Stories for January 31, 2012

Titans WR Kenny Britt resolves NJ court case

HOBOKEN, N.J. (AP) -- Tennessee Titans receiver Kenny Britt has pleaded guilty to a downgraded charge stemming from an arrest in New Jersey.

Schools have ceremonies planned for college signing day

Several Clark County standouts will commit

For a number of high school football and soccer players, Wednesday is not your average Wednesday.

Boy, 5, swept away in Albany creek now improving

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The condition of a 5-year-old boy who escaped from a car swept away in a flooded Albany creek is improving at a Portland hospital.

Boy, 5, swept away in Albany creek now improving

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The condition of a 5-year-old boy who was swept away with his family in a flooded Albany creek is improving at a Portland hospital.

Boys basketball: Three Rivers Christian 74, Seton Catholic 57

Host Three Rivers went 32 for 43 from the free-throw line to sink the Cougars.

Boys basketball: Union 76, Skyview 54

Tanner Nelson scored 29 points -- 19 of them in the first quarter -- as the Titans hustled past the host Storm.

Boys basketball: Ridgefield 72, La Center 61

Sam Landerholm scored 28 points to lead the Spudders past the visiting Wildcats.

Girls basketball: Heritage 43, Evergreen 31

Emily Myers and TeeTee Martin each scored 12 points to lead the Timberwolves past the host Plainsmen.

Girls basketball: Ridgefield 47, La Center 41

Shannon Boyle scored a season-high 17 points and converted several key baskets down the stretch as the Spudders edged the visiting Wildcats.

Girls basketball: Kelso 63, Hudson’s Bay 49

Treneisha Doyle was 4 of 7 from 3-point range and scored 30 points in a loss to Kelso.

Medford murder trial begins in 1996 death of teen

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) -- A murder trial began Tuesday in circuit court in Medford where 31-year-old William Frank Simmons is accused of killing a 15-year-old girl in 1996.

IAAF confirms 6-month bans for Lim and Moreira

MONACO (AP) -- South Korean sprinter Lim Hee-nam and Portuguese steeplechaser Sara Moreira both received six-month bans after failing doping tests at last year's world championships in South Korea.

Girls basketball: Three Rivers Christian 58, Seton Catholic 53

After falling behind early, Seton Catholic rallied within two points of Three Rivers Christian in the fourth quarter but could not take the lead.

Girls basketball: Columbia Adventist 43, WSD 29

Chianne Hendrix scored 29 points to lead the Kodiaks to a Columbia Valley League win. Columbia Adventist outscored WSD 29-15 in the second half.

Boys basketball: Battle Ground 55, Camas 32

Jake Belford scored 11 of his 15 points in the first half to get the Tigers going, then the Tigers ruled the second half in a non-league victory.

Boys basketball: Columbia Adventist 67, Washington School for Deaf 24

Columbia Adventist outscored WSD 25-2 in the first quarter and never looked back.

Boys basketball: Stevenson 68, White Salmon 51

Hayden Nelson was in the zone Tuesday, leading Stevenson to its second victory of the season.

Girls basketball: Stevenson 51, White Salmon 31

Jen Rathgeber had 23 points and eight rebounds to lead Stevenson into back into second place in the 1A Trico League.

Boys basketball: Washougal 69, Woodland 38

A 30-6 second quarter sent the host Panthers to the 2A Greater St. Helens League win.

34-year term for Roseburg man for child sex abuse

ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) -- A 45-year-old man was sentenced Tuesday in Roseburg to 34 years in prison for child sex abuse.

34-year term for Roseburg man for child sex abuse

ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) -- A 45-year-old man was sentenced Tuesday in Roseburg to 34 years in prison for child sex abuse.

Girls basketball: Fort Vancouver 54, Columbia River 35

The Trappers went on an 11-0 run to break away from an early 6-all tie and never looked back.

Boys basketball: Prairie 62, Mountain View 54

Ryan Denny scored 25 points and the host Falcons put an end to Mountain View’s bid for a share of the Class 3A Greater St. Helens League championship.

Girls basketball: Prairie’s Aldridge gets 700th victory

Corral’s big night helps coach reach milestone

Heather Corral waited patiently with the basketball under her arm. She and her Prairie girls basketball teammates had signed it and wanted to present it to their coach after Tuesday’s 76-40 victory over Mountain View.

Boys basketball: Evergreen 81, Heritage 50

Thomas Phillips came off the bench to score eight points in the first quarter, helping the Plainsmen to a fast start en route to the win.

