JUDGE RULES BLUE JACKETS DISPUTE WILL BE TRIED IN COLUMBUS

          The ownership dispute over the NHL expansion Columbus
     Blue Jackets will be tried locally, according to Bruce
     Cadwallader of the COLUMBUS DISPATCH.  Franklin County, OH,
     Judge John Bessey Tuesday "denied a request by attorneys for
     Lamar Hunt to end the case in Columbus" so it can be pursued
     in N.Y.  The judge also granted a request from attorneys for
     current team Owner John McConnell "to continue the Columbus
     lawsuit with an amended complaint."  The amended complaint
     seeks to resolve all the remaining issues between the
     parties and requests financial damages from Hunt.  A trial
     date has been set for April 20 (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 2/18).