Nurses reach pact at County Hospital

After five months of negotiations, the nurses union at CookCounty Hospital reached a tentative agreement with management on anew short-term contract, officials said Thursday.

The agreement, hammered out with county officials lateWednesday, affects 1,200 registered nurses at County Hospital, 200 atOak Forest Hospital and 100 at County Jail hospital and the countyHealth Department.

Neither union nor county officials would comment on the terms ofthe agreement.

The nurses, members of the Illinois Nurses Association, areexpected to vote on the agreement next week. But the agreement, ifapproved, would be in place for only a short time because county andunion …

Emma Thompson writing new 'Peter Rabbit' book

NEW YORK (AP) — Academy Award-winning actress Emma Thompson is writing a new "Peter Rabbit" story.

The book is to be published by Penguin in September 2012.

Penguin announced Thursday the book will be called "The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit." The book will be set in Scotland, where Peter Rabbit creator Beatrix Potter …

Heat C Jermaine O'Neal misses game against Hawks

Heat center Jermaine O'Neal is out of the lineup against the Atlanta Hawks with a strained groin and hip flexor.

It's the fourth time O'Neal has missed a game this season, although two of those were to attend a family funeral. Joel Anthony started Monday night in place of …

Get cozy with TV holiday fare

What's new in the world of holiday television? As usual, notmuch. But we will get to see Kathie Lee Gifford and 'N Sync togetherat last, and fresh holiday adventures from the "Veggie Tales" and"All Dogs Go to Heaven" gangs. One old favorite - the show-stoppingHeat Miser from "The Year Without a Santa Claus" - returns to networkTV after an eternity in cable exile.

Here are holiday highlights from now through Christmas. Alltimes are Central.Today

"The Story of Santa Claus," 7 p.m., Channel 2: Animated musicalwith Edward Asner as St. Nick."The Nutcracker," 9 p.m., Bravo: The Tchaikovsky fairy taledanced by the Kirov Ballet.Friday, Dec. 11"Babes in Toyland," 6 …

Machining firm set to expand its arsenal

A Hanover-based machining company is gearing up for expansion, planning to add a state-of-theart laser to its shop floor, and building a new facility.

According to Fred Wilke, secretary treasurer of Wilke Enginuity Inc., the company is adding a new building on its property at 250 O'Brien Lane. The addition will double Wilke's on-site square footage.

The laser, used for precision cutting, will cost more than the new building.

Also possibly in the works is an antique tractor museum, he said.

Wilke Enginuity will add a fourth laser to its cutting arsenal. Although the company already has three lasers, the newest of them, 3 years old, is already considered obsolete …

D'Orazio leads Soul past SaberCats in ArenaBowl

Matt D'Orazio turned out to be one of the best insurance policies in Arena League history. Brought in as a backup quarterback before the season, he capped off an MVP season by leading the Philadelphia Soul to a championship.

D'Orazio threw seven touchdown passes and ran for another score as the Soul won its first ArenaBowl, beating defending champion San Jose 59-56 on Sunday.

Philadelphia scored on all six of its first-half possessions and took the lead for good with three consecutive touchdowns in the second quarter, then survived a frantic San Jose rally in the final minute to hold on in the 22nd ArenaBowl.

D'Orazio replaced injured starter Tony …

Let's Go: ; WHAT'S GOING ON AROUNG HERE

Play by students to portray East End history

An original play on East End history will be presented bystudents of Roosevelt Junior High School at 7 p.m. today at theCultural Center Theater. The 45-minute play is based on students'interviews with older residents who grew up in the East End.Photographs of the area and of downtown Charleston will be displayedat a reception to follow.

Sponsors are the East End Association and Roosevelt Junior HighSchool.

Symphony to premiere 'Suite Festiva'

Brazilian composer Ronaldo Miranda will be present when the WestVirginia Symphony offers the North American premiere of his work,"Suite Festiva," at 8 p.m. Saturday at …