Stories for May 25, 2011

Wash. board nixes colon cancer 'butt' billboards

KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) -- A health board in Washington state has reversed itself and voted against endorsing a colon cancer awareness campaign that uses billboards saying, "What's up your butt?"

2 top Ore. state managers removed after inquiry

SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Two top managers at the Oregon Department of Administrative Services have been removed from their positions after an investigation into a lucrative contract granted to a former employee.

Congress sends terrorism-fighting bill to Obama

WASHINGTON (AP) -- With just hours to spare before a midnight deadline, Congress has passed and sent to President Obama a four-year extension of three critical terrorism-fighting powers, including powers to conduct roving wiretaps and examine business records in pursuit of terrorists.

Bellingham mayor apologizes to Chinese community

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) -- Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike issued a formal apology Thursday to the Chinese community for the Chinese expulsion 125 years ago.

Mental exam for Moses Lake man accused of killing

EPHRATA, Wash. (AP) -- A judge in Ephrata has ordered a mental exam for a man accused of killing his 88-year-old mother at the home they shared in Moses Lake.

Mets agree to sell minority interest in team

NEW YORK (AP) -- The owners of the New York Mets have agreed to sell a minority share of the team to investor David Einhorn for $200 million.

FIFA investigates exhibition in UAE for match fix

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- FIFA says it broke up a scheme to rig a soccer game in the United Arab Emirates that it believes is part of a wider match-fixing scandal stretching from Finland to the Far East.

Timbers get a close look at top-flight soccer in loss to Dutch team

Dutch team impresses hosts in friendly at Jeld-Wen

PORTLAND — The gulf between a club with 111 years of history and one of the larger budgets in the sport and a Major League Soccer expansion team was clear from whistle to whistle Wednesday in AFC Ajax’s 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers at Jeld-Wen Field. The Dutch champions, in their final match before their offseason, moved the ball with ease around the FieldTurf, cashed in on a defensive breakdown, and gave the young Timbers a glimpse of the talent at the top of their sport.

High School Scoreboard 5/26

High school results for Wednesday

CAS postpones appeals hearing in Contador case

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) -- The Court of Arbitration for Sport has postponed its hearing in Alberto Contador's doping case.

Haynesworth road-rage trial postponed in Virginia

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) -- Washington Redskins defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth's trial on misdemeanor charges related to an alleged road-rage assault in northern Virginia has been postponed.

Tri-Cities health board nixes 'butt' billboards

KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) -- A Tri-Cities health board reversed itself Wednesday and voted against endorsing a colon cancer awareness campaign that uses billboards saying, "What's up your butt?"

Senate OKs budget in final hours

State lawmakers pass slew of bills on last day of special session

OLYMPIA — Washington lawmakers reached toward adjournment Wednesday night, finalizing budgets and a long list of lingering bills before the end of their 30-day overtime session. Less than two days after negotiators unveiled a deal on the state’s spending plan for the next two years, senators gave it final approval and sent it to the governor’s desk. Several bills passed in the final hours of the session, including one moving Washington closer to privatizing liquor, another that puts limits on the state’s debt and a contentious plan allowing outsourcing of some government services.

Teary Nancy Kerrigan to judge: Send brother home

WOBURN, Mass. (AP) -- Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan has tearfully asked a Massachusetts judge to spare her brother jail time and send him home "to rejoin our family" after he was convicted of assaulting his father.

Armstrong adds to legal team

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Lance Armstrong is adding two lawyers to his legal team who previously won a major legal victory against federal investigators in a doping case.

Portland police seeking help for disabled drunk

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Portland police say they're trying to find medical and social services for a homeless, disabled man known as "One-legged Scottie" who has been arrested 30 times in the past three years for drinking in public and related violations.

Truck kills pedestrian on Highway 99 near Gervais

GERVAIS, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon State Police say a truck driver was unable to avoid hitting a man walking on Highway 99 south of Gervais.

19-year sentence in Portland for 2 rapes

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A man who pleaded no contest to two rape charges was sentenced Wednesday in Portland to 19 years in prison.

Czechs want tougher punishment for field invaders

PRAGUE (AP) -- The Czech soccer federation has called for tougher punishment for fans who run onto the field after two recent incidents in the Czech Cup.

Stranger attacks woman in Keizer home

SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Police are looking for a man who attacked a woman in her home at Keizer.

Cold, wet woman rescued at Keizer Rapids Park

KEIZER, Ore. (AP) -- A 29-year-old woman sent her friends some alarming text messages Wednesday night in Keiser.

Newcomer Wylie played skeptic

Democrat voted with GOP on several key issues

Democratic state Rep. Sharon Wylie, a member of the Legislature for just six weeks, crossed the aisle to vote with Republicans at least four times in the session’s waning days — on the state operating budget, on workers’ compensation reform, on a bill making changes in tax law, and on a measure put forth by majority Democrats to show that a voter-approved initiative makes it all but impossible for lawmakers to close tax loopholes, even those favoring big Wall Street banks. Wylie says that as a newcomer, she has been appropriately skeptical of bills that make sweeping changes in state law.

Clark County school officials pore over state budget details

They say it’ll be a few days before real effects can be determined

Local school leaders on Wednesday sifted through details of the final budget deal adopted Tuesday by state legislators in Olympia. What they found brought a mixture of relief, resignation and frustration.

