| Closing arguments begin in Atrium nursing home trial
After more than four weeks of testimony, prosecution and defense attorneys today will make closing arguments in the trial of former nursing home administrator Martha F. Bell and the home she once ran. Defense attorneys rested their cases yesterday after three days of testimony and presentations. Jurors will begin deliberating after hearing closing arguments and instructions from Common Pleas Judge David R. Cashman. Mrs. Bell, 60, of West Mifflin, and the defunct Ronald Reagan Atrium I Nursing, Research and Rehabilitation Center are charged with neglect of a care-dependant person and other offenses in the death of Atrium resident Mabel Taylor. Mrs. Taylor, 88, who had Alzheimer's disease, died Oct. 26, 2001, after she was trapped overnight in a locked courtyard at the nursing home in Robinson.
Senate OKs legislation to require carbon monoxide detectors
RICHMOND -- The Virginia Senate approved legislation Tuesday that would require some college dormitories and assisted living facilities to install carbon monoxide detectors. On a 40-0 vote, the Senate mandated installation of the devices by 2010. The legislation affects dorms and assisted living facilities served by fuel-burning appliances that might leak the dangerous gas. In an effort to protect residents from carbon monoxide from nearby vehicles, the bill also applies to the designated buildings that have an attached carport or garage or are adjacent to a parking space. Although a similar bill failed to win the endorsement of the Virginia Housing Commission, advocates cited an incident last summer in which one person died and dozens fell ill from a carbon monoxide leak in a Roanoke College dormitory.
DAYTONA NOTES
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Reunited with Robert Yates Racing, a rejuvenated Ricky Rudd topped the first two NASCAR Nextel Cup practice sessions Saturday leading into next weekend's 49th Daytona 500. Rudd posted his top speed, 186.761 mph, in the No. 88 Snickers Ford Fusion during the afternoon practice around the high-banked, 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway trioval. Rudd also topped the morning practice at 186.050 mph on a day when new teammate David Gilliland also cranked it up. Gilliland, who joined RYR in August after scoring his first Busch Series victory in June, was second-fastest in the opening session at 185.774 mph and third overall during the second at 186.000 mph in the No. 38 M&M's Ford. Pole Day qualifications are scheduled for this afternoon, and the RYR teammates now loom as serious contenders for the two front-row positions that will be locked in.
JRC names new leader
SWAMPSCOTT - The Jewish Rehabilitation Center's newest chief executive officer got to work even before the organization had a chance to announce his hiring.
Stephen Neff started working Monday, when he began overseeing the JRC and Woodbridge Assisted Living in Peabody. The former president and CEO of New Island Hospital in Long Island, N.Y., was picked after a national search, JRC President Mark Robbins said yesterday.Read this article in full with a
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