Batum’s knee injury is just bruise

Blazers forward, and fans too, feared something worse

Sometimes, when people can’t sleep, they kill some time by watching TV. Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum did just that early Tuesday morning, except it wasn’t Law and Order or CSI -- it was footage of his fourth-quarter fall against the Utah Jazz.

Brazil's idea to erect Jesus statue meets mirth

LONDON (AP) -- Memo to Brazil: That idea of putting up a giant Jesus statue in a London park is not going over well.

After traffic stop, Ohio woman gives birth in car

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A woman's speeding got her a warning from an Ohio state trooper but wasn't enough to keep her grandchild from being born in her car.

Herrera Beutler, Leavitt meet face to face

After sparring publicly, congresswoman, mayor try to bury hatchet

Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler and Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt met last week to bury the hatchet — but signs say there may still be some of the blade sticking up.

Riverview Bancorp posts $16.6 million loss

Still-shaky economy hampers company based in Vancouver

Riverview Bancorp reported a $16.6 million loss for the fiscal quarter ending Dec. 31 as it continued to struggle with losses on its old development loans and weak demand for new commercial loans.

Mother and daughter battle Ocean Shores police

OCEAN SHORES, Wash. (AP) -- Police say two officers were choked and bitten when they tried to break up a fight Tuesday night between a 42-year-old woman and her 24-year-old daughter in Ocean Shores.

Reward offered in hit-run death of Vancouver man

A reward of up to $1,000 being is offered for information leading to the arrest of a driver who hit and fatally injured a Vancouver man in Southeast Portland and fled, leaving his victim in the street.

Stolen truck crashes in Seattle police chase

SEATTLE (AP) -- Police say after a woman stole a work truck Tuesday night in north Seattle dispatchers soon received calls the big truck with a lift bucket on top was driving erratically.

Toddler OK after car hits Spokane apartment

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- Rebecah Lakman says her 1-year-old daughter Samara had an angel watching over her when a car crashed into their apartment on Spokane's South Hill.

Walla Walla store clerk wounded in robbery

WALLA WALLA, Wash. (AP) -- Police say a clerk who was shot during a robbery at a Walla Walla convenience store is in satisfactory condition Wednesday after surgery.

Walla Walla store clerk wounded in robbery

WALLA WALLA, Wash. (AP) -- Police are looking for two men who robbed a convenience store and wounded a clerk in Walla Walla.

Palestinians hurl slippers at visiting UN chief

EREZ CROSSING, Gaza Strip (AP) -- Relatives of Palestinians held in Israeli jails have hurled slippers at an armored vehicle carrying visiting U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon into the Gaza Strip.

UN chief urges Israel to halt settlements

JERUSALEM (AP) -- U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has asked Israel to halt settlement construction in the West Bank as a way to restart Mideast peace efforts.

UN chief tries to salvage Mideast peace talks

JERUSALEM (AP) -- U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon is on a Mideast peace mission aimed at salvaging the latest round of Israeli-Palestinian talks.

Community Sports Calendar, Jan. 31

The Community Sports Calendar on Columbian.com is updated each Tuesday. Submit items for the calendar by sending an e-mail to paul.danzer@columbian.com, or call 360-735-4521.

Firm of lawyer who represented Guard gets Washougal contract

Two on council ask if public defender deal conflict of interest

Starting Wednesday, Washougal criminal defendants who cannot afford an attorney will be represented by a Vancouver-based firm whose principal attorney represented Washougal’s mayor during his recent legal imbroglio.

Early tally: Jan. storms cause $38M damage in Ore.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Preliminary assessments indicate the wind, rain and snow that hit Oregon in mid-January caused an estimated $38 million in damage to nine counties.

WA Senate set to vote on gay marriage bill

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- The state Senate is set to vote on a measure that would legalize gay marriage in Washington state.

FIS sets makeup dates for 2 men's super-G races

OBERHOFEN, Switzerland (AP) -- Two men's World Cup super-G races that were wiped out by poor weather conditions in January have been rescheduled in Switzerland and Norway.

Vancouver Community Library lauded for catering to kids

Downtown site ranked No. 2 in U.S. by Livability.com

To the far west is a blur of activity in the Land of Imagination. At the eastern edge, Kendra Jones and her finger-puppet lion are holding court amid more than 60 toddlers and their grown-up companions.

Djokovic to miss Davis Cup match vs. Sweden

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) -- Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic will not play in Serbia's Davis Cup match against Sweden this month.

NJ city turns down 'Jersey Shore' spinoff

HOBOKEN, N.J. (AP) -- The city of Frank Sinatra's birth has denied a request for a spinoff of MTV's "Jersey Shore" reality show to film in the city.

