Stories for November 8, 2010

German nuclear waste shipment complete

DANNENBERG, Germany (AP) -- Trucks carrying 123 tons of nuclear waste have finally reached a storage facility in northern Germany after police worked through the night to clear thousands of protesters blockading the roads.

Bellingham, WWU police search for armed robbers

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) -- Bellingham and Western Washington University police are working together to chase down a team of armed robbers near campus on Monday.

Death toll from Indonesian volcano rises to 153

MOUNT MERAPI, Indonesia (AP) -- The death toll in two weeks of eruptions from Indonesia's most volatile volcano has risen to 153.

Woman misses curve on Northwest Hayes near Woodland

Injuries not believed life-threatening, says sheriff’s sergeant

One person was hurt Monday night when she failed to negotiate a curve in the 3400 block of Northwest Hayes Road, in far-north Clark County just south of the North Fork of the Lewis River and northeast of the Woodland Airport. About 8:15 p.m., rescuers radioed for a Life Flight helicopter, which then was in the Longview area, to come to the area. Minutes later, Woodland-area firefighters said they had extricated the woman from the car.

Lucas was all kinds of cool

Matt Calkins: Commentary

Monday the Blazers held a public memorial service at the Memorial Coliseum for the former NBA champion who died of bladder cancer two Sundays ago at the age of 58.

Auburn AD: Academic allegations 'unfortunate, sad'

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs says the allegations against Tigers quarterback Cam Newton are "unfortunate and sad" and reiterated that Newton is eligible both academically and athletically.

Report: Newton cheated while enrolled at Florida

NEW YORK (AP) -- Foxsports.com is reporting that Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton had three instances of academic cheating while attending Florida and faced potential expulsion from the university.

Reports: Hawkins out at Colorado

DENVER (AP) -- Multiple media outlets are reporting that embattled University of Colorado football coach Dan Hawkins will be fired Tuesday.

SD State easily beats Point Loma in exhibition

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Kawhi Leonard scored 18 of his 20 points in the first half to lead No. 25 San Diego State to a 92-54 exhibition win over Point Loma on Monday night.

Nowitzki's 25 points lead Mavericks past Celtics

DALLAS (AP) -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points, including the go-ahead jumper with less than 20 seconds to play, and the Dallas Mavericks snapped Boston's five-game winning streak with a 89-87 victory over the Celtics on Monday night.

Woman bakes up success online

Debbie Lachance grew up baking with her mother in the kitchen of their Kentucky home. In college, she had a column in the school paper sharing recipes that were easy to make in the dorm room. So when she learned about an online club where people can share favorite recipes for free, Lachance was quick to sign up.

Denver hockey player has surgery after neck injury

DENVER (AP) -- Injured University of Denver forward Jesse Martin has had surgery to stabilize a broken vertebra in his neck.

Cruise ship dead in water after fire

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Tugboats are headed out to sea to tow in a cruise ship that lost power off California after an engine room fire.

Cruise ship adrift off San Diego after fire

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- A cruise ship that's been adrift since an engine room fire as it headed for Mexico is awaiting the arrival of two boats that will tow it back to shore.

Fort Vancouver student dies after falling ill on school bus

Trauma counselors will be at high school today

A Fort Vancouver High School student has died after suffering a medical emergency as his school bus left the campus on Monday afternoon, a Vancouver Public Schools spokeswoman said. School administrators and a school nurse tended to the student before medics arrived, and he was taken to a local hospital.

McIlroy to give up US membership

LONDON (AP) -- Rory McIlroy has decided not to join the PGA Tour next year, which could mean as many as three of the top 10 players in the world ranking not belonging to golf's strongest tour.

Jermaine O'Neal misses second half with sore knee

DALLAS (AP) -- Boston Celtics center Jermaine O'Neal has been ruled out for the second half of Monday night's game against the Dallas Mavericks with a sore left knee.