B.G. district giving nonteachers notice of possible position cuts

Actual reductions may be far less dire

Acting independent of the two-year state budget plan that was approved in Olympia later in the day, the Battle Ground school board agreed Wednesday to issue notices of a worst-case reduction in force, or RIF, of classified (nonteaching, nonadministrative) employee positions and hours for 2011-12. By contract with the classified employees union, the district must notify workers by May 31 if they might be affected by a RIF. Because Monday is a holiday, the letters will go out this week.

Blatter: No joy in bin Hammam bribes 'humiliation'

ZURICH (AP) -- FIFA President Sepp Blatter says he takes no joy in seeing election rival Mohamed bin Hammam suffer "public humiliation" in a bribery scandal.

Pa. man knocks out wall, pulls plane from basement

CAMP HILL, Pa. (AP) -- Lots of houses have a two-car garage. Dan Reeves' had a one-airplane basement.

Proposed parking garages panned

Preliminary designs for CRC facilities fuel worries for downtown

Preliminary design drawings for three park-and-ride garages to accompany light rail in Vancouver are sparking criticism of their looks and have some questioning if they’ll do anything to spark downtown redevelopment. This spring, Vancouver long-range planners and the Vancouver City Center Redevelopment Authority wrote the Columbia River Crossing with concerns over the garages’ architectural style, size and lack of multiuse features, such as incorporating apartments or offices onto the top floors of the buildings.

Orchards-area fire causes $20,000 damage

Vancouver firefighters cut a hole through the wall of a single-family structure overnight Wednesday to quell a garage fire east of Orchards.

NATO welcomes Mladic arrest

BRUSSELS (AP) -- NATO is hailing Serbia's arrest of indicted war criminal Ratko Mladic, saying he played a key role in some of the darkest and bloodiest chapters of European history.

Ridgefield’s Johnson wins 1A state golf title

Junior placed fourth at 2A state golf tourney last year

Having placed fourth at state last year, experience helped Ridgefield’s Brett Johnson at the Class 1A state golf tournament Wednesday in Dupont. Johnson knew two things that many of his fellow competitors did not — how to fix your ball marks on the green, and how to make birdies when it counts.

Ex-Buckeyes player says he sold rings for cash

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Former Ohio State wide receiver Ray Small told the school's student newspaper that he sold Big Ten championship rings and other memorabilia for cash and got special car deals as an athlete during his playing days.

Local projects funded in state’s capital budget

Spending plan significantly smaller than in years past

The state’s capital budget for 2011-13 delivers $500,000 for design and permitting of Vancouver’s Waterfront Park project and millions of dollars for public works and land conservation projects in Clark County and the Columbia River Gorge. “Great news!” Vancouver City Manager Eric Holmes said in an email announcing the waterfront planning allocation. He credited state Sen. Craig Pridemore and Reps. Jim Moeller, Tim Probst, Paul Harris and Sharon Wylie for scoring the funding in a capital budget that is significantly smaller than in years past.

Obama: US, Russia to work on missile defense

DEAUVILLE, France (AP) -- President Barack Obama says the U.S. and Russia are committed to finding an approach on America's plans to build a European-based missile defense system that meets their security needs while also dealing with potential threats to both countries.

7 US soldiers among 8 NATO dead in Afghan blast

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- A U.S. official says all seven of the NATO service members killed in a powerful bomb explosion in southern Afghanistan were Americans.

‘Wheel of Fortune’ winner must split $51,600 with his ex

Vancouver man’s jackpot is community property, judge rules

Scott Dole might have won $51,600 on “Wheel of Fortune,” but the number dwindled to $25,800 on Wednesday, a judge decided. Dole and his wife, Carrie, were embroiled in a highly contentious divorce battle over, in part, Dole’s winnings on the hit game show. The issue was whether the money was community property, and, therefore, should be subject to the state’s community property law mandating equal separation of assets, or whether it was just Scott Dole’s property.

Police siege takes twists, ends well

Man believed to be holed up in home later found at park

It was a large police siege that, as sometimes happens, wasn’t what it seemed to be.

Popular Washougal educator gets reprieve

District will offer Gordon Washburn different position

A Washougal High School administrator whose job status limbo resulted in wide-scale online support earlier this week will remain employed at the school, albeit in a different capacity, school officials said Wednesday. Washougal School Board members voted Tuesday night to clarify language in the district’s budget blueprint that raised concerns Gordon Washburn, one of the high school’s two associate principals, would be let go or have his position downsized due to district budget cuts. Instead, Washburn, who recently received a reduction-in-force notification, will be offered the title of student services administrator. He previously served as associate principal for 10 years.

Seattle to appeal ruling on police officers' names

SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seattle City Attorney's office will seek court review of a labor arbitrator's order that the Seattle Police Department must stop releasing the names of officers found to have engaged in misconduct.

Police told to stop IDing misbehaving officers

SEATTLE (AP) -- A labor arbitrator has ordered the Seattle Police Department to stop releasing the names of officers found to have engaged in misconduct.

JBLM ceremony for unit heading to Afghanistan

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. (AP) -- Joint Base Lewis-McChord is holding a flag ceremony Thursday for the I (First) Corps Headquarters unit that is preparing to deploy to Afghanistan.

Blagojevich takes stand to testify in own defense

CHICAGO (AP) -- Ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has taken the stand to testify in his own defense at his corruption retrial.

