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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Nation in brief: Tunnel death brings scrutiny

The Spokesman-Review

At least 12 tons of concrete collapsed onto a passing car in a Big Dig tunnel in Boston, fatally crushing a newlywed and prompting renewed scrutiny Tuesday of the costliest highway project in U.S. history. The state attorney general said he plans to treat the site as a crime scene that could lead to charges of negligent homicide.

The attorney general’s office already has begun issuing subpoenas to those involved in the design, manufacturing, testing, construction and oversight of the panels and tunnel.

The accident around 11 p.m. Monday was near the entrance to the Ted Williams Tunnel, which runs under Boston Harbor to Logan International Airport. The driver of the crushed car managed to crawl through a window to safety, but his wife died when four massive concrete ceiling panels fell on the vehicle.

Gov. Mitt Romney said Tuesday he is taking legal action to oust the head of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority.

Anderson, Ind.

Auto parts workers win Lotto jackpot

Nine auto parts workers whose factory is slated to close at the end of the year have something to celebrate: a $9 million Hoosier Lotto jackpot.

For nearly 16 years, the men – all current and former Delphi Corp. employees – pooled their money to buy $50 worth of lottery tickets each week. After buying $41,000 in tickets, they finally matched all six numbers in the July 1 drawing.

“This was the last week we were going to play. We made a joke leaving work saying, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to hit the lottery this last time?’ ” said Dick Quinn, 59, who managed the workers’ lottery pool.

The winners – Quinn, Ralph Flesher, Richard Howard, Charles Hughes, Monty Porter, Nicholas Gray, Jeff Fisher, Bill Harrison and Russell Deck – all decided to take the cash option, worth $3.7 million.

Yucca Valley, Calif.

Wildfire burns old Hollywood site

A wildfire burned several structures in a desert community where dozens of Hollywood Westerns were filmed, and threatened other towns while prompting 1,000 people to flee.

Winds up to 20 mph fanned the fire across 6,000 acres. The fire had originally started as part of a series of lightning-sparked blazes. It was brought under control but erupted again.

The blaze burned through historic Pioneertown, and television news footage showed several structures burned to the ground.

Pioneertown, about two hours east of Los Angeles, was host to Roy Rogers, Russ “Lucky” Hayden and other Hollywood cowboys who helped establish the desert hideaway in 1946.

By the 1960s, the town had become more of a residential community, although filmmakers began returning a few years ago. Car companies have filmed commercials in Pioneertown in recent years. Music videos have also been made there.