Metro BRIEFINGS

AIDS CASES STUDIED: More than 80 percent of Hispanic women with AIDSgot the disease because of intravenous drug use or because they hadsex with a drug abuser, researchers reported Wednesday at a medicalconference on Latinos, drug abuse and AIDS at the Chicago MarriottHotel. Of the 20,000 cases among Hispanics in the United States, 44percent were caused by drug abuse, said Aida Giachello, actingregional director of the Midwest Hispanic AIDS Coalition. Thethree-day conference, which drew about 200 medical and drug expertsfrom across the country, is examining the link between drug abuse andacquired immune deficiency syndrome in the Hispanic communitynationwide. FACTORY TO BE MUSEUM: Gov. Thompson signs a contract that shouldbring the Pullman Works plant to life again. Story on Page 14. NOMINEES ADVANCE: Mayor Daley's nominees to fill aldermanicvacancies in the 19th, 29th and 49th wards won the unanimousendorsement of a City Council committee Wednesday. If, as expected,the full Council approves the Rules Committee recommendation, GingerRugai, a top aide to state Sen. Jeremiah Joyce, will be sworn in nextWednesday as the new 19th Ward alderman. Joining her will be SamBurrell, an assistant to former Ald. Danny K. Davis (29th), andattorney Robert Clarke, former president of the 49th Ward's RogersPark Community Council. The vacancies were created when Davis andtwo other aldermen - Michael Sheahan and David D. Orr - were electedto countywide offices Nov. 6. VANDALISM SPOTTED: Three men were arrested early Wednesday afterthey allegedly used BB guns to shoot holes in windows of about 70parked autos in Cicero and 15 in Berwyn, plus a few store windows.Charged with criminal damage to property were Robert Marin, 18, andMichael Iniquez, 20, both of Cicero, and Joseph Kutis, 18, ofStickney. Cicero police Deputy Supt. Steve Zalas said a motoristsaw the men as they were destroying property and followed them to aservice station at 26th Street and Austin, where they stopped. Zalassaid the woman notified police, who went to the service station andarrested the three. PRIEST CHARGED IN DEFACING: The Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. SabinaChurch was charged again Wednesday with defacing billboards. Heturned himself in to Chicago police after charges were filed byGateway Outdoor Advertising Co., 2900 W. Irving Park. He wasreleased on a personal recognizance bond. Gateway officials said twoof the company's billboards at 519 N. May were damaged Dec. 4. Thepriest says signs around his church at 1210 W. 78th Pl. promotetobacco and alcohol use by low-income residents. Earlier this year,Pfleger was arrested for allegedly throwing paint on a Gatewayemployee and defacing a billboard. FREE AT LAST: Dr. Robert Baima now knows firsthand why formerhostages kiss American soil upon their return. Story on Page 22.