Publishers to get 70 pct of sales on Kindle device

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Amazon.com says it will start paying publishers more for selling magazines and newspapers on its Kindle electronic reader.

Indianapolis upsets No. 23 Tennessee 79-64

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Darius Adams scored 27 points and Indianapolis upset No. 23 Tennessee 79-64 in exhibition game Monday night.

OJ Simpson's legal team gets more time for appeal

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- The Nevada Supreme Court has agreed to give attorneys representing former football star O.J. Simpson more time to try to overturn his armed robbery and kidnapping conviction.

NHL GM meetings set for Tuesday

TORONTO (AP) -- A review of head hits and a discussion about the merits of a coach's challenge will be on the table when the NHL's general managers have their fall meeting Tuesday.

NHL GMs reject proposal on goal challenges

TORONTO (AP) -- NHL general managers have shelved a proposal to allow coaches to challenge goal calls.

Howard, Magic squeak out 93-89 win over Hawks

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Dwight Howard had 27 points and 11 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic continue their recent reign over the Atlanta Hawks with a 93-89 victory Monday night in a rematch of last season's lopsided Eastern Conference semifinal.

Michigan State beats Neb.-Omaha in exhibition

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Kalin Lucas hit five 3-pointers and scored 25 points to lead No. 2 Michigan State to a 102-72 exhibition victory over Nebraska-Omaha on Monday night.

Flyers sign F Giroux to extension

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia Flyers and forward Claude Giroux have agreed to a multiyear contract extension.

LB Davis confident he'll return to Carolina

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis says it "wasn't worth the risk" to try to play this season after two major knee surgeries in less than a year, but is confident Carolina will re-sign him.

Covington legislator enters continuance order

SEATTLE (AP) -- A state lawmaker accused of shoving his ex-wife has entered an agreement that would dismiss a gross misdemeanor assault charge after two years of probation.

Flyers fire minor league coach

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia Flyers fired the coach of their AHL affiliate Adirondack Phantoms and replaced him on an interim basis with assistant general manager John Paddock.

Republican pads lead in Ore. state Senate race

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- With most votes counted, the Republican in one of two unresolved Oregon state Senate races has a lead the county clerk says can't be overcome.

Contractor disputes Miller electioneering claim

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- A federal contractor from Washington state disputes claims by Alaska Senate hopeful Joe Miller that an employee engaged in electioneering.

"Senior moment" used to explain hit-and-run

SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seattle City Attorney's Office has decided not to press charges against Bill Gates Sr. after the community leader apologized for a hit-and-run collision and paid for damages.

Society Selection brings $1.85M at Keeneland sale

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Society Selection, a 9-year-old mare in foal to Medaglia d'Oro, brought $1.85 million Monday to top the opening session of Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale.

Giants are now everyone's favorite for NFC title

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Mostly overlooked in the preseason and dismissed by many after three games, the New York Giants are now the fashionable pick as the NFC's best team.

Student stabbed at Auburn community college

SEATTLE (AP) -- Auburn police say a 33-year-old student has been stabbed at Green River Community College's Auburn campus.

Senate Democrats re-elect Lisa Brown as leader

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Senate Democrats have re-elected Sen. Lisa Brown as their majority leader.

Cuba announces date for important party congress

HAVANA (AP) -- Cuban President Raul Castro has announced that the country will hold a long-delayed Communist Party congress next April and the island's leaders will use the meeting to chart a new economic future.

Bengals DT Tank Johnson out vs Steelers

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Bengals defensive tackle Tank Johnson was inactive for a game Monday night against Pittsburgh, hobbled by a sprained knee.

Lower Willamette sturgeon retention closes

Retention in lower Columbia between Wauna power lines and Bonneville Dam will stay open

Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson signs new contract

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Linebacker Derrick Johnson has signed a five-year contract extension with Kansas City that includes a $15 million guarantee.

