Stories for July 17, 2011

Oregon man stabbed, walks self to hospital

GRESHAM, Ore. (AP) -- Police in Gresham say a man was stabbed but was able to walk himself to a hospital across the street.

DC United gets Austin da Luz from Red Bulls

WASHINGTON (AP) -- D.C. United has acquired midfielder Austin da Luz from the New York Red Bulls to complete a trade between the MLS clubs.

Blaine immigration adviser responds to state suit

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) -- A Blaine-based immigration advisory has agreed to change his business practices and pay $3,000 in legal costs in response to a civil suit filed by the Washington Attorney General's office.

2 dead in Douglas County plane crash

AZALEA, Ore. (AP) -- Federal authorities are investigating a fatal plane crash in Douglas County.

Online traffic monitoring of I-5 about to improve

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) -- Online traffic monitoring of Interstate 5 through Western Washington is about to improve.

Police: NJ men locked selves in Pa. constable van

RADNOR, Pa. (AP) -- Police say two men hoping to stage photos of an arrest locked themselves inside a Pennsylvania constable's van and ended up getting arrested for real.

Washington man survives Idaho river in his car

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- The Idaho State Patrol says a Newport, Wash., man was lucky to survive after his car plunged into the Pend Oreille River near the Idaho state line.

Long quest for baby elephant in Seattle

SEATTLE (AP) -- A Seattle zoo's long quest to make a baby elephant is being called cruel by some critics.

Full steam ahead at Ridgefield fair

The 17th annual Rural Heritage Fair at the Schurman Iron Ranch is in the books, and the weekend event drew an estimated 2,000 visitors.

Hacking scandal fallout spreads

Ex-newspaper chief arrested, London police commissioner resigns

LONDON — An intensifying voice mail hacking and police bribery scandal cut closer than ever to Rupert Murdoch and Scotland Yard on Sunday with the arrest of the media magnate’s former British newspaper chief and the resignation of London’s police commissioner. Though the former executive, Rebekah Brooks, and the police chief, Paul Stephenson, have denied wrongdoing, both developments are ominous not only for Murdoch’s News Corp., but for a British power structure that nurtured a cozy relationship with his papers for years.

Computer clubs spur more seniors to log on

While technology can intimidate older people, it also opens up opportunities to socialize, access information

Vancouver resident John Kelly was in his 20s when the first commercially produced computer debuted in 1950, but the 83-year-old didn’t have a computer of his own until two months ago. “I just thought computers were over my head,” Kelly said. “I kept reading about people being scammed online, and people being tracked down. I thought I’d just let other people use them.”

Evergreen schools budget taking shape

Vancouver, Battle Ground districts still have work to do

With barely a dozen patrons attending the final Evergreen Public Schools budget forum last week at Frontier Middle School, there was ample time to pepper Superintendent John Deeder with questions. Few inquiries were aimed at Deeder’s budget cut plan issued on June 30, however.

Federal money to pay for Grays Harbor restoration

ABERDEEN, Wash. (AP) -- Federal dollars will pay for a cleanup of marine debris in Grays Harbor. The $100,000 restoration grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will pay for a marine survey and removal of creosote-treated pilings from Grays Harbor.

Sunday’s rain heavy, but no record storm

Was it a record rain day Sunday in Vancouver? Not quite, said Steve Starmer of the National Weather Service in Portland.

Native American tribe sues over raid

TUPELO, Miss. (AP) -- A Washington state Native American tribe is suing several Mississippi municipalities over allegations that law enforcement officials illegally invaded tribal lands during an FBI-led raid earlier this year.

Women's World Cup final breaks Twitter record

LONDON (AP) -- Twitter says the finish of the Women's World Cup final between Japan and the United States broke the record for tweets per second.

Kenteris, Thanou appeal trial opens in Athens

ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- A Greek court has formally opened the appeal trial of sprinters Costas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou, convicted of faking a motorcycle crash after missing a doping test on the eve of the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Clark Public Utilities considers LED streetlights

Utility mulls rules, rates for more efficient lighting.

Israel seeks builders for West Bank settler homes

JERUSALEM (AP) -- A government official says Israel is seeking builders to erect 336 apartments in Jewish West Bank settlements.

