Bergdahl story remains unverified

A senior U.S. official says it’s not easy to verify the accounts Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is giving about his time in Taliban captivity. The official says the soldier has told people treating him at a U.S. military medical facility in Germany that he was tortured, beaten and held in a cage after he tried to escape.

Actor Tracy Morgan critical following collision

A hospital official says actor Tracy Morgan and two other men remain in critical condition a day after a tractor-trailer rammed into their chauffeured limousine bus, setting off a chain-reaction crash that left one member of the entourage dead.
The truck driver has been charged with death by auto and four counts of assault by auto.

Town festivals offer plenty

Several towns are inviting you for a visit today.
Utica Garden Faire and Walk is 9 – 3 today allowing you to see gardens and floral displays. Tours are self-guided and you’ll need a car. Tickets are eight dollars. Crafts, yard ornaments and garden related items are on sale in the Canal Market building.
Buffalo Days in LaMoille aren’t done yet. Dreamwave Wrestling and Buffalo Wing cook off are planned this afternoon followed by music. A pancake breakfast, church service and volleyball tourney fill the morning hours in LaMoille.
In Ottawa, they’re still mixing wine, jazz and lobster this afternoon. John Kinnison and the Wild Jazz Bunch plus Anthony Gomes play jazz through the afternoon. 20 different wineries are feature

“Hit and Run” driver caught

A three car accident on Route 71, three and a half miles north of I-80 last night was the result of a hit and run driver. The Sheriff’s office said 31-year old Joshua Houghtby of Plano was southbound on Route 71 about 9 last night when his car veered into the northbound lane. It struck cars driven by 35-year old Eliezer Lopez of Naperville and 24-year old Isai Merino of West Chicago.
Houghtby, according to the deputy’s report, drove off, but was later arrested by Ottawa police. Eliezer Lopez was taken to St. Elizabeth’s for unknown injuries. There was no injury report on the other drivers.