Breeders' Cup Classic TV ratings nearly tripled

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) -- Zenyatta's star power nearly tripled television ratings for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Vehicle hits 3 Ore. pedestrians including child

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A 23-month-old boy was critically injured after a vehicle struck three pedestrians near an intersection in Portland.

Collaros expected to start for Cincy

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Quarterback Zach Collaros expects to start on Saturday for two-time defending Big East champion Cincinnati.

Wash. proposes 12 percent workers' comp rate hike

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- The state Department of Labor and Industries says workers' compensation rates are going up an average of 12 percent next year, or about 6.5 cents per hour worked.

Man locks himself in Covington home

SEATTLE (AP) -- A 4o-year-old man who barricaded himself in his Covington home after a fight with his son has surrendered to authorities.

Jets sloppy, lucky and in first place again

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -- Rex Ryan is focusing on the positives, no matter how close the New York Jets came to losing to the Detroit Lions.

Pats say bad practices led to worst loss of year

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Coach Bill Belichick didn't have to use much foul language when the Patriots met to review their worst loss of the year.

Canadiens waive F Dustin Boyd

BROSSARD, Quebec (AP) -- The Montreal Canadiens have waived forward Dustin Boyd.

Miller, Morgan out at 'Sunday Night Baseball'

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) -- Jon Miller and Joe Morgan are out as announcers on ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" after 21 seasons.

More Seattle-Portland trains for Thanksgiving

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Amtrak is adding 11 more trains between Seattle and Portland, Ore., for the Thanksgiving weekend.

Laura Bush to headline library foundation dinner

Former first lady in Vancouver on Dec. 14

Sure, her husband’s the one with a new book just out. But former First Lady Laura Bush is the former school teacher and librarian who beat him this May with a memoir of her own -- and easily the biggest name ever to headline the annual Authors & Illustrators Dinner and Silent Auction, prime fundraiser for the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation.

Kings lose D Mitchell, LW Ponikarovsky to injuries

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles Kings will be without defenseman Willie Mitchell and left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky for at least a month.

Carroll says Seahawks fortunate to be 4-4

RENTON, Wash. (AP) -- After consecutive blowout losses, Pete Carroll knows his reeling Seattle Seahawks are lucky to be at .500.

Scientists see high incidence of deformed beaks

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- Federal scientists say they're observing the highest rate of beak abnormalities ever recorded in wild bird populations in Alaska and the Northwest.

Tesoro faces EPA criminal probe for refinery blast

SEATTLE (AP) -- Tesoro Corp. says it is under investigation by the Environment Protection Agency's criminal division for the April 2 explosion and fire that killed seven people at the oil company's Anacortes, Wash., refinery.

Randy Moss at work early on 1st day with Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- How long the Tennessee Titans and Randy Moss stay together remains to be seen. For now, Jeff Fisher is thinking playoffs and the Super Bowl that has eluded the NFL's longest tenured coach with his current team.

Ore. man gets 18 mos. for mailing noose to Ohioan

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) -- A white supremacist from Oregon has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to charges he mailed a hangman's noose to a civil rights leader in Ohio.

Tiger Woods arrives in Melbourne to defend title

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Tiger Woods has arrived in Melbourne to defend his Australian Masters golf title, a year after his visit to the city sparked reports of infidelity which damaged his career and tarnished his public image.

Stafford's status uncertain again for Lions

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -- Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford is recovering from another right shoulder injury and his playing status is unknown.

Big 12 South up for grabs as OU, Texas stumble

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- The only thing that's ever been certain in the Big 12 is that either Oklahoma or Texas would emerge atop the South division.

Fast start turning sour for Texans

HOUSTON (AP) -- Houston coach Gary Kubiak and his players are taking turns accepting responsibility for the team's mistakes after Sunday's loss to San Diego.

No fine for hit on Collie

NEW YORK (AP) -- The NFL will not hand out any discipline for the hit that gave Indianapolis wide receiver Austin Collie a concussion in Philadelphia on Sunday.

Czech doubles specialist Martin Damm retires

PRAGUE (AP) -- Czech doubles specialist Martin Damm has retired from pro tennis at age 38.