Blagojevich attorneys seek mistrial _ again

CHICAGO (AP) -- Attorneys for ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich have asked for a mistrial -- again.

Spokesman: Blagojevich plans to testify at trial

CHICAGO (AP) -- Unlike during his first trial on corruption charges, impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected to testify during his retrial in Chicago.

SAfrica Olympic committee head rules out 2020 bid

JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- South Africa's Olympic committee president is ruling out a bid for the 2020 Summer Games after the government said it was not the right time.

Astronauts make 4th, final spacewalk of mission

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- Two astronauts are making the fourth and final spacewalk of NASA's next-to-last space shuttle mission.

Kids take to the streets for bike parade

Fircrest — Sunshine greeted 125 Fircrest and Burnt Bridge Creek elementary students during the Fircrest Elementary School bike rodeo. The students took part in an obstacle course, face-painting, minor bike repair provided by Schroder’s Bicycles and a decorated bike parade near the school. The Fircrest Parent-Teacher Association organized the event and invited the neighborhood to participate.

Twins to say one last goodbye to Harmon Killebrew

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- It's Harmon Killebrew Day in Minnesota, with his longtime team set for a memorial service to honor the late Hall of Fame slugger.

Snow limits options for backwoods fun

Most of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest is buried this Memorial Day weekend

Bears promise to negotiate exclusively with Clark County

Deal with baseball team expected to be signed Tuesday

Clark County commissioners on Tuesday are expected to sign an exclusivity contract with the owners of the Yakima Bears. County Administrator Bill Barron said the contract states that the team will negotiate only with the county as it seeks to build a stadium and bring the Class A baseball team to Vancouver.

Sheriff: E. Ore. man's death a suicide

PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) -- Authorities say a man found fatally shot in the Eastern Oregon town of Irrigon shortly after he called police to say two people were stealing gas from his property actually committed suicide.

High-flying science

Research by - and on - Camas astronaut Mike Barratt is advancing knowledge of the body's response to spaceflight.

WA man shot with arrow, daughter arrested

TAHUYA, Wash. (AP) -- A Mason County, Wash., sheriff's spokesman says a 35-year-old man was shot and wounded with an arrow and a SWAT team has arrested his teenage daughter.

Marlins blow lead, then rally past Giants in 12th

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Scott Cousins scored the winning run in a brutal collision with catcher Buster Posey at home in the 12th inning, and the Florida Marlins beat the San Francisco Giants 7-6 on Wednesday night after blowing a four-run lead in the ninth.

Posey leaves game with apparent foot injury

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey was knocked out of Wednesday night's game against Florida following a collision at home plate with Scott Cousins in the 12th inning.

Gregoire says session was most difficult in memory

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Gov. Chris Gregoire says this year's legislative session was the most difficult in recent memory.

Police: Death toll rises to 24 in Pakistan bombing

ISLAMABAD (AP) -- Police say the death toll in a suicide car bombing in northwest Pakistan has risen to 24.

Police: Car bomb kills 8 in northwest Pakistan

ISLAMABAD (AP) -- Police say a car bomb has exploded near a government office in a northwest Pakistani region near the country's militant-riddled tribal areas, killing at least eight people.

Pakistan PM vows to target militant sanctuaries

ISLAMABAD (AP) -- Pakistan's prime minister says the government will use "all available means" to attack militant sanctuaries inside the country.

Searchers looking for girl lost in NE Wash. river

KETTLE FALLS, Wash. (AP) -- With daylight Thursday, the search is resuming in the Kettle River in northeast Washington for 14-year-old Laura Enquist who is missing after a canoe capsized.

Teen girl missing in NE Wash. after canoe capsizes

KETTLE FALLS, Wash. (AP) -- The Stevens County sheriff's office says a young brother and sister were tossed into the fast-moving Kettle River in northeast Washington when their canoe capsized. The boy reached shore but the 14-year-old girl is missing.

A's beat Angels 4-3 behind Anderson's 3-hitter

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Brett Anderson tossed three-hit ball over eight scoreless innings and Andy LaRoche drove in three runs to help the last-place Oakland Athletics beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 on Thursday.

Donovan's penalty kick lifts Galaxy past Dynamo

CARSON, Calif. (AP) -- Landon Donovan converted a penalty kick in the 46th minute and Los Angeles beat the Houston Dynamo 1-0 Wednesday night for the Galaxy's third straight win.

Sporting KC beats Revs, advances in US Open Cup

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) -- Chance Myers and C.J. Sapong each scored two goals and Sporting Kansas City routed the Major Soccer League rival New England Revolution 5-0 in rainy conditions Wednesday night to advance to the third round of the U.S. Open Cup.

Lethal plan for sea lions halted at Bonneville Dam

Feds, states, Humane Society reach pact

The Humane Society of the United States says it has reached an agreement with the states of Oregon and Washington and a federal agency to temporarily halt plans to kill California sea lions at Bonneville Dam this year.

Legislature making quick work of final day

Budgets, debt limit last topics of 30-day special session

Washington state lawmakers are pushing to finish their work in the final hours of a 30-day special session.

Fitness companies to open Vancouver office

Locally based Stairmaster merges with Star Trac

Two fitness equipment companies — Vancouver-based StairMaster and Irvine, Calif.-based Star Trac — have merged and will move into a Vancouver headquarters in June, economic development officials announced Wednesday.

