Chicago rail chief 'commits suicide' on train tracks

The chief of the Chicago commuter rail system has killed himself by stepping in front of a speeding train, officials have said.

Philip Pagano was under investigation over alleged financial regularities and was on paid leave.

The board of the Metra system had been due to meet later on Friday to determine his fate.

In his pocket, police found a manual detailing procedures for handling a suicide on the railway, officials said.

Mr Pagano had been executive director of the Metra system, which serves the city of Chicago and its outlying suburbs, since 1990.

State prosecutors and federal officials had launched investigations into whether Mr Pagano had improperly steered public funds to his personal coffers.

Metra officials said last month that Mr Pagano had received an unauthorised $56,000 "bonus" in addition to his $269,625 salary. The agency does not award bonuses.

The Chicago Tribune reported that Mr Pagano had stepped in front of a Metra train in the suburb in which he lived, north-west of Chicago.

McHenry County Coroner Marlene Lantz told the paper the death was under investigation, "but at this point it appears to be a suicide".

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8669304.stm

Lettuce recall due to E.coli, Again

Lettuce products sold in many states across the country, including Michigan, were recalled yesterday due to the finding of E.coli in an unopened bag of Freshway Foods shredded lettuce by the New York state Public Health Laboratory in Albany, New York.

A press release by Freshway Foods of Sidney, Ohio, says the voluntary recall of romaine lettuce products was sold to wholesalers, food service outlets and some in-store salad bars and delicatessens in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and several other states in the country. Freshway Foods is advising consumers not to eat any of their lettuce products purchased from delis and salad bars, and for restaurants and retailers to dispose of or not use any of the recalled products with a “best if used by date” of May 12 or earlier.

Symptoms of E-coli infection include none to mild diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Serious complications may progress to kidney damage. To date, there have been 19 confirmed cases of E.coli illnesses that have been reported from Michigan, Ohio, and New York. Evidence from preliminary investigations have traced the lettuce originated from one processing facility.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-29099-Grand-Rapids-Public-Health-Examiner~y2010m5d7-Lettuce-recall-due-to-Ecoli

Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union Dismiss Lawsuit Filed by Wade's Ex

The estranged wife of Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade has filed a lawsuit against his girlfriend, actress Gabrielle Union, claiming that their relationship has caused Wade's two sons emotional distress, according to the Associated Press.

"Siohvaughn Wade filed the suit in Chicago this week, adding yet another chapter to the lengthy divorce saga between the former high school sweethearts who separated more than two years ago," writes the AP's Tim Reynolds. "She and Dwyane Wade had two sons, ages 8 and 2, who are listed as plaintiffs."

0diggsdigg

Share

The lawsuit alleges that Union "engaged in sexual foreplay" in front of Wade's sons and that "severely inflicted the Plaintiffs emotionally and mentally." Other claims include that the boys received "medium size gifts" from their father for Christmas last year, and Union got "the biggest gift of all." As well as the allegation that the "Defendant played sexually explicit roles, including roles as a seductress ... [and] has apparently decided to take her role beyond the films and into the home of a married man, Dwyane Wade, in the presence of his two minor children."

Union's attorney, C. Anthony Mulrain says that "Each and every allegation made is entirely false."

And Dwayne Wade supports Union: "I can state with certainty that the claims Siohvaughn made about Gabrielle are untrue," Wade said. "I am deeply saddened and disappointed that Siohvaughn has used our sons once again as pawns and is now lashing out at Gabrielle, who is an innocent party. It is clear that this is a desperate attempt to retaliate against me for seeking sole custody of our children...

"I am shocked that Siohvaughn Wade has brought this baseless and meritless lawsuit in the name of our children against Gabrielle Union," he added.

The Wade's divorce trial is slated to start in June although Dwyane Wade's legal team is hoping for a settlement before the case goes to court.

Source: http://backporch.fanhouse.com/2010/05/05/dwyane-wade-gabrielle-union-dismiss-lawsuit-filed-by-wades-ex/