Turner: no more punts blocked this season

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Norv Turner guarantees that the San Diego Chargers won't have any more punts blocked this season.

AROUND THE WEST: When whitetails lose their wariness

The rut is the rare break to find the largest, wiliest bucks letting down their guard

Prostitution sting yields 14 arrests, two rescues

Operation Cross Country national effort

A nationwide sting to apprehend pimps and rescue underage prostitutes netted the arrests of six pimps, eight adult prostitutes and the rescue of two underage girls in Clark County over the weekend.

Bills lose WR Parrish, LB Davis to injuries

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- Not only have the Buffalo Bills been losing games, they just lost two more significant players to injuries.

Umatilla County told to expect lawsuit over DA

PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) -- Umatilla County has been given notice to expect a possible lawsuit claiming it failed to protect an employee from alleged abuse by District Attorney Dean Gushwa.

Knaus: Crew swap was organizational decision

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Chad Knaus says the decision to dump Jimmie Johnson's crew with two races remaining was done for the overall good of Hendrick Motorsports.

Johnson to use Gordon's crew for final 2 races

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Hendrick Motorsports says it will give four-time defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson the pit crew from Jeff Gordon's team for the final two races of the season.

Giants-Eagles game remains on Sunday night Nov. 21

NEW YORK (AP) -- The critical NFC East matchup between the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 21 will remain on Sunday night.

Both Alex and Troy Smith prepare to be 49ers QB

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- Troy Smith is approaching this week as if he will remain the San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback.

UO economic index shows first increase since June

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- The monthly index of economic indicators tracked by the University of Oregon improved slightly in September as job growth remained weak in Oregon.

Giants fill-in C Koets out for season

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- New York Giants center Adam Koets tore ligaments in his knee and will miss the rest of the season.

Novosjolov beats Grumier to win epee world title

PARIS (AP) -- Nikolai Novosjolov of Estonia beat Gauthier Grumier of France 15-8 to win the individual epee title at the World Fencing Championships on Monday, and Jean-Michel Lucenay of France took the bronze medal.

Indian budget airline orders 30 Boeing 737s

NEW YORK (AP) -- Boeing says Indian budget carrier SpiceJet has placed an order for 30 new 737-800s worth about $2.3 billion at list prices

Redskins KR-PR Banks out 2-3 weeks after knee op

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -- Washington Redskins return man Brandon Banks is expected to miss two to three weeks after having knee surgery during the bye week.

DePodesta joins Alderson in Mets front office

NEW YORK (AP) -- Paul DePodesta is joining Sandy Alderson in the New York Mets' front office, the second high-profile hiring by the new general manager.

Former M's manager Wakamatsu joins Blue Jays staff

TORONTO (AP) -- Former Seattle Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu will serve as bench coach on the Toronto Blue Jays next season.

Electronic freeway signs cut crashes in Seattle

SEATTLE (AP) -- The Washington Transportation Department says the number of accidents have dropped along a stretch of Interstate 5 in south Seattle after the so-called "Smarter Highway" signs were installed.

Cowboys fire coach Wade Phillips

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has fired coach Wade Phillips and promoted offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to take his place.

ISU's White gets waiver claim denied by NCAA

AMES, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa State says the NCAA has denied forward Royce White a waiver to play this season after he transferred from Minnesota.

Fed official raises doubts over new Fed program

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Federal Reserve official with a close working relationship with Chairman Ben Bernanke is expressing skepticism over the Fed's new $600 billion program to bolster the economy.

12-year-old dies in tractor accident

RIVERSIDE, Wash. (AP) -- The Okanogan County sheriff's office says a 12-year-old boy died following a tractor accident near the town of Riverside.

Hearing set in Afghanistan 'thrill kill' case

SEATTLE (AP) -- A hearing begins Tuesday at a military base south of Seattle for an Army soldier accused of killing Afghan civilians for sport and encouraging other soldiers to do the same.