WA teen charged with murder in party shooting

SEATTLE (AP) -- King County prosecutors have charged a 16-year-old boy with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of another teen at a weekend birthday barbecue in Auburn, Wash.

Sanchez: Jets players planning full-team workout

NEW YORK (AP) -- Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez says the entire team plans to work out together "sometime next month" if the NFL lockout drags on through June.

Shea, Hartman lead FC Dallas past Seattle, 1-0

SEATTLE (AP) -- Brek Shea scored in the 18th minute, and Kevin Hartman made four saves for his fifth straight shutout as FC Dallas beat the Seattle Sounders 1-0 on Wednesday night.

Energy prices held back growth in first quarter

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Surging gasoline prices and sharp cutbacks in government spending caused the economy to grow only weakly in the first three months of the year. Consumer spending slowed even more than previously estimated.

Federal agents raid California suicide kit seller

SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- A 91-year-old California woman who sells helium hood kits that people can use to kill themselves says her home has been raided by federal agents.

WA judge splits 'Wheel of Fortune' winnings

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) -- A Clark County judge has ruled that although Scott Dole's wife had filed for divorce before he won more than $51,000 on "Wheel of Fortune," they were reconciled when the show was filmed and she's entitled to half.

Lightning, rain washes out Canadian finale

TORONTO (AP) -- A relentless lightning and rain storm forced officials to wipe out play Wednesday night in the Canadian Championship final between Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Ore. woman arraigned on murder count in fatal fire

SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- A woman sought in a Salem, Ore., house fire that killed a 64-year-old man has been arraigned on murder and related charges.

Fan who fell off rail at Coors Field dies

DENVER (AP) -- Authorities say a 27-year-old man has died after he fell while sliding down a stair railing at the Colorado Rockies' stadium in Denver.

Police: fan injured at Coors Field fell off rail

DENVER (AP) -- Police say a 27-year-old man critically injured in a fall at a Colorado Rockies game at Coors Field lost control while sliding down a railing.

States open more of Columbia River for spring chinook

Waters between Beacon Rock and Bonneville to open for boats; mid-Columbia to open for six days

Vancouver shuffles school principal lineup

Another late May, another round of falling dominoes, of sorts, for Vancouver Public Schools principals and other administrators. A long list of changes for 2011-12 was approved by the Vancouver school board on Tuesday, and announced by the district.

Rodgers lifts Red Bulls to 2-2 tie with Rapids

HARRISON, N.J. (AP) -- Luke Rodgers scored in the 33rd minute to cap the teams' six-minute scoring flurry and lift the New York Red Bulls to a 2-2 draw with the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night.

Vancouver contestant ousted on "The Bachelorette"

The Vancouver contestant was eliminated on the season premiere of "The Bachelorette."

Jimmy V Classics to be played same day

NEW YORK (AP) -- For the first time, the men's and women's Jimmy V Classics will be played on the same day.

Woman's body found in Ore.'s Willamette River

COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. (AP) -- Police in Cottage Grove, Ore., say three children spotted a woman's body in the Willamette River.

Accused Auburn tree poisoner pleads not guilty

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- The man accused of poisoning the trees at Auburn's Toomer's Corner has pleaded not guilty and waived Thursday's preliminary hearing.

Padres 2B Hudson leaves game with groin strain

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- San Diego Padres second baseman Orlando Hudson left Wednesday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals with a strained left groin.

Body found in Wash.'s Snoqualmie River

FALL CITY, Wash. (AP) -- The King County sheriff's office says a body has been found in the Snoqualmie River near where a 29-year-old Bothell, Wash., man vanished on Sunday while trying to rescue his dog.

Clark County pair arrested in Oregon on warrants

They were stopped as part of seat belt campaign

Two Clark County residents were arrested in Oregon on the second day of the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign.

Warriors' Stephen Curry has surgery on right ankle

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry had surgery on his right ankle but is expected to be ready by training camp in the fall.

Olympic gold medalist Free injured while cycling

GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) -- Beijing Olympic rowing pairs gold medalist Duncan Free will miss the world championships in Slovenia after breaking his leg when he was hit by a car while cycling.

Crime, carnivals and tomatoes at Salmon Creek neighbors meeting

The North Salmon Creek Neighborhood Association discussed crime trends, its upcoming carnival for Chinook Neighborhood Park and how to grow vegetables more efficiently at its latest bi-monthly meeting.

WA moves closer to privatizing liquor distribution

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- The Washington state Legislature has approved a proposal that moves the state closer to privatizing the distribution of liquor.

Feds: 3 brothers busted in Western Lowe's thefts

SEATTLE (AP) -- Federal authorities say three brothers led a scheme to steal $130,000 worth of items from Lowe's home improvement stores in four Western states by smuggling them out in toilet or sink boxes.

Diamondbacks reliever Juan Gutierrez goes on DL

DENVER (AP) -- Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Juan Gutierrez was put on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday because of inflammation in his right shoulder and right-hander Zach Kroenke was recalled from Triple-A Reno.

Senate moves Patriot Act toward extension

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he has struck the first of several agreements needed to pass a four-year Patriot Act extension before three provisions expire at midnight Thursday.

WA school backs off prom alcohol tests for all

KIRKLAND, Wash. (AP) -- A high school in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland has backed away from a plan to test every student at this year's senior prom for alcohol.

