SHERIFF WAID
STEPS DOWN
Deputy Ethan Miller Promoted To Interim Sheriff

By Christopher James Beppo

Sheriff Mark "Wink" Waid, a longtime Lowell County sheriff and familiar face to generations of Smallville residents, has resigned his post midway through his fifth term. Popular Deputy Sheriff Ethan Miller has been named interim sheriff until the next election.

At a hastily arranged press conference in the Smallville War Memorial auditorium, a tired-looking but upbeat Sheriff Waid sat flanked by his deputies, Cub Johannsen, Elizabeth Christine, Gary Watts and Bobby Birdego, as newly appointed Sheriff Miller spoke about his former boss. Also on the dais were Waid's wife, Lisa, and other members of his large family. Rumors have circulated that the 57-year-old lawman's health has taken a beating since the beginning of this year, and that may have played a part in his decision to step down.

"Sheriff Waid has faithfully served the citizens of Lowell County for 18 hard years," Miller extemporized. "The man was in office when the meteors hit, for God's sake, and he hasn't slowed down since. With Waid's help, I worked my way up through the ranks to get here, and now's the time for these other talented guys and gals to show me what they bring to the department."

Turning to Waid, Miller concluded, "I tell you, Wink, I've got some pretty big shoes to fill. On behalf of your loyal staff and the people of Lowell County, I thank you for your service, and I promise to do my best to carry on your good work."

Miller's tribute was in marked contrast to his vocal disapproval of Waid's job performance in recent months. Although Waid's tenure was highlighted by numerous successes, including the arrest last week of murderer Duke Pritchard after a 12-year manhunt, Waid has been on the receiving end of harsh criticism--from within as well as without the ranks--for the department's apparent inability to prevent the numerous incidents of crime and mayhem bedeviling Smallville.

But judging by the enthusiastic sendoff that Waid received as the press conference evolved into a moving farewell ceremony, some of Lowell County's residents refuse to blame him for Smallville's problems. Mrs. Mary Brown of Edge City drove to town especially to honor Waid. "Look, we read the Ledger, we know about what goes on in Smallville--people turning into ash, severed hands coming in the mail, herds of cows dying--but you look at Edge City, and you got nothing like that going on. Waid's been fine to us. Talk to folks from Bludhaven, any of the other towns in the county, and you'll hear the same thing. There's just something wrong with Smallville. They need someone a lot bigger than the sheriff to clean that mess up. Me, I'm staying home in Edge, where it's nice and quiet."

For his part, Waid offered little in terms of his future plans. "I'm just looking forward to getting to know my wife and kids and grandkids again," he remarked in his resignation speech. "I guess you'll be seeing me and [grandson] Reuben up by Morley Reservoir a bit more often, pulling out the bluegills. Folks, I'm getting too old for this, especially with everything that's been going on. There just comes a point when a young fella like Ethan needs to come off the bench. And I'm sure he'll do a damn fine job as your sheriff."
Before leaving the stage to thunderous applause, Waid added with a relieved smile, "As for you folks at the Ledger, you won't have old Wink to kick around anymore--but I'm sure you'll manage." Yes, this paper will move on, as will Smallville. But let it be said that Waid's successes far outweigh his shortcomings, and history does tend to remember achievements more than failures. So long, Sheriff.

CRIME INVESTIGATION GOES ON;
STILL NO LEADS IN HIT-AND-RUN
By Kathy Romita

Nearly six months ago, Justin Gaines was just another Smallville High School student crossing the street at the intersection of River Bend and Sixth. Without warning, a speeding car turned the corner, smashed into Gaines and drove away. With no vehicle make, model or license number to track down, the sheriff's department is no closer to finding the culprit than on the day of the hit-and-run. And Sheriff Ethan Miller is canvassing the community for information. "The department needs help in solving this case. The streets were empty that night, and the only two people who know what happened are Justin and the driver...and Justin just doesn't remember much," stated Miller.

Then Deputy Ethan Miller took the call that night and immediately summoned a helicopter from Metropolis General to airlift the critically wounded Gaines to Metropolis. Hospital doctors credit Miller's quick action as the key to saving Gaines' life. "The patient would have never made the ambulance ride, and Smallville Medical Center isn't equipped to handle a trauma like this," said Metropolis emergency room physician Dr. Noemi Meyer.

The teenager has been recuperating at the Metropolis University Children's Hospital for almost six months. Gaines, a highly touted artist and cartoonist, suffered permanent nerve damage to his hands. His surgeon, Dr. Nathan Wells, explained, "Justin suffered major internal injuries including a ruptured spleen that had to be removed. His arms, legs and hands were severely affected. He was pretty banged up. Justin doesn't know how lucky he is simply to be alive. We're all so pleased that he can feed himself now and hope he'll progress even further. He's my walking miracle."

Miller commented, "This kid's dream was snatched away from him. I don't want this crazy driver mowing down another one of our teenagers. This investigation won't stop until the culprit is captured, no matter who's running the show in the department."

BEE SWARM ATTACKS THREE

By Gena McGuiness

Two Smallville High School students are listed in stable condition and a third has been upgraded to good condition after a swarm of bees attacked them this week. For Paul Chan, the assault took place in his home when "thousands of bees came up through the bathroom drain," he said. Chan, who suffered massive stings to his face, has recovered without complication and should be released from Smallville Medical Center sometime next week. Felice Chandler, daughter of successful businessman R. Joseph Chandler, was attacked in her vehicle as she was leaving school. The popular Smallville High cheerleader remains hospitalized, as does her classmate Sasha Woodman, the most serious of the three because of an allergy to bee venom. Woodman, like Chan, was attacked at home.

Metropolis' Center for Environmental Protection was called in to investigate the possibility that the insects were Africanized bees, commonly known as killer bees. However, examination of the dead bees found at the Chan residence and in the Chandler vehicle did not confirm those fears. Oddly, beekeepers across Kansas are reporting empty hives, much to the chagrin of farmers who use bees for crop pollination. Meanwhile, entomologists at Kansas State University are stumped by the extremely large swarm here in Smallville, citing that colonies usually divide when the population becomes too great. Efforts are underway to trap the queen bee--controlling the queen is key to taming the colony.

As bee sting kits fly off store shelves, Smallville city officials continue to remind residents not to panic but to simply BEE CAUTIOUS.

HEALTH CODE VIOLATIONS AT THE BEANERY

By Sandy Maggin

Rumors of shocking health code violations at Smallville's popular Beanery coffeehouse have been verified by confidential Lowell County Health Department records. These documents were anonymously delivered to the offices of the Ledger this week. While details are being withheld until a full investigation can be completed, sources at the health department confirmed that the reports are authentic and that The Beanery has received several warnings in recent months.

Beanery representatives refused an interview request, but vendor Vonda May Watson, who has been delivering sacks of coffee and sugar to The Beanery since 1998, commented that she had made some disturbing observations. "I go in the back entrance of The Beanery to drop off an order, and I see mice scurrying around right in the damn food! I don't want to be gross, but let's just say those little brown coffee beans in the bins?--they might not all be coffee beans."