Police today reported strange occurences at the historic cemetery located within the Department of Natural Reserves at the State Fair Grounds.

The disturbances began about a week ago and are increasing in severity each night, according to cemetery caretaker Steven Schindler. "Somethin' mighty peculiar is happening for sure," says Schindler. "I was makin'my rounds, just like usual, when I come upon an awful sight."

"There was dirt flung all over, like somebody'd been tryin to dig up the bodies. But none of the coffins was messed with. It scared my dog so bad, he run off howling, and I haven't seen him since."

Police believe the incident to be the work of young people out to

perpetrate a macabre hoax. "It's almost Halloween," stated Lt. Detective Matthew Luciano. "Kids like to dare each other to do creepy things around this time of year. We will investigate further, but I am sure there is no risk to the general public."

Caretaker Schindler pointedly disagrees with the official policeman's statement. "Naw, this weren't no punk kids, and it ain't no hoax. What I seen out there each night gives me the creeps! Cuz that dirt piled up - it's not like someone digging down, it's like something's trying to dig its way up and out!"

Police refuted the caretaker's allegation, noting that "There's no way that anything dead and buried for hundreds of years could - continued on page C5