WA keeps immigrant children in state health plan

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- The Washington state Legislature has approved changes to the state's health care program for poor kids, allowing a raise in premiums for undocumented children to keep them enrolled.

Sen. Rockefeller leaving WA Senate for new job

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- State Sen. Phil Rockefeller is retiring from the Senate and moving to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

Body found in bed of burning truck in Bonney Lake

BONNEY LAKE, Wash. (AP) -- Firefighters doused a burning pickup in Bonney Lake only to discover a body in the truck bed.

AP Source: NCAA rejects USC's appeal of sanctions

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A person with knowledge of the situation says the NCAA has rejected Southern California's appeal to reduce the sanctions imposed last year on its storied football program.

Reports: NCAA rejects USC's bid to ease sanctions

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The NCAA has rejected Southern California's bid to reduce some of the penalties imposed last year on its football program, including a two-year bowl ban and the loss of 30 scholarships over three years, according to media reports.

Alderson responds to Wilpon comments

CHICAGO (AP) -- New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson says he expects the team's payroll to be cut next season, just not as drastically as some media reports have projected.

Former Seton Hall player's robbery trial nears end

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Jurors are about to begin deliberating in the armed robbery trial of a former Seton Hall basketball player.

Perry eyes another taste of 2008 magic at Valhalla

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Kenny Perry figures he's just about due for another emotional uptick at Valhalla Golf Club.

Forecasts, TV, luck eased tornado risk in Oklahoma

PIEDMONT, Okla. — When three tornadoes marched toward Oklahoma City and its suburbs, thousands of people in the path benefited from good forecasts, luck and live television to avoid the kind of catastrophe that befell Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Joplin, Mo.

Weather: 100 percent chance of rain today

Hopefully you soaked up Monday and Tuesday's sunshine. Rain is prominent in the National Weather Service's five-day forecast, especially today, when the chance of precipitation is a tidy 100 percent.

2 nights, 4 periods of OT in NBA, NHL playoffs

NEW YORK (AP) -- Sports fans have been treated to plenty of bonus action this week in the basketball and hockey playoffs -- and they're taking advantage of the opportunity.

Sabres sign rookie F Foligno to 3-year contract

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- The Buffalo Sabres have signed rookie forward Marcus Foligno to a three-year entry level contract.

Ore. lawmakers decide Medicaid payment cuts

SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon lawmakers have decided on a plan to cut Medicaid payments to hospitals and health care providers.

Chiefs fill 5 semitrailers with relief supplies

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Kansas City Chiefs have sent five semitrailers with donated supplies to the tornado-ravaged communities of Reading, Kan., and Joplin, Mo.

Goodwin Liu withdraws appeals court nomination

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Goodwin Liu is telling President Barack Obama he is withdrawing his nomination to an appeals court judgeship after Senate Republicans blocked a vote on his confirmation last week.

Medicare key to shocking Dem win in NY House race

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Kathy Hochul told her supporters they had picked the right issue to fight a Republican on long-held Republican turf. The Democrat rode a wave of voter discontent over the national GOP's plan to change Medicare and overcame decades of GOP dominance here to capture Tuesday's special election in New York's 26th Congressional District.

Okposo agrees to 5-year contract with Islanders

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) -- Forward Kyle Okposo has agreed to a five-year contract with the New York Islanders.

Moore leaves Sparks due to medical reasons

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Point guard Loree Moore is leaving the Los Angeles Sparks because of medical reasons after never playing a minute for them.

NY judge agrees to new DSK house arrest location

NEW YORK (AP) -- New York court officials say a new, more permanent location has been found for Dominique Strauss-Kahn's house arrest on sexual assault charges.

Daytona 500 Bayne to sit out both Charlotte races

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne will miss a fifth straight week of racing as Roush Fenway Racing holds him out from Charlotte Motor Speedway for precautionary reasons.

Roddickton takes the Belmont feature

NEW YORK (AP) -- Roddickton extended his winning streak to three, beating Capital Market by 114 lengths on Wednesday in the $53,000 allowance feature on the turf at Belmont Park.

In Our View: More Industrial Jobs

When it comes to local economic recovery, boardrooms are just as crucial as bedrooms

Consider this tale of two counties: In 1990, Clark County had 84 jobs per 100 households and Clackamas County in Oregon had 85. In the next two decades, Clark experienced a virtual gold rush for housing, and the number of residential units soared as Clark accentuated its role as a commuter community in the greater Portland Metropolitan Area. By contrast, Clackamas County took advantage of state and local land-use policies that emphasized commercial and industrial. And here’s how the formerly similar counties compared in 2009: Clark County had dropped to 82 jobs for every 100 households while Clackamas had improved to 98.

Skyview softball team storms to state

Skyview reclaims its place as one of best teams in state

For years, it was a lock. You could write it down. Skyview softball was going to state. In 2001, the young school won the Class 3A state championship. The next five seasons, as a 4A program, the Storm went to state again.

Talking Points: Strange firings not exclusive to Blazers

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

Destruction in Joplin hits home for Timbers captain

Jewsbury's birthplace recovering from massive tornado

For Jack Jewsbury, Tuesday’s Portland Timbers practice session and today’s exhibition match against Dutch power Ajax provide a little respite from the uncertainty and the worry. Jewsbury was born in Joplin, Mo., which on Sunday was struck by America’s deadliest tornado in six decades.

Letter: Is there a refund on the Rapture?

