NEWS LITE : WOODY, SOON YI WEDDED IN ITALY.

Their relationship scandalized New York six years ago, but Tuesday, Oscar-winning director Woody Allen married his longtime lover, Soon-Yi Previn, in Italy.

The 62-year-old film icon wed Previn, 27, - the adopted daughter of Allen's ex-girlfriend Mia Farrow and conductor Andre Previn - in a hush-hush ceremony in Venice, sources told the New York Daily News.

Massimo Cacciari, the mayor of Venice, officiated at the ceremony in a private location in the romantic, canal-laced city where the two return every Christmas.

The couple's closest friends and members of Allen's family, who had been sworn to secrecy in recent weeks, attended the nuptials. The loyal group managed to elude even the most ravenous of Italy's paparazzi.

It is Previn's first marriage; Allen previously was married to Harlene Rosen and actress Louise Lasser.

The Allens are not due back in New York until after New Year's Day. They will continue to reside in their Fifth Avenue penthouse, where, contrary to some reports, they have lived together for years.

Farrow is in Ireland with Allen's son, Satchel, and daughter, Dylan, according to her spokesman, John Springer. ``I doubt very much she'd want to comment on this,'' he told the Daily News.

Allen's spokeswoman, Leslee Dart, refused to reveal such details of the wedding as what Previn, who has a taste for designer clothing, wore.

But she released this statement:

``Six years ago, Woody and Soon-Yi decided that one day they would come back to Venice and get married. That city is very meaningful to them.''

Coolio is Santa for needy in L.A.

Rapper Coolio changed his tune, singing traditional Christmas songs Tuesday as he made the rounds in Los Angeles with presents for needy families.

``We sing a few Christmas songs, `Jingle Bells,' things like that,'' he said. ``There's lots of good rap Christmas songs, but nobody knows the words.''

Coolio, 34, handed out bags containing food, cassette tapes, T-shirts, books, crayons and coloring books with the help of workers for the nonprofit group Heritage Begins Within, which was started by his wife, Josefa Salinas.

About 950 families in several parts of the city received the gift bags Monday and Tuesday.

``They seem a little shocked,'' Coolio said. ``Nobody does that type of stuff. . . . This is something I have been trying to do for a couple of years. I just haven't had the time and the know-how to do it.

``I don't understand why more people don't do it. That's one of the nice things about having things in life - you get to give back a little. To be able to do this brings a smile to me.''

Explorer Heyerdahl sets sail for college

Thor Heyerdahl's latest expedition is taking him to Maine.

The Norwegian scientist and explorer best known for his 1947 Kon-Tiki voyage accepted a research post with the University of Maine, the school announced Tuesday.

Heyerdahl, 84, was named distinguished research associate with the university's Institute for Quaternary Studies, which examines geologic and archeological phenomena and their effects on climate.

In 1947, Heyerdahl and five crewmen sailed 4,300 miles across the Pacific in a balsa-wood raft from Peru to Polynesia in 101 days. The trip, known as the Kon-Tiki voyage, proved that the first Polynesians could have come from South America, not Asia.

He later sailed the Atlantic from Morocco to Barbados on a papyrus boat based on ancient Egyptian wall drawings.

Conn. lottery does number

on `winners'

Susan Lozier fantasized all weekend about what she would do with her $30,000 lottery prize, only to see it all slip away when she went to claim the money.

The Connecticut Lottery Corp. said Lozier's ticket, and several more, had a printing error that made 6s and 9s look like 8s.

``I cried all the way home. I was so mad,'' Lozier said after the trip Monday to lottery headquarters.

She thought she had won more than $30,000 in the 8 Ball game.

``I said, `Whose fault is that?' I said, `It's the state of Connecticut's fault.' I should get the money,'' Lozier said.

The lottery suspended the game Thursday and blamed the unidentified company that prints the tickets. Otho R. ``Ott'' Brown, lottery president, said the company will have to defend itself against any legal claims and pay any damages.

About 1 million tickets had been sold, and 18 players had called about apparent misprints, Brown said Monday. Nine people had arrived at lottery headquarters to pick up winnings.

``We've had to tell them they are not winners,'' he said.

Lozier said she was offered a refund of $3, the cost of one 8 Ball ticket, but refused the money and plans to hire a lawyer to fight for the prize.

``Even if you play,'' Lozier said bitterly, ``you can't win.''

Comedian pals say farewell to Chris Farley

Comics wept Tuesday at the funeral of Chris Farley, the beefy, manic comedian who went from ``Saturday Night Live'' to feature films before being found dead in his Chicago apartment last week.

Among the mourners in Madison, Wis., were former ``SNL'' stars Dan Aykroyd, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler and Rob Schneider, as well as comic-actors Tom Arnold, George Wendt and John Goodman.

``It's really a sad scene,'' said Josh Myers, 18, a fan who skipped school and was allowed inside. ``All these people who make you laugh on TV - to see 'em crying, it's really different.''

Farley, 33, was found dead Thursday. The cause of death has not yet been released, but he had a history of drug and alcohol abuse.

Security guards turned away reporters and other unwelcome visitors at the door of Queen of Peace Catholic Church, where a private funeral was held. Poinsettias and sprays of flowers adorned the altar.

A few fans gathered across the street, braving the bitter cold. Three seniors from Craig High School in nearby Janesville, including Meyers, were allowed into the church briefly during the wake.

Other ``SNL'' alumni in attendance included the show's creator Lorne Michaels and actor-writer Al Franken.

``All the comedians here talk about how he was universally loved and what a big fan he was of everybody else, and that's really something,'' Franken said after the funeral.

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos

PHOTO (1) White House secured

President Clinton's dog, Buddy, trees a pair of interloping squirrels while on a walk with Clinton on White House grounds Tuesday before the president left for a round of golf.

Associated Press

(2) Allen

(3) Coolio