Kelly Key

Kelly Key was an early casualty in the war on drugs. In June, 1970, the six-year Los Angeles police officer was paralyzed by a narcotics dealer's bullet during what had begun as a routine raid on a Willowbrook area apartment. Key, though, never lost his will to fight or to serve, according to police officials, friends and doctors. Confined to a wheelchair, the Gardena resident was a familiar sight at youth counseling and tutoring centers, steering youngsters away from drugs and street gangs.

Not too long ago many Americans believed marijuana was no more harmful than tobacco, and a presidential adviser described cocaine as "probably the most benign of illicit drugs currently in widespread use . . ." Back then, police officers fought a dangerous, lonely and unappreciated war against drugs. Los Angeles Police Officer Kelly Key was one of its troopers. He was paralyzed nearly two decades ago by a bullet fired while he tried to serve a search warrant on a suspected cocaine dealer.

Not too long ago many Americans believed marijuana was no more harmful than tobacco, and a presidential adviser described cocaine as "probably the most benign of illicit drugs currently in widespread use . . ." Back then, police officers fought a dangerous, lonely and unappreciated war against drugs. Los Angeles Police Officer Kelly Key was one of its troopers. He was paralyzed nearly two decades ago by a bullet fired while he tried to serve a search warrant on a suspected cocaine dealer.

Kelly Key was an early casualty in the war on drugs. In June, 1970, the six-year Los Angeles police officer was paralyzed by a narcotics dealer's bullet during what had begun as a routine raid on a Willowbrook area apartment. Key, though, never lost his will to fight or to serve, according to police officials, friends and doctors. Confined to a wheelchair, the Gardena resident was a familiar sight at youth counseling and tutoring centers, steering youngsters away from drugs and street gangs.

Christopher Kelly, a key figure in the federal corruption investigation of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, has died. A onetime confidant and top fundraiser for Blagojevich, Kelly was accused of using his office to leverage campaign donations and benefits for himself and his family. In a surprise move Tuesday, a day before his scheduled trial, the roofing business owner pleaded guilty to two counts of mail fraud as part of a kickback scheme to illegally obtain $8.5 million in work at O'Hare International Airport.

Shea Anderson made a layup with 41 seconds to play in overtime that put eighth-ranked Long Beach Poly ahead to stay in a 59-54 victory over Simi Valley in Southern Section Division I-AA quarterfinal at Royal High. Simi Valley's Branduinn Fullove missed a three-pointer with eight seconds left in overtime and the long rebound went to Poly's Malachi Edwards, who made two free throws with three seconds to play for the final margin. Simi Valley (23-4) missed all four shots in overtime.

Councilman John Kelly, a key figure on the tumultuous City Council, says his Irish blood has served him well in local politics. "There's an old saying that an Irishman's heart is not at peace unless he's in the middle of a fight," Kelly said. "That could be true." Kelly, who waged four campaigns before being elected to the City Council in 1986, now faces a fight: his first try at reelection. Because Councilman Ronald B. Hoesterey resigned last year and Councilwoman Ursula E.

His name is Adam Lingner, but hey, just call him Super Snapper. I mean, why not? This guy has been to more Super Bowls than O.J. Simpson, Walter Payton, Eric Dickerson, Herschel Walker, Randall Cunningham and Bo Jackson combined. Is it his fault that he has played in 162 NFL games and made the starting lineup once ? That he never catches, carries or kicks a football and makes tackles only by accident? That his uniform is cleaner than a cheerleader's?

DODGERS Where: Holman Stadium, Vero Beach, Fla. 1997 finish: 88-74, second place, N.L. West Spring Training schedule: Key off-season acquisitions: shortstop Jose Vizcaino. Key off-season losses: Outfielder Brett Butler, pitchers Todd Worrell and Tom Candiotti. Questions to answer in Spring: Who will be the fifth starter? Can Antonio Osuna handle the closer role? Is it possible to make room someplace for Paul Konerko? Can Todd Hollandsworth and Roger Cedeno become everyday players?

The President and his wife and 2,000 of this city's elite were upstaged Wednesday night by the mere appearance of a slender young woman in a strapless multi-colored dress. Fawn Hall, the former secretary to Lt. Col. Oliver North, was easily the center of attraction at the jam-packed Washington Hilton ballroom at the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents Assn.

Several show business friends have gathered at a mysterious old mansion in Chappaqua, N.Y., to discover which one is the Stage Door Slasher, the killer of three chorines from their last show together. Ominous music sounds as a snowstorm traps them inside the house. The movement of a desk fountain pen reveals secret passageways behind book shelves where shadowy, knife-wielding figures dart in and out, leaving dead bodies in their wake. Scary? Nah.