New York Desk
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

ALBANY
VIRGINIA DEMOCRATIC ACTIVIST FORMS CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT COMMITTEE
A Democratic activist in Virginia has formed a national Hillary Clinton for President campaign committee and says his dream ticket for 2008 is to have New York’s junior senator paired with his own governor, Mark Warner. “A Clinton-Warner ticket would be the best thing this country could see,” a computer Web consultant and former top official with the Young Democrats of Virginia, Peter Feddo, said. Neither Mrs. Clinton nor Mr. Warner has said they are running for national office, but both are considered hot prospects for 2008 by party leaders.
– Associated Press
POLICE BLOTTER
12-YEAR-OLD STATEN ISLAND GIRL IS POSSIBLE SUICIDE
Police said they found Gemma Rauner, 12, unconscious inside her home on Woodward Avenue in Staten Island around 11:30 a.m. yesterday. Emergency responders pronounced her dead on the scene, police said. Rauner may have committed suicide, a law enforcement official said. As of last night, police did not report outward signs of injury and said the Medical Examiner would run toxicology and other tests to determine the cause of death.
– Special to the Sun
MAN DIES AFTER BEING HIT BY D TRAIN
An unidentified man died after being hit by a northbound D train in the Bronx yesterday, police said. At about 2:08 a.m., police said, a man, who may have been homeless, was found lying on the train tracks near the Fordham Road station in the Bronx. His body was found in the subway tunnel about 100 feet from the station, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. As of last night, it was unclear where or how the man was hit. Police considered his death accidental and said no charges were pending against the train driver.
– Special to the Sun
CORRECTIONS OFFICER ARRESTED FOR DRUNK DRIVING
An off-duty New York City corrections officer was arrested for drunk driving after crashing his car in Harlem yesterday, police said. Police said they arrested Manuel Ortiz, 32, at approximately 6:30 p.m. yesterday after he crashed his car into a median strip near the corner of West 145th Street and Seventh Avenue. According to police reports, Mr. Ortiz and a passenger were taken to Harlem Hospital with minor injuries, while another passenger refused medical aid.
– Special to the Sun
MAN ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF DOG ABANDONMENT
Investigators for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals arrested a man they say abandoned his 7-year-old dog and failed to provide it with adequate veterinary care. The man, Cleveland Edwards, 25, tethered his cocker spaniel, Dudley, to a lamppost a few blocks from his Clarkson Avenue home in Brooklyn, the spokesman for the ASPCA, Joseph Pentangelo, said. Neighbors retrieved Dudley and returned the dog to Mr. Edwards. Several days later, Mr. Edwards allegedly abandoned the dog again. Neighbors reported the incident to police. The dog suffered four broken teeth, a fractured rib, and an ear infection, Mr. Pentangelo said. Although it was not clear how the dog was injured, Mr. Edwards was arrested yesterday at noon for abandoning Dudley and not bringing him in for medical treatment.
– Staff Reporter of the Sun
STATEWIDE
RYAN EMERGES AS TOP CONTENDER FOR SUNY CHANCELLOR POST
As the board of the State University of New York meets today to possibly pick a new chancellor, the acting chancellor of the system, John Ryan has emerged as a top contender for the job. “Ryan has a lot of support,” a SUNY source said, who added that Mr. Ryan is a “very serious contender.” A 14-member committee appointed to make recommendations to the board has kept details of the search tightly guarded, even refusing to release the names of candidates to the wider trustee board. The high level of confidentiality has provoked criticisms from one SUNY trustee, Candace de Russy, who called the process too secretive. The committee, which includes trustees and college presidents, said candidates would feel more comfortable applying if they knew their names would not be released. Board members are expected to interview a short list of candidates and may choose to vote on a new chancellor during the meeting.
– Staff Reporter of the Sun