Stories for April 9, 2012

Watford, Zeller will return to Indiana next season

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Christian Watford and Cody Zeller will play basketball next season at Indiana.

AP Source: Panthers WR Smith signs extension

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- A person familiar with the situation says Panthers five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Steve Smith has agreed to a contract extension that will likely keep him with Carolina for the remainder of his NFL career.

High school scoreboard 4/10

High school sports results from Monday, April 9

Report: WA dollars not going far enough for pre-K

SEATTLE (AP) -- A new national report released Tuesday says Washington preschool programs that receive government dollars are among the best in the country. But the researchers also believe too few kids benefit from the $54 million Washington spends on preschool each school year.

Suspicious fire burns historic tavern in Skykomish

SKYKOMISH, Wash. (AP) -- Fire officials say the Tuesday morning blaze that has destroyed the historic Whistling Post tavern in Skykomish is suspicious.

Stock open mixed after four days of declines

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks are opening mixed on disappointing news about the U.S. economy.

Lawmakers make tentative budget pact

OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire and top lawmakers labored for a final agreement Monday night that would end months of stagnation in the state Legislature.

Eugene firefighter settles lawsuit for $285,000

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- A firefighter who says she was discriminated against when she returned to work with a heart pacemaker has settled a lawsuit against the city of Eugene for $285,000.

Fire destroys historic tavern in Skykomish

SKYKOMISH, Wash. (AP) -- Fire has destroyed the historic Whistling Post tavern on Highway 2 in Skykomish.

Springfield fire truck gets stuck under City Hall

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (AP) -- Firefighters now know their ladder truck won't fit in the parking garage under the City Hall in Springfield.

Andy Murray treating Olympics like a Grand Slam

LONDON (AP) -- Andy Murray says he is treating the tennis tournament at the London Olympics like a fifth Grand Slam.

20-year-old pleads guilty in Hillsboro to rapes

HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) -- A 20-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday after pleading guilty in Washington County Circuit Court to sexually assaulting eight girls, ranging in age from 12 to 16.

Israel readying to prevent entry of protesters

JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel is vowing to prevent the entry of hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists expected to arrive in the country this weekend.

3 Md. school workers split Mega Millions win

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Maryland Lottery officials say three public school employees are sharing the spoils of the record Mega Millions jackpot.

Deputies, trooper fight field fire near Bend

BEND, Ore. (AP) -- When a field burn got out of control and threatened homes near Bend, no firefighters responded because the property is outside a fire district.

Rockets hand Blazers 94-89 loss

Portland's postseason exclusion all but sealed

And after Houston's 94-89 victory, the Blazers' postseason clock might as well read 0:00.

Driver shoots self during WSP chase at Bellingham

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) -- The Washington State Patrol is investigating why a speeding driver who was being chased shot and killed himself in Bellingham.

Stock futures higher after four days of declines

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stock futures are up after four days of losses on Wall Street.

Yakima refers some 911 calls to nurse hotline

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) -- Every time the Yakima Fire Department responds to a 911 medical aid call, it costs the city hundreds of dollars.

Driver shoots self during WSP chase at Bellingham

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP) -- The Washington State Patrol says a driver being pursued by troopers early Tuesday shot himself in Bellingham.

911 audio sheds light on collapse of Cody Sherrell

La Center teen suffered cardiac arrest at school

As Cody Sherrell, 14, suffered cardiac arrest in La Center Middle School’s gym Jan. 3, a device that could have shocked his heart back into rhythm went unused.

Wimbledon hires rugby league chairman as CEO

LONDON (AP) -- The All England Club has hired English rugby league chairman Richard Lewis as the chief executive of Wimbledon.

Kitties in the clink

Larch Corrections Center’s foster cat program proving mutually beneficial for inmates, felines

Larch Corrections inmate Joey Contreras and Princess Natalie, a long-haired black feline, have at least two commonalities: both know what it’s like to live in captivity, and both needed unconditional love.

Ryan says no discussion of No. 2 spot with Romney

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A leading House Republican says he hasn't had a discussion with Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney about taking the No. 2 spot on the ticket this fall.

