Stories for January 22, 2010

11 people evacuated from stranded Russian ship

MOSCOW (AP) -- Russian officials say rescuers have evacuated 11 people by helicopter from a cargo vessel stranded in icy waters off the coast of eastern Russia.

Ore. jury awards $4.75M for damaged shoulder

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A jury has ordered a medical device company to pay a Portland man and his wife $4.75 million, finding I-Flow Corp. liable for damaged cartilage in Matthew Beale's right shoulder.

Locals put ‘extra’ in ‘Extraordinary Measures’

Movie extras gather for red carpet party

The red carpet had been rolled out for the nationwide opening of “Extraordinary Measures” — starring Harrison Ford, Brendan Fraser and Keri Russell — and white lights were glaring to help the paparazzi get the most provocative shots as the actors paraded in between the velvet ropes.

Bomb targeting Afghan official kills 4 soldiers

KABUL (AP) -- A spokesman says a provincial governor has escaped an assassination attempt but four Afghan soldiers in the same convoy were killed.

Afghanistan: 2 US service members killed by bomb

KABUL (AP) -- NATO says a roadside bomb has killed two U.S. service members in southern Afghanistan.

Clearing the air

Coming Sunday: Air agency rapped for slow response to odor complaints downtown.

Former Freightliner employee sentenced to prison

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A former Freightliner employee has been sentenced to four years in prison for wire fraud and ordered to pay more than $7 million in restitution.

Balloon boy mom's interviews contradict husband

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) -- The mother of the 6-year-old boy purported to be in a runaway balloon in Colorado repeatedly told authorities it was all a publicity stunt, contradicting what her husband told media before he reported to jail.

Trail Blazers come up short in overtime

BOSTON — Ray Allen was just 2 for 13 when he hit a 3-pointer with 42 seconds left in overtime to give the Boston Celtics a 98-95 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.

Former Ariz. congressman plans run against McCain

PHOENIX (AP) -- Former Arizona Congressman J.D. Hayworth says he's planning to run against John McCain for his U.S. Senate seat.

Calif border inspectors find pot in fish container

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- A U.S. border inspector suspected something fishy about the truckload of white sea bass headed into San Diego from Tijuana, Mexico. It was a good hunch.

'Guys and Dolls' actress Jean Simmons dies at 80

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Jean Simmons, the stunning beauty who sang with Marlon Brando in "Guys and Dolls" and played Ophelia to Laurence Olivier's Hamlet, has died. She was 80.

Fawcett estate sues producer over alleged misdeeds

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Court filings show Farrah Fawcett's estate has sued a producer over his alleged actions before her death.

O'Brien thanks fans, NBC on final 'Tonight' show

NEW YORK (AP) -- Conan O'Brien said on his final "Tonight" show that walking away is the hardest thing he's ever had to do.

Blazers' Bayless leaves game with sprained ankle

Questionable Saturday against Detroit

Portland Trail Blazers guard Jerryd Bayless retreated to the locker room with a sprained left ankle during the third quarter of Friday's game against the Boston Celtics and did not return.

NY dairy farmer's widow wants to keep farm going

COPAKE, N.Y. (AP) -- The widow of a New York dairy farmer who methodically slaughtered 51 cows before taking his own life says she wants to figure out how to keep the farm going.

NY dairy farmer kills 51 cows, commits suicide

COPAKE, N.Y. (AP) -- State police in New York say an upstate dairy farmer shot and killed 51 of his milk cows in his barn before turning the rifle on himself.

Kim Kardashian obtains restraining order

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Court records show Kim Kardashian has obtained a temporary restraining order against a man she describes as "extremely delusional."

2 juveniles arrested in N. Idaho highway shootings

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) -- Latah County sheriff's officers have arrested two juvenile boys after receiving at least 20 reports of vehicles being hit by shots fired on State Highway 8 in north Idaho.

Idaho police look for sniper in highway shootings

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) -- The Latah County Sheriff's Office says authorities are looking for a sniper who fired shots at vehicles on Highway 8 in northern Idaho for more than three hours.

Did Calif lawmakers' private lunch violate law?

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Records obtained by The Associated Press show majorities of the California Assembly and Senate RSVP'd for a private lunch with the governor -- a revelation that raises questions about whether the gathering was legal.

Ohio man charged after jewelry stolen from corpse

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- An Ohio man has been arrested in connection with a piece of jewelry that was stolen from a corpse that he was transporting to the county coroner's office.

Soldier guilty of involuntary manslaughter

FORT LEWIS, Wash. (AP) -- A 20-year-old Fort Lewis soldier has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the overdose death of his 16-year-old girlfriend in his barracks.

