Newsmakers
Died Billionaire Melvin Simon, who led what is now Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group Inc. for nearly 40 years and also owned the NBA’s Indiana Pacers with his brother, died Wednesday at age 82, company spokesman Les Morris said. Details on the circumstances were not released. Simon had not made any public appearances in recent months and his brother had asked for prayers for him at a July event during which the two were honored as Indiana legends.
•Dave Fuller, the winningest baseball coach in University of Florida history, has died. He was 94. Fuller guided Florida from 1948 to 1975, compiling a 557-354-6 record and winning three Southeastern Conference championships.
Returning Two-time Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor will return next weekend to the domestic beach volleyball tour, where she will be reunited with teammate Kerri Walsh. May-Treanor, who injured her Achilles tendon while practicing for “Dancing with the Stars” last October, will join Walsh for the Sept. 25-27 AVP World Challenge in Glendale, Ariz. It will be their first competition together in 2009, though they did team up to play Shaquille O’Neal for an episode of the television show “Shaq Vs.”
Cleared Professional wrestler and Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle has been cleared of charges of harassment and possession of human growth hormone. Angle was arrested last month in suburban Pittsburgh after his ex-girlfriend called police. Authorities alleged they found vials of human growth hormone in Angle’s car. The 40-year-old wrestler said he had a prescription for HGH to treat previous neck injuries.
Honored Hall of Fame baseball manager Tom Lasorda will soon take his place alongside other Los Angeles Dodgers stars in the Smithsonian Institution. The Hall of Fame manager will have his painting hung in the museum’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. The unveiling is set for Tuesday, Lasorda’s 82nd birthday. The life-sized portrait, measuring 60 by 50 inches, is part of the tribute to Lasorda’s 60 years with the Dodgers and his life in baseball. He currently serves as special adviser to team owner and chairman Frank McCourt.