Putin says he may face runoff in Russia's election

MOSCOW (AP) -- Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says he could face a runoff, his first acknowledgement that he may not get enough support for an outright victory in March's presidential vote.

Bill would see Oregonians pay some sales tax here

They would pay full rate, but then be able to apply for refund of all but city’s share

A bill that would make Oregonians shopping in Southwest Washington pay some retail sales tax is being considered by Washington lawmakers in an attempt to raise about $18 million in state revenue.

Oregon lawmakers return to Salem for short session

SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon lawmakers have opened the 2012 legislative session, the first in an even-year since voters decided to send lawmakers to Salem annually.

Oregon lawmakers return to Salem for short session

SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon lawmakers are preparing to kick off a short legislative session.

Hough area first in city with rubber sidewalk

It's more accommodating of tree roots, pedestrian safety

As one of Vancouver’s oldest neighborhoods, Hough has its share of large, old trees. The trees shade the neighborhood’s collection of bungalows, foursquares and Victorians in the summer, calm drivers and increase property values. But their expansive root systems also cause sidewalk cracks and upheaval, presenting tripping hazards and requiring costly repairs.

Deputies swap duties, expand skills

They rotate into specialty units, back to patrol every few years

The New Year brings the promise of a fresh start for many. Resolutions are made. Gym memberships are bought. Budgets are tightened. And the Clark County Sheriff’s Office rotates deputies in and out of positions in specialty units.

FIFA to consider allowing 4th sub in extra time

ZURICH (AP) -- FIFA's rule-making panel will discuss the possibility of allowing teams to use a fourth substitute in extra time when it meets next month.

Wozniacki fires coach Sanchez after 2 months

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) -- Former top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki has fired coach Ricardo Sanchez of Spain after just two months.

Terry pleading not guilty to racism charge

LONDON (AP) -- England captain John Terry has pleaded not guilty to racially abusing an opponent during a Premier League match in October.

Judge considers if pharmacies must sell Plan B

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) -- A federal judge is considering whether Washington state can require pharmacies to stock and sell Plan B or other emergency contraceptives.

Judge considers if pharmacies must sell Plan B

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) -- A federal judge is considering whether Washington state can require pharmacies to stock and sell Plan B or other emergency contraception.

Romney routs Gingrich in Florida primary

He picks up 50 delegates, takes big step toward nomination

TAMPA, Fla. — Mitt Romney routed Newt Gingrich in the Florida primary Tuesday night, rebounding smartly from an earlier defeat and taking a major step toward the Republican presidential nomination. In defeat, the former House speaker vowed to press on. Romney, talking unity like a nominee, said he was ready “to lead this party and our nation” — and turn Democratic President Barack Obama out of office. In remarks to cheering supporters, the former Massachusetts governor unleashed a strong attack on Obama and said the competitive fight for the GOP nomination “does not divide us, it prepares us” for the fall.

Wozniacki fires coach Sanchez after 2 months

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) -- Former top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki has fired coach Ricardo Sanchez of Spain after just two months.

Qatar loses Oman game on FIFA ruling

DOHA, Qatar (AP) -- Qatar's bid to qualify for the 2012 Olympics has taken a hit after FIFA ruled that the Gulf nation had fielded an ineligible player in a qualifying game last November, overturning the initial draw and awarding a 3-0 win to Oman.

First spring chinook of 2012 confirmed

Eighteen-pounder was caught by a gillnetter near Cathlamet

Camas city administrator announces retirement

Lloyd Halverson, the first city administrator in Camas’ history, will relinquish his full-time duties with the city at the end of September, he said Tuesday.

Key Washington state gay marriage vote Wednesday

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- The Washington state Senate is set to take a crucial vote Wednesday on a proposal to legalize same-sex marriage.

Former students speak of odd teacher behavior

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Two former students of a Los Angeles teacher suspected of photographing children for sexual thrills say school officials were told about his odd behavior two decades ago.

First lady promotes healthy food in California

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) -- Michelle Obama says a proposed new supermarket in the middle of a blue-collar Hispanic neighborhood in Southern California is an example of how the effort to bring healthy foods to low-income communities is paying off.

Status update: Facebook to go public, raise $5B

NEW YORK (AP) -- Facebook is updating its status from a private to public company. The shift is occurring as the Internet social network filed its long-awaited plans for an initial public offering of stock.

Free Clinic receives grant for urgent care services

The Free Clinic of Southwest Washington received an $8,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente Northwest to fund urgent medical care clinics.

Ore. woman pleads guilty to murder in fatal fire

SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- A 35-year-old Oregon woman accused of setting a Salem house fire that killed a man has pleaded guilty to murder and arson.