Soldier convicted of involuntary manslaughter

FORT LEWIS, Wash. (AP) -- A 20-year-old Fort Lewis soldier has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the overdose death of his 16-year-old girlfriend in his barracks.

Bolivia's Morales sworn in to term No. 2

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) -- Evo Morales has begun a second term as Bolivia's president by declaring colonialism dead in the Andean nation.

Big push for Oregon voter turnout on tax measures

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The big push is under way to get out the vote on a pair of Oregon tax measures that would raise $727 million from the wealthy and corporations.

Chief backs 911 caller in Ohio roadside rape case

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) -- An Ohio police chief is defending a driver who called 911 but didn't do more to stop a woman from being raped along a street in broad daylight.

Driver thought she saw Ohio woman raped near road

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) -- At least one of the motorists who drove by while police say an Ohio woman was raped along a street in broad daylight could tell what was happening.

Hawaii Senate passes civil unions bill

HONOLULU (AP) -- The Hawaii Senate has approved same-sex civil unions, setting up the measure for final passage.

Leno featured comic at White House dinner

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Late-night comic Jay Leno is the featured entertainer at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington.

Airliner forced to land after colliding with bird

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A collision with a large bird forced a United Airlines plane to return to Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia.

Military vets working on archaeological project

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Some U.S. military veterans are finding work helping sort through a massive government archaeological collection that has been neglected for decades.

Banks shut in Fla., Mo., NM, Ore., Wash.

sWASHINGTON (AP) -- Regulators have shut down banks in Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington, bringing to nine the number of bank failures so far in 2010, following 140 closures last year in the toughest economic environment since the Great Depression.

Bill proposes abolishing Wash. death penalty

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Lawmakers are considering a bill that would abolish the state's death penalty.

Marine gets 15 yrs to life in DUI killing

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -- A former Marine has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for a deadly drunken driving crash in California that occurred hours after he attended a driving safety briefing.

Police rescue 150 stolen ferrets in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Police in Mexico City have rescued 150 ferrets from armed robbers after a high speed chase.

Ferret heist foiled in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Police in Mexico City have rescued 150 ferrets from armed robbers after a high speed chase.

Vancouver man says he was texting in fatal crash

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A Vancouver, Wash., man pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the hit-and-run death of his former teacher.

Google co-founders to sell $5.5B combined in stock

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin plan to sell 5 million shares apiece of their company stock, worth $5.5 billion combined at current prices.

Obama receives custom-made football helmet in Ohio

ELYRIA, Ohio (AP) -- President Barack Obama has received a custom-made football helmet while touring a sports equipment plant in Ohio.

Judge: Polanski won't be sentenced in abstentia

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A Los Angeles judge has ruled Roman Polanski must return to the U.S. to be sentenced in a decades-old sex case.

2 Tamil Tiger backers sentenced to US prison

NEW YORK (AP) -- Two supporters of the now-defeated Tamil Tiger insurgents in Sri Lanka have been sentenced in New York to prison in the United States.

UW prez endorses college for undocumented students

SEATTLE (AP) -- University of Washington president Mark Emmert says he supports allowing illegal immigrant students to attend college as a pathway to permanent residency and U.S. citizenship.

Navy finds faulty welds on Northrop Grumman ships

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The Navy says numerous welds may be faulty on warships built in the past two years by Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding at shipyards on the Gulf Coast and that engineers are correcting the problems.

Tenuous consensus builds for new I-5 crossing

The bi-state crossing’s project sponsors council met for the first time since four of its members sent a letter Tuesday declaring their general support for a new Interstate 5 Bridge — but that the project is “unacceptable” as currently designed.

US, UN sign accord on their formal roles in Haiti

UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- U.S. officials say a new accord with the United Nations formally gives the American military a supporting role in international relief efforts in Haiti, but keeps them in charge of the Caribbean nation's airspace, ports and roads.

Vt. child porn suspect is sentenced to 3 years

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) -- A child pornography suspect who refused to give up his computer password so police could search his laptop is going to prison for three years.

MediaNews parent files for Chapter 11 protection

NEW YORK (AP) -- The holding company for newspaper publisher MediaNews Group is filing for Chapter 11 protection.

Britney Spears arrives for conservatorship hearing

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Britney Spears is meeting with a judge overseeing her court conservatorship.

Rights body criticizes US Supreme Court ruling

VIENNA (AP) -- An international human rights organization has criticized a U.S. Supreme Court ruling about election spending in America.

Lawsuit against Ravens LB Suggs dismissed

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Online court records show that a $70 million lawsuit filed against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs has been dismissed.

EPA may fund Riddle mine cleanup

RIDDLE, Ore. (AP) -- Funding may be restored for cleanup efforts at an abandoned mine in southwestern Oregon.

