LUTHORCORP
TAKES CONTROL OF
LEXCORP

By Frank Moore

There's a new executive striding through the halls of LuthorCorp but with a very familiar face. Lex Luthor has returned to work in the family business just as his company, LexCorp, has been officially absorbed by his father's organization.

In a statement to the Daily Planet, Lionel Luthor indicates that all of LexCorp's holdings, including Fertilizer Plant No. 3, are once again owned and controlled by LuthorCorp, making chairman and CEO Lionel Luthor the area's largest single employer.

"The Luthors have been instrumental in maintaining the financial stability of this town," Mayor Tate said in a statement. "Under this arrangement, Smallville can look forward to years of continued prosperity."
Lex will now assume a major executive role in the day-to-day supervision of LuthorCorp's diverse business subsidiaries, reporting directly to his father. Although there have been reports of corporate power struggles between the Luthors in the past, this latest acquisition is an entirely friendly and logical deal.

"In this economic climate, both Lionel and Lex agreed that combining their talents and resources made sense," said Mitchell Taylor, LuthorCorp director of public relations. "This will maximize current productivity while allowing the company to expand into exciting new areas."
Meanwhile, sources close to Lex emphasized that though the younger Luthor's head may be in Metropolis, his heart will remain in Smallville, where he is expected to continue as a major presence in the community.

POTTER FARMHOUSE:
NO VACANCY
By Kathy Romita

It's been almost one year since Nell Potter and Lana Lang moved out of the Potter family farmhouse in Smallville. Most of their belongings were either transferred to the Sullivan house where Lana lives, trucked to Metropolis, where Potter now resides, or simply left in the various structures on the property. That is, until now.

Last Saturday, Potter supervised the removal of the last remaining items from the house. "I had every intention of returning to Smallville on the weekends. And in the beginning, I did. But with job, social and relationship commitments eating up my time, I just haven't made it 'home' as often as I would like," said Potter as we walked the property situated near the Smallville sign.

"I love this area. I grew up here...played with my sister here...raised my niece here. And, of course, as a florist, I always maintained an impeccable flower garden!" Potter laughed as she held a huge bouquet of recently picked lilacs and tiger lilies. She continued, "I'm not ready to sell, but it needs a family to liven it up."
With that in mind, Potter has rented the house to "a man involved in similar circumstances as I--raising his niece," Potter confided. "They're originally from Grandville but have spent the last several years in Metropolis. I hope they will be very happy here. This is a wonderful place to raise a child," she added as she took an intoxicating whiff of the purple blooms, "and just look at these lilac bushes--it's been a bumper year for them." Potter handed me a bouquet of the fragrant gems and sighed.

ALLEGED
SERIAL KILLER
NABBED

By Dave Goldstein

Smallville officials confirmed today that suspected serial killer Van McNulty has been apprehended. McNulty, a Smallville High School student, allegedly shot swimming phenom Jake Pollen while Pollen was practicing in the SHS pool after class.

McNulty is also being questioned about the death of Smallville mechanic Leonard Wallace, who was gunned down two weeks ago in his garage. Meteor rocks with green writing on them were found at both crime scenes, leading police to link the two deaths. Police have also tied McNulty to the sniper attack that occurred this week in Metropolis targeting Lex Luthor, who survived unharmed.

Smallville High custodian Robert "Birdman" Breyfogle said he's confident the students will bounce back after such a devastating tragedy. "It's been a tough week," said Breyfogle, a recent addition to the school's janitorial staff. "We lost one of our best swimmers and a really nice trophy case."
Police were tipped off to the dangerous youth when they discovered a rustic cabin owned by the boy's father. Inside the cabin, a "hit list" with the names of Pollen, Luthor and Wallace was found. McNulty's father was killed last year by the now deceased Tina Greer, a former student at SHS.
Get breaking news on this case and others by clicking here.

LANA LANG CLEARED
D.A., Sheriff Say It Was Self-Defense

By George "The Streak" Talmer

Last week, SHS student Lana Lang wrestled herself away from a man who was holding her and Martha Kent hostage at gunpoint. In the ensuing chaos, the man impaled himself on a pitchfork.

The days following the event have been quite dramatic for Lang as she awaited word whether she would be charged.

The hostage taker, Ethan Carter, was a known gangster. He provided security for Morgan Edge, the notorious owner of Atlantis, a nightclub in Metropolis. Edge was unavailable for comment. According to Metropolis PD, Edge has been missing since the deaths of Carter and another of Edge's associates, Edgar Hoyt. Hoyt was found fatally wounded at the Metropolis Shipyards the same day as Carter.

Sheriff Adams commented that this was a "clear-cut case of self-defense" and hoped that Ms. Lang would make a "full psychological recovery" from the dramatic event. With sworn statements from Martha Kent and evidence that Kent and Lang were held under duress, the district attorney's office refused to press any charges.

Ms. Lang said the event was a climax to a terribly emotional summer for her, and she is ready to put this and the rest of her life's dramas behind her. "I'm not wallowing in self-pity anymore," commented Lang. "The man had a gun and was going to kill Mrs. Kent and me. I am just glad the event is over, and we can put this and everything else behind us and move on with our lives."

It is still unclear why Carter was on the Kent farm.