13abc Saturday Top Stories

Suspicious early morning fire spread quickly through a house, City Council get to look at the Mayor's budget for 2009, A Fostoria plant announces it will shut down

Fire fighters are investigating what they call a suspicious house fire this morning. They were called to Cottage and West Central at about 5:30 am. Investigators say the blaze started in the lower floors of the home. But it quickly spread to the attic.

Today, the city council gets a look at the mayor's budget plan for 2009. Right now the city's projected budget deficit is 21 to 23 million dollars in the red. The budget troubles may put an end to this year's and next year's police class since cutting police and fire classes would save 5.2 million dollars. The council will likely see a 268-million dollar budget plan, with cuts and perhaps 3-dozen layoffs or more.

After almost a century, Fostoria Industries will officially shut down operations by spring of 2009 forcing 95 people out of their jobs. The company makes specialty lighting and process heating equipment. According to its owner, T.P.I. Corporation, the Fostoria plant closing is part of a restructuring effort that calls for the company's product lines to be moved to Johnson City, Tennessee, for consolidation. 13abc spoke with the director of Fostoria's Economic Development Corporation, he says they'll assist the displaced workers any way they can.

There is new video into our newsroom from the scene of that hostage stand-off in Missouri. Two people are now dead. Police say the gunman killed his former girlfriend after taking her hostage at the health clinic where she worked. Police later shot and killed that man.

Los Angeles County is under a red flag warning for gusty winds and extreme fire danger. The warning remains in affect until this afternoon. Brush fires have burned 75 acres and at least three homes. The blazes are now threatening dozens of other homes near the Angeles National Forest. This fire comes as about 800 firefighters in Santa Barbara County battle an 1,800 acre blaze. That one has destroyed more than 100 homes.

GM says without billions from Washington, it'll be out of money in the coming months. Thousands of local jobs are tied to the auto industry, so Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur says making sure the Big Three get on the road to recovery is a top priority. Congress is back in session on Monday and Senate democrats will reportedly take up a bill to extend the 25 billion in emergency loans to the auto industry and run a test vote two days later. As of right now Senate leaders say they do not have enough votes. GM leaders sent a memo to retirees yesterday urging them to call their members of congress.

Workers for the State Insurance Program are putting in extra hours this weekend. That's because today is the first day Ohio beneficiaries may enroll in Medicare coverage for 2009. The Ohio Department of Insurance is staying open from 9 am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday. The number is 1-(800) 686-1578.

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