AP CEO: Strong fight needed for open government

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- The top executive of The Associated Press says journalists must keep fighting for strong laws protecting open access to government even as news organizations struggle in a weak economy.

Brothers make 'Extraordinary' extras

Why were two Vancouver brothers perfect extras for the film "Extraordinary Measures?"

Italian anti-crucifix judge loses office

ROME (AP) -- An official of the watchdog body for Italy's judiciary says a judge who refused to hear cases because there are crucifixes in the nation's courtrooms has been effectively barred from continuing in his job.

Latest probe of Berlusconi completed

ROME (AP) -- Milan prosecutors have completed an investigation of film rights sales by Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi's media empire and will now decide whether to request an indictment or drop the case.

Mistrial in case of former King County deputy

SEATTLE (AP) -- A King County Superior Court judge has declared a mistrial in the case of a former sheriff's deputy who was videotaped beating a 15-year-old girl in a jail cell, after jurors said they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Washington economist expects mid-year rebound

Raha says he’s ‘guardedly optimistic’ about 2010

State economist Arun Raha presented his 2010 predictions to Clark County business leaders at The Columbian’s economic forecast breakfast.

U. of Wis. foreign students excluded from union

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A new policy believed to be the first of its kind in the U.S. would prevent international students from joining a union for research assistants at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

UK raises its terror threat level to 'severe'

LONDON (AP) -- Britain's government has raised the nation's terror threat level from "substantial" to "severe," meaning such an attack is considered highly likely.

Seattle rape-slaying suspect tries to fire lawyers

SEATTLE (AP) -- The man accused of raping two women and stabbing one to death at their home tried to fire his lawyers during a court hear Friday in Seattle.

Lawyer: Yale's disputed Van Gogh worth up to $150M

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) -- An attorney for a man seeking to take a Vincent Van Gogh painting from Yale University tells The Associated Press the artwork is worth $120 million to $150 million.

Tacoma man pleads guilty to killing girlfriend

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) -- A Tacoma man who killed his girlfriend and buried her body in the yard of house in the Hilltop neighborhood pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder.

Feds file antitrust suit against Dean Foods

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Justice Department has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Dean Foods Co., saying a recent acquisition has spoiled a regional market for milk.

Interest up in students learning personal finance

MIAMI (AP) -- Schools and lawmakers around the country are pushing for early financial literacy classes as students see the struggles of their parents and hope to cement a more secure economic future.

Hospital releases Brazil boy stuck with needles

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- A hospital in northeastern Brazil has released a toddler who underwent three surgeries to remove 26 sewing needles his stepfather stuck into him.

Crash kills Good Samaritan near Forest Grove

FOREST GROVE, Ore. (AP) -- A Good Samaritan died Friday when he was struck by a pickup while trying to help people involved in a crash.

Crash kills 1, injures 5 near Forest Grove

FOREST GROVE, Ore. (AP) -- A multiple-vehicle crash on Highway 47 south of Forest Grove killed one person and injured five.

Firefighter bitten in helicopter LA river rescue

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Los Angeles fire officials say a German shepherd hoisted to safety after being stranded in a storm-swollen river is fine, but the fireman who splashed down in a harness to rescue the dog has been hospitalized.

Crew rescues dog from LA River

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A helicopter has hoisted a dog to safety after being stranded more than an hour in the Los Angeles River.

Ranchers look to roll back state land grazing rule

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- The Idaho Cattle Association is drafting a constitutional amendment aimed at nullifying a new set of rules allowing sportsmen and conservation groups to bid on state land grazing leases.

AP Exclusive: A look at 9/11 memorial waterfalls

NEW YORK (AP) -- Mock-ups of waterfalls meant to evoke memories of the Sept. 11 dead are spilling down nearly 30 feet into a pool in Brooklyn.

Vt. judge sets deadline in women's custody dispute

RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) -- A judge is giving a Virginia woman at the center of a lesbian custody dispute 30 days to appear in court with her 7-year-old daughter or face possible arrest.

After 'mistakes,' Jean group gets new accountants

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The foundation of Wyclef Jean (WY'-klef ZHAHN) says it has hired a new accounting firm after the Haitian-born rapper acknowledged "mistakes" had been made by the organization.

Judge orders trial for brothers accused of neglect

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- A judge has determined there is enough evidence to bring to trial two twin brothers from Nampa accused of neglecting their mother.

Wash. lawmakers move for early savings

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- The Legislature is moving ahead with some early steps to save money as lawmakers continue grappling with a $2.6 billion budget deficit.

George H.W. Bush endorses Hutchison for Texas gov

HOUSTON (AP) -- Former President George H.W. Bush has endorsed U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison for Texas governor.

