Around the Nation

Jets force down plane near Bush ranch

CRAWFORD, Texas — Fighter jets forced down a small plane that flew too close to President Bush’s ranch yesterday.

Secret Service spokeswoman Ann Roman said it wasn’t clear how close the plane came to the central Texas ranch, but it flew into a restricted area.

Mr. Bush is spending a long Easter weekend at the ranch.

The unidentified pilot was being questioned after landing in San Marcos, Texas, Miss Roman said.

McDonald’s heiress left zoo $10 million

SAN DIEGO — McDonald’s heiress Joan Kroc bequeathed $10 million to the nonprofit that operates the San Diego Zoo, which will use the gift in part to finance a $28 million renovation.

Renovation plans include new tropical forest environments, five primate exhibits, a leopard habitat and aviaries. It is expected to be completed next year.

The gift to the Zoological Society of San Diego is the largest individual donation in the group’s 87-year history, officials said.

Mrs. Kroc, widow of billionaire McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, died in October from brain cancer.

Police take former Enron CEO to hospital

NEW YORK — Former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling was picked up by police early yesterday after acting erratically, a police spokesman said. Mr. Skilling’s attorney disputed the account, saying his client and his wife called police after they were assaulted by two men.

Police did not charge Mr. Skilling with a crime. They took him to New York Presbyterian Hospital for observation. Hospital officials said Mr. Skilling had been discharged yesterday.

Mr. Skilling has pleaded not guilty to charges of fraud, insider trading and other crimes in Enron’s collapse, and is free on $5 million bond.

Peeping Tom leaves cash, note

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — An apologetic Peeping Tom in northern Arkansas left a $20 bill and a note for his victim asking if she would not mind if he peered at her outside her window, police said yesterday.

The note and the cash were found Monday night at an apartment complex in Mountain Home, Ark. Police said the writer of the letter apologized for looking into the window.

Police would not release the note because the case is under investigation.