RICKMAN FOUND DEAD

Probable Suicide

By Christopher James Beppo

Deputies from the Lowell County Sheriff's Office were called to B.B. Davenport's Route 7 auto repair shop on the desolate outskirts of town in response to an anonymous phone tip. There, they found the body of entrepreneur Bob Rickman lying outside the shop, dead from a gunshot wound to the head. No witnesses have come forward yet, but investigators have determined that the fatal injury was self-inflicted.

As previously reported in the Ledger, Rickman was visiting Smallville to pave the way for the construction of a pesticide plant in town. He had met considerable opposition from residents and authorities, who were well aware of the detrimental effects on the environment of Rickman's other plants. Rickman's primary focus had been on land owned for decades by the Kent family. Surprisingly, Jonathan Kent had signed away the heirloom plot with little hesitation but later changed his mind and filed a lawsuit to challenge the contract.

Members of the Metropolis Police Department speculate that Rickman was frightened by their growing investigation into the mysterious death of Paul Hendrix, an agent for the Center for Environmental Protection. Documents found in Hendrix's office indicate that Rickman was under scrutiny by the Center for past offenses, and the authorities were preparing to question Rickman as a suspect. Combined with the potential failure of Rickman's Smallville expansion attempt, the impending murder inquiry may have pushed Rickman to take his own life.

TALON BUILDING FOR SALE

By Gena McGuiness

Nell Potter, owner of the Talon Theater building, has put the structure up for sale. Citing other financial responsibilities, Ms. Potter, who also owns Nell's Bouquet, a flower and gift shop, says "the costs of renovation and building code upgrades would not be in my best fiscal interest." When asked if there are any prospective buyers, Ms. Potter had no comment.

STRING OF BURGLARIES PLAGUES LOWELL COUNTY

Authorities Baffled

By Kathy Romita

County law enforcement authorities now believe that the recent burglaries that have occurred from one end of the county to the other are related. Over the last few months, the secret vaults of eight homes belonging to wealthy estate owners in Lowell County have been successfully targeted by a ring of thieves. Missing are tens of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, silver and cash.

What makes these particular heists unique, other than the high success rate, is the total lack of evidence. Officials admit that they can't find any sign of entry--forced or otherwise. Sheriff Waid said, "My counterparts in other areas of the county report the same thing--expensive personal items and cash just 'disappear' from private vaults. No locks were broken, no windows were shattered--it's as if the culprits were able to walk through walls."

JAILBREAK

Smallville Resident Turns Fugitive

By Angie Perez

Eccentric recluse and sculptor Kyle Tippet, who was recently arrested for the violent assault on teen Whitney Fordman, has escaped from the Smallville County Jail. A spokesperson from the sheriff's department declined to comment about the apparent failure in security measures but offered that "Sheriff Waid and his diligent deputies will track and apprehend the escapee."