'Threat' empties 3 buildings at Pittsburgh college

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh has evacuated three buildings on campus because of an unspecified and -- so far -- unconfirmed security threat.

Black bear on Internet gives birth to cub in Minn.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A researcher says Lily the black bear has given birth to a cub in her den in northeastern Minnesota.

Lawyer: Mass. sobriety checkpoint death a homicide

BOSTON (AP) -- A lawyer for the family of a Massachusetts man who died after his arrest at a police sobriety road block says he died of blunt trauma to the head, torso and chest.

Deadly snowmobile crash at Diamond Lake

ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) -- A North Bend man has died in a snowmobile crash at Diamond Lake.

Fatal Verlot shooting case goes to prosecutor

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) -- Snohomish County Prosecutor Mark Roe will decide if a deputy was justified in killing a Verlot man who threatened deputies after arguing with a road crew spraying weeds near his home.

Otter, Parks director dump plan to disband agency

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has backed off a tentative plan to eliminate the Department of Parks and Recreation and move oversight of Idaho's remaining 29 parks to other agencies.

English-only at Conn. bookstore sparks controversy

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) -- A popular bookstore and cafe near Yale University wants its many Hispanic employees to speak English only around customers.

Another 12 fishers released in Olympic Park

PORT ANGELES, Wash. (AP) -- Another 12 fishers have been released in Olympic National Park as part of a three-year effort to reintroduce the weasel-like animal to Washington state.

Bail in millions for 'You Light Up My Life' writer

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Academy Award-winning songwriter of "You Light Up My Life" has a week to come up with a $3 million bond -- or $1.5 million in cash -- to stay out of jail in his New York sexual assault case.

Ex-student sentenced to 60 months in teacher's death

Cellestine pleads guilty in death of Patterson

Former Hudson's Bay High School student Antonio Cellestine was ordered Friday to spend 60 months in state prison after he pleaded guilty to the hit-and-run death of teacher Gordon Patterson.

Militants report 15 dead in missile strike

KABUL (AP) -- A U.S. group that monitors Islamic extremist Web sites says an extremist organization is reporting 15 of its members were killed in a U.S. missile strike in Afghanistan.

Judge rejects plea deal for hep C surgery tech

DENVER (AP) -- A federal judge in Denver has rejected a plea agreement for a drug-addicted surgery technician who infected three dozen people with hepatitis C.

Oracle exec admits affair with billboard woman

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A co-president of software maker Oracle acknowledges he had an affair with a woman he was shown snuggling with on billboards in New York, Atlanta and San Francisco.

Eastern Idaho schools to track sex offenders

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) -- Administrators with Bonneville Joint School District 93 are using a new program designed to better track sex offenders who are on campus to pick up or drop off their child.

Blazers' Roy will miss at least a week, Pritchard says

All-star guard receives plasma injection

The time and distance separating Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy from returning to the basketball court has become a little longer.

Ex-Jersey City official 1st sentenced in sweep

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- A former aide to the mayor of Jersey City has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for his part in New Jersey's largest corruption sweep, the first defendant among 44 arrested to be sentenced.

Suspect arrested in convenience store robberies

A Vancouver resident was arrested Thursday evening in connection to a string of convenience store robberies. After receiving several tips from the public about the robberies, investigators arrested Aniva Garcia, 22, at 5 p.m.

Human error cited in Army helicopter crash in Colo

DENVER (AP) -- The Army says human error is to blame for the crash of a Black Hawk helicopter on a Colorado mountain that killed all four crew members in August.

Hispanic commission fears cuts will hurt advocacy

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- The Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs told lawmakers a plan to eliminate general funding for the agency would significantly weaken its ability to advocate for state's largest minority.

Tropical whale found on Puget Sound beach

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- A biologist says a dead whale that washed ashore on a south Puget Sound beach this week is a tropical whale thousands of miles from its normal range.

Prince pens tune about Minnesota Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Prince has recorded a purple-tinted tribute to the Minnesota Vikings.

Truck speed cited in crash with special needs bus

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) -- Investigators say the driver of a tractor-trailer that hit a bus carrying residents of a special needs center in Ohio, killing four, was driving too fast during a snowstorm.

NY woman: Margarita poisoned to get boyfriend sick

FARMINGTON, N.Y. (AP) -- Authorities say a western New York woman accused of lacing a jug of margarita cocktails with antifreeze told them she wanted to punish her boyfriend for being emotionally and physically abusive. But she says she didn't intend to kill him.

2 NYPD officers suspended for beating suspect

NEW YORK (AP) -- Two New York Police Department patrolmen have been suspended after a video surfaced showing them beating a handcuffed suspect during an undercover drug operation.

