Baird killed in I-70 crash</p><p>
GREENFIELD, Ind. (AP) — Dale Baird, the winningest thoroughbred trainer with more than 9,400 victories, died in a crash along an icy highway when he lost control of his pickup truck while hauling a livestock trailer. He was 72.</p><p>
Baird was killed Dec. 23 on Interstate 70 along with two teenagers whose car broadsided the truck about 20 miles east of Indianapolis, police said.</p><p>
Hancock County police say strong winds and a slick road likely contributed to the crash, which happened after Baird’s truck crossed a median and slid into oncoming traffic. He was heading to Martinsville, Ill., to spend Christmas with his mother and family, his ex-wife said.</p><p>
Baird had trained in West Virginia since the 1960s. He was born in Martinsville and lived in Newell, W.Va. In his early years, he was dubbed the “Wizard of Waterford” when the track was known as Waterford. He was granted a Special Eclipse Award from the National Thoroughbred Racing Assoc. in 2004.</p><p>
Iowa man found dead in pond</p><p>

BERNARD, Iowa (AP) — A Dubuque County man has been found dead in a farm pond.</p><p>
Authorities were called to a farm near Bernard on Dec. 22 and pulled a body from the pond, according to the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Department. The 50-year-old man was pronounced dead by the State Medical Examiner’s Office. His name was withheld until relatives could be notified.</p><p>
The case remains under investigation.</p><p>
Holiday barn fire kills 200 pigs</p><p>

CROPSEY, Ill. (Pantagraph) — About 200 pigs died in a Christmas night barn fire in northeastern McLean County along the Livingston County border, a fire official said.</p><p>
The fire was reported about 6 p.m., about one-half mile north and one-half mile east of Cropsey, said Fire Chief Richard Brucker. He said the barn was fully engulfed in flames, which were coming through the roof by the time firefighters arrived. The barn was connected by covered hallways to three other buildings, and firefighters had to prevent the fire from spreading to a total about five or six barns, he said.</p><p>
“We’re just lucky it wasn’t a big howling wind,” Brucker said. “It was a light breeze.”</p><p>
The fire spread to one of the hallways soon after firefighters arrived, but the firefighters were able to knock down the flames, Brucker said. Most of the fire was knocked down within a few hours, but firefighters were at the scene until about 2 a.m., he said.</p><p>
Firefighters from Octavia, Anchor, Cooksville and Strawn assisted in fighting the blaze, he said. Firefighters from Sibley were on standby.</p><p>
Tennessee fire kills 10 horses, several other animals</p><p>

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A family lost almost everything during a tragic holiday fire.</p><p>
Authorities say a fire at a Williamson County home on Dec. 23 killed 10 horses and several other animals. The blaze broke out early that morning and destroyed the family’s home and barn, and it also killed several dogs.</p><p>
Authorities say all the fire left behind was smoldering rubble and a few pieces of the home’s frame. Volunteer firefighters arrived at the barn only to find the building was engulfed in flames and beyond saving. The nearest fire hydrant was a half-mile away.
Neighbors say they would try to help the family during the Christmas holiday.</p><p>
Farmers’ beef with fence rule</p><p>
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The West Virginia Deer Farmers Assoc. is protesting a state regulation that requires them to build taller fences.</p><p>
Secretary Chuck Kimble says requiring farmers who raise deer species to raise fences from 8 feet to 10 feet is an unbearable expense. To Kimble, the Division of Natural Resources (DNR) is trying to discourage the industry.</p><p>
DNR Assistant Chief of Wildlife Management Paul Johansen denies that. He says the rule that took effect Jan. 1 is necessary to ensure that wild and captive deer don’t mingle.</p><p>
Kimble, however, says that the outbreak of chronic wasting disease in Hampshire County was not caused by deer farming. He also argues that 8 feet is enough, noting that dogs once killed five deer that were unable to leap over the fence at his farm.</p><p>
Wildlife agency needs donated corn for migrating cranes</p><p>
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Thousands of sandhill cranes migrate to the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge near Chattanooga each winter.
But this year, wildlife officials say they need help in providing food for these 7-foot-tall cranes. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is collecting donated bags of corn from co-ops or bird supply stores. The bags are being collected at local schools.</p><p>
The food will be used to keep the 20,000 birds from leaving before the 16th annual Cherokee-Crane Festival, the largest wildlife viewing event in the state. The event typically occurs in February, but has been moved to January to ensure there is still plenty of food available.