Lakewood cop killing-accomplice trial under way

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) -- Lawyers presented opening arguments Monday in Tacoma in the trial of four people accused of helping Lakewood police killer Maurice Clemmons.

Sabres G Miller returns after resting injury

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller has returned to practice after spending the weekend resting a sore leg muscle, and has an outside shot of playing by Thursday.

Oregon church groups restore old Malin theater

MALIN, Ore. (AP) -- An old theater in the farm town of Malin in southern Oregon is being restored more than a half century after it closed.

UConn has Maya Moore, and a lot of youth

STORRS, Conn. (AP) -- Maya Moore enters her senior season at Connecticut with a chance of becoming the program's all-time leader in scoring and rebounding.

Challenger Wiggins pulls closer to Justice Sanders

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Challenger Charlie Wiggins is cutting into Justice Richard Sanders' lead in the contest for a state Supreme Court seat.

Justice Sanders questions rejected ballots

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Supreme Court Justice Richard Sanders says his campaign is checking on thousands of ballots that have been rejected for signature errors as ballot counting continues in his too-close-to-call re-election bid.

Bears WR Bennett OK after car accident

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -- Chicago Bears receiver Earl Bennett is apparently OK after an early morning accident that damaged his car.

Rear-end collision sends one to hospital

A Carson woman was cited for following too closely after her vehicle slammed into the back of a Nissan Sentra this morning on state Highway 14, near milepost 15. Patricia A. Rydl, 57, was traveling westbound at about 7:40 a.m. when she struck the Nissan stopped in halted traffic, according to a bulletin issued by the Washington State Patrol.

Spanish cycling body hopes Contador is cleared

MADRID (AP) -- The head of the Spanish cycling federation says he hopes Alberto Contador is cleared of doping in what is expected to be a drawn-out investigation.

Cycling body asks Spain to investigate Contador

AIGLE, Switzerland (AP) -- Cycling's governing body has asked Spanish authorities to open a doping case against Tour de France winner Alberto Contador.

Layoff doesn't affect Eagles, Michael Vick

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Michael Vick broke free on another one of his daring runs, saw a few defenders and stepped out of bounds.

Hockey Hall of Fame opens doors for women

TORONTO (AP) -- The Hockey Hall of Fame has opened its doors to women for the first time

NYC Mayor: Daughter 'fine' after fall from horse

NEW YORK (AP) -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says his daughter is doing well after suffering a concussion in a fall from a horse.

Groups warn Yamhill County over butterfly

MCMINNVILLE, Ore. (AP) -- Conservation groups are warning Yamhill County they will sue if the county doesn't take steps to protect an endangered butterfly.

FIFA gives $100K to Togo goalie shot by terrorists

ZURICH (AP) -- FIFA says it is giving $100,000 to Kodjovi Obilale, the Togo goalkeeper shot when terrorists attacked the team bus at the Africa Cup of Nations at Angola in January.

FBI finds 3 girls in child sex trafficking sting

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The FBI says it recovered three girls in a child sex trafficking sting operation that resulted in prostitution charges against 19 adults in the Portland area.

Tattoo artist Shaw arrested on NYC weapons charge

NEW YORK (AP) -- Noted tattoo artist Jonathan Shaw has been charged with keeping a cache of guns, knives and ammunition in a New York City storage locker and prosecutors say he tried to ship the weapons to his Los Angeles home.

Microsoft Windows Phone 7 devices go on sale

SEATTLE (AP) -- Smart phones running Microsoft Corp.'s new software are now available for AT&T Inc. and T-Mobile USA customers.

Goodell says players won't decide fines

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Commissioner Roger Goodell says active NFL players won't be deciding punishment for flagrant hits that merit fines.

Former owners of US Fidelis settle with 11 states

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The former owners of a suburban St. Louis company that was once among the nation's top marketers of auto service contracts have reached a settlement with 11 states that bars them from telemarketing or selling in those states.