Prosecutor of Knox convicted in unrelated case

ROME (AP) -- A lawyer says the Perugia magistrate who prosecuted U.S. student Amanda Knox for murder has been convicted in an unrelated case of abusing his office.

Britain's queen to address UN in July

LONDON (AP) -- Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will address the United Nations General Assembly in New York this summer -- the first time she has done so in more than 50 years.

Jackson estate opposes stipend for Joe Jackson

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Michael Jackson's estate is opposing a bid by the late singer's father to receive a monthly allowance.

Jackson estate administrators want more of profits

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Two men who control Michael Jackson's estate are seeking 10 percent of profits they're able to generate from the late pop superstar's work.

Biden in Iraq to help ease pre-election tensions

BAGHDAD (AP) -- Vice President Joe Biden is in Baghdad to try to ease rising tensions that have threatened to delay Iraq's March elections.

Obama acknowledges health overhaul hit 'buzz saw'

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama says his health care overhaul has "run into a bit of a buzz saw" and acknowledges the process is looking ugly. Nonetheless he says he'll keep working to finish sweeping legislation.

Senate chairman suggests breather on health care

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut is suggesting that Democrats take a month or more off from working on health care legislation to regroup in the wake of Tuesday's election loss in Massachusetts.

Plane diverted to Greece because of graffiti

THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) -- Authorities say an airplane flying from Germany to Turkey has been diverted to an airport in Greece after a threatening message was found written in one of its bathrooms.

Eugene adjusts Taser policy after court ruling

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- Eugene police are changing their Taser policy in response to a federal appeals court ruling that police can be sued for using a stun gun on an unarmed person who poses no threat.

CEOs to Hill: Quit calling us for campaign cash

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Dozens of current and former corporate executives are sending Congress a strongly worded message: Quit hitting us up for campaign cash.

Ariz. 6-year-old swept away in flood presumed dead

MAYER, Ariz. (AP) -- Authorities say a 6-year-old boy who was swept away in floodwaters in northern Arizona is presumed dead.

Oprah Winfrey to interview Jay Leno

CHICAGO (AP) -- Oprah Winfrey says she is set to interview Jay Leno.

BK to open Whopper Bar to sell beer with burgers

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Burger King is opening a restaurant in Miami Beach that will serve beer along with burgers and fries, the chain's first U.S. location with alcohol.

NY man accused of beheading claims he was battered

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- A western New York man accused of beheading his wife at the Muslim-oriented television station they founded will claim he was a victim of years of abuse at home.

Astronauts finally get Internet access in space

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- In a high tech first -- really, really high -- astronauts in space finally have Internet access.

Rupert man dies in bike-truck collision

BURLEY, Idaho (AP) -- Rupert police say a 45-year-old Rupert man died after his bicycle collided with the side of a truck.

Obama to pitch Florida after State of the Union

CLEVELAND (AP) -- President Barack Obama will take his proposals on the road after next week's State of the Union address.

Pittsburgh teen violinist alleges police brutality

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- An 18-year-old violinist who attends a Pittsburgh performing arts high school says plainclothes officers beat him because they thought a bottle of soda in his coat was a gun.

'Greed and temptation' send Ore. fisherman to jail

GOLD BEACH, Ore. (AP) -- The only Oregonian with a permit to harvest wild flat abalone has been convicted of unlawfully taking it.

Olympia security guard sentenced for voyeurism

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- A former security guard at the J.C. Penney store at Olympia's Capital Mall has been sentenced to 10 months in jail for voyeurism.

Idaho child porn case ends with defendant's death

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) -- A 79-year-old Twin Falls man who was charged with possessing child pornography has died before his arraignment, closing the case against him.

Tentative deal reached for I-90 light rail

SEATTLE (AP) -- A tentative deal has been reached to allow light rail trains to take over the existing express lanes of the Interstate 90 bridge across Lake Washington.

Group buys Idaho site to build technical school

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) -- A group of businesses and individuals hoping for a professional-technical high school has purchased 20 acres in Kootenai County for the school.

Clark Co. legislators object to prison closing

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) -- State lawmakers from Clark County sent a letter to Gov. Chris Gregoire Thursday questioning her motives for closing the Larch Corrections Center.

Human Rights Commission head mulls shift to Labor

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Pressed by Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's plan to cut state funding over four years, the Idaho Human Rights Commission is in discussions with the Department of Labor to join forces.

US gets world airline support for tighter security

GENEVA (AP) -- U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and the world's airlines have pledged to cooperate on making passenger flights around the world more secure.

Prop 8 trial witness: Being gay not a choice

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A social psychologist testifying in a trial challenging California's gay marriage ban says leading mental health associations stopped thinking of homosexuality as a mental illness decades ago.

