| Ledger bared his soul
Anyone who met Heath Ledger couldn't help getting the impression the actor basically was both a gentle soul and a very sensitive guy. Now I've learned the Australian native expressed that sensitivity by writing poetry and even a few song lyrics. A longtime Ledger associate told me Thursday, ''Heath wrote some really amazing poems ... as good as any I've read.'' According to this insider, the actor penned verse ranging from ''very funny, often naughty doggerel,'' usually to mark a pal's birthday or some other kind of special occasion, to ''very deep, insightful pieces that showed how much he had going on inside.'' While my source expressed the hope the more serious Ledger poetry might be published, she did say the journals containing the work were in the hands of ex-girlfriend Michelle Williams, the mother of Ledger's 2-year-old daughter.
Detective praised for his work ethic
Jorge Eduardo ''JP'' Perez, a Miami-Dade police detective remembered for his hard work ethic and devotion to law enforcement, died Wednesday from injuries he suffered in an off-duty motorcycle crash. He was 32. A Miami native, Perez joined the Miami-Dade Police Department in 1999. His assignments ranged from handling robbery cases in the Doral District to gang-related burglary cases in the Hammocks District. He was assigned to the Kendall District to pitch in after Hurricane Wilma. ''JP had one of the strongest work ethics I have ever had the pleasure to work with,'' said Maj. Alexander D. Casas, Hammocks District Commander. ``He took particular pride in apprehending robbery subjects.'' A hand-written note from Major Casas on his last evaluation dated Jan.
$1 million bail in chief's residence fire
Bail was set at $1 million Wednesday for the San Francisco planning director's companion, who is accused of setting fire to the historic Nob Hill residence of the fire chief where the couple were living temporarily. Lance Farber, 47, pleaded not guilty to felony arson and vandalism in a brief appearance at the Hall of Justice, shortly before Superior Court Judge John Conway set bail. "I am concerned that this is a public safety issue," the judge said. Farber was ordered to return to court Friday after being evaluated for migraine headaches. His lawyer said the headaches have worsened since Farber was arrested Friday night. Farber is a chiropractor who moved to San Francisco from Seattle in January with incoming Planning Director John Rahaim.
Guilty verdict in double killing
Summers was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in the killings of Shelly and Ples Vann Jr., who were shot Feb. 23, 2004, in their home at 38 E. 50th Place North.
Shelly Vann was the mother and Ples Vann the stepfather of Lawrence "Bud" Tennyson, who was then a leading member of the Neighborhood Crips gang, evidence showed.
Prosecutors theorized that the murders were linked to gang rivalry and a belief among the Hoover Crips that Tennyson was responsible for the murder of one of Summers' brothers.
In the "messed-up" gang value system, parents and children are "off-limits" as targets, .
Gretzky cheers Coyotes' 'commitment'
The Coyotes, winless in their past four games, are looking to turn things around and make a move in the Western Conference playoff race as they head into their last 25 games.
A few bad breaks prevented them from getting at least one point in Monday night's 2-1 loss to Dallas, but coach Wayne Gretzky is hoping his team gets back on track starting Thursday night against the Stars at Jobing.com Arena.
"Our guys are working really hard," Gretzky said. "We got a tough break where Z (Zbynek Michalek) goes to clear a puck and it goes over the wall, and they get a five-on-three. That hurt." .
Debate swirls around choice of next Bank of Japan chief amid fears ...
TOKYO — Debate surrounds the choice for the next governor of Japan's central bank — and whoever it is faces a tough challenge steering monetary policy through the choppy waters of market turmoil and anxiety about a global slowdown. With barely a month left before the five-year term of Gov. Toshiko Fukui ends on March 19, various names have been tossed about in the Japanese media as a possible successor. Just last week, a deputy governor at the Bank of Japan, Toshiro Muto, who is also a former bureaucrat at the powerful Ministry of Finance, was widely expected to take the top spot. But some members of the opposition Democrats, who are eager to wield their influence, are reported to favor Yutaka Yamaguchi, another deputy governor at the bank, according to analysts.
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