Vancouver author launches cookbook

Vancouver resident Chrisetta Mosley will celebrate the launch of her new cookbook with a book-signing event.

Rush leads Warriors past Kings in Smart's return

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Brandon Rush scored 15 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to spark a late rally, and the Golden State Warriors spoiled former coach Keith Smart's return with a 93-90 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.

Lakers dominate Bobcats in 106-73 win

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kobe Bryant scored 24 points, Andrew Bynum added 20, and the Los Angeles Lakers beat slumping Charlotte 106-73 Tuesday night, extending their home record to 11-2 and sending the Bobcats to their ninth consecutive defeat and 19th of the season.

Daniel Sedin's OT goal lifts Canucks past Chicago

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Daniel Sedin scored at 3:37 of overtime to lift the Vancouver Canucks to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night.

Effort to oust Barrett board members continues

Shareholder vote could take place next month

The fight over the direction of Vancouver-based Barrett Business Services Inc. took another turn Tuesday, with a shareholder group calling for a new date on which to vote on ousting board members and the company denying it ever opposed having such a meeting.

New Mexico routs Air Force 81-42

AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) -- Drew Gordon and Kendall Williams both scored 13 points in limited duty as New Mexico handed Air Force its worst home loss ever, 81-42 Tuesday night.

DePaul women beat No. 14 Louisville 86-61

CHICAGO (AP) -- Anna Martin scored 19 points and Katherine Harry had a career-high 20 rebounds and six assists, leading DePaul to an 86-61 rout of No. 14 Louisville on Tuesday night.

40-foot boat explodes at Wash. marina; man injured

SEQUIM, Wash. (AP) -- Firefighters on Washington's Olympic Peninsula say a 40-foot boat has exploded at the town of Sequim (skwihm), seriously injuring one man.

40-foot boat explodes at WA marina, man injured

SEQUIM, Wash. (AP) -- Firefighters on Washington's Olympic Peninsula say a 40-foot boat has exploded at the town of Sequim (Skwim), seriously injuring one man.

Changes proposed for Northeast Washington elk hunting

Goal is to produce more animals from Pend Oreille, Spokane sub-herds

Weyerhaeuser: chalky cloud release not hazardous

LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) -- A Weyerhaeuser Co. spokesman says a powdery cloud of nonhazardous calcium carbonate was released from a Longview, Wash., newsprint mill and dusted nearby homes.

Port strives to accommodate Billiton

Commissioners likely to keep Terminal 5 land off market as plans firm up

The Port of Vancouver is poised to take another important step in its ongoing effort to enable Australian mining giant BHP Billiton to build an export facility at Terminal 5 to ship fertilizer.

Northern Iowa turns back Southern Illinois 58-49

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) -- Deon Mitchell scored 17 points and keyed a go-ahead rally late in the game as Northern Iowa defeated Southern Illinois 58-49 on Tuesday night.

Stamkos goal beats Capitals 4-3 in OT

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Steven Stamkos scored his NHL-leading 33rd goal at 2:45 of overtime, giving the Tampa Bay Lightning a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.

Oklahoma State upends Texas Tech 80-63

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- Markel Brown scored a career-high 30 points to lead Oklahoma State over Texas Tech 80-63 on Tuesday night.

Ore. woman accused of murdering newborn testifies

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- A 24-year-old Oregon woman accused of murdering her newborn has testified she faked the pregnancy and falsely confessed to killing a baby boy because she wasn't thinking clearly.

Little leads Jets over Flyers 2-1 in shootout

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Bryan Little had the only goal during a shootout, lifting the Winnipeg Jets to a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night.

Summer climbing permits for Mount St. Helens on sale beginning Wednesday

Climbing permits for Mount St. Helens this summer will go on sale beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday on the website of the Mount St. Helens Institute.

Driver sentenced to 41 months for Highway 14 fatality

On Tuesday, Clark County Superior Court Judge Daniel Stahnke sentenced Russell Amon to 41 months in prison, which the judge described as a culmination of his poor driving decisions.

Romney confident as votes are cast in heated Florida primary

State's 50 delegates are biggest prize of GOP race so far

TAMPA, Fla. — Florida Republicans were putting an end to a raucous, big-spending, character-bashing primary campaign Tuesday as they decided whether a confident Mitt Romney or a defiant Newt Gingrich would win the state’s 50 delegates, the biggest prize of the GOP race so far.

Michigan State F Green leaves game with injury

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- Michigan State forward Draymond Green left Tuesday night's 42-41 loss at Illinois with what appeared to be a left knee injury.

