[ METRO BRIEFS ]

City worker shot

A city Revenue Department worker was shot and wounded whilepreparing to have a Denver-booted vehicle towed Saturday, policesaid. The worker was shot around 11:30 a.m. in the 200 block of West72nd. A man ran from the scene. The worker was listed in goodcondition at Christ Hospital.

Fund to aid fire victims

A Harvey bank has set up a fund for a family that lost twochildren in a fire Wednesday. Proceeds will go toward funeralexpenses for Bonnethia Simmons, 10, and Ashley Cole, 2. Money willalso be used to rebuild the home and pay expenses of four childrenwho survived, bank officials said. Contributions can be sent to theBenefit of Bonnethia Simmons and Ashley Cole, Mutual Bank, 16540 S.Halsted, Harvey 60426.

S. Side 'stash house' raided

A police raid on a South Side gang "stash house" Saturday turnedup eight guns, more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition and 600 grams ofcocaine worth $80,000, police Lt. Ed Kulbita said. No arrests weremade at the home in the 5500 block of South Normal.

Studios vacated after blasts

A 12,000-volt cable touched off two minor explosions in a tunnelunder the Loop on Saturday, leading to evacuation of the WLS-TVbuilding. The 5 p.m. blasts near State and Lake blew a manhole coverout of place. No one was hurt, but a related fire caused theevacuation of studios at 190 N. State. The blasts were being probed.

Man accused in car theft with boy

A Cicero man was charged Saturday in the theft of a car with a 4-month-old boy inside. George Brusaw, 33, was charged with possessionof a stolen car and endangering the life of a child. The car wasstolen from outside a Berwyn laundry Friday. The boy was foundunharmed on the porch of an Oak Park home, police said.

Phone talks pass deadline

SBC and the union representing about 30,000 telephone workers inthe Midwest failed to reach an agreement on a new contract before thecurrent pact expired this morning. The union has agreed to give 30days' notice before striking. Workers will operate under the terms ofthe expired contract.