SUMMERHOLT FOUNDER COMATOSE AFTER MEDICAL ACCIDENT

By Sandy Maggin

Known for its sleek, modern appearance and cutting-edge medical practices, the Summerholt Neurological Institute is now the center of a police investigation. After several small explosions, Chief Neurologist Dr. Lawrence Garner, 34, was discovered unconscious beneath fallen wires, broken ceiling tiles and flying sparks. Metropolis police found a shattered 100 thousand-gallon tank in the center of the facility and green water spewed everywhere.

Metropolis Police Department Officer Christofer O'Danny found the scene suspicious. "It's quite clear based on our evidence--broken restraints on the trapeze, recently active ultrasound images and the obvious structural damage--we had some sort of medical experiment gone awry."

Investigators report that the alarm in the "memory well" triggered the series of explosions. But Summerholt employees refuse to comment on what the building's floor plan denotes as the "memory tank."
Dr. Garner, who is still comatose at Metropolis General, has a reputation for pushing the boundaries of science. "It's difficult for a doctor of this caliber, and with such fiery ambition, to tread the line between medical research and exploiting one's subjects," said Garner's ex-technical assistant Martin Capps. "But," Capps was quick to add, "he's conducted electroshock therapy for years. He always told his patients to stop if they had any reservations about unearthing old memories."

Dr. Garner's phone records connect him to an elite patient roster. However, an incoming call from Lionel Luthor, the only non-client, was logged 30 minutes before the facility meltdown. Witnesses saw an argument between Luthor and son Lex in the lobby just moments before the first explosions.

Building manager Darlene Simon claims, "Summerholt was founded by Dr. Lawrence Garner and has no affiliation with LuthorCorp or the Luthor family"--curious, since Lex Luthor's name was found scribbled in the building's sign-in registry throughout the last two weeks

DONOVAN JAMISON MISSING!

By George "The Streak" Talmer

After accepting a guilty plea and being released upon paying a $1 million fine, Donovan Jamison appears to be missing. Family members and associates have not been able to locate the eccentric nuclear physicist for over a week, and the authorities have been placed on alert.

"The last time I saw him, we were walking out of the courthouse; he got into his limo and was whisked away," said Jamison's concerned counsel, Louis Libowsky. "We have not heard from the limo driver either."

During his trial, Jamison had been overheard saying that he needed to get away and "get on with the stuff that's really important in the world." Friends speculate he may have just gone on a vacation and decided not to tell anyone.

"Donovan is certainly someone with the financial ability to leave the county, and I wouldn't blame him if he did. He could be anywhere. He speaks four languages. He's from Scotland; maybe he went home to clear his head," speculated his former associate Neland Brandon of Nu-Corp Energy.
Jamison's life was thrown into turmoil after his secretary, Rebecca Jones, blew the whistle on him regarding the illegal sale of sensitive materials to the republic of the Republic of Vltava. The subsequent indictment resulted in Jamison's removal as CEO of Nu-Corp by the company's board of directors. Jones has since been promoted to Vice President of Operations at Nu-Corp.

To read more about the Donovan Jamison story, click here.

KAWATCHE CAVES

What Lies Beneath?
By Kathy Romita

What is going on in the Kawatche Caves? Just when you think they couldn't possibly fit one more piece of equipment in the overly crowded caverns, another huge truck plows along Miller's Bend and onto the site. The caverns must be overflowing with machines and personnel. And to what end? Is Lionel Luthor thinking of turning the site into an entertainment center and conducting guided tours?

LuthorCorp spokesman Mitchell Taylor said, "Lionel Luthor is a perfectionist. Those pictographs tell a story. He has his technicians combing every inch of the caves for any historical importance. Any extraordinary discovery will really put Smallville on the map." Mitchell added, "And no, Mr. Luthor will never besmirch the legacy of the Kawatche people and turn the cave into some sort of roadside attraction. There will be no guided tours."

The influx of workers helps the Smallville economy. No more vacancies exist in any of the local motels, hotels, B&Bs and rooms for rent. The local markets have noticed a 35 percent increase in sales, the Farmer's Market is busier than ever, and Fordman's Department Store has sold out of all its camping supplies and is trying to keep its shelves full of sundries and other items. But with the hundreds of thousands of dollars he is pouring into the site, what is Lionel Luthor hoping to find down there?

LUTHOR MAY BE GOING SOLO

High School Student Rumored To Be Selling Her Share



By Mitch Fehlberg

Two years ago, an ambitious Smallville High School student, Lana Lang, undertook a project to save The Talon movie theater from being demolished. Lang formed a partnership with local mogul Lex Luthor. They bought the dilapidated building and began renovating it into a trendy coffeehouse that rapidly became the chosen hangout for Smallville's teen and young adult crowd. The deal granted Lang and Luthor 50 percent ownership each, preserved the building and made Lang manager. Lang attracted top music talent, screened classic movies and created an environment for amateur poets to perform their work, but the business was unable to turnover a substantial profit.

This week, rumors surfaced that Lang is considering a move to Paris, France, to attend an exclusive art school and is weighing the option of selling her share of the shop to partner Lex Luthor. Luthor was unavailable for comment, but LuthorCorp
spokesperson Mitchell Taylor released a brief statement indicating that "contrary to popular belief, The Talon is not a LuthorCorp project but a personal acquisition by Lex Luthor".
It was unclear at press time what Luthor would do with The Talon, but rumors are running rampant that he will either sell it or raze the building and make the property a parking lot.

Longtime Smallville resident Matthias Chatterley seemed disappointed by the impending news. "I don't want to see The Talon become part of a cold corporate empire. I know they say LuthorCorp doesn't own it, but once the Luthors get their hands on something, it doesn't ever seem to turn out well." Chatterley met his late wife, Marjorie, at The Talon in 1946, and the building has been a reminder to him of better times. "Marjorie and I saw a double feature of "It's a Wonderful Life" and "The Best Years of Our Lives." I'll always remember how magical the old Talon was."