Wash. officer kills man who fired at deputies

ROY, Wash. (AP) -- A Pierce County sheriff's spokesman says a SWAT team sharpshooter fatally shot a man who reportedly opened fire on deputies and a sheriff's airplane as officers tried to serve a search warrant on a rural home near Roy, Wash.

Pierce Co. WA officers kill man in gunfight

ROY, Wash. (AP) -- The Pierce County sheriff's SWAT team has fatally shot a man who reportedly opened fire on deputies and a sheriff's airplane as officers tried to serve a search warrant on the man's home near Roy, Wash.

Cashman, Epstein happy they can now do business

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) -- Brian Cashman and Theo Epstein say after years of being on opposite sides of baseball's most bitter rivalry, they are looking forward to being able to make deals with one another.

Savannah State defeats Trinity Baptist 86-56

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) -- Deric Rudolph scored 20 points, hitting six 3-pointers, and Rashad Hassan and Arnold Louis posted double-doubles as Savannah State cruised past Trinity Baptist 86-56 on Tuesday night.

Woman stabbed on Seattle bus; 2nd woman arrested

SEATTLE (AP) -- Seattle police say a woman was stabbed in the chest by another woman on board a King County Metro bus in the Belltown neighborhood.

Rock thrown through Ron Paul's Wash. HQ window

BELLEVUE, Wash. (AP) -- Republican Ron Paul's presidential campaign says someone threw a rock through the window of Paul's Washington state campaign headquarters in Bellevue.

Moseley and Padres agree to 1-year deal

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Right-hander Dustin Moseley has agreed to a one-year contract with the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, avoiding arbitration.

Man who attacked police with light sabers gets 45 days in jail

PORTLAND (AP) — An Oregon judge is using his force to order a 45-day jail sentence and mental health evaluation for a would-be Jedi who attacked toy store customers with light sabers in December.

Falcons' Smith hires Danna to coach secondary

ATLANTA (AP) -- Falcons coach Mike Smith has put the final touches on his staff by hiring defensive backs coach Joe Danna from the Dolphins and promoting Glenn Thomas to quarterbacks coach.

Cowlitz County deputies looking for teen

He left note that he was going camping by himself for a week

Deputies with the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office are looking for a teen who said he went into the woods for a week-long camping trip.

Youth Authority chief will run state prison system

SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Gov. John Kitzhaber has nominated the director of Oregon's juvenile penitentiary system to run the state Department of Corrections.

Livan Hernandez, Astros agree to minor league deal

HOUSTON (AP) -- The Houston Astros have agreed to a minor league contract with former World Series MVP Livan Hernandez.

Noninjury crash snarls I-5 south at Interstate Bridge

A two-car crash on the north end of the Interstate 5 Bridge snarled southbound traffic Tuesday morning.

Cuba hurdler Robles criticizes training conditions

HAVANA (AP) -- Cuba's best known Olympic athlete, hurdler Dayron Robles, is complaining about training conditions ahead of this summer's games in London.

Blackhawks activate Toews and Sharp from IR

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- The Chicago Blackhawks have activated Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp, two of their top scorers, from injured reserved for Tuesday night's game against the Vancouver Canucks.

Wash. Senate eyes curbs on public records requests

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- State lawmakers are exploring a plan that could limit how governments respond to requests for public documents.

Blazers F Batum has bruised left knee

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum has a left knee bone contusion that will keep him out of Wednesday night's game against the Charlotte Bobcats.

Cavs G Gibson out of hospital

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson has been released from a Boston hospital, where he was being treated for a neck infection.

Cappelletti loses memorabilia in Calif. burglary

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. (AP) -- Southern California authorities are investigating the theft of sports memorabilia and jewelry from the home of former football star John Cappelletti, the 1973 Heisman Trophy winner from Penn State.

Ore. homeless camp faces closure as fines mount

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A group of at least 50 Portland homeless people plans a march on City Hall to support an encampment that they call home.

Boy, 11, who flashed gun on MAX train ordered to wear monitoring device

PORTLAND — A juvenile court judge decided Monday that an 11-year-old boy who flashed a gun on a MAX train in Portland last week will wear an electronic monitoring device and live with his aunt.

Spokane police say robbers wanted pizza, not money

Spokane police say the thieves who held up a pizza delivery man didn't take money, just four pizzas the man was trying to deliver.

Crosby suffering from soft tissue injury in neck

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby is suffering from a soft tissue injury in his neck that could lead to neurological problems.

Marquette F Gardner sits with knee sprain

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Sophomore forward Davante Gardner will miss No. 15 Marquette's game against Seton Hall with a left knee sprain. The school says Gardner's future availability will be evaluated on a game-by-game basis.

