale Apartments. juvenile was arrested for arrest for receiving stolen assault in the third degree, family property in the third degree was Nick Diamond Monogram Selma Mall 874-4830 Ladies Kt. Ladies 14 Pulsar a Cluster Shaped Diamond Cluster Oval Quartz Great 1 Selection Now $14995 Sale Diamond chore Price Nothing held Sterling Silver Sterling Silver Earrings Christmas? Brats Starting 1 50 7 Gifts! $4.95 Order Now For Christmas before early cut off Only one week left for sterling gold filled.

made at Rangedale Apartments. arrest for receiving stolen property was made at Rangedale stolen property was reported at Rangedale Apartments. assault, family violence, was reported in the 100 block of Water Avenue. arrest for DUI was made on the corner of Highland Avenue and Broad Street. conduct was reported at MBA Homes.

arrest for disorderly conduct was made at MBA Homes. assault, family violence, ungovernable behavior, was reported in the 400 block of County Road 248. was reported in the 1200 block of 10th Avenue. civil matter was reported at 1700 Lawrence Street. was reported in Cloverdale Apartments.

or shooting into an occupied vehicle was reported on Cecil Jackson Bypass, shots mischief was reported on Lawrence Street. abuse was reported in endangerment was reported in the 1800 block of Green Street. sick person was reported at the Selma City Jail. conduct, resisting arrest was reported at the Vaughan Emergency Room. burglary was reported in the 600 block of Mabry Street.

assault was reported at Cahaba Twin Theater. alarm activation was reported at Minois Recycling. assault, family violence, was reported at the Big M. Parking lot. juvenile was arrested for assault in the third.

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