US Fidelis settles with 11 states

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A suburban St. Louis company that was once among the nation's top marketers of auto service contracts has reached a settlement with 11 states that bars the company from telemarketing or selling in those states.

Steinbrenner on Hall of Fame ballot

NEW YORK (AP) -- Yankees owner George Steinbrenner will be on the Hall of Fame veterans committee ballot next month with former New York manager Billy Martin.

Escape from state juvenile prison in Chehalis

CHEHALIS, Wash. (AP) -- A 16-year-old has escaped from the Greenhill School, a Washington state juvenile prison in Chehalis.

Phillies elect to raise ticket prices

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Phillies are raising ticket prices after a record-setting attendance season.

Seattle-area leads nation in child prostitution

SEATTLE (AP) -- Two dozen of the 69 child prostitutes recovered in a national crackdown on sexual exploitation were in the Seattle area.

Passenger: Light not red for Leyritz before crash

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- The passenger in a sports-utility vehicle driven by former major league ballplayer Jim Leyritz says he never saw a traffic light turn red before a 2007 crash that killed a woman.

Ore. company extracts plant seeds to help reforest

BEND, Ore. (AP) -- Mother Nature is getting a little help when it comes to reseeding forests and other parts of the West with native plants.

Parents of student killed by police visit DA in NY

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) -- The parents of a college football player shot to death by police have met with the district attorney coordinating the investigation.

Dolphins want NFL to check out spitting complaint

DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano says he'll ask the NFL to look into the team's complaint that Baltimore Ravens running back Le'Ron McClain spit in the face of linebacker Channing Crowder.

Rep. Larsen wins re-election to Wash. 2nd District

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Democratic U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen has held off a challenge by Republican challenger John Koster to win re-election to Washington state's 2nd Congressional District.

Rep. Larsen maintains lead in Wash. 2nd District

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen continues to lead Republican challenger John Koster in the race for northern Washington state's 2nd Congressional District.

Neb's Pelini expects QB Martinez to start vs. KU

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Nebraska coach Bo Pelini says he expects Taylor Martinez to be the starting quarterback against Kansas this week.

Ex-spy pleads guilty to plotting from prison

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The highest-ranking CIA officer ever convicted of espionage will spend an additional eight years in prison after becoming the first U.S. intelligence official convicted twice of betraying his country.

Gig Harbor schools on bear alert

GIG HARBOR, Wash. (AP) -- The Peninsula School District at Gig Harbor is taking extra precautions because a bear that attacked a woman Sunday remains at large in the area.

Bear that mauled Gig Harbor woman still out there

GIG HARBOR, Wash. (AP) -- The bear the mauled a woman near Gig Harbor remains at large.

Butler ready for Round 2 in national spotlight

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- No. 17 Butler has big plans for this season.

Former top-25 tennis pro Taylor Dent retires

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- Former top-25 player Taylor Dent is retiring from professional tennis.

Elizabeth Smart tells jurors of 2002 abduction

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Elizabeth Smart told jurors Monday how she was awakened with a cold knife on her throat and initially thought her 2002 abduction was a nightmare.

Methodists sue E. Ore. congregation over finances

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- An Eastern Oregon congregation that left the United Methodist Church has been sued over its finances.

Texas G Williams leaves Longhorns

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Texas redshirt freshman guard Shawn Williams is quitting the team,

Mikhail Youzhny retires in 1st round in Paris

PARIS (AP) -- Mikhail Youzhny retired from his first round match at the Paris Masters on Tuesday, relinquishing any hope of qualifying for the ATP Finals later this month.

NFL fines Packers S Collins $50,000

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- The NFL has fined Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins $50,000 for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams.

NFL reviews helmet hit by Packers S Collins

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) -- Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins could face additional discipline from the NFL after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams.

Villanova reviewing 'incident' involving Pinkston

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) -- Villanova is reviewing an off-campus incident involving forward JayVaughn Pinkston and other students on Saturday night.

