BAXTER, Calif. – A train maintaining railroad tracks derailed in the mountains east of Sacramento on Thursday, killing one person, injuring several others and sparking a fire in the heavily forested area. One person was believed trapped in the wreckage of the Union Pacific train, which was loaded with thousands of gallons of diesel and hydraulic fuel. Thick, black smoke could be seen billowing from the scene. Aerial television footage also showed train cars beside the tracks in a zigzag pattern. Six to eight people were injured, officials said.
Wyoming: Senator has leukemia
Sen. Craig Thomas, hospitalized since Monday with pneumonia, has been diagnosed with a form of leukemia, his spokesman said Thursday. The Wyoming Republican, who was easily elected to a third term while in the hospital, issued a statement saying he will undergo treatment and plans to return to Congress in January. Thomas, 73, fell ill in church in Casper on Sunday and was taken by ambulance to Wyoming Medical Center. He and his wife, Susan, flew back to Washington later in the day. Thomas was elected to the Senate in 1994 after serving five years in the U.S. House.
S. Carolina: Charges in mauling
A man was charged with involuntary manslaughter after six of his dogs attacked and killed a 10-year-old boy as he walked home, prosecutors said. Bentley Collins also was charged Tuesday with keeping unconfined, dangerous animals, prosecutors in Florence said. The dogs appear to be bull boxers, authorities said. The body of John Matthew Davis was found in Collins’ yard Friday night after the boy didn’t return to his home less than a mile away, the sheriff said. The dogs have been placed in the pound, he said.
Florida: Shuttle prepared for launch
Space shuttle Discovery was moved to the launch pad Thursday to await a launch that could be as early as Dec. 7 – an effort to avoid potential New Year’s Eve computer glitches. The worry is that shuttle computers aren’t designed to make the change from the 365th day of the old year to the first day of the new year while in flight. NASA has never had a shuttle in space Dec. 31 or Jan. 1. Starting Dec. 7, launch opportunities would be available as late as Dec. 17 or 18. With a 12-day mission, that would mean the shuttle is back on Earth before New Year’s Eve.
Fraternity disbanded after incident
One of the University of Central Florida’s oldest fraternities has been disbanded by its national headquarters following allegations of hazing involving heavy drinking and pledges wearing women’s underwear. The Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter will be closed immediately, a spokesman for the fraternity said. Police said they found pledges crawling on their hands and knees and wearing items such as diapers and women’s underwear, three men were taken to a hospital, and the house smelled of beer, urine and vomit.
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