IN BRIEF

ZAGREB, Croatia (AP) Ä Shelling around the coastal resort city of Dubrovnik killed one person and left craters at the main airport yesterday, an apparent warning to tourists.

In eastern Croatia, Serb rebels appear to be building up heavy artillery in a U.N.-controlled sector, peacekeepers there said.

The attacks around Dubrovnik, on Croatia's southern tip, coincided with Easter holidays, the start of the city's tourist season. The origin of the shells was unclear.

A U.N. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the attacks may be a Serb terror tactic aimed at tourists who bring needed hard currency to Croatia. Serbs have guns within a few miles of the city.

Residents are hoping for a good tourist season this year, four years after war broke out over Croatia's secession from Serb-dominated Yugoslavia. Nearly 10,000 people were killed during six months of fighting in 1991 between Croats and rebel Serbs. U.N. peacekeepers have been monitoring a cease-fire that took effect in January 1992.

Observers have predicted Dubrovnik will be a flashpoint if U.N. peacekeepers reduce their presence in Croatia.

COVE, Ark. (AP) Ä A 78-year-old retiree shot the mayor to death in his City Hall office, possibly over a $15 to $18 water bill, then drove off on a riding lawn mower, authorities said.

Orville Miller was arrested at a gas station about a half-hour later Wednesday. He was jailed without bail on charges of capital murder in the slaying of 58-year-old Mayor Fred Neblick, who was shot in the chest.

''The only thing that our investigators have been able to determine is possibly they were arguing over a water bill,'' Sheriff Mike Oglesby said.

Miller had visited City Hall a few days earlier to discuss the bill, the sheriff said.

Wednesday, Miller walked in and asked for the mayor of the town of about 350. After being told Neblick wasn't in, Miller waited for him, state police spokesman Wayne Jordan said. Neblick arrived about 20 minutes later.

Miller pulled a revolver from a bag and fired, Jordan said. No words were exchanged, the spokesman said.

Miller then put the gun in his pocket and walked outside to the lawn mower he had driven to City Hall, Jordan said.

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