McChord specialist to help Haiti airport

MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AP) -- Another 15 airmen from McChord Air Force Base are on their way Friday to Haiti.

Group: 150 Muslims killed in Nigerian town

JOS, Nigeria (AP) -- An international human rights group is calling on Nigerian officials to investigate reports that at least 150 Muslims were killed in a central Nigerian town.

Nigeria: workers search for dead after violence

JOS, Nigeria (AP) -- Muslim residents watched as volunteers searched their neighborhood in central Nigeria for remains of people killed in sectarian violence earlier this week.

Paine Field neighbors oppose commercial flights

MUKILTEO, Wash. (AP) -- More than 500 people turned out at Thursday night's hearing in Mukilteo on proposed commercial air service at nearby Paine Field.

Police: Boy found hanged in Texas school bathroom

THE COLONY, Texas (AP) -- Grief counselors are on hand at a suburban Dallas elementary school after a 9-year-old boy was found hanged in a school bathroom.

Hanford supporters want B Reactor in nat'l park

RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) -- Most speakers at hearings in Richland urged the National Park Service to include Hanford's B Reactor in a new Manhattan Project Historical Park.

Top Senate Democrat endorses Bernanke

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The top Democrat in the Senate has endorsed Ben Bernanke for a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve.

White House still believes Bernanke gets 2nd term

UNDATED (AP) -- President Barack Obama believes Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will win another term despite senators' hesitation over his willingness to discuss what steps the central bank will take to add much-needed jobs.

Oregon bank robber gets 5 years in prison

COQUILLE, Ore. (AP) -- A woman who robbed three Oregon banks has been sentenced to more than five years in federal prison.

Otter's cuts to Idaho commissions under scrutiny

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's plan to eliminate state general fund money for five commissions and councils was front and center Friday morning with the Idaho budget-writing panel.

Former AF officer gets 3 years for China spying

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) -- A former Pentagon official has been sentenced to three years in prison for espionage after being convicted of giving classified information to a Chinese spy.

Private sector union membership sinks

WASHINGTON (AP) -- More union members now work for the government than for private employers, partly because of layoffs caused by the recession.

Three Mile Island generator moving to N. Carolina

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (AP) -- A generator in storage for more than three decades after the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant is heading to North Carolina.

3 charged in Medford warehouse theft

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) -- Medford police arrested three people of accused of stealing $4,000 in motorcycle gear.

Witness tells of shooting in abortion slaying case

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- A woman tells jurors in the trial of a man accused of killing an abortion provider that she heard a popping sound and saw Dr. George Tiller fall to the floor.

Viewing Friday for R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A public viewing for R&B star Teddy Pendergrass is set to begin at noon in Philadelphia.

Hundreds attend viewing for Teddy Pendergrass

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Hundreds of music fans are gathering to mourn R&B star Teddy Pendergrass in Philadelphia.

Corvallis man arrested on rape charges

ALBANY, Ore. (AP) -- A 22-year-old Corvallis man has been charged with raping a 14-year-old girl.

Russian YouTube cop arrested on fraud charges

MOSCOW (AP) -- Russia's top investigative body says a police officer who has complained on YouTube of abuse and corruption in the country's law enforcement system has been arrested on fraud charges.

Buffett-linked Symetra IPO jumps in trading debut

NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of life insurer Symetra Financial, the most anticipated of Friday's initial public offerings, are up about 8 percent in their trading debut.

Officials: 35 detainees face trial or commission

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Government officials say a task force has recommended about three dozen Guantanamo Bay detainees be brought to the United States to face trial or military commissions.

Floods leave 8 dead, 13 missing in Indonesia

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) -- Incessant rain has caused floods in two remote villages in eastern Indonesia leaving eight people dead and 13 others missing.

NC casino cleans slots every 2 hours to beat virus

CHEROKEE, N.C. (AP) -- Workers are cleaning slot machines with bleach every two hours as a North Carolina casino battles a virus that has sickened nearly 250 people.

East County EOCF Head Start/ECEAP classes closed due to fire

Classes are closed at the East County Head Start today after an early morning fire at the facility.

Skyview boys storms out to two-game lead in 4A GSHL

Tyler Paluck made all four of his 3-pointers and scored his 16 points in the first half, Blake Bowen added 13 points, and Jordan Chatman had 11 points and six assists as Skyview never trailed Thursday in a 56-47 victory over Kelso in a Class 4A Greater St. Helens League contest.

Blazers still in it despite 200 games lost

Brian T. Smith: Commentary

Tonight, the Portland Trail Blazers will take on the Boston Celtics. In doing so, the Blazers will move past 200 games missed due to injury.

