Around the Nation

Plastics plant blasts kill four in Illinois

ILLIOPOLIS, Ill. — A series of explosions rocked a plastics plant in central Illinois, killing four persons and injuring eight others, authorities said. About 1,000 residents were evacuated from the area after the explosions Friday night, said Sheriff’s Sgt. Joe Rath.

As firefighters continued to battle the blaze yesterday, all but about 60 residents who live within a mile of the plant returned to their homes, he said. The explosions occurred at about 10:45 p.m. Friday at the Formosa Plastics plant, said Illinois Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman Patti Thompson. The cause of the explosions was unclear.

A witness who was driving on the interstate said he saw an orange flash similar to lightning, followed by a muffled boom, then an enormous fireball 100 feet high.

The dead and injured were among 18 workers who were on duty at the plant when the explosions occurred, Sgt. Rath said.

Police arrest priest in stabbing death

TOLEDO, Ohio — A Roman Catholic priest was charged in the 1980 killing of a nun whose body was found in the chapel of the hospital where he served as chaplain, police said.

The Rev. Gerald Robinson, 63, was arrested Friday, five months after police reopened the investigation into the death of Sister Margaret Ann Pahl, police Chief Mike Navarre said.

Sister Pahl, 71, was stabbed about 30 times and strangled on April 5, 1980, police said. Her body was found in the chapel of Toledo’s Mercy Hospital, where she was the caretaker.

At a press conference Friday night, Chief Navarre said “new technology” led to the Rev. Robinson’s arrest. He would not elaborate on the link to the priest nor would he talk about evidence or a motive.

Couple booted from buffet for eating beef

SALT LAKE CITY — A couple on a low-carb diet were kicked out of a buffet restaurant after the manager said they’d eaten too much roast beef.

Sui Amaama, who with his wife has been on the Atkins diet for two weeks, was asked to leave after he went up to the buffet at the Chuck-A-Rama in suburban Taylorsville for his 12th slice of roast beef.

“It’s so embarrassing, actually,” said Isabelle Leota, Mr. Amaama’s wife. “We went in to have dinner, we were under the impression Chuck-A-Rama was an all-you-can-eat establishment.”

Not so, said Jack Johanson, the restaurant chain’s district manager.

“We’ve never claimed to be an all-you-can-eat establishment,” said Mr. Johanson. “Our understanding is a buffet is just a style of eating.”

Offended, the couple asked for a refund. The manager refused and called police when they would not leave.