Ore. pedestrian fatals nearly double this year

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The number of pedestrians killed in Oregon this year has nearly doubled from last year.

Sick sea lions may spread disease to people, pets

TILLAMOOK, Ore. (AP) -- Marine mammal experts are warning people to stay away from sea lions they may find dead on a beach.

Michael Jackson's children recall pop star father

CHICAGO (AP) -- Michael Jackson's two oldest children say they're adjusting well to private school, while their younger brother is still home-schooled.

Jackson's mother says son was addicted to surgery

CHICAGO (AP) -- Michael Jackson's mother says she believes her famous son was addicted to plastic surgery.

Oregon pedestrian fatalities above average

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The three pedestrians struck and killed by cars last week in Oregon -- at Eugene, Milton-Freewater and Welches -- bring the total for the year so far to 52.

Missing hiker found OK in Ashland area

ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A Jackson County sheriff's search-and-rescue team found a hiker who was lost off the Bull Gap Trail in the Ashland area.

Missing mushroom picker found near Nehalem

NEHALEM, Ore. (AP) -- The Coast Guard says a helicopter from Astoria found a missing mushroom picker near Nehalem.

Jurors 'horrified' by Conn. home invasion evidence

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) -- The foreman of a jury that sentenced a Connecticut man to death for a deadly home invasion says jurors were "disgusted" and "horrified" by the evidence.

Clinton to make final US bid presentation to FIFA

NEW YORK (AP) -- Former President Bill Clinton will take part in the final presentation of the U.S. World Cup bid to FIFA's executive committee on Dec. 1.

Court lets NFL complaint go to state court

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court won't stop a Minnesota state court from getting involved in a fight between the NFL and Minnesota Vikings defensive linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams over violations of the league's anti-doping policy.

High court turns down early health care challenge

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court has turned down the first preliminary challenge to President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

GOP taps 2 tea partiers for transition to power

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Republicans are tapping two newly elected congressman who drew tea party backing in their campaigns to help lead the party's transition to power.

Amanda Knox indicted on slander charges in Italy

PERUGIA, Italy (AP) -- Former University of Washington student Amanda Knox has been indicted on slander charges in Italy for claiming she was beaten by police when questioned in 2007 about her roommate's slaying.

Washington prisoners helping save endangered frogs

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) -- Prison inmates at the Cedar Creek Correctional Center are helping raise endangered Oregon spotted frogs for release back into the wild.

Eat, shop at new Sea-Tac parking garage

SEATAC, Wash. (AP) -- A new private garage at Sea-Tac Airport will offer drivers more than a place to park their cars.

Israel announces new east Jerusalem housing plans

JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel says it is moving ahead with plans to build 1,300 new apartments in disputed east Jerusalem.

Bremerton police break down door, find injured man

BREMERTON, Wash. (AP) -- Bremerton police broke down an apartment door and found an injured man and three people with blood on their clothing.

Speeding car crashes in south Seattle bus stop

SEATTLE (AP) -- Police say the driver of a speeding car was critically injured when it crashed into a bus shelter in south Seattle on Martin Luther King Way.

3 displaced by early morning fire in Spokane

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- Three people were displaced by a fire about 1:30 a.m. Monday at a Spokane home.

Clark County high school swimmers keep aiming high

Tim Martinez: High schools

Jessica Bottelberghe of Columbia River, Nikki Cannon of Hudson's Bay and Julia Sanders on Hockinson will return to Federal Way to defend their swimming championships this weekend.

New city manager savors challenges

Vancouver faces a variety, including budget woes

The only object on the meeting table in Eric Holmes’ new office in Vancouver City Hall is a small 3-D puzzle. It’s got just six pieces and is a cityscape of tall buildings and parks. And somehow, once it’s out of its frame, it is really hard to put back together.

Ohio prospective juror cites Dahmer, is excused

CLEVELAND (AP) -- An Ohio man was excused from jury service after mentioning he was friends growing up with serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.