Trial starting for man accused of 50-year-old rape

SYCAMORE, Ill. (AP) -- The trial of a Seattle man suspected in the sexual assault of an Illinois teenager 50 years ago is set to get under way.

Zoo shindig planned for Ore. elephant's 50th B-day

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Sure Seattle's Space Needle is turning 50 this year, but for folks who lived in Portland, a signature event of 1962 was the birth of Packy the elephant at the Oregon Zoo.

Semenya, Pistorius to run at SAfrican nationals

JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- Olympic hopefuls Caster Semenya and Oscar Pistorius are scheduled to compete at this week's South African championships.

Psychiatric examination: Norway killer not insane

OSLO, Norway (AP) -- A new psychiatric examination has found that confessed mass killer Anders Behring Breivik is not criminally insane, contradicting an earlier assessment.

A-League in turmoil after Jets owners try to quit

NEWCASTLE, Australia (AP) -- Australia's A-League has plunged deeper into turmoil after Football Federation Australia refused to allow the owner of the Newcastle Jets to relinquish the club's license.

CUP asks federal judge for halt to state contracts

Ruling in Medicaid services provider’s case likely next week

Columbia United Providers officials and their attorney asked a federal judge Monday to halt the state’s effort to contract with other health insurance plans to provide Medicaid services.

UPDATE: Vancouver will block light rail vote, for now

Only slight chance C-Tran's light rail M & O funding will be on ballot

City council votes 4-3 against going forward with a sales tax vote C-Tran needs for extending MAX light rail service to Clark College.

County Democrats gear up for precinct caucuses

Democrats in Clark County will have their chance to discuss party issues and elect delegates to their county convention during the Democratic precinct caucuses, from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at 10 locations across the county.

Leafs apologize to fans for disappointing season

TORONTO (AP) -- The Toronto Maple Leafs are apologizing for yet another disappointing season.

Autovation exhibit hitting high gear

WSUV students scrambling to finish project for OMSI

With a deadline looming to create a major exhibit for Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, some Washington State University Vancouver students were just too busy to travel to Portland for another project meeting.

Fire victim's family questions effort to alert her

DENVER (AP) -- The family of a woman presumed killed in a Colorado wildfire is questioning why a firefighter didn't leave his vehicle and walk past a chain blocking her driveway to warn her to evacuate.

APNewsBreak: Calif. finds toxins in nail polishes

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- California regulators have found some nail polishes used and sold in salons that are advertised as free of a so-called "toxic trio" of chemicals have high levels of agents known to cause birth defects.

Report: 150,000 languish in NKorean prison camps

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. human rights envoy for North Korea says conditions in communist country's "brutal" prison camps are worse than in the Soviet Union's gulag during the Cold War.

Fort Hood shooting suspect seeks trial delay again

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) -- A military judge is to hear arguments on whether to postpone until October the trial of the Army psychiatrist charged in the deadly Fort Hood shooting rampage.

Senate shows some comity, if only briefly

WASHINGTON (AP) -- For a brief moment in a season of partisan rancor, Senate Democrats and Republicans as well as the White House hit the pause button.

Gillnetters to fish in lower Columbia on Tuesday

Commercials get a six-hour fishing period with an expected catch of 3,000 spring salmon

Wash. kids stop school bus after driver stricken

MILTON, Wash. (AP) -- Police are praising Washington state middle school students who safely stopped a school bus after the driver was apparently stricken with a heart attack.

USGS: Small quake recorded near Walla Walla, Wash.

WALLA WALLA, Wash. (AP) -- The National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, Colo., reports a magnitude 3.5 earthquake Monday night in southeast Washington.

Man hit by tree near Lacamas Lake on Sunday

A Portland man was sent to the hospital Sunday afternoon after a tree fell on him near Lacamas Lake.

Firefighters rescue boy, 10, stuck in tree

Youngster's brother climbed down on his own

Vancouver firefighters on Monday afternoon came to the rescue of a boy who was stuck 40 feet up a tree. Two brothers, ages 7 and 10, climbed the tree at 8821 N.E. 104th St. in the Sunnyside neighborhood, said Capt. Dave James, a Vancouver Fire Department spokesman.