Some said the Bible guaranteed that the world would end on the 21st and it didn’t happen. Darn! I want my money back.

Letter: Single-payer system has advantages

In recent years there has been an increased focus on the issue of health insurance. Recently Congress has debated single-payer health care and I believe we must act on this bill. Even though we are the richest country in the world, our nation’s health insurance continues to decline. To begin repairing it, we must implement single-payer insurance and ensure regulation of health care.

Letter: Newt playing with old rules

Poor old Newt Gingrich. He is so out of touch with reality. He is still back in the 20th century, not realizing that this is the 21st century. Back in the 20th century all presidential candidates, even Republicans, were expected to have some original ideas that they could use to separate themselves from the other presidential candidates. That was then. This is now the 21st century, and all Republicans in the national spotlight are required, not expected but required, to follow the marching orders that come down from the Koch brothers sponsored think tanks. No deviation is acceptable. None.

Letter: Review effectiveness of alert system

I have not seen this discussed in the media, but no alert was activated during the Clackamas-area chemical incident on May 11 for the All Hazards Radio System operated by NOAA and sometimes referred to as the Weather Alert System. As a spotter, I called the Portland National Weather Service office to let them know I had not heard an alert broadcast. I was told no local official had asked for it to be activated. A May 12 Columbian online story reported “4 injured in Portland-area chemical release.”

Letter: Humans can be heartless

I have lost my faith in the human race. I was horrified to witness a mallard duck and her ducklings attempt to cross St. Johns Road during the busy morning commute. The ducklings waited on the sidewalk while their mother walked out on the street attempting to guide her family to the pond on the other side. Cars either raced past or actually drove right over her, straddling her between the tires. She lay crouched on the road, afraid to move.

Letter: The public is broke, too

Here we go again. Now Clark County needs a new baseball stadium and the county wants the taxpayers to foot most of the bill with a proposed admissions tax. Don’t we have enough taxes, fees, and other charges imposed by state, county, city, and other regional authorities? If the stadium is such a great idea, then let private enterprise pay for all of it. I’m broke.

Letter: Not everyone enjoyed the parade

From the perspective of someone who lives on Hazel Dell Avenue, the Parade of Bands is not fun but rather a choice of being prisoner in your home for hours or leaving at the crack of dawn and staying away. Usually I’ll stay holed up inside with a mild amount of irritation. However, this year I had a minor emergency and needed to leave my house.

State licensing director announces retirement

Washington State Department of Licensing Director Liz Luce, a Vancouver resident, announced her retirement today after more than six years with the state agency. Luce has served with Gov. Chris Gregoire’s administration since March 2005. She will retire effective June 30.

Death Notices

Buckridge, Janice A., 70, Vancouver, died May 21 2011. Evergreen Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel, 360-892-6060. Carey, Doris M., 89, Camas, died May 18, 2011. Straub’s Funeral Home & Columbia River Cremation, 360-834-4563.

Correction: Paving budget

Paving budget: The city of Vancouver’s pavement management program has $5.75 million in funding this year and will have $5 million in 2012. A story on Page C1 of Tuesday’s Columbian gave the wrong funding amounts.

Everybody has a story: Woman’s tumultuous odyssey leads her to ‘paradise’ in Salmon Creek

My window ledge overlooks a wooded valley. Mossy green velvet clothes the trunks and branches of deciduous trees, while the lush evergreens always retain their emerald beauty through each season. From my window seat I watch Salmon Creek below turn and trail through the vale. Ferns sprout along the ground to the edge of the stream. The frequent rain has formed a heart-shaped pond just below my vantage. In the evening, croaking frogs celebrate their watery dwelling. In the early morning, I see the mist hugging the forest with arms of soft gray. It is then I meditate on my great fortune to arrive here in my odyssey of life. It wasn’t so long ago I lived in Venezuela during the time often referred to as “the golden years.” It was a time of prosperity and great opportunity. Venezuela was a place people flocked to in order to realize their dreams. People who had lived on the fringe of U.S. society were able to thrive, start businesses and make a lot of money there.

Vendors sought for 4th Plain International Fest

Organizers of the Second Annual 4th Plain International Festival are accepting applications for vendors at the festival.

La Center Museum Association seeks board applicants

The La Center Museum Association is seeking applicants interested in completing a term of service on its board of directors.

Pets of the Week

Cash is a sweet 8-year-old domestic shorthair brown tabby. He came to the shelter when his family moved and was unable to take him with them. Cash will need to be fed Prescription Diet C/D in order to keep him healthy and will need a slow introduction to his new household, just so he has time to acclimate. He will need to be indoors only. Frazier is a 1½-year-old Jack Russell terrier. He is full of energy and would love a family that is around most of the day so he can take walks and play as much as possible. Frazier should meet any dogs or kids he would be living with; he would be happiest in a home without cats. Frazier would also do really well in a home that has had dogs before or experience with Jack Russell terriers. Make an appointment to meet him today by emailing fsmith@southwesthumane.org.

Neighbors calendar

Today Central Park Neighborhood Association, 6:30 p.m. potluck, 7 p.m. meeting, Washington State School for the Blind, 2214 E. 13th St.: Bob Knight, minor league baseball team.

Fircrest Community A-Fair set

The Fircrest Neighborhood Association has partnered with the Fircrest Elementary School PTA to sponsor the Fircrest Community A-Fair, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 11, at Fircrest Elementary School, 12001 N.E. Ninth St.

