PRODIGAL SON'S BRIEF RETURN

By Angie Perez

Amid townspeople's murmurings, word has come out that there's a new Luthor in Smallville. It would seem as though the proverbial prodigal son has indeed returned. Eighteen-year-old Lucas Luthor just arrived in town, and already everyone is speculating what his presence means.

The obvious question swirling in our collective minds is: Where has this young man been all these years? There were rumors that Lionel Luthor sired a child with his mistress Rachel Dunlevy, who was later committed to a mental institution. Has Lionel been hiding his illegitimate son because of the teen's dark past, or has he been quietly grooming Lucas to someday take over the Luthor empire? It's no secret that the ongoing feud
with eldest son Lex has escalated into an all-out war.

In a family of black sheep, Lucas stands out like no other. An investigation into his background reveals a history of juvenile arrests, a string of foster homes, expulsion from school and association with a host of unsavory characters.

According to the manager of the Talon and other residents, the titan-in-training is just as brash and arrogant as his father. And by the same token, young Lucas has begun leaving a trail of enemies. As this story goes to press, Lucas was nearly gunned down in an alley. Police tracked the shooter to Metropolis, where he died mysteriously. The unofficial explanation for Lucas' sudden departure is that he has been moved to an undisclosed location for his protection.

The old adage still rings true: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

CHARITY CONCERT TO BENEFIT FOOD BANK

By Kathy Romita

The rock band Steadman is coming to Smallville next week and will perform at a charity event at the Talon to raise money for the Smallville Food Bank. Martha Kent and Lana Lang are co-chairing the event, and high school student Pete Ross is heading up the advertising. Along with the concert, the function also includes a raffle for several prizes including a new computer as the grand prize.

Many organizations as well as individuals and businesses donated items for the drawing that include a quilt (hand-pieced and hand-quilted) from the Smallville Quilting Bees; a navy and maroon afghan hand-crocheted by Esther Stone; a "trunkful of toys" given by Fordman's Department Store; an electric drill from Hank's Hardware; a free tune-up and oil change from B.B. Davenport's; drink coupons from the Talon; and 10 copies of the "Talon Mix" CD from Pete Ross.

Named after its front man, singer-songwriter Simon Steadman, the British group is currently on tour in North America. Drummer Russell Field will be joining Simon at the Talon, along with the band's guitar player, James Board. Steadman's premiere album, "Loser Friendly," garnered the band a huge underground following in Great Britain.

The Smallville Food Bank serves the needy in the Smallville area by providing canned goods and other nonperishable food items. Located in the same building as Mobile Meals, the food bank is at the ready for those who are caught short on supplies. According to Martha Kent, "It can happen to anyone. The cupboards get bare, and there's not enough money to pay the bills AND buy food. We help out with no questions asked. Right now, our shelves over at the warehouse are getting pretty low, but the demand for food is increasing, so Lana and I decided to do something about it." Lana Lang added, "The community has really supported the Talon, and now we want to give something back. By hosting this fund-raiser, we help people, and we get a really great concert in return. It's a win-win situation for everyone."

SHS student Pete Ross has compiled several hit songs onto a special CD called "The Talon Mix." It goes on sale the week after the fund-raiser. Also at the event, the Smallville Chamber of Commerce will show off its new Smallville site, which includes an online map of our fair city.
For more information on the event, call the Talon at 555-0147.

CONFUSED BY LUTHORCORP/
LEXCORP BATTLE?
By Jim "Slim" Bradlee

No one told me covering business in Smallville would be easy.
When I worked the business beat in Central City, we wrote about crop production, water costs, the rising prices at the Bag 'n' Go. Since taking over for the retired John K. McGuiness at the Ledger, however, I've found myself attempting to cover a world-class power struggle that would confound the most seasoned city editor.

A few weeks ago, my colleague Kathy Romita wrote about LuthorCorp's takeover--or should I say retaking--of LexCorp. Now it is my duty to report that Lex Luthor has somehow wrestled control of LexCorp back from his father. As with all things concerning the Luthors, details are sketchy as to exactly what transpired, but this latest reversal could have something to do with the surprise arrival of Lionel's long-
lost younger son, Lucas. (See Angie Perez's accompanying article in this issue.)

Assuming that the Luthor patriarch has set up some sort of living trust, one could easily attribute Lucas' sudden reappearance to the fact that he just turned 18, old enough to claim an inheritance. But Lucas' role in the ongoing chess match has been carefully concealed by LuthorCorp's team of lawyers, accountants and PR mouthpieces.

Was Lex somehow able to stage a coup among Lionel's minions on the board of directors, in the manner of his brilliant employee buyout at Fertilizer Plant No. 3 last year? If so, how did Lex manage to avoid the obvious LuthorCorp countermove of freezing the assets of its newly acquired subsidiary LexCorp in retaliation? Because of the rock-solid Luthor credo that family business should be kept within the family (and Lucas makes three), the business world will likely never know.

LUTHOR REGAINS SIGHT

By Shelby Taylor
Reprinted from The Daily Planet

In a press conference held Wednesday morning, billionaire Lionel Luthor announced a near medical miracle--the LuthorCorp Chairman and CEO has regained his eyesight.

In a dramatic display, the eccentric businessman removed his dark glasses and proceeded to describe a journalist seated at the rear of the conference room--right down to the detailed design of her sweater. After a brief moment of stunned silence, reporters fought to be heard above the barrage of questions that riddled the room.

Luthor quieted the crowd and spoke of his restored vision, "Though my eyesight was gone, I was determined to forge ahead. Several doctors told me there was no hope. Ladies and gentlemen, there is no hope only where there is no will. After my recent medical emergency, I started an amazing
treatment called hyperbaric oxygenation. Today I stand before you a sighted man with a clear vision of the future, and I am grateful to the brilliant doctors at the Metropolis Neurological Center." And with that, Luthor turned the press conference over to Mitchell Taylor, his director of public relations. According to Taylor, the CEO's vision returned fully only yesterday.

Luthor lost his sight after being struck by falling debris when a tornado touched down in Smallville last June. Since then he has spent most of his time in Smallville at the family mansion where his son, Lex Luthor, resides. The younger Luthor was not available for comment. Blindness did not slow the compulsive tycoon, who, according to some market analysts, actually increased his hectic schedule to assure shareholders that LuthorCorp would remain a powerhouse under his leadership. Shares of LuthorCorp opened up 5 percent on the news of Luthor's restored sight.