PREP ROUNDUP: Herman sparks Prairie’s turnaround against Papermakers

Adam Herman scored 11 of his 20 points in a big second quarter on Thursday as the Prairie Falcons handed the Camas Papermakers their first 3A Greater St. Helens League boys basketball loss.

Assets of suspended Pa. Navy contractor sold

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The assets of a western Pennsylvania Navy defense contractor that was suspended from accepting government contracts have been sold to a Canadian firm for $24 million.

Expedited Larch closure spurs anger

Lawmakers send new letter to governor, questioning motives

The entire Clark County legislative delegation sent a letter to Gov. Chris Gregoire Thursday — the second in a week — questioning her motives for closing Larch Corrections Center and demanding to know why the closure timeline has been moved up.

Meeting targets research, development grants

The Washington Technology Center is hosting an information meeting Jan. 27 in Vancouver for people seeking grant money for startup research and development.

Ford drawn to ‘Extraordinary’ story

Actor played large role in bringing film shot partly in Vancouver to screens CHICAGO — At 67, Harrison Ford still retains that roguish, lopsided grin that seems poised somewhere between a sneer and a smirk. He’s officially a senior citizen now. His gray hair is thinning slightly and his face is lined with age. But the man who became an icon as Indiana Jones and Han Solo says he’s nowhere near retirement. He continues to make movies, he explains, because he simply wants to feel useful.

Bondy’s songs take new shape onstage

Modest musician’s second CD an understated gem In A.A. Bondy’s view, the songs on his current CD, “When the Devil’s Loose” — or for that matter those from his first solo CD, 2007’s “American Hearts” — get better with each concert.

Camas teen hopes model magazine will boost her music career

Camas teen Katelynne Cox grew up reading Supermodels Unlimited magazine and looking up to the models gracing its glossy pages. Now she’s one of them. Cox, a 15-year-old sophomore at La Salle Catholic College Preparatory in Milwaukie, Ore., is featured in the magazine’s 2009 Most Beautiful Edition. Cox is highlighted in the issue’s music industry section alongside such names as Brooke Hogan, a singer and reality-television personality who’s the daughter of wrestler Hulk Hogan.

Key unlocks new branch

Bank’s Columbia Tech Center location set to open Monday

Boxes were stacked on the floor, desks were empty, and eight flat-panel screens flashed advertisements to an empty lobby this week at the newest KeyBank branch, set to open Monday at 19161 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd. in east Vancouver. Branch manager Kayleen McConnachie was there overseeing the last-minute details before her staff moves from the bank’s Fisher’s Landing office just a few blocks away, where she’s worked for the past nine years.

Death Notices, Jan. 22

Bearg, Dorothy “Betty,” 88, Brush Prairie, died Jan. 19, 2010. Layne’s Funeral Home, 360-687-3143. Hockett, Clarence “Bud,” 84, Vancouver, died Jan. 17, 2010. Evergreen Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel, 360-892-6060.

Riverview Bancorp posts loss of $1.3 million in 4Q

Riverview Bancorp on Thursday reported a net loss of $1.3 million, or 12 cents per share, in the quarter ending Dec. 31.

In Our View, Jan. 22, Politics Intensifies

Supreme Court ruling clears the way for more (and more intense) campaign ads

Federal elections are about to become more intense, more partisan and more political as a result of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Thursday. In a way, this is a good thing; voters will get more information. But the ruling troubles many people who believe money already wields too much power in American democracy. The Columbian’s opinions about campaign finance have been founded on the freedom of speech that is protected by the Constitution’s First Amendment, as long as full disclosure of financial involvement is made clear to voters. The Supreme Court advanced that concept Thursday, dispensing with a 63-year-old law that limited the influence of large groups in presidential and congressional campaigns. By a 5-4 vote, the court ruled that companies and other large groups such as unions cannot be prohibited from producing and running their own campaign ads, as long as those efforts are independent and not coordinated with the candidates. Also, independent groups are no longer banned from running ads within the closing weeks of a campaign. Left in place was a ban on large groups donating money directly to federal candidates.

Police seek man who crashed stolen car

Vancouver auto in Oregon incident

Oregon police are looking for a man who crashed a car stolen from Vancouver and ran off Wednesday morning.

Tuesday pajama party supports literacy work

Wear your jammies, bring your teddy, and settle in for a nice story.

Mobile food bank has permanent schedule

After finishing a pilot project, the Lewis River Mobile Food Bank has established a permanent schedule for Sunday food distribution in northern Clark County.

Paving will force lane closures today on 503

Motorists will encounter single-lane closures as contractors pave portions of state Highway 503 near Northeast 119th Street beginning early this morning.

Ridgefield middle schoolers to raise money for Haiti

A group of Ridgefield middle school students is hoping small handfuls of loose change can make a big change in Haiti.