What's up with that? Clarifying some fine points of safe driving behavior

Here are two questions about safe driver behaviors. Those highway “talking signs” began saying “See flashing lights? Move over OR slow down.” A week later they said “Move over AND slow down.” A week after that they said “Move over OR slow down.” As I remember, the newspaper article about all this (months ago) said move over a lane OR slow down. Make up my mind!

Paul Valencia column: All hands on deck for final weekend

Commentary: Paul Valencia

In my dream world, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association would stagger the championships of the spring sports over two or three weekends. We newspaper guys love the fall, for example, with volleyball, soccer, and football all concluding on separate dates. In reality, everything in the spring (except golf) takes place this weekend.

Free clinic honors its volunteers

Bagley Downs — The Free Clinic of Southwest Washington honored 32 volunteers in April with the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. The award recognizes those who have contributed a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer service in 12 months. The 32 award-wining volunteers contributed a total of 5,500 hours in 2010. The clinic has more than 600 volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise, and it’s because of their efforts that the clinic can offer medical, dental, vision and specialty care for free to children and adults who otherwise couldn’t afford such services. In 2010, the clinic saw nearly 11,000 patients and filled nearly 10,000 prescriptions. The clinic in the Jim Parsley Community Center is entirely funded by the community. For more information, visit http://www.freeclinics.org.

Local twins club hosts regional convention

VanMall — The Columbia Mothers of Twins Club hosted the 48th Annual Northwest Association of Mothers of Twins Clubs Convention on April 28-30 at the Heathman Lodge. The Northwest Association has 23 member clubs from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Canada. Former Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard opened the convention on April 28. The weekend also included workshops, boutiques, a Mother of the Year luncheon and the “Wish Upon a Star” installation banquet. During a business meeting, hundreds of stuffed animals were given by association members to firefighter-paramedic identical twin sisters, who will give the toys to children in crisis. Local club member Angela McKee was installed as the association’s president, and Sandy Pagel as recording secretary during the installation banquet. The Columbia Mothers of Twins Club was founded in 1958 in Vancouver. The club meets on the first Thursday of each month at St. John Lutheran Church, 11005 N.E. Highway 99. For more information, call 360-573-3318.

Montessori students celebrate French Week

VanMall — Oui, oui! Bonjour, Madame. Students at Skinner Elementary Montessori School might have heard and spoken a few of these phrases during French Week, which celebrates the French culture. No need to fly to France to see the Eiffel Tower; it came to the students. The students also played a soccer game — France against World Cup champion Spain — tried French food in a petit cafe, participated in the Tour de Skinner bicycle race and ended the week with a carnival highlighting French games. Each day, the students had French lessons from Madame Boger, the school’s French teacher.

Princesses get B.G. history lesson

Battle Ground — If anyone should know a little about the history of Battle Ground, you’d think it would be the Battle Ground Rose Princesses. During a meeting of the Daughters of the Pioneers of Washington, the girls were given a pop quiz on Battle Ground’s history. The important fact? Battle Ground’s first float in the Portland Rose Parade was in 1955. It was to promote the Battle Ground Centennial, which was being held later that summer. Betty Linn Davenport presented the princesses with a reprint of the newspaper article in which Chief Umtuch’s grandson told the story of the events leading up to the naming of Battle Ground and the battle that never was. Davenport also showed them the tiara she wore as the Queen in Calico of the Battle Ground Centennial.

Humane Society fundraiser nets $80,000

Esther Short — Nearly $80,000 was raised for the Humane Society for Southwest Washington during the 2011 Walk/Run for the Animals on May 7. More than 800 animal enthusiasts and 500 animals — including a ferret and miniature horse — gathered at Esther Short Park to show support for the Humane Society. Owners also entered their pets in talent contests, such as the best jump and best look-alike. Entertainment was provided by local alternative bluegrass band Jawbone Flats. The grand trophy went to the Asset Hounds from Columbia Credit Union, who raised $3,263 collectively. S. Medalina Teran was the top individual fundraiser with $2,882; Ann Bulletset, who raised $1,366, was second; and Sheryl Bateman, who raised $1,267, was third. Humane Society employees and volunteers had their own internal competition and raised $9,000.

Union musicians bring home the awards

Fisher-Mill Plain — The Union High School music department has scored some wins at recent music competitions. In April, it competed against bands from Washington, California, Utah and Canada at the Seattle Heritage Music Festival. The Wind Ensemble was named the best concert band. Union Jazz Ensemble 1 was the top jazz band, and the Percussion Ensemble was named the top group in its category as well. Overall, Union was named the best instrumental program at the festival. Later, the musicians competed in the state Solo and Ensemble music festival in late April in Ellensburg, and the Union Percussion Ensemble won its second consecutive Washington Interscholastic Activities Association State Championship title.

Hargett celebrates 100 years

Burnt Bridge Creek — Kathryn B. Hargett celebrated her 100th birthday on May 11 with close friends and family. Her grandparents homesteaded around the town of Starbuck in Columbia County, where she was born. Starbuck is north of Walla Walla.

Science team takes state, advances to national contest

Mountain View — Mountain View High School’s Math, Engineering and Science Achievement team of Jonathan Wu, Kuei-Jih (Brian) Lu, and Arranan Baleswaran won the 2011 State MESA Day Competition on May 14. Their coach is Emika Allen. The team will participated in the national competition in June in Seattle.

