Of Human Interest: News lite

SIX PLANS FOR REBUILDING WTC

Six plans for the rebuilding the World Trade Center are on the table in New York City and all call for at least four skyscrapers of about 50 stories, a tower, memorial and a park/plaza. Four of the plans do not build on the footprint of the Twin Towers -- land considered "scared ground" by the families of the victims.

Some families of victims want the entire 16-acre site to be set aside for a memorial, some want the footprint set aside and others have said they are willing to have the rebuilt area cover a smaller area than had been occupied by the Twin Towers.

The six plans were developed by the New York architectural firm of Beyer Blinder Belle. A final decision by New York authorities is expected in December.

(Thanks to Alex Cukan in New York)

KIDS DO BATTLE OVER WILLIAMS' REMAINS

The 1996 will of baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams has been filed in probate court and calls for cremation. The executor of the estate says, however, Williams changed his mind later and wanted to be frozen cryogenically.

This is expected to set up a court battle between Williams' oldest daughter and her half-brother and half-sister. Albert Cassidy, the executor, has petitioned Citrus County, Fla., circuit court to settle the issue.

The will said, "I direct that my remains be cremated and my ashes be scattered at sea." But Cassidy said Williams changed his mind later and said he wanted to be frozen.

Williams, considered one of the best hitters in the history of baseball if not the best, died of cardiac arrest July 5 after years of heart trouble and a serious stroke.

20 BILLION HOT DOGS AND COUNTING

Americans eat 20 billion hot dogs each year. That roughly works out to about 70 per person.

Chase's Calendar of Events says July is National Hot Dog Month and whether we call it a dog, wiener or frankfurter -- a tip of the hat to its German origin -- it's still an American favorite.

The U.S. Census Bureau says Americans consumer some 27 million hot dogs while watching major league baseball games -- enough to stretch from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles to Tropicana Field in Saint Petersburg, Fla.

Hot dogs also are a major part of the $25 billion in processed meats sold in the United States each year.

YMCA RAISES $777 MILLION IN 2001

America's YMCAs raised $777 million in 2001, money that went for community programs and scholarships for children, families and senior citizens. The Y says the increase may have been a response to Sept. 11 and a slowing economy.

YMCA membership reached its highest level in history in 2001, with 18.3 million men, women and children -- half under the age of 18 -- receiving services.

The YMCA is the nation's oldest and largest not-for-profit community service organization and charity. Powered last year by 600,000 volunteers, $1 million was provided for relief services to the stricken communities of Sept. 11, monies that supported rescue and other emergency operations, refuge and child care for civilians, respite care for emergency workers, grief counseling, tolerance instruction and more.

Public contributions of $777 million more than doubled the $309 million contributions reported a decade ago.