Nation briefs 11/11/02

World War II Memorial dedication set for 2004

WASHINGTON -- World War II veterans learned Sunday they are about a year and a half away from seeing completion of their war memorial on the National Mall.

The American Battle Monuments Commission announced Sunday the memorial will be dedicated on Saturday, May 29, 2004.

"We really want to create what we call World War II week in Washington, D.C.," said Mike Conley, spokesman for the commission. "This could be one of the last great gatherings of World War II veterans in this country."

Actor Merlin Santana killed in L.A. shooting

LOS ANGELES -- Merlin Santana, a television and film actor who appeared in this year's Eddie Murphy movie "Showtime," was shot to death while sitting in a parked car, authorities said Sunday.

Santana, 26, was killed early Saturday in South Los Angeles, police spokeswoman Lucy Diaz said.

He was sitting in the passenger seat shortly after 2:30 a.m. when at least one person approached the car and fired, Lt. Clay Farrell said.

The driver escaped injury, drove off and flagged down police. Paramedics responded but Santana was pronounced dead at the scene, Farrell said.

No arrests were immediately made and investigators had not determined a motive for the attack.

Three die after truck strikes family's buggy

MILLVILLE, Pa. -- A truck rear-ended an Amish family's horse-drawn buggy Sunday, killing the mother and two children and injuring the father and one other child, state police said.

The driver of the truck was not injured.

Sadie Hertzler, 27, and Mary Hertzler, 5, were dead at the scene, state police said. Malinda Hertzler, 3, died later at Geisinger Medical Center.

The Hertzlers were riding on Route 42 in Greenwood Township in north-central Pennsylvania Sunday morning when the buggy was struck and plunged over an embankment, police said.

Amos Hertzler was treated at Geisinger and released, and 2-year-old Henry Hertzler was not injured. Another child, Jacob Hertzler, whose age hadn't been determined, was reported in fair condition, officials said.

The truck driver, Todd Trivelpiece, 28, was not injured; police said an investigation was continuing and no charges had been filed.

Storms in Tennessee, Ohio leave four dead

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- Severe storms swept across Tennessee early Sunday, killing at least three people, injuring 13 and knocking out power to thousands of homes and businesses.

Later in the day, heavy storms with funnel clouds tore into northern Ohio, killing at least one person in Van Wert County and leaving others trapped in buildings, said dispatcher Trena Bartz of the State Highway Patrol.

The National Weather Service had not determined whether the damage was caused by tornadoes. Montgomery and Sumner counties in middle Tennessee saw winds of 100 to 120 mph.

Phoenix bishop gives account of abuse cases

PHOENIX -- The head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix acknowledged that about 50 priests, former priests and church employees have been accused of criminal sexual misconduct with minors in the diocese over the past 30 years.

Bishop Thomas O'Brien also said the diocese has paid close to $2 million to settle 12 to 15 lawsuits involving sexual abuse or sexual harassment since he became bishop in 1982, The Arizona Republic reported Sunday.

The bishop said some of those were accused were convicted or acquitted, and "a large number" of priests and employees faced accusations that investigators found were untrue or meritless.

The revelations came in response to questions the newspaper submitted to O'Brien nearly two weeks ago. Parishioners learned of his response at evening services Saturday.--From wire reports