Auto dealership offers scholarship program

Ogden — Dick Hannah Dealerships is giving $67,000 to the Creative Media and Digital Culture program at Washington State University Vancouver for 10 Mobile Technology Research Fellows summer scholarships. The students will spend the summer in the Mobile Tech Research Initiative, then present a mobile app they create to the dealership to share with its customers. In the fall, the students will intern for Dick Hannah at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, where they will create an interactive installation that explores how technology influences automobile design, function and efficiency.

Walk/run brings in $21K for arthritis group

Columbia Way — The Vancouver Arthritis Walk raised more than $21,000 to further the Arthritis Foundation’s efforts to control and cure arthritis and related diseases, and improve lives affected by the illness. More than 400 walkers participated in the May 15 event that began at Marine Park. Some participants walked in honor of a friend or family member with arthritis, while others, who were designated by blue hats, had some form of arthritis. Aloma Cole, 69, and Faith McIntosh, 9, both of Vancouver, served as grand marshals. Cole has osteoarthritis and has had both knees replaced. McIntosh was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at age 2 and is now in remission.

Fundraiser will help seed habitat for pollinators

Cascade Highlands — The Vancouver Whole Foods Market raised more than $2,000 during a fundraiser for Urban Abundance, a local group dedicated to promoting urban agriculture and the local slow-food movement. The money raised from the event will be used to purchase wildflower seeds, fruit trees, and landscaping material that will help Urban Abundance create pollinator pathways and plant community orchards throughout Vancouver.

Cleanup day beautifies downtown Vancouver

Esther Short — Graffiti was scrubbed, weeds were pulled, cigarette butts were plucked, other garbage was corralled, moss was washed away, and downtown Vancouver was adorned with 115 beautiful hanging flower baskets. More than 100 volunteers joined a Vancouver’s Downtown Association work party on May 14 to beautify the central business district. Parents with kids, the Hispanic Knights of Columbus, Clark College environmental biology students, the faith community’s Second Saturday community volunteer program, businesspeople and others took part. Committee leaders Lee Coulthard and Stephanie Diaz linked the volunteers to the area’s cleanup needs. Within four hours, a difference could be seen. Learn more about VDA at http://www.vdausa.org or by contacting Lee Rafferty at director@vdausa.org.

Red Cross honors outstanding volunteers

Van Mall — Seven local volunteers were thanked by the American Red Cross of Southwest Washington during an annual volunteer recognition dinner on May 10 at the Heathman Lodge in Vancouver. Duane Royer won the Emergency Services Volunteer of the Year award because of his tireless work — preparing reports and grants, teaching classes and being ready to respond anytime. (Royer’s award was presented by emergency services director Kelly Anderson via live webcam from Alabama, where she was helping tornado victims.) Also celebrated were Volunteer of the Year Chris Kane; Service to Armed Forces Volunteer Julie Berger; Health and Safety Volunteer Luis Osoria; Youth Volunteer Vickie Su, a senior at Mt. View High School; Blood Services Volunteer Susan Schneiderman; and Board Member of the Year Andrew Young.

WSU students selected for Google project

Salmon Creek — Three Washington State University Vancouver students have been selected to participate in the competitive Google Summer of Code program. Computer science graduate student Travis Hall and computer science undergraduate students Skylar Hiebert and Helena Scheuble were three of the 1,116 applicants accepted out of 5,651 proposals from around the world. The students receive a $5,000 stipend to write computer code for open-source projects such as Drupal, Wordpress, Mozilla and Moodle.

Yankees reliever Soriano could be out 2 months

NEW YORK (AP) -- Yankees setup man Rafael Soriano has an inflamed ligament in his right elbow that could keep the former All-Star out up to two months.

Rookie DL Dareus joins Bills players for workouts

ELMA, N.Y. (AP) -- Rookie first-round pick Marcell Dareus wasn't going to pass up a chance to join his new Buffalo Bills teammates for informal workouts, even if it meant watching mostly from the sideline.

Red Bull to change pit strategy at Monaco GP

MONACO (AP) -- Red Bull will change its pitstop procedures during the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday amid concerns that rival Ferrari was doing copycat stops during last week's race in Spain.

Tuition flexibility may help Wash. colleges

SEATTLE (AP) -- There's a very good reason Washington's university presidents aren't tearing down the governor's door this week to complain about a proposed half billion dollar cut in state dollars for the state's colleges and universities over the next two years. And it has nothing to do with not wanting the public to see them cry.

Landslide fears delay Oregon Coast golf resort

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) -- A golf resort representing some of the best economic development hopes for the southern Oregon Coast has hit a snag that will delay it at least a year.

Oregon man gets lost items from France

BEND, Ore. (AP) -- A central Oregon man who lost some documents and cash while traveling in Europe recently got them back in the mail in an anonymous package from France.

Lost cell phone a clue in Kennewick burglary

KENNEWICK, Wash. (AP) -- Police say they have identified a copper wire burglary suspect because a cell phone was left at the Kennewick electrical contracting business.

Rivera makes 1,000th appearance for Yankees

NEW YORK (AP) -- Mariano Rivera has become the first pitcher in major league history to have appeared in 1,000 games for one team and the 15th to reach the plateau overall when the Yankees closer was called on in the ninth inning against Toronto on Wednesday.