Stewart acquires points for Danica to run Daytona

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Danica Patrick will be guaranteed a spot in the Daytona 500 via a partnership with Tommy Baldwin Racing.

Women, less conservative voters carry Romney in FL

WASHINGTON (AP) -- An exit poll of voters in Florida's Republican presidential primary show that women, less conservative voters and people worried about the economy provided the victory margin for Mitt Romney.

Mornhinweg commits to Florida, not Penn State

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Skyler Mornhinweg, a high school quarterback who verbally committed to Penn State, will instead sign a letter of intent on Wednesday to attend Florida.

Former Cubs GM Jim Hendry hired by Yankees

NEW YORK (AP) -- Former Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has been hired by the New York Yankees as a special assignment scout.

In our view: A Trail Meant for Royalty

Extravagant project near Battle Ground was full of costly surprises

What was perceived to be a potential jewel of Clark County has turned into the Hope Diamond for hikers, and taxpayers are justifiably outraged at having to pay for the bling. It’s called the “million-dollar mile,” that portion of the intermittent Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Trail that opened last month near Battle Ground State Park.Because state and federal grants are drying up and strained local sources are going to other priorities, no new portions of the 33-mile trail are planned in the near future, which is just as well. At $1.03 million per mile, shutting down construction is the best strategy.

Timbers add Scottish league’s top scorer

Boyd has scored 176 goals in 335 career pro matches

If coach John Spencer’s reaction to the news that Kris Boyd will join his Portland Timbers is any indication, the Major League Soccer team added some major sizzle on Monday.

Community scoreboard, Jan. 31

Community sports results for the week ending Jan. 30

Community notebook: Vancouver teenager wins at national handball event

Jordan Taylor, 16, claims consolation bracket title

Jordan Taylor of Vancouver won the consolation championship at a U.S. Handball Association junior national tournament in December.

Reyna, Meola lead new eligibles for US Soccer Hall

CHICAGO (AP) -- Former national team captain Claudio Reyna and goalkeeper Tony Meola are among 12 first-time eligible players for the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame.

Talking Points: Taking our ball and going home

What's the buzz from the world of sports? Here are some items that will have people talking: Women's Professional Soccer, Shaun White

Editorial Cartoon: Newt's Memory Loss

Jan. 31

Sowell: High-speed rail a one-way ticket to more debt, waste

California has a huge state debt and Washington has a huge national debt. But that does not discourage either Governor Jerry Brown or President Barack Obama from wanting to launch a very costly high-speed rail system. Most of us might be a little skittish about spending money if we were teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. But the beauty of politics is that it is all other people’s money, including generations yet unborn.

Celebrate game with chowder variations

Regional rivalries between Boston and New York are legendary, and when the New England Patriots take on the New York Giants on Sunday, there’s sure to be squabbling.

Letter: Hope looms in November

If the Columbian headline of Jan. 25, “American dream in peril, Obama says,” describing the state of the union address, is accurate, then he has only to look in the mirror to discover the culprit largely responsible for the unfortunate condition in the nation.

Letter: Let residents improve parks

The city is encouraging volunteerism in the parks, but it has severely restricted what can be done via a ban on power tools of any kind, including lawn mowers, pressure washers, leaf blowers, and power pruners.

Letter: Radon’s danger exaggerated

The Columbian’s Jan. 16 story, “Vancouver man raises awareness of radon,” was one-sided. The EPA claims radon causes 15,000 deaths yearly and says to keep it under 4 picocuries per liter. The only problem is that in real-world studies by professor Bernard Cohen that assessed lung cancer, the rate decreased with increasing levels of radon.

Letter: Get government out of marriage

Across the country, gays and lesbians are demanding the right to marry. Many conservative and religious institutions argue just as fervently against it because they feel it is an affront to the law of God. There really is no good compromise as long as marriage remains an institute of the state.

Letter: Moeller’s remark dismissive

In the Jan. 21 story, “Report questions CRC spending,” Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, was quoted: “In a project of such huge scale and complexity, at least some errant billing and bookkeeping is inevitable.”

Izzy’s shutters East Mill Plain Boulevard restaurant

The Izzy’s restaurant at 7615 E. Mill Plain Blvd. in Vancouver has permanently closed, an employee at the chain’s other Clark County location in Hazel Dell has confirmed.

Vancouver Iron & Steel to pay $4,700 fine to DEQ

Vancouver Iron & Steel Inc. will pay a $4,693 fine to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for failing to conduct all required stormwater discharge monitoring at its foundry at 866 N. Columbia Boulevard in North Portland, the DEQ said Monday.