Homeowners dealing with foreclosure can call hotline

Clark County homeowners facing foreclosure have a new fraud-prevention hotline to call if they have questions about the process. The hotline, established by the Washington Attorney General’s office is 877-894-HOME (4663).

Volunteers sought for eruption anniversary

The 30th anniversary of Mount St. Helens’ catastrophic eruption is on the horizon, prompting a call for volunteers by the volcano’s namesake institute.

Dog raised in Vancouver saving lives in Haiti

A search dog raised by a Vancouver family has been saving lives during the Haitian relief effort. Cadillac is part of a search team that has helped rescue several people from the rubble of quake-shattered buildings in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The black Labrador was raised by Vancouver’s Debbie Combs and her family, as part of a program to help train guide dogs for the blind.

Vancouver Chamber of Commerce endorses school levies

The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce board of directors voted unanimously Wednesday to support all Clark County school levy proposals.

Leavitt dubs first town hall a success as tolls dominate discussion

A standing-room only crowd peppered Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt and city council members with questions for more than two hours at their first town hall meeting Wednesday, with Leavitt calling it a “rousing success.” More than 100 people packed into a community room at the newly-opened Cascade Park Community Library, where they engaged elected officials in a discussion heavy on tolling and light rail that also included budget and traffic talk, Leavitt said.

SkyWatch: El Niño why California wet, not us

This is the kind of week where I was thinking about some relatives of mine who are snow birds. Two members of my family spend the winter in the Palm Springs area. And while I normally avoid calling them because I don’t want to hear about the endless sun, this week I really wanted to. On Thursday alone, Palm Springs had a record 1.58 inches of rain. Add that to the rest of this week, and it’s 3.76 inches of rain. That’s nearly their annual total of rain in four days. During this same stretch, Vancouver has had just .68 of an inch of rain. I hate to say it, but that’s why I wanted to call: to let them know they should’ve stayed here if they wanted good weather.

Schools for blind, deaf focus of public forum

Moeller says plan to change way they’re governed hasn’t had full scrutiny

State Rep. Jim Moeller isn’t thrilled with Gov. Chris Gregoire’s plan to transfer supervision of the state School for the Blind and the Washington State Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss from her office to the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Moeller, D-Vancouver, will hold a legislative forum Saturday in Olympia to hear public comment on the plan. He told a state Senate committee this week that the governor’s proposal to “realign” the two Vancouver-based schools has received “neither the appropriate level of fiscal scrutiny nor the appropriate level of public involvement.”

Vital Statistics, Jan. 22

Births SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON MEDICAL CENTER

Our Readers' Views, Jan. 22

Stop inking Democrats’ rubber stamp Business growth and jobs equals healthy economy and prosperity. This principle is taught to every junior in high school economics class. As the Washington state Legislature meets in Olympia, I wonder if any of our elected officials ever learned this guiding law?

CVTV coverage no longer free

Community groups now must pay fee as agency confronts budget cuts

Local television stardom now comes with a price: Hit by budget cuts, Clark-Vancouver Television is now charging community groups to film their events.

A Little Pine Tree sprouts downtown

Korean restaurant offers adventurous, savory dining, family recipes Why: When Huisuk Chi married her military husband, Yong Chi, 20 years ago, she couldn’t have known that it would be the start of both a marriage and a culinary career. But as an Air Force wife, Chi who hails from Daegu, South Korea, found herself working in restaurants and in military chow halls. At home and for holidays, she whipped up traditional Korean fare, which her husband always lauded.

Bits 'n' Pieces: Vancouver drummer reunites with Israeli pianist

For the second time, Vancouver jazz drummer Gary Hobbs will team with Israeli conductor, composer and pianist Yaron Gottfried. Hobbs will play Gottfried’s “Capriol Jazz Suite” and “Mozart Swing” with the Portland Chamber Orchestra in two concerts at the end of the month. Hobbs, a 61-year-old Vancouver resident and adjunct music instructor at the University of Oregon and University of Washington, first played with Gottfried and the Vancouver Symphony a couple years ago and was impressed by his technique and work ethic.

Vancouver to review council, mayor salaries

The Vancouver Citizen’s Commission on Mayor/City Council Salaries has scheduled its first meeting and public hearing for 5 p.m. Monday at the Esther Short Building.

FYI, Jan. 22

Clubs SUNDAY

High School Scoreboard 1/22

Thursday's high school sports results.

City offers $125,000 to settle complaint

Corrections officer claims former Vancouver cop sexually harassed her

Vancouver has offered $125,000 to a state corrections officer to settle a potential lawsuit over alleged sexual harassment by a former Vancouver Police Department officer.