Coast Guard: 2 boaters found 'unresponsive'

DETROIT (AP) -- The Coast Guard says divers have found two people missing since their boat capsized in Lake Michigan the annual Chicago-to-Mackinac Island race and that the two are "unresponsive."

Medical marijuana signs sprout up

Placed around area by referral firm, they have attention of law enforcement

Got chronic pain? For only $150, you can get your medical marijuana card today. That’s the message sprouting up across Clark County and other communities along the Interstate 5 corridor.

Accusations fly over obscure Medicare board

WASHINGTON (AP) -- An independent panel created under President Barack Obama's health care law to control excessive increases in Medicare costs is drawing heavy fire from Republicans.

China wins 4th diving gold at worlds

SHANGHAI (AP) -- China maintained its diving dominance at the world championships, winning its fourth gold medal and fifth overall.

Bengals CB Pacman Jones pleads not guilty in Ohio

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Bengals cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones has pleaded not guilty to charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest in Cincinnati.

Warm conditions a factor for open water races

SHANGHAI (AP) -- Warm conditions will almost certainly be a factor for the open water swimming events in the world championships.

NATO: 3 service members killed in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- NATO forces say three international service members have been killed in a bomb blast in eastern Afghanistan.

Petraeus hands over Afghan command to Allen

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- U.S. Gen. John Allen has taken over command of American and coalition forces in Afghanistan from Gen. David Petraeus.

Japan wins 1st World Cup title in penalty shootout

FRANKFURT, Germany — Japan has won the Women’s World Cup, stunning the United States 3-1 in a penalty shootout Sunday night after coming from behind twice in a 2-2 tie. Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd and Tobin Heath all missed penalties for the Americans, who squandered dozens of chances throughout the game and blew a lead just six minutes from winning their third World Cup title.

Australian swimmer ordered to pay damages

SYDNEY (AP) -- A civil court judge has ordered swimmer Nick D'Arcy to pay at least $190,000 in damages to former Commonwealth Games champion Simon Cowley, who was injured in a bar room fight in 2008.

Rays manager Maddon ejected in 11th against BoSox

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon was thrown out of Sunday night's game against the Boston Red Sox during a pitching change -- and his bench coach soon followed.

GOP-leaning group targets House Democrats with ads

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A conservative group linked with Republican strategist Karl Rove is launching an ad campaign targeting 10 vulnerable House Democrats up for re-election in 2012.

Huston wins 3rd straight Street League contest

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Nyjah Huston has become the first pro skateboarder to win three straight Street League contests.

Majestic City wins Hollywood Juvenile

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) -- Majestic City beat Brigand by 214 lengths Sunday in the $100,000 Hollywood Juvenile Championship on closing day at Hollywood Park, and Imponente Purse won the $100,000 Sunset Handicap.

Ajavon helps Mystics rally from 24-down to win

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Matee Ajavon scored 27 points and the Washington Mystics overcame a 22-point deficit in the second half to beat the Los Angeles Sparks 89-85 in overtime on Sunday.

Epic traffic fears disappear as LA freeway reopens

LOS ANGELES — As JetBlue’s first “Carmageddon Fly-Over” flight touched down in Long Beach on Saturday afternoon to cheers from passengers, those who took the 12-minute ride said it was a memorable event. “It was what I thought it would be,” said 25-year-old Jeff Merski, who flew in from Phoenix for the sole purpose of taking the $4 Flight 405.

Rays' game briefly delayed by broken light

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Sean Rodriguez's foul ball brought about a strange delay.

Don’t let spoiled food spoil the fun!

Keeping food safe in summer

To keep the time honored rituals of picnics and barbeques safe and fun, remember to take extra care when preparing and serving food outdoors, away from the convenience of refrigeration and hot running water.

Tips for gluten-free restaraunt-ing and food safety

Mike Lee, founder of Vancouver-based gluten-free website Gling, presents his tips for how to spoon your way through new restaurant menus and still eat gluten-free.

Grill your way lean

Summer grilling can do some serious damage to your waistline over the course of the summer. But with a few small changes to your barbecue menu, you can turn summer into the perfect opportunity for weight loss.

American Hoge wins Canadian Tour's Players Cup

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) -- American Tom Hoge shot a bogey-free 5-under 66 to win the Canadian Tour's Players Cup on Sunday.

Dwight Howard strongly considering career overseas

FAIRBURN, Ga. (AP) -- Dwight Howard's frustration with the NBA lockout has caused the Orlando Magic star to strongly consider playing overseas.