Death notices

A list of daily death notices

Farmers can apply for disaster relief

Marshall youth award nomination due Feb. 9

Correction: Sandra Brown

Sandra Brown: Sandra Brown is the food safety and nutrition faculty for Washington State University Clark County Extension. Reach her at 360-397-6060, ext. 5700, or browns@wsu.edu. The WSU Clark County Extension is at The Heritage Farm, 1919 N.E. 78th St. Outdated information was at the bottom of her column Monday on Page D3.

Dips: Get the scoop on a party staple

Have you ever been to a party where dips weren’t served? Me, neither. They’re mainstays at gatherings, and they’ve come a long way from the days of sour cream mixed with packaged soup or salad dressing mixes.

Exchange students put on Chinese New Year event

evergreen

Weather Eye: Our groundhog may see shadow

When Groundhog’s Day arrives Thursday, if there is one around here locally he most likely will see his shadow. Now that doesn’t necessarily mean six more weeks of winter. Almost time to pull out my annual video watch, “Groundhog’s Day” with Bill Murray. So funny.

Washington View: Power’s back on thanks to hard work

An old TV commercial for an antacid once asked heartburn sufferers, “How do you spell relief?”

Vital statistics

Births, marriages and court sentencings

Key Washington state gay marriage vote Wednesday

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- The state Senate is set to vote on a measure to legalize gay marriage in Washington state.

WA Senate to vote on gay marriage bill Wednesday

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- The Senate is set to vote on a measure to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington state.

Keppinger to earn $1,525,000 in contract with Rays

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Infielder Jeff Keppinger is guaranteed $1,525,000 as part of his one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Angels minor league pitcher gets 50-game drug ban

NEW YORK (AP) -- Los Angeles Angels minor league pitcher Daniel Reynolds has been suspended 50 games for a second drug violation.

Bills targeting minimum wage die in committee

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Washington state lawmakers are shelving a series of bills that would lower wages at the bottom of the income scale in an effort to spur private-sector hiring.

Umatilla chemical weapons contractor fined

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon environmental regulators have assessed a contractor destroying chemical weapons in Eastern Oregon nearly $47,000 in fines for violations that occurred before it finished incinerating mustard agent stored at the Umatilla depot.

Amazon 4Q net income falls, revenue up

SEATTLE (AP) -- Amazon's fourth-quarter net income dropped sharply, weighed down by higher operating expenses even as revenue grew.

New format possible for America's Cup challengers

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- Organizers of next year's America's Cup in San Francisco Bay say they will reconsider the format of the challengers' series after receiving only three entries.

Steelers interview former Chiefs coach Todd Haley

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have interviewed former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley for the team's vacant offensive coordinator position.

Toppenish packing plant pays $50,000 in back wages

SEATTLE (AP) -- The Labor Department says Washington Beef has agreed to pay $50,000 in back wages to a former employee who was fired for taking medical leave from the packing plant at Toppenish.

15-year sentence for Pasco machete killing

PASCO, Wash. (AP) -- A 29-year-old Pasco man who pleaded guilty to killing his sister with a machete was sentenced Tuesday in Franklin County Superior Court to 15 years in prison.

Murphy matures on, off court for No. 12 Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida's Erik Murphy has a small scar just above his right eye, a remnant of the eight stitches he needed after a recent collision with teammate Patric Young.

Amtrak passengers arrested with pot in Havre

HAVRE, Mont. (AP) -- A routine check of the passenger list on an Amtrak train led to two arrests at a stop in north-central Montana and the discovery of two duffel bags containing five pounds of marijuana.

HBO exec: Pacquiao-Mayweather has 'sell-by date'

NEW YORK (AP) -- The new president of HBO Sports says the long-desired Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather bout has a "sell-by date" of later this year or early next year.

Fan handcuffs himself to post during Everton match

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) -- A fan interrupted Everton's home match against Manchester City for several minutes Tuesday night when he handcuffed himself to a goal post.

No injuries in fire at Joe Gibbs Racing

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- Joe Gibbs Racing says no employees were injured when a fire broke out in its machine shop.

Portland man gets 3 years for vehicular homicide

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) -- A 30-year-old Portland man was sentenced Tuesday in Vancouver to more than three years in prison for the death of his friend who fell out of his car on Highway 14 near Washougal.

McDermott, others find success playing for fathers

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- For all the joy that comes with making college basketball a family affair, situations where fathers coach their sons can be an albatross for both. Fans, media and teammates watch their every move to see if dad is giving lad any sort of special treatment.