No sign of Syrian pullback as UN deadline passes

BEIRUT (AP) -- Activists say Syrian forces have attacked two towns as a deadline passed for President Bashar Assad's troops to start withdrawing from populated areas in the kickoff to an internationally brokered truce deal.

Syrian opposition says 1,000 killed in last 8 days

GENEVA (AP) -- Syria's main opposition group says 1,000 people have been killed by government forces in the last eight days.

Fire crew responds to boys stuck 40 feet up tree

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) -- Firefighters were told there were two of them, stuck 40 feet up a tree in Vancouver, Wash. No, not cats -- these were little boys.

Fire victim's family questions effort to alert her

DENVER (AP) -- Relatives of a woman presumed killed in a Colorado wildfire are questioning whether authorities did everything they could to notify her to evacuate.

A's reliever Joey Devine to have elbow surgery

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Oakland Athletics right-hander Joey Devine will undergo a second surgery on his troublesome pitching elbow on Tuesday, yet another setback for the reliever who already started the season on the disabled list because of biceps tendinitis.

Burglary costs SW WA couple $80K in coins

KELSO, Wash. (AP) -- A Cowlitz County sheriff's officer says a burglary has cost a Kelso, Wash.-area couple at least $80,000 in silver and gold coins.

Columbia River cleanup trial expected in September

Canadian company’s efforts to draw other firms into legal fight rejected

YAKIMA — A federal judge has rejected efforts by a Canadian smelter to drag other companies into a legal fight over Columbia River pollution, paving the way for a trial in September and potentially saving the state or U.S. government from having to pay to clean up the mess, Washington state officials said Monday.

Wash. lawmakers labor on fine details of agreement

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Gov. Chris Gregoire and top lawmakers are striving for a final agreement that would end months of stagnation in the state Legislature.

Gorgeous greens of spring

Some of the first fresh vegetables of the season are in the greens family. Let’s look at how these vegetables interact with your body to provide their powerhouse nutrition.

Bill Victor: Plyometrics gives athletes a leg up

With so many physical assets being necessary to a successful athlete, I have always been mystified by the amount of attention given to the vertical jump. This action, coupled with one’s ability to run 40 yards as fast as possible, have been adopted by the sporting public as two indicators of pure athleticism. Undeniably, there is something spectacular about watching an athlete defy the force of gravity with a graceful and powerful disrespect.

Source: Indians to sign Carlos Santana to deal

CLEVELAND (AP) -- A person familiar with the decision says the Cleveland Indians have an agreement with catcher Carlos Santana on a multiyear contract.

Portland police justified in wounding man

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A grand jury has found no criminal wrongdoing by four Portland police officers who shot and wounded a man as they searched for a vehicle linked to a robbery.

Top senator: Lawmakers have tentative agreement

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Gov. Chris Gregoire and top lawmakers have a tentative agreement that would end months of stagnation in the state Legislature.

Berlocq tops James Blake

HOUSTON (AP) -- Sixth-seeded Carlos Berlocq of Argentina overcame an injury to his left calf and surged past James Blake of the United States 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 in a first-round match at the U.S. men's clay court championship Monday night.

Woman arrested in fatal Portland stabbing

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Police in Portland have arrested a 45-year-old woman in the fatal stabbing of a man who died at a hospital.

Gregoire, lawmakers strain for final agreement

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Gov. Chris Gregoire and top lawmakers are laboring for a final agreement that would end months of stagnation in the state Legislature.

Cowlitz deputies seek help in coin theft case

Deputies with the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office are asking for help in their investigation of the theft of more than $75,000 worth of gold and silver coins and other items last week.

2 Philly warehouse fire deaths called 'tragedy'

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A law firm representing the owner of a vacant Philadelphia warehouse hit by a massive fire that claimed the lives of two firefighters in a collapse at an adjacent building calls the deaths "an unspeakable tragedy."

1B Daric Barton comes off disabled list for A's

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- The Oakland Athletics have activated Daric Barton from the 15-day disabled list and plan to use him as their regular first baseman if he stays healthy.