Petrov leads England's Bolton over Orlando City

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Martin Petrov had a goal and an assist to lead Bolton of the English Premier League to a 3-1 win over Orlando City of the US Pro League in an international exhibition Sunday night.

Ruiz, Valdes score to lead Union over Revs 3-0

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Carlos Ruiz and Carlos Valdes each scored within a 13-minute span early in the first half to lead the Philadelphia Union to a 3-0 win over the New England Revolution on Sunday night.

A wetland once, and again

113 acres in Fargher Lake area will return to natural state through mitigation effort

Fargher Lake never was an actual lake. But a 113-acre portion of the large open area near Amboy, drained by area farmers for nearly a century, already is returning to its natural state as a forested wetland. Tall native grasses cover much of the site. As the first drainage tiles are removed, birds, deer and even coyotes are finding their way back to an area that once again provides food and cover.

BBC: Brooks to testify to hacking probe committee

LONDON (AP) -- The BBC is reporting that former News International executive Rebekah Brooks will testify to a parliamentary committee examining the phone hacking scandal.

HBO chief Greenburg leaving after 33 years

NEW YORK (AP) -- Ross Greenburg is stepping down as president of HBO Sports after more than a decade in charge of the cable channel's sports programming.

Banker's Buy wins Belmont's closing feature

NEW YORK (AP) -- Banker's Buy, the longest price in a field of five New York-bred fillies and mares, caught pacesetter Cody Samora in the stretch and drew away to a 234-length win on Sunday in the $58,800 Miss South Shore Stakes on closing day at Belmont Park.

Crawford to play Monday

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Boston left fielder Carl Crawford will rejoin the team Monday after being out because of a strained left hamstring.

McCray's career-best 22 lifts Sun over Fever

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) -- Rookie Danielle McCray scored a career-high 22 points to help the Connecticut Sun beat the Indiana Fever 76-71 on Sunday.

State, unions set upcoming session

SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- The two top state workers' unions in Oregon are set to hold a second joint bargaining session Monday with representatives of Gov. John Kitzhaber.

Lil Kiara wins Monmouth Park feature

OCEANPORT, N.J. (AP) -- Lil Kiara held off Little Stitch by a half-length to win the $65,000 Spruce Fir Handicap at Monmouth Park on Sunday.

Tribes land at Fort Vancouver

Warm Springs, Cowlitz canoes make stop on way to Northwest gathering

Centuries of tribal traditions and language were beaten out of his father, Bill Iyall said. Now that heritage is coming back, and part of it landed Thursday on the shore of Columbia River in Vancouver.

Ivanka Trump gives birth to daughter in NYC

NEW YORK (AP) -- She's been a model, a jewelry designer and a judge on her father's TV show "The Apprentice." Now add mother to the list of Ivanka Trump's job titles.

Wagner holds off late-charging Romo at Lake Tahoe

STATELINE, Nev. (AP) -- Actor Jack Wagner earned his second title at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship on Sunday, holding off a late-charging Tony Romo with a 10-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole and overcoming a shot into the pond guarding the 18th.

Pondexter, Carson help Liberty cruise past Shock

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Cappie Pondexter scored 18 points, Essence Carson had 17 and the New York Liberty cruised to a 88-57 victory over the Tulsa Shock on Sunday.

Cantwell lauds small business loans at WA brewery

SEATTLE (AP) -- As she helped tap a keg, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell lauded a federal small business loan program she helped pass through Congress at a Seattle brewery expanding its operations.

Collins takes chip lead at World Series of Poker

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- A 26-year-old poker professional who used to play online before federal indictments shut down the top poker websites to Americans has taken the chip lead at the World Series of Poker main event.

Coast Guard buoy tenders to gather in Juneau

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) -- The Coast Guard's 17th District is hosting the annual District Buoy Tender Roundup in Juneau.

In Our View: Puzzling Conduct

Vancouver council on the right track with ethics policy, but why is it taking so long?

We’ll start with the kudos: Members of the Vancouver City Council are to be applauded for hammering out a new ethics policy designed to help oversee their behavior. Considering that the council members are elected to represent the public and act in the best interests of the populace, it is reasonable to expect nothing less than decorum and above-board actions in the execution of their duties. As philosopher Albert Camus said: “A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world.” We assume that applies to women, as well.