Recovery next focus of retiring retirement home

Christian program for men fighting addiction will replace Rose Ranch in east Hazel Dell

A modest mom-and-pop retirement home in east Hazel Dell is about to change ownership and host a different type of client.

Real estate roundup

Recent commercial real estate transactions as reported by area brokerage firms.

Clark County building permits

Nov. 1-5 Building permits over $25,000 issued by Clark County’s Department of Community Development.

Talking Points 11/08

What's the buzz from the world of sports? Here are some items that will have people talking:

November to stay soggy for a few days

Weary of the weather this November? Buck up, there’s plenty more where that came from.

Port of Vancouver to adopt budget, talk taxes Tuesday

The Port of Vancouver Board of Commissioners is expected to adopt a final budget for 2011 on Tuesday. The board meets at 9:30 a.m. at the port’s administrative offices, 3103 Lower River Road. The public is invited to comment on the port’s spending priorities before any decisions are made.

Off Beat: If campaign ads seemed inescapable, that’s because they were

It started in 1980 with “Laverne & Shirley,” one veteran campaigner recalls. What we got 30 years later was “Patty & Dino” and “Jaime & Denny” and a supporting cast of candidates that grabbed our TVs and didn’t let go until just a few days ago.

Clark County business calendar

The Columbian welcomes submissions about Clark County residents or businesses as well as regional business events. Information must be received by noon Tuesday preceding the intended Sunday publication date. Send to mary.ricks@columbian.com or fax 360-735-4491. Sales awards are not published.

Building permits

Oct. 25-29 Building permits of more than $25,000 issued by the city of Vancouver.

Liquor licenses

The following have applied to the Washington State Liquor Control Board:

TV star soars at Camas kite festival

‘America’s Got Talent’ semifinalist shows off moves at indoor event

CAMAS — It defied the odds, but a television celebrity was the main attraction at the fifth annual Camas Indoor Kite Festival over the weekend. “It was a blast,” 17-year-old Connor Doran said after flying two kites Sunday in the Camas High School gymnasium. With grace and precision, he choreographed the kites’ movements to the song “Believe in Dreams.”

Feast to fete local, sustainable food

Area groups want residents to look close to home for eats

Aside from complaining about the rain, most people don’t give too much thought to the change of seasons, let alone what it means for food. Why would you when you can buy strawberries in December at the grocery store?

Our readers' views

Letters to the editor

Bits 'n' Pieces: Fort grad directs Control TV

Director Douglas Cheney is wrapping up the first season of Control TV, an interactive reality web show produced by Seth Green. Cheney, a 1994 Fort Vancouver High School graduate, has wanted to be a director since he was 7.

Plans in the works for more 192nd Avenue retail

A developer has submitted plans for a $50 million retail complex on the northeast corner of Southeast 192nd Avenue and 20th Street in east Vancouver.

Death notices

A list of daily death notices

Iran's weightlifter gets lifetime ban for doping

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) -- The International Weightlifting Federation says it has imposed a lifetime ban on Iran's heavyweight weightlifter Saeid Ali-Hosseini for doping.

Dina Lohan: Rehab 'life-changing' for Lindsay

NEW YORK (AP) -- Lindsay Lohan's mother says her daughter's treatment for addiction at the Betty Ford Clinic has been "life-changing."

Speedskater Pechstein says she considered suicide

BERLIN (AP) -- Five-time Olympic speedskating champion Claudia Pechstein says she considered taking her own life after being banned for doping.

Amanda Knox indicted on slander charges

PERUGIA, Italy (AP) -- American student Amanda Knox has been indicted on slander charges for claiming she was beaten by police when questioned in 2007 about her roommate's slaying.

Bush: Cheney angry Bush did not pardon Libby

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former President George W. Bush says Vice President Dick Cheney angrily confronted him over Bush's decision not to pardon a former vice presidential aide over his role in the case of the leaked identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame.