7 NOV 05: DRINKING AND DYING (2nd update)

(UPDATED BLOGGER'S NOTE: Due to serious breaking news, our scheduled Monday blog topic has been postponed. And at the request of the person who sent the original messages about today's topic, the text of the e-mails now has been removed. If you're looking for jokes, scroll down to the "Blog Update" section.)

BLOG EXCLUSIVE: The Sunday morning e-mail was stunning, to say the least. A writer reported a relative went to Callaway Gardens for the Steeplechase Saturday with three other people, bought something to drink -- and later died. The other three in the group were found lying on a floor. They reportedly were taken to a hospital, while the dead person was taken to Atlanta for tests to determine the cause of death.

One doctor reportedly told a victim's family it could be an act of terrorism. The person who sent us the e-mail urged us to tell all readers to stay away from Callaway Gardens.

That was the e-mailer's initial side of the story. Then the Harris County Sheriff's office told your blog something else Sunday afternoon.

A spokesperson said authorities were called to a house in Harris County, and found the people dead or ailing. The group apparently went to the Steeplechase Saturday, but traveled to the house from there. The spokesperson had few other details to offer, but said a Sheriff's Lieutenant is investigating. That lieutenant is out of the office until Monday morning.

A call by your blog to the Harris County Coroner's Office was not returned Sunday. But one report indicated the coroner suspects the group may have put something lethal in drinks on their own.

The rumor mill around this situation was talking Sunday of possible charges against someone. No one at the Sheriff's Office told the blog of any pending charges -- but as we say, an investigation is underway. (We should add no one at the Sheriff's Office spoke of a quarantine of Callaway Gardens, or urged people to avoid it.)

Callaway Gardens offered free admission to everyone Sunday, continuing a tradition celebrating the birthday of founder Ida Cason Callaway. That followed Saturday's Steeplechase, an annual event which raises money for local arts projects.

The Steeplechase web site notes people have been allowed to "tailgate" at the event for years -- which likely includes bringing your own food or drink, as well as buying refreshments on-site. Nothing had been posted Sunday evening, relating to the death of a spectator.

BLOG UPDATE: A different weekend event brought a very different, joyous reaction from me. After I posted Sunday's blog entry, I learned online that my old school Kansas had defeated Nebraska in football. This hadn't happened since 1968 - so in inspiration, I wore White Sox Sunday in celebration.

Nebraska has been the big bully of Big 8/Big 12 football for decades. They'd beat up on my outmatched Kansas Jayhawks every fall, sometimes winning 70-0. The fact that K.U. usually beat up on the N.U. basketball team months later really didn't ease the pain very much.

The Nebraska dominance over Kansas was the second-longest winning streak in college football history, at 38 years. It's humbling to think the last time Kansas won, I was NINE years old - or was that ten? It's been so long....

I remember one close Kansas-Nebraska game during the 1960's when a late penalty was called on the Jayhawks. My older brother loudly said the officials were wrong - and even in my youth, I asked how he possibly could know that from hearing the game on radio.

This Nebraska winning streak over Kansas became so lengthy that I dreamed of becoming a TV sportscaster in Kansas City, writing one script about the outcome - and then filing it away year after year, to be read again every fall like a bedtime story.

But amazingly, everything changed over the weekend. Kansas not only beat Nebraska - the final score was 40-15. As a college buddy of mine loved to say with a country accent, the Jayhawks "an-NILE-lated 'em."

I'd like to think my special song posted here Saturday made a difference, inspiring Kansas to this historic victory. But I know better - and besides, anyone outside the K.U. School of Religion probably would think it was a silly joke.

With victorious thoughts still dancing in my head, here are some quick notes from Sunday:

+ A female minister on WCGT's "Unity With Pam" show prophesied TV-16 would be "in a new building" in "just a few days." Either this woman has a seat on the board of Archway Broadcasting, or we should start watching for tornadoes now.

(This guest minister also claimed God told her about a "tidal wave of the Holy Spirit" which would sweep over believers by October 31. Yet somehow, lots of people still celebrated Halloween last Monday night.)

+ Fort Benning hosted a kickboxing tournament - one of those events where people wear gloves, but can attack you with judo kicks. Shouldn't contestants wear fluffy athletic socks, to even things out?

+ The Atlanta Falcons mesmerized Miami 17-10. At a post-game news conference, Michael Vick declared he doesn't want to hear any more criticism -- only praise for what he's doing right. [True/CBS] Didn't that sort of approach lead to Terrell Owens getting suspended in Philadelphia?

COMING THIS WEEK: New e-mail about Judge Bobby Peters.... but don't jump the gun here....

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