Pitt hires Breckterfield as defensive line coach

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Pittsburgh coach Paul Chryst has hired former UCLA assistant Inoke (ee-NO-kay) Breckterfield as defensive line coach.

Company to drill for gold samples near Wenatchee

WENATCHEE, Wash. (AP) -- A Canadian exploration company is planning to drill holes in search of gold deposits at a site south of Wenatchee.

Red Bulls re-sign midfielder Joel Lindpere

HARRISON, N.J. (AP) -- Midfielder Joel Lindpere has signed a new multi-year contract with the New York Red Bulls.

Stars activate captain Brenden Morrow

DALLAS (AP) -- The Dallas Stars have activated captain Brenden Morrow from the injured list in time for the team's return from the All-Star break.

ISU hires Todd Sturdy as WR coach

AMES, Iowa (AP) -- Former Washington State offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy is the new wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator at Iowa State.

Ship sinks off Turkish coast, 10 missing

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- An official says 10 Polish crew members are missing after a freighter ship sank off Turkey's Black Sea coast.

NFL settles legal dispute over Who Dat? chant

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- The NFL and a Louisiana recording company have resolved their legal dispute over merchandising rights to the Who Dat? chant of New Orleans Saints fans.

Davidson enjoys resurgence in Southern Conference

DAVIDSON, N.C. (AP) -- Davidson is back on top in the Southern Conference, four years after Stephen Curry put the program on the national map.

Rubik's Cube competition Saturday at Lynden

LYNDEN, Wash. (AP) -- The World Cube Association expects about 30 participants at Saturday's Rubik's Cube competition in Lynden.

Tribe adding 200 slots at 7 Cedars Casino at Blyn

BLYN, Wash. (AP) -- The 7 Cedars Casino says it will expand this year, adding 200 new slot machines to bring its total to 750.

Chowder, cheesecake at stake for Super Bowl govs

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- I'll see your chowda, and raise you a cheesecake.

Devils-Isles to play exhibition game in Brooklyn

NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Islanders are going to Brooklyn. For one game, at least.

Devs-Isles set to play preseason game in Brooklyn

NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Islanders are scheduled to play the New Jersey Devils in a preseason game at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn next season.

WA flags lower Thursday for dead Tacoma soldier

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at state buildings be lowered to half-staff Thursday in memory of a Tacoma soldier who died in Afghanistan.

Aisha Gadhafi seeks to help brother Seif al-Islam

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) -- One of Moammar Gadhafi's daughters has asked to intervene in proceedings against her brother at the International Criminal Court, saying she wants to protect his interests.

Union trade Le Toux to Whitecaps

CHESTER, Pa. (AP) -- The Philadelphia Union have traded Sebastien Le Toux to the Vancouver Whitecaps in exchange for allocation money.

Arredondo gets $2 million in 2-year deal with Reds

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Reliever Jose Arredondo will receive $2 million under his two-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds.

Grays Harbor officials oppose Wild Olympics plan

ABERDEEN, Wash. (AP) -- Grays Harbor County commissioners have sent a letter to Sen. Patty Murray and Congressman Norm Dicks asking them to drop any Wild Olympics legislation that would restrict logging and recreation on the Olympic Peninsula.

Serena Williams: Venus 'coming along awesome'

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) -- Serena Williams says her sister Venus will be ready for this weekend's Fed Cup matches against Belarus.

Celtics G Rondo still out with wrist injury

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Celtics All-Star guard Rajon Rondo will miss his seventh straight game with an injured right wrist.

Rutgers moves forward with Flood

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) -- Longtime Rutgers assistant Kyle Flood is getting his first shot at running a program, replacing his former boss with the Scarlet Knights.

Phillies sign RHP Chad Qualls

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Right-hander Chad Qualls has signed a one-year, $1.15 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Kohlschreiber, Nieminen advance in Open Sud

MONTPELLIER, France (AP) -- Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany beat Olivier Rochus of Belgium 6-1, 6-4 on Tuesday to reach the second round of the Open Sud de France.

Marlins' new ballpark to get its grass

MIAMI (AP) -- The Miami Marlins are ready to roll out the playing field for their new ballpark.

Romney to visit Seattle March 1

SEATTLE (AP) -- Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney will be in Seattle for a March 1 fundraiser.

Huyghue resigns as UFL commissioner

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Michael Huyghue has announced his resignation as commissioner of the United Football League.

AG requests out-of-county jury for Sandusky trial

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- State prosecutors are asking the judge in the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse case to bring in a jury from another county, saying it's needed because of pretrial publicity and the prominent role Penn State plays in its local community.