Ex-NFL player Lorenzo Neal sentenced for DUI

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) -- Former NFL player Lorenzo Neal has been sentenced to three years of probation after pleading no contest to a misdemeanor drunken driving charge.

Without Howard, Magic ease past Pistons 119-89

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Jason Richardson hit six 3-pointers and scored 22 points, J.J. Redick had 20 points and the Orlando Magic eased past the Detroit Pistons 119-89 Monday night.

Nuggets F Danilo Gallinari back from thumb injury

DENVER (AP) -- Danilo Gallinari was back in the Nuggets' starting lineup Monday night against the Golden State Warriors after missing 10 games because of a broken left thumb.

Coast Guard rescues kayaker on Ore. coast

NORTH BEND, Ore. (AP) -- A Coast Guard helicopter crew has rescued a 65-year-old man whose kayak overturned at the entrance to the Salmon River near Otis, Ore.

Outdoors blog 4/9

Compact will meet today and is expected to approve gillnetting for Tuesday

Reds' Phillips leaves game with hamstring cramp

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips left a game against St. Louis on Monday night after feeling a cramp in his left hamstring.

Darvish gives up 4 runs in 1st major league inning

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Yu Darvish is off to a rough start in his much-anticipated major league debut for the Texas Rangers.

Lt. Gov. Owen's son charged with theft

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- The son of Lt. Gov. Brad Owen is being accused by the state of receiving nearly $20,000 in illegal disability payments.

WA shoplift suspect drives off in occupied car

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. (AP) -- A sheriff's spokesman says a man suspected of shoplifting at a Wal-Mart in Spokane Valley swung a knife at a security guard, then raced from the store, jumped in an occupied car and drove off.

Blue Jays limiting beer sales at home opener

TORONTO (AP) -- The beer taps weren't turned off this time, but fans in the upper deck at Monday night's Toronto Blue Jays home opener found it harder than usual to get their hands on some suds.

Spurs leave Duncan, Parker, Ginobili at home

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The San Antonio Spurs were without stars Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili as they tried to extend their 11-game winning streak Monday against the Utah Jazz.

Fire destroys grange hall in Ore. ghost town

BEND, Ore. (AP) -- A fast-moving fire destroyed a historic grange hall in the central Oregon ghost town of Ashwood.

Police: 2 suspects confessed in Tulsa shootings

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Tulsa police documents say the two suspects arrested in a shooting spree that terrorized the city's black community have both confessed.

Lakers' Bryant remains out against Hornets

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Kobe Bryant has been scratched from the lineup for the Los Angeles Lakers' game at New Orleans on Monday night because of the left shin injury that also sidelined him two nights earlier.

Port Angeles fugitive finds time to update Facebook page

SEATTLE — He’s on the lam, but Travis A. Nicolaysen still finds time to update his Facebook page.

Susan Robinson Fruchtl to coach at Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Susan Robinson Fruchtl has been hired as the women's basketball coach at Providence.

3 Colo. State football players suspended from team

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) -- Three Colorado State University football players have been suspended as police investigate an assault near the campus that injured four people, two of them seriously.

Magic exec says Howard, Van Gundy can co-exist

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Orlando Magic senior vice president Pat Williams would like to see star center Dwight Howard and coach Stan Van Gundy both remain with the franchise long-term.

Texas A&M's Middleton declares for draft

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) -- Texas A&M junior Khris Middleton has declared for the NBA draft.

Seahawks agree to terms with CB Trufant

RENTON, Wash. (AP) -- The Seattle Seahawks have agreed to terms with cornerback Marcus Trufant on a one-year deal.

New chief named at Nevada Highway Patrol

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) -- A veteran law enforcement officer is the new chief of the Nevada Highway Patrol.

JR John Jenkins leaving Vanderbilt early for NBA

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- John Jenkins, the Southeastern Conference's top scorer the past two seasons, is passing up his final year at Vanderbilt and hiring an agent as he enters the NBA draft.

Chipper Jones expects to come off DL Tuesday

HOUSTON (AP) -- Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones has taken more than 100 swings in early batting practice Monday, a day before he's eligible to come off the disabled list.