Congress has a try at debt solution; Obama talks to public

WASHINGTON (AP) — Racing the debt clock, Congress is working on dual tracks while President Barack Obama appeals to the public in hopes of influencing a deal that talks have failed to produce so far.

High school coaches call summer camps win-win situation

With the gym doors open, one can hear the bouncing balls and the shrill from the whistles and the squeaks from the shoes all the way out to the parking lot at Hudson’s Bay High School. Inside the gym last week were 50 youngsters — ranging in school age from incoming fourth-graders to freshmen — all learning from the Eagles.

TigerStop poised to pounce

Vancouver company hangs onto key workers, seeks new markets

If you’re a manufacturer, and you managed to survive the Great Recession — and even reposition yourself to grow again — you may still be waiting on a few important things to happen that stand agonizingly out of your control. Like the housing market coming back and, with it, consumers who are willing to buy your products again. Or the Obama administration successfully browbeating China into halting its manipulation of currency so American exports may flow.

Marketplace: We harvest big bucks from vice

Forget alternative energy or high-tech health care. Clark County’s developing a niche with no help from the economic development experts: vice. Just look at the evidence. Booze, gambling and drugs are all growing sectors in our economy, bringing in millions of dollars and likely employing hundreds of local people. The booze is the least controversial. As reporter Sue Vorenberg writes in today’s Life section, Vancouver’s got a burgeoning beer scene, with a handful of established microbrew pubs and tasting rooms already here and more on the way. Clark County also has a small but growing wine scene, with Three Brothers Winery, East Fork Cellars and Gouger Cellars Winery all earning awards in recent years. Beyond locally made drinks, Clark County liquor sales are up 35 percent to $38.2 million over the past decade, when adjusted for inflation, according to the state Liquor Control Board.

Weather Eye: Expect warm, wet weather, unless it clears and heats up

I guess the only difference between rain in the winter and rain in the summer is whether it is cold and wet or warm and wet. Overnight Friday into Saturday morning, we got the latter. It was fairly mild with the showers and turned out to be a little muggy during the day on Saturday. At least we got some sun breaks. With the daytime heating and the destabilization of the atmosphere, plenty of towering cumulus were present. That means also there was a risk of scattered thunderstorms. While I was writing this column, however, I did not see any around Clark County. Rainfall Saturday was generally between one-tenth and one-quarter of an inch here in the lowlands. Of course, isolated locations may have received more, especially if a thundershower developed Saturday evening after I wrote this.

Death notices

A daily list of death notices

Letter: Identify breed as needing supervision

Identify breed as needing supervision Once again I read about a poor animal that had to be euthanized because of a pit bull attack, July 10 story “Police report: B.G. pit bull attacks; its victim now dead.” How long must this go on?

Letter: Foundation of ideal society will cost

Is it so wonderful that some people think that the Obama health care bill is just the definition of utopia?

Letter: Profit determines level of care

I have a deadly, aggressive stem cell cancer but the drug I need to save my life will not be available again until August. The manufacturer of this drug, called Doxil, has chosen to use its facilities to make more profitable drugs.

Letter: Conflict in prerequisites unregulated

“Chinese firms hope Bay Area project is bridge to the West” was an interesting story on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge project in the July 12 Business section. California decided to save $400 million by off-shoring the production to China.

Letter: May be pot of gold at end of 'Rainbow'

I read the July 9 story “Olympic Park visitors urged not to pee near trails to dissuade goats,” regarding visitors being asked “not to urinate along trails frequented by mountain goats, to avoid turning trails into ‘long, linear salt licks’ and attracting goats.”

Letter: It was outdated once so why revive?

As a child living in Portland 80 years ago, we had a street car rolling by our house on tracks and overhead lines. Quite noisy but they worked just fine as they clanged their way on many, many tracks and lines.

Letter: Dogs are remarkable animals

I must take umbrage at the excessive coverage being given to dog attacks, mostly breed specific.

Check it Out: Check out library, book on librarians

In case you haven’t heard, today is a very special day. Why? The grand opening of the new Vancouver Community Library is from 1 to 6 p.m. today. After many years of planning and almost two years of construction, we’re ready to open the doors to the community. With five floors, the new library offers plenty to see and do.

Clark County business briefs

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