Florida defensive standout Ronald Powell tears ACL

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida star linebacker Ronald Powell could miss the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee.

Johnson says he wants to restore Dodger pride

NEW YORK (AP) -- Magic Johnson says the new Dodgers ownership group wants to restore pride in one of baseball's most storied clubs.

Eugene tries to compost commercial food waste

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- The city of Eugene has now got four months of experience in setting up a composting system for commercial food waste.

Md. winner claims share of $656M jackpot

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Maryland lottery officials say a holder of a winning Mega Millions ticket has come forward to claim a share of the record-breaking $656 million prize. The winner has chosen to be anonymous.

Buccaneers sign DT Okoye to one-year deal

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- The Buccaneers have signed free agent defensive tackle Amobi Okoye to a one-year deal.

Nationals closer Drew Storen (elbow) has setback

NEW YORK (AP) -- Drew Storen still has discomfort in his pitching elbow and the Washington Nationals closer will be examined by Dr. James Andrews.

Seattle council protects public breastfeeding

SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seattle City Council has made it illegal for businesses and others to ask mothers to stop breastfeeding, to cover up or move to a different location.

Skanska workers seized in Peru jungle

LIMA, Peru (AP) -- Peruvian police say gunmen believed to be Shining Path rebels have abducted seven Peruvian employees of the Swedish construction company Skanska who were building a natural gas plant in the Amazon jungle.

Redskins sign offensive lineman James Lee

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) -- The Washington Redskins have signed free agent offensive lineman James Lee.

Boy, 6, injured in barbecue explosion in Oregon

The Washington County sheriff's office says a woman trying to re-light some charcoal briquettes at a family cookout at Aloha squirted on some high-octane fuel used in remote-control toy cars and airplanes.

Petrino getting plenty of support from Ark fans

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- The scandal surrounding Bobby Petrino has divided Razorbacks fans, with many supporting the embattled Arkansas coach.

Michigan suspends backup safety Josh Furman

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan has suspended backup safety Josh Furman two months after his arrest on suspicion of assault.

Olympic gold medalist diver Mark Lenzi dies at 43

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) -- Olympic diving champion Mark Lenzi has died at 43 in Greenville, N.C.

G Jared Cunningham declares for draft

CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon State guard Jared Cunningham is skipping his senior season and entering the NBA draft.

Blazers grades are in

It’s been a tough season for many Blazers players

It’s not the end of the season, but it might as well be for the Blazers whose playoff hopes are becoming more and more dismal by the day.

In Our View: New Direction in Higher Ed

Legislature replaces HECBwith Student Achievement Council

If changing the name of the state Higher Education Coordinating Board becomes simply kneading the nomenclature, then this year’s House Bill 2483 will be seen as a waste of time. After all, the new Student Achievement Council starts off with the same staff as the old HECB.But there are several indications that the change is carefully designed, with a clear mission, plus a closer connection between higher education and the K-12 system. Previously, those two operations were conducted in figurative silos. Now, with a representative of the state superintendent’s office (for K-12 education) serving on the new nine-member board, the silos are replaced by shared goals.

Martinez: High school sports spring back into action

The John Ingram Twilight Invitational track meet, Mountain View Invitational girls tennis tournament, and the Chieftain Invitational girls golf tournament highlight the week in prep sports.

Prep sports schedule for week of April 9

High school sports schedule for the week of April 9-14

Posing positive change

Yoga Calm classes teach young people to focus, improve self-control, and develop social skills

Purple yoga mats are spread across the floor of the room, creating a pattern with the carpet. Instrumental music playing from a small stereo fills the room. The natural light from the overcast sky peeks through the windows.

Editorial cartoon: Romney feels our pain

April 9

Timbers perplexed following home loss

Portland has lost three straight heading to L.A.

It wasn’t a one-two punch that stunned the Portland Timbers in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Chivas USA at Jeld-Wen Field.

Pitts: American society devolves into enemies at the gate

Meet Nathan Fletcher, candidate for mayor of San Diego.

Talking Points: Sergio knows Sergio

What's the buzz from the world of sports? Here are some items that will have people talking: Sergio Garcia; major league baseball openers; United States Davis Cup team

Blazers in Review: Week of April 1-7

How the Blazers fared last week

Grant to buy boats for crisis response

County, Vancouver could add capacity on Columbia River

The Vancouver Fire Department and Clark County Fire & Rescue are one step closer to getting new boats to help with emergency responses on the Columbia River, thanks to a federal grant.

Letter: Please, protect privacy

Please, protect privacy

Letter: Flawed attitudes about insurance

Flawed attitudes about insurance

Letter: Not too late for alternative designs

Not too late for alternative designs

Vancouver building permits

Real estate roundup

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

Letter: Charities, watchdogs help America

Charities, watchdogs help America

Taking a hike? Conditioning is very important

There’s nothing like fresh mountain air and beautiful terrain. But hiking can be hard on your body and knees if you’re not conditioned -- especially with the challenging inclines around the Columbia River Gorge, Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood. So try some of the following exercises to get you in tip-top hiking shape. Dog Mountain will be a piece of cake for you this year!

Letter: Too many unanswered questions

Too many unanswered questions

Clark County business calendar

A weekly list business-related classes and events.

Clark County at Work: Advanced Diagnostic Services

Business name: Advanced Diagnostic Services Inc.

Liquor licenses

Blazers Week Ahead: April 9-15

This week’s matchups for the Portland Trail Blazers

Death notices

A list of daily death notices

Open forum, April 9-15

An open forum for community discussion.

Off Beat: Memories of tornado stirred by anniversary coverage

‘I saw lots of kids with red hands and red faces and thought that they must have been finger-painting when the storm hit, but then realized it was blood, not paint.”

Ecology names members of Yakima Valley group

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) -- The Washington Department of Ecology has announced the members of a newly-formed advisory board to address nitrate contamination in the lower Yakima Valley.

Cards' Berkman has sore hand, but back in lineup

CINCINNATI (AP) -- First baseman Lance Berkman tested his sore right hand and was back in the St. Louis Cardinals lineup for their series opener against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.

Sharks enter playoffs as underdog for change

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- For years, the San Jose Sharks have entered the postseason as one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup, only to fall short somewhere along the line.

Panthers will wait to pick Game 1 goalie

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (AP) -- Florida Panthers coach Kevin Dineen says he does not plan to divulge his starting goaltender for Game 1 of the playoffs against New Jersey before Friday.

New federal early learning contest announced

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration has announced that five states that were finalists in an earlier competition for millions in federal dollars to improve early learning programs will be able to compete for a new pot of money.

Spears asks judge to add fiance to conservatorship

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Britney Spears has requested that a judge appoint her fiance as a co-conservator and help oversee her personal affairs along with her father.

Sept. trial set over Columbia River pollution

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) -- A federal judge has rejected efforts by a Canadian smelter to drag other companies into a legal fight over Columbia River pollution.

Inslee campaign disputes $1M election estimate

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Jay Inslee's campaign disputes that it will cost the state $1 million for an election to replace him in Congress.

Ex-FIFA head Joao Havelange back in intensive care

SAO PAULO (AP) -- Former FIFA President Joao Havelange is back in the intensive care unit with a heart problem and is struggling to breathe.

Milton kids stop school bus after driver stricken

MILTON, Wash. (AP) -- Police are praising Milton middle school students who safely stopped a school bus Monday morning after the driver was stricken, apparently with a heart attack.

G Armelin granted release from Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota has granted guard Chip Armelin his release from the program so he can transfer, clearing the way for star forward Trevor Mbakwe's return for a sixth season.

Trooper's foot run over during stop at Renton

RENTON, Wash. (AP) -- The Washington State Patrol says a trooper fired a shot at a fleeing car after it ran over his foot during a traffic stop on Interstate 405 Monday morning at Renton.

Haas out of US Clay Courts with knee injury

HOUSTON (AP) -- Former champion Tommy Haas withdrew with a right knee injury Monday before his first-round match in the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships.

Infante, Sanchez lead Marlins over Phillies, 6-2

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Anibal Sanchez took a three-hitter into the seventh, Omar Infante hit a pair of solo homers and the Miami Marlins spoiled the Philadelphia Phillies' home opener with a 6-2 victory on Monday afternoon.

Rebuilding Lokomotiv hires Carolina's Tom Rowe

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Former Carolina Hurricanes assistant Tom Rowe was hired as head coach of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl as the Russian club rebuilds after all of its players, coaches and staff were killed in a plane crash.

Sedin returns to practice for Canucks

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Vancouver Canucks leading scorer Daniel Sedin has returned to practice after missing nine games with a concussion.

Sen. Rodney Tom absent until after special session

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- The coalition of Senate Republicans and three Democrats that passed an budget plan by a single vote last month is down a vote through the end of the special session on Tuesday.

FDA: Wash. company will keep cheese off market

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says a Washington state cheese processor has agreed not to sell its products until they are proven safe for consumption.

Sen. Hewitt returns to Senate week after surgery

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- The state Senate's top Republican is back at the Capitol a week after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor in his abdomen.

Cavs sign G Hudson to second 10-day contract

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Guard Lester Hudson has signed a second 10-day contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, one day after scoring a career-high 26 points in an overtime loss to New Jersey.

Wave of bomb threats at Pitt leaves campus on edge

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Dozens of bomb threats at the University of Pittsburgh over the past two months have students on edge and show no sign of stopping soon.

Trent Johnson hired at TCU after leaving LSU

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Trent Johnson has been hired as TCU's new basketball coach.

Seattle council considers protecting breastfeeding

SEATTLE (AP) -- The Seattle City Council is taking up an ordinance that would protect the right of a mother to breastfeed her child in public.

Gregoire pitching new proposal as deadline nears

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Gov. Chris Gregoire is pitching a new compromise in hopes of ending a stalemate in the state Legislature.

Eagles sign DT Derek Landri to 1-year deal

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Defensive tackle Derek Landri and the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to a one-year contract.

Baylor's Perry Jones III headed to NBA

WACO, Texas (AP) -- Baylor forward Perry Jones III is skipping his final two seasons of eligibility to enter the NBA draft.

Report: Baylor exceeds limits on calls, texts

WACO, Texas (AP) -- The Baylor basketball programs may be in trouble with the NCAA after an investigation found coaches made more than 1,200 impermissible calls and text messages to prospects over a 29-month span dating to 2008.

Runner's death adds poignancy to Pa. photo exhibit

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Organizers of a photography exhibit in Philadelphia say it has taken on new poignancy after the unexpected death of one of its subjects.

Hornets PG Jack out for remainder of season

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Hornets starting point guard Jarrett Jack will miss the rest of the season because of a stress fracture in his right foot.

Goodell upholds penalties in Saints bounty case

NEW YORK (AP) -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has rejected the appeals of coach Sean Payton and other New Orleans Saints officials stemming from the league's probe into the club's bounty system.

Garcia-Lopez beats Fognini in 1st round in Morocco

CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) -- Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain beat Fabio Fognini of Italy 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in the first round of the Grand Prix Hassan II on Monday.

Trey Burke staying at Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan star Trey Burke has announced he will remain with the Wolverines instead of entering the NBA draft.

Wash. man on the run finds time to update Facebook

PORT ANGELES, Wash. (AP) -- A 26-year-old man in Washington is on the run from police, but he still had time to tell his Facebook friends that he "got away thanks bro."

Lynch named managing editor in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE, Wash. (AP) -- The Columbia Basin Herald has named Lynne Lynch as its new managing editor.

Capitals again recall Sabourin to back up Holtby

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- The Washington Capitals have recalled journeyman goaltender Dany Sabourin from Hershey of the AHL, an indication that neither Tomas Vokoun nor Michal Neuvirth will be ready for the first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins.

Antoine Walker retires after 2 seasons in Idaho

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker is calling it quits after spending two seasons trying to rejuvenate his career with the Idaho Stampede.

After $1B, experts see progress on autism's causes

ATLANTA (AP) -- More than $1 billion has been spent over the past decade searching for the causes of autism. Now, experts say they're seeing the beginning of a wave of scientific reports that should strengthen